i-m-a-g-i-n-efx-august
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In depth Paint a dynamic figure<br />
gradient tool<br />
Combined with layer<br />
modes like Overlay,<br />
Screen and Soft light,<br />
the Gradient tool can<br />
help bring depth to a<br />
colour scheme by<br />
lightening or darkening<br />
specific areas,<br />
intensifying colours, and<br />
developing colour<br />
transitions. With this<br />
tool, I can create subtle<br />
variations in colour, so<br />
that the eye is led around<br />
the image. Be sure to<br />
choose the Foreground<br />
to Transparent option<br />
Colour adjustments and details<br />
5<br />
I feel like the colour scheme needs to be brightened<br />
up, so I add some yellow hues to the image using<br />
gradients on separate layers, set to various layer modes<br />
such as Screen and Overlay. I also make the character’s<br />
trousers a deeper blue, and add some belts and decorative<br />
details to her general clothing. At this point, I have all the<br />
details in place, and am ready to start painting.<br />
Painting more detail<br />
6<br />
My goal now is to start working out the shading and<br />
lighting. I use a chunky, textured brush for this, which is<br />
great for defining edges and bringing some contrast to the<br />
shading. The colours that I want to use are already on the<br />
canvas, so I use Alt+Click as a shortcut to access the<br />
Eyedropper and start working out the details. I start with<br />
the face and work my way around the image, bit by bit.<br />
Painting the hair<br />
7<br />
When painting in more detail, hair presents a<br />
unique challenge. I want it to look detailed without<br />
literally painting every strand. I do this by making sure<br />
each clump of hair has a gradient of colour that makes it<br />
stand out from the other hair around it. I also paint in the<br />
shadows cast by the clumps, which adds depth and makes<br />
the hair look more realistic.<br />
Adding depth and shading<br />
8<br />
Now that the details have been worked out, I feel the shading style has too<br />
many hard edges. I’m ready to add some softer, more delicate shading. I use a Soft<br />
brush, as well as the Gradient tool, to smooth out the shading and apply softer,<br />
more neutral tones for the shadows. The purple from the previous step still shows<br />
through, but it’s less harsh now.<br />
August 2017<br />
63
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