Setting Up a Document in Clip Studio Paint
When creating a new document in Clip Studio Paint, start by going to File > New. In the New Project window, select the Comic setting, which is ideal for creating comic book pages. You can also choose the Webtoon setting, which has presets for webcomic sizes and formats.
Next, set a Custom Size of 11 x 17 inches, which is the standard size for a comic book page. Set the Resolution to 600, which creates a larger file that can be easily downscaled for various uses, such as creating clip art, promos, ads, or posters. Set the Paper Color to White and the Basic Expression to Color, which allows for more flexibility in terms of color management and editing. Click OK to create the new document with one layer.
Notes on Setting Up a Document
Using the Color Basic Expression allows for more flexibility in terms of color management and editing. The 11 x 17 inch size is used because it is the standard size for a comic book page, and it can be easily shrunk down to the final comic book size. Using a larger resolution (600) ensures that the artwork can be easily downscaled without losing quality, and can be used for various applications without needing to upscale.
Setting Up a Comic Book Template in Software
To set up a comic book template, go to New and select Template. Choose a pre-loaded template or create a custom one, such as "FNG page with guides" or "Freaks and gods page with guides". The template provides a pre-made page with a color layer, adjustments for shading and highlights, an ink layer, a comic template (turned off), and guides.
Benefits of Using a Template
Using a template saves time by not having to recreate the same page settings for each new page. It's ideal for long-form projects (80-100 pages or multiple issues).
Creating a Custom Template
To create a custom template, start by creating a new page: New > Turn off template. Create a new layer (e.g., "Color") and set it as a raster layer (not vector). Name the layer (e.g., "Ink layer") and set the layer to Monochrome in the Layer Properties window. Access Layer Properties by going to Window and ensuring all windows are open and checked.
Digital Art Setup and Layer Management
Layer Setup
When setting up your document, create a new document with a color expression, allowing for both monochrome and color layers. Set up two initial layers: a monochrome layer for inking (set to monochrome to achieve crisp line art) and a color layer for coloring (set to color).
Layer Management
Create additional layers as needed (e.g., for logos, numbering systems, etc.). Organize layers using the layer panel.
Guides
Turn on rulers using Command or Control + R. Click and drag in the ruler to create guides.
Registering a Layer Template
To register a layer template, go to Edit > Register Material. Click Template and give it a name (e.g., "YouTube Demo o Creative"). This registers the layer template, making it available for future use.
Setting Up a Template in Clip Studio Paint
Creating a template in Clip Studio Paint allows for easy reuse and saves time. To create a template, go to File > New and select Template. Name the template (e.g., "YouTube Demo") and add relevant tags to help find it later. Tags are important because they help remember what the template is for, especially if not used for a while.
Benefits of Using Templates
Using templates saves time by not having to recreate common design elements. It also ensures consistency across pages and projects, making it easy to use and reuse.
Example Templates
Examples of templates include a comic book cover template with a consistent logo and design, and a first page template for a comic book series with a banner across the top.
Additional Topics
Panels and borders can be discussed in a future tutorial. Clip Studio Paint is a powerful tool for creating comics and illustrations. An affiliate link to Clip Studio Paint is available in the video description, supporting the channel and its content creation.