Lena Rivera
Paint Tool Sai offers a range of shading options, including cel shading, which is a good technique to start with as it helps you understand forms and create dimensional shadows. To cel shade clothing, you can use the pen tool to shade over the base colour layer with a single colour, locking the opacity so there's no need to erase. You can then use the brush tool to smooth out the shading and deepen the shadows, creating depth and texture. Another method is to use a mask for the shading layer, allowing you to create a shadow shape that flows and extends smoothly. You can then adjust the shadow colours as needed.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shading type | Cel shading, soft shading, or custom shading |
| Cel shading technique | Using shadows on another layer, usually with a hard brush |
| Light source | Top left corner |
| Shadow colours | Blue-based grey, black, or white |
| Tools | Pen tool, brush tool, airbrush, blur tool, watercolour/marker tool, selection lasso |
| Tutorials | Daexmos'-Cel Shading Tutorial, "shading tutorial" on DA or YouTube, speedpaints |
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What You'll Learn
Using the pen tool to create darker colours
When using the pen tool to create darker colours for cel shading in Paint Tool Sai, there are a few methods you can use.
Firstly, it's important to establish a light source for your image. This will determine the direction in which your shadows fall. You can then create a new layer for your shadows, usually using a hard brush, and set that layer to multiply.
One method is to use a mask for your shadow layer. This allows you to create a "shadow shape" that smoothly extends into all affected areas. By locking the opacity of the shadow layer and setting the lineart layer and Fill Bucket to Selection Source, you can designate the shadow colours yourself.
Another approach is to work directly on the base colour layer with the opacity locked. This eliminates the need for erasing. You can then use the brush tool to smooth out the edges of the shadows, creating a more natural blend.
When shading with darker colours, it's essential to consider the mood and feeling you want to convey in your image. You can experiment with different colours for your shadows, such as blue-based greys or warmer colours like red, yellow, or orange, to achieve the desired effect.
Additionally, you can use the airbrush tool to add depth and create highlights. For example, you can use a lighter colour to make wonky V shapes and then airbrush the same colour lightly over it. Repeat this process with white to enhance the highlights further.
Remember that cel shading is a personal journey, and you can always experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
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Airbrushing to add depth
When it comes to adding depth to your artwork, airbrushing is a useful technique. In the context of cel shading in Paint Tool Sai, airbrushing can be used to create depth in the following ways:
Firstly, understand the fundamentals of cel shading. This technique involves colouring parts of your artwork darker to create shadows and depth. It is a simple way to understand forms and create dimensional shadows. To achieve this, you can use a hard brush on a separate layer, setting that layer to multiply.
When it comes to airbrushing specifically, this tool can be used to add depth to your artwork. For example, when shading hair, you can use the airbrush tool to gently apply a darker colour, ensuring you don't lose the sharpness of defined strands. This technique can also be used to create highlights. By airbrushing a lighter colour over the shaded areas, you can create a soft and blended effect.
Additionally, the airbrush tool can be used to create depth in the background of your artwork. By applying a gentle spray of colour, you can add subtle shading or create a blurred effect, adding depth to your image.
It's important to remember that the direction and intensity of your airbrushing will impact the overall effect. Soft, gentle strokes can create a subtle depth, while stronger, more concentrated sprays can create more defined shadows.
Furthermore, you can experiment with different colours when airbrushing to add depth. For example, using a blue-based grey for shadows can create a more realistic effect, as shadows in real life tend to have a blue hue. However, feel free to experiment with warmer colours like red, orange, or yellow to create a different atmosphere in your artwork.
Remember, when using the airbrush tool in Paint Tool Sai, you can always adjust the opacity and flow settings to control the intensity of the colour application, allowing you to build up depth gradually.
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Using a mask for the shadow layer
When using Paint Tool SAI, there are several ways to shade clothing. One popular method is cel-shading, which involves creating shadows on a separate layer. This can be done by using a mask for the shadow layer.
Another benefit of using a mask is the ability to designate shadow colours individually. By locking the opacity of the shadow layer and setting the lineart layer and Fill Bucket to Selection Source, you can customise the shadow colours in each specific area. This provides greater control over the shading and allows you to achieve the desired mood and feeling for your image.
To begin, it is essential to determine the light source in your image. The placement of the light source will influence how forms cast shadows, so it is crucial to consider this when creating your mask. Once you have established the light source, you can use a hard brush to paint in the shadows on a separate layer, following the contours and creases of the clothing to indicate depth and dimension.
After completing the shadow layer, you can experiment with different shadow colours to achieve the desired effect. Warmer colours like red, yellow, and orange can be used to create a warmer tone, while cooler colours like blue or purple can be utilised for a different atmosphere. Remember that shadows in real life are often blue-based, but ultimately, the choice of colour depends on your artistic vision and the feeling you want to convey.
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Creating a shadow shape
When creating a shadow shape, it is important to first establish a light source. This will determine the placement of your shadows and how forms will cast them. You can then decide on the colour you want to use for your shadows. While shadows are not truly black or white, you can use any colour you like, depending on the mood and feeling you want to convey in your image. Warmer colours like red, yellow, and orange will give a warmer tone to your shadows.
To create a shadow shape, you can use a mask for your shadow layer. This will allow you to create a "shadow shape" that flows and extends smoothly into all areas. You can create smooth shadow lines by using a method like Locked Opacity Shading and the Selection Lasso tool to establish a boundary.
After creating a layer with a single shadow colour, you can designate the shadow colours yourself. To do this, lock the opacity of the shadow layer and set the line art layer and Fill Bucket to Selection Source. This will allow you to change the colours in each individual area and set your own shadow colours.
You can also try cel-shading, which is a fast and easy method of shading, especially if you have some understanding of how shadows work. With cel-shading, you can colour parts darker and use a hard brush to create dimensional shadows on a separate layer.
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Using layer settings for shadows
When creating a cel-shaded look in Paint Tool SAI, it's important to understand how to use layer settings for shadows to achieve the desired effect. Here are some detailed instructions on using layer settings for shadows:
Understanding Light and Shadow
Before beginning to shade, it's essential to establish a light source in your image. The placement of the light source will affect how forms cast shadows, so keep this in mind when creating dimensional shadows. Understanding how light and shadow work together will help you create more realistic and accurate shadows in your artwork.
Creating a Shadow Layer
For cel shading, it is common to create a separate layer dedicated to shadows. This allows you to focus solely on adding shadows without affecting the base colours of your artwork. You can use a hard brush on this layer to define the areas where shadows will be present.
Choosing Shadow Colours
You can choose any colour for your shadows, depending on the mood and feeling you want to convey. While shadows in real life tend to have a blue-based hue, you can experiment with different colours like warm reds, yellows, or oranges to create varying atmospheres in your image. Remember that the colour you choose for shadows will influence the overall tone of your artwork.
Using Masks for Smooth Shadows
Using a mask for your shadow layer offers several advantages. It allows you to create a "shadow shape" that smoothly flows and extends into all affected areas, ensuring that your shadow lines match up seamlessly. This method provides a more natural and cohesive look to your shadows, especially when dealing with complex shapes or multiple colours in your artwork.
Adjusting Opacity and Layer Settings
Playing with the opacity settings of your shadow layer can create varying levels of shadow intensity. By locking the opacity of your shadow layer, you can prevent accidental changes and maintain consistency in your shadows. Additionally, using the Multiply property in conjunction with the layer settings can help determine the shadow colours and their interaction with the underlying colours.
Combining Techniques
Don't be afraid to experiment with different shading techniques. You can start with cel shading and then use the brush tool to deepen the shadows and add extra depth to your artwork. Combining different tools and techniques will help you achieve the desired level of detail and smoothness in your shadows.
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Frequently asked questions
Cel shading is a type of shading that involves colouring parts of an image darker to create shadows and depth.
First, you need to establish a light source to understand how the shadows will fall. Then, create a new layer for your shadows, usually with a hard brush, and set that layer to multiply.
You can use any colour for shading, but it will depend on the mood and feeling you want to convey. Warmer colours like red, yellow, and orange will create warmer shadows, while blue-based greys can mimic realistic shadows.
Using a mask for your shadow layer can help create smooth "shadow shapes" that extend into all affected areas. This method ensures your shadow lines match up, and you can designate shadow colours yourself.
You can use soft shading, which involves blurring the lines of shadows with the water/blur tool to make them appear smoother. You can also develop your own shading technique or experiment with different colours and tools.
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