how are your renders so cleannn?!???
hello! this means a lot so thank you so much, i put a lot of time into them... that's mainly it... LOL just kidding:
I download the images I'll use by reverse searching from whatever source I find & choosing the highest res i see under "Exact Matches".
I use waifu2x to enhance. Generally, I enchance no matter what because its so much easier to differentiate pixels & have an ideal path. For simpler artwork - or any with a thick outline - this isn't necessary.
I use the Pen tool on Photopea (Ibispaint also has one) to trace the main body out. At the beginning, there's a strong urge to use the eraser tool but for a super clean render, it always takes longer. Just use the pen. For the cleanest renders, use curved lines the most - it will make the render look less choppy / more flowy. Curves can be frustrating, so practice with this tool. Also note that if the curve path is really not going where you want it to, try undoing twice and try again.
When you're done and close the loop, make the pen path into a Shape using the button at the top. Move the image layer above the Shape and enable Clipping Mask. Duplicate the image layer. Merge the lower layer into the Shape.
Use the Pen tool to select the remaining areas on the Shape layer to erase & press Selection (at the top). Then, erase each with the Eraser tool (set it to a large size) manually.
Check the render by continuously toggling clipping mask (Ctrl + Alt + G), and also by creating a black or white layer behind and toggling its visibility. I usually spam but that's not necessary.
Save. I usually save the psd using Ctrl + S incase my browser crashes. Export as PNG and make sure the background is transparent. Once, I was distracted and saved the render with a black background (that I used to check for gaps)...
With more practice, rendering will get easier & faster. Avoid agonizing over single pixels - no one other than you or potentially other renderers will notice. I find I render faster when I'm not watching something but some people play shows in the background. I do get a lot of music listened to while I render, though.
Rendering does take time, and the best renders require the most patience. How clean your renders are for complex images depends on how much time you're willing to spend on them. But it is fun & it's so satisfying to see a clean render afterwards. Have fun rendering!
