Clip Studio Paint Essentials
Clip Studio Paint is an incredibly powerful tool for digital artists, but with so many features and settings, it can be overwhelming for beginners. In this tutorial, we'll cover the essentials you need to get started, from setting up a new project to working with transparency and zooming in and out. Please note that these essentials are based on personal preferences and may differ from others.
Setting Up a New Project
When creating a new project in Clip Studio Paint, it's essential to set up your project with the right settings. For this tutorial, we'll use a canvas size of 13 inches x 19 inches at 300 dpi. This size allows for a lot of space to work on and can be scaled up later. We'll also cover layout and dimensions in a separate video, so be sure to check that out for more information.
Default Brushes
Clip Studio Paint comes with a range of default brushes that are perfect for getting started. For this tutorial, we'll focus on the rough pencil, colored pencil, and other default brushes. These brushes are versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks, from sketching to coloring.
Sketching
When it comes to sketching, it's essential to start with a tidy sketch that can be scaled up later. Use the entire canvas to do multiple sketches, and don't worry about the pixels showing up at 300 dpi. Even at a large scale, the pixels will barely be noticeable.
Color Selection and Erasing Methods
When it comes to color selection, the color used for erasing and painting can be adjusted to any desired shade. For this tutorial, we'll use a slightly grayish brown metallic ashy color, but feel free to change it to suit your personal preference.
There are multiple ways to erase parts of a drawing in Clip Studio Paint. You can use the delete key to erase everything on the screen, the lasso tool to select a specific area to erase, or the erase icon in the toolbar to delete a large section of the drawing. You can also use the eraser tool, which can be accessed by pressing the "d" key.
Transparent Mode and Brush Settings
One of the most useful features in Clip Studio Paint is the transparent mode. This mode allows for precise erasing and can be accessed by toggling between the two color swatches in the brush settings. Pressing "x" will switch between the two colors, allowing you to easily switch between painting and erasing with the same brush settings and textures.
Working with Transparency in a Graphics Editor
In Clip Studio Paint, the checkered symbol () represents transparency in a layer or swatch. This means that the layer or swatch is transparent, and you can see through it. The background layer is not transparent, and its color is visible.
To switch to transparent mode, press the C key by default. This allows you to erase using the same brush, saving time and effort. You can quickly switch between erasing and painting by pressing the C key.
Zooming In and Out
Zooming in and out is an essential part of working in Clip Studio Paint. To zoom in and out quickly, hold down the Option (or Alt) key and the Spacebar, then scrub left and right on the screen with your pen. Alternatively, hold down the Command key and the Spacebar to switch between zoom levels.
Zooming and Managing Canvas
Zooming
To zoom in and out, use the negative magnifying glass to zoom out and the positive magnifying glass to zoom in. Tap the magnifying glasses to switch between zooming in and out. Holding the magnifying glass allows for faster zooming by dragging the pen left and right.
Managing Canvas
To manage your canvas, hold the spacebar to activate the hand tool and move the canvas around. Hold the option key to zoom in and out while in hand tool mode. Hold the shift and spacebar keys to rotate the canvas. Use the reset rotation button to return to the default orientation. Click the rotate canvas buttons to rotate the canvas. Use the navigator to find your position on the canvas by clicking and dragging. Flip the image horizontally and vertically to check for mistakes while mirroring. Use hotkeys for faster zooming and rotating.
Additional Tips
Finally, don't forget to follow the creator on social media at the JDJ Show for more tutorials and tips. Thanks for watching, keep on drawing, and take care!