Clip Studio Paint Review on iPad Pro

As an artist, I, Ellie, was thrilled to dive into the world of Clip Studio Paint on my iPad Pro. I'd heard rave reviews from fellow artists on Twitter, praising its affordability and multi-functionality for animation, painting, comic stripping, and more. After downloading the app, I was excited to put it to the test.

Initial Impression and Customization

When I first opened the app, I felt overwhelmed by its complexity and technical appearance. However, I soon discovered that the entire interface is completely customizable, which is fantastic for both left- and right-handers. I like to have my brush setting options on the left and the color wheel, layers, and navigation panels on the right, similar to my old workspace layout from using Paint Tool Sai on Windows.

3D Models and Additional Assets

One of my favorite features in Clip Studio Paint is the 3D models, which I use for anatomy planning. I demonstrate how to use the 3D models, although the pose I chose wasn't complex. The 3D models can be downloaded from Clip Studio's free assets by clicking on the logo at the top left corner and selecting "Clip Studio Assets". This feature allows users to access a wide range of free materials, including 3D models, backgrounds, brushes, textures, and more, which saves time and money on research and purchasing brush packs.

Importing Brushes and 3D Models

Importing brushes and 3D models into the software is a breeze. Simply drag and drop the files from the downloads folder into the canvas. The 3D modeling feature is available for human anatomy and complex backgrounds, and it's not necessary to be accurate with 3D modeling – just use it as a rough guide for angles, perspective, and poses.

Vector Layers

Vector layers can be created by going to Layer > New Layer > Vector Layer. This feature is useful for comic artists, designers, and those who create logos, banners, and icons. It allows for working with favorite brushes, which can be manipulated and scaled without losing quality.

AI Colorizing Tool

The AI colorizing tool is another fantastic feature that allows for easy coloring of artwork by dropping a few splotches of paint and letting the AI fill in the rest. To use, turn the lineup layer into a reference layer, select the layer containing colors, go to Edit > Colorize > Use Hand Image and Colorize, and hit the button. The AI will fill in the colors within the lines, resulting in a high-quality finish.

Digital Art and Brush Settings

Hair Rendering

The calculation of hair depth is impressive, achieved by analyzing the construction of lines around each other. The back of the head is lighter than the front, blending smoothly into the skin. Additional rendering and saturation are used to create more depth and sharper shadows.

Art Style and Brush Importance

My old painting style was watercolory and blendy, which brought me joy. The brush used can define a big part of an artist's style and spark joy in the process. Having the right brush can make the art journey easier and more enjoyable.

CSP's Brush Settings

I love CSP's brush settings, finding them essential for my painting process. The settings allow for accessibility to constantly tweak:

• Dilution
• Color stretching
• Opacity
• Hardness

This accessibility enables me to work quickly and achieve various effects of texture and lighting.

Brush Customization and Versatility

Having one good brush is not enough; I need constant access to various settings to achieve different effects. Examples of effects that require customization include making an arm look hard or smooth and soft. Brush customization is key to achieving desired textures and lighting effects.

Pen Sensitivity

I love the pen sensitivity feature, which allows for precise control over brush strokes and effects.

Digital Art Tutorial: Enhancing a Character's Arms with Clip Studio Paint

Blending and Shading Techniques

• Use a pen to create dark shadows with sharp edges by pressing down hard
• Blend out areas to soften and create rounded shapes
• Use a lighter paint to create softer edges and maintain sharp muscle definition
• Recalibrate brush settings and color stretching frequently to achieve desired effects

Arm Anatomy and Rendering

• Create a more realistic arm shape by blending and shaping the muscle structure
• Use contrasting light and dark values to create depth and dimension
• Pay attention to the elbow and muscle definition to create a more dynamic look

Colorizing and Blending

• Use AI-assisted colorizing tools to lay the groundwork for color palettes and blending
• Take advantage of accessible brush settings to quickly achieve desired effects
• Blend colors to create a natural, soft look and maintain sharp edges where needed

Community and Inspiration

Clip Studio Paint's strong sense of community inspires users to experiment with new tools and techniques. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new things with the program's flexible workspace and free assets. Use the AI colorizing tool to speed up the coloring process and focus on refining your art.

Final Thoughts

With practice, these techniques can become second nature and enhance your digital art skills. Clip Studio Paint is a powerful program that can help push artists beyond their limits and encourage creativity and experimentation.