Clipstudio Paint Tutorial: Adding Base Colors with Reference Layers and Fill Tools
Overview
In this tutorial, we'll demonstrate how to quickly add base colors to your drawings using reference layers and fill tools in Clipstudio Paint. Our goal is to complete the base colors in just two layers: one for the character and another for the background. This technique is particularly useful for comic artists who need to color multiple panels in a day, allowing you to work efficiently and effectively.
Starting Point
To begin, we assume you have a pre-drawn character and background in separate layers. If you don't have these layers, create them before proceeding.
Working with Reference Layers in Digital Painting
To maintain color consistency in digital painting, it's essential to use a reference layer to keep colors where you want them to be. To color a character, follow these steps:
- Go to the character's lineart layer and set it as the reference layer by clicking on the lighthouse icon in the layers panel.
- Add a new layer beneath the reference layer.
- Use the close and fill tool to draw around the character, and watch the colors fill in.
- Since the lineart layer is set as the reference layer, the colors will be contained within the character's boundaries.
Working with Lineart as a Reference Layer
When using lineart as the reference layer, colors will only fill in where the lineart is and will not spill over to the background. To achieve the desired result, you may need to tweak the settings of your close and fill tool to fit your specific needs.
With the base colors applied, you can now add more color detail using various tools, such as:
- Reference all layers fill tool
- Lasso tool
- Brush tool
To switch to a different reference layer, simply go to your layer of choice and click on it.
Using Reference Layers to Add Base Colors to Lineart
Next, we'll add base colors to the background lineart using reference layers. Follow these steps:
- Click on the lighthouse icon to set the background lineart as the new reference layer.
- Add a new layer beneath the reference layer.
- Use fill tools to start coloring the new layer.
- This method quickly adds base colors to lineart using reference layers.
Note that adding shading properly when all base colors are in one layer is a more advanced topic that will be covered in a separate tutorial.
By following this tutorial, you'll be able to efficiently add base colors to your drawings using reference layers and fill tools in Clipstudio Paint. This technique will save you time and help you achieve consistent colors throughout your artwork.