Tips and Tricks (Digital Art)

Note that these tips are shown in the Pro version of Clip Studio Paint (update ver 1.12.0), however, most drawing programs, like Adobe Photoshop, will have these functions.

When drawing digitally, your program will have built-in functions to help make your experience smoother and more streamlined. Things like blending modes, layers, and more help you test the limits of your imagination!

The first tip is to use blending modes! They are going to be your best friend when it comes to lighting, shadows, and color. For example, the multiply blending mode will darken the pixels beneath it according to the color you are using. I use it to add shadows quickly and efficiently.

The next tip is to use the lock transparent pixels function (or alpha lock, if that's what your program calls it) often. This allows you to only draw inside of what you have already colored, and it's useful for quickly changing the colors of lines or the colors on the character. Here I used it to change the color of my character's inner eyelashes.

Another tip is to use clipping masks. This works like alpha lock, where you can't draw outside of what you've already drawn, except it's on a layer above what you've drawn. You can use clipping masks when coloring so all your colors are on separate layers, and it's easier to change only one at a time.

One very recommended tip is to flip your canvas often. This allows your eyes to see the painting in a new light, and it can help correct mistakes in proportions.

For some more cool lighting tricks, watch this video by Manu Mercurial: