Creating Illustrations from 3D Models within Clip Studio Paint: A Comprehensive Guide (Part 3)
In this final installment of our series on creating illustrations from 3D models within Clip Studio Paint, we'll dive into the world of color selection, application, and pixel art techniques to achieve a stunning, retro-inspired artwork.
Achieving a Soft, Pastel Color Scheme
To create a soft, pastel-like or faded color scheme, we'll focus on keeping the saturation low (below 50) and the brightness or value fairly high (between 80 and 100). We'll start with a pre-selected palette of four colors and use the Intermediate Palette tool to generate an array of mixed colors in between. This allows for a gradual step in hue and more options to differentiate each piece of the bike.
Applying Colors and Creating an Organic Feel
Using the Milli Pen tool with a larger brush size, we'll lay in the base colors, starting with the original four colors and introducing intermediate tones to create a softer touch. We'll paint on a new layer underneath the linework layer, allowing for easy editing and adjustments. Our goal is to create a cohesive and blended look, rather than a precise, pixel-perfect application.
To achieve an organic feel, we'll avoid perfect lines and shapes, using intermediate colors to blend areas together and soften transitions between colors. We'll also add roughing or weathering along edges to create patchy areas, giving the impression of colors washing together. This approach not only adds texture but also suggests weathering on the bike itself.
Background Creation and Converting to Pixel Art
To create a subtle background, we'll import special cloud brushes from Clip Studio assets page and use the brush tool to lay in a backdrop of clouds, suggesting a horizon. We'll then use the auto select tool to select the main bulk of the cloud design and convert it to pixel art using the 50 pixel dithering brush.
Pixel Art Cityscape Tutorial
Next, we'll create a city skyline using the rectangular shape tool, setting it to fill option and hard edges. We'll then add finer details and edges for buildings using the dot pen tool, noting how the detail work interacts with the clouds in the sky behind it due to similar color patterns.
To soften the line work, we'll change the line color from full black to dark brown and fill it into the linework layer. We'll then add a highlight color by masking off the linework portion, creating a custom layer mask, and painting light red on upward-facing pieces of linework to suggest highlight edges. Finally, we'll adjust the opacity to achieve a subtle effect.
Final Pixel Art Version and Adding Paper Texture
We'll combine the pixel art design with softer, painterly finishes to create a unique aesthetic. To add a paper texture, we'll open the Material Window, drag a paper texture onto the canvas, and rotate and rescale it to fit the artwork. We'll then change the Blending Mode to achieve a desired effect and adjust the Opacity to fine-tune the result.
Using a Layer Mask, we'll create a patchy, weathered look by bringing out certain areas of the effect using a Cloud Brush. This adds a retro, postcard-like quality to the artwork.
Final Result and CRT Time
Finally, we'll combine the original clean pixel look with the weathered, card stock variant to achieve a stunning retro-inspired artwork. As a tradition on the channel, we'll display the artwork on a CRT television for a retro flair, referred to as "CRT Time."
Conclusion
In this series, we've explored the possibilities of creating illustrations from 3D models within Clip Studio Paint, incorporating pixel art techniques and presentation formats. We hope this guide has inspired you to experiment with new techniques and presentation formats in your own art. Thanks for watching, and we appreciate you joining us on this creative journey!