#chey.resource

Disclaimer: This list aims to be as comprehensive as possible. If there are any missing names, or names that should be taken out, drop me a DM or ask and I'll update the list! 😇

Note 1: All networks are run voluntarily by fellow users, so please understand that some networks may be inactive.

Note 2: Some networks are only available to members only, which will be accompanied by (MO).

These are kpopblr networks specific to boy groups and/or male idols only.

boy-idol - #boyidoledit

dailyboygroups - #dailybg

foryouridol - #fyiedit

kpopco - #kpopco

malegroups -  #mgroupsedit

malegroupsnet - #malegroupsnet

peaktimenet - #peaktimenet (for idol groups that participated on the survival show Peak Time)

These are kpopblr networks specific to girl groups and/or female idols only.

beautyidol - #beautyidolsedit

dazzlingidols - #dazzlingidolsedit

femadols - #femadolsedit

femaleidol - #femaleidol

femaleidols -  #femaleidolsedit (they’re not a network, but they do reblog creations under this tag!)

girlgroupnetwork - #ggnet

idolady - #idolady

kggnet - #kggnet

kgirlsquad - #kgirlsquad (MO)

kgoddesses - #kgoddesses

kpopggs - #kpopggedit

stanthemyoucowards -  #underratedgirlsedit

These are kpopblr networks that are open to both male and female idol groups. They may also include soloists.

conceptphotos - #kpopconcepts

dailymusicians - #dailymusicians (also for Western artists)

hybenet - #hybenet (requires membership; for Hybe artists only)

idolnexus - #idolnexusedit, #idolnexusnet (MO)

idolwork - #kidoledit, #idolwork

jypartists - #jypartists (for JYP artists only)

jypenet - #jypenet (for JYP artists only)

k-bands net - #kbandsnet

kflops - #kflops (for artists not in the Big 4 or in major groups)

k-garden net - #kdgnet (select artists only)

kgfxnet - #kgfxnet

kmultiverse - #kmultiverse

kpclub - #kpc.creators

kpopcreators - #kpopedit

kpopgfxnetwork -  #kpopgfxnetwork (MO)

kpopscape - #kpopscape (MO)

kpopcontentcreatorsclub - #kpopccc

kpopstages - #kpopstages (for stage performances)

k-soloists - #ksoloists

k-vanity - #kvanity (MO)

neweraidols - #neweraidols (for groups debuted in 2019 or later)

nugudols - #nugudolsedit

nugudom - #nugudom, #nugudomedit

nugunetwork - #nugunetwork

rookienet - #rookienet (for rookie idols and/or groups that have not hit their 3rd anniversary)

secondgenidols - #secondgenidol (for groups debuted in 2012 or earlier)

smsource - #smsource (for SM artists only)

ultkpopnetwork - #ultkpopnetwork (open), #ultkpop (MO)

unbleachedidolsnet - #unbleachedidolsnet 

underrated-idols - #underratedidolsedit

underratedkpopgfxnet - #ukpopgfx

Finally, these are kpopblr networks that are specific to an idol or group.

Be sure to follow the networks so you can see their reblogs!

Numbers / A to G

&TEAM - #andteaminc

2NE1 - #blackjacknet

3YE - #daily3ye

8TURN - #8turnet (no known admin)

AB6IX - #ab6ixedit (no known admin)

A.C.E. - #choicenetwork, #acenet, #standbyace 

aespa - #aespainc, #aespadaily, #4aespa, #aespanet

AKMU - #coedkpopedit

ALPHA DRIVE ONE - #forald1 (no known admin)

AMPERS&ONE - #ampers&onetwork, #&onetwork

AOA - #dailyaoa

APINK - #dailyapink

APRIL - #apriledit

ARTMS - #artmsource

ASC2NT - #forasc2nt

ASTRO - #foraroha, #arohanet, #astroclub

ATEEZ - #ateezedit, #atzsource, #atinysource, #ateezlovenet, #destinyversenet (MO), #ateezinc (MO), #seonghwanet (for Seonghwa only), #yeonet (for Yeosang only)

BILLLIE - #billlienet

BLACKPINK - #blackpinknet (MO), #parkchaeyoungnet (MO; for Rosé only), #forjennienet (for Jennie only)

BOYNEXTDOOR - #forbnd, #bndnet

BRAVE GIRLS / BBGIRLS - #dailybravegirls / #bbgirlsource

BTOB - #formelody

BTS - [check the end of the post]

CHERRY BULLET - #lulletnet

CIX - #cixnetwork

CLC - #dailyclc

CRAXY - #craxyfannet

CRAVITY - #forluvity

DAY6 - #daysixnet, #mydaysnet

DKB - #dkbnet

DREAMCATCHER - #hfdcedit, #dreamcatcherdaily

DRIPPIN - #drippinet, #woollimnet

E'LAST - #elringnet

EL7ZUP - #el7zupsource

ENHYPEN - #enhypenet, #enhypennetwork (MO)

EPEX - #epexnet

EVERGLOW - #everglownetwork

EXO - #exosnet (MO), #bbh-net (for Baekhyun only), #kimkainet (for Kai only)

FROMIS_9 - #fromisnet

(G)I-DLE - #gidleedit, #gidlenet (closed)

GFRIEND - #dailygfriend

GHOST9 - #ghost9net

GOLDEN CHILD - #gncdnetwork (MO), #woollimnet

GOT7 - #got7editorsnet (MO), #thegot7network (MO), #got7edit, #got7daily

GWSN - #dailygwsn

GUGUDAN - #gugudannet

H to N

H1-KEY - #forh1key

HELLO VENUS - #hellovenusnet (MO)

iKON - #ikonsnet

ILLIT - #illitnet

ILY:1 - #ily1edit

INFINITE - #woollimnet

ITZY - #itzynetwork (MO), #formidzy, #theitzydaily

IVE - #ivenet

IZ*ONE - #izonetwork

KARD - #hiddenkardnet, #coedkpopedit, #karddealer, #kardnet (MO)

KEP1ER - #kep1ernetwork, #kep1erwork

KISS OF LIFE - #kiofsource, #kiofnet

LE SSERAFIM - #lesserafimnet

LIGHTSUM - #lightsumnet (MO)

LOONA - #loonawork, #orbitloona, #vitaminyeojin (for Yeojin only)

LOVELYZ - #lovelyzdaily, #woollimnet

MAMAMOO - #moomoosource, #mamamooedit, #moomoocentral

MCND - #mcndnetwork

MOMOLAND - #merriesnet

MONSTA X - #mx7net, #monstaxedits, #mxmbnet, #monsta17, #2wonnet (MO - for Hyungwon and Wonho only)

NCT - #neohours, #nctinc (MO), #nctcreations (MO), #haechannet (for Haechan only), #mklnet (for Mark only), #doyoungnet + #doiezennet (for Doyoung only), #yangx2net (for Yangyang only)

NEWJEANS - #newjeansnetwork

N.FLYING - #nflyingnet, #nflyinc

NMIXX - #nmixxnet, #nmixxedit

NU’EST - #loveznet

O to S

OH MY GIRL - #omgsource

OMEGA X - #omegaxnet

ONEUS - #oneusnetwork (MO), #weusnet, #foroneus 

ONEWE - #weusnet, #foronewe

ONF - #lightsonnet, #onfcreators

ONLYONEOF - #lyonet

P1HARMONY - #p1hnetwork, #piwonsource

PENTAGON - #uninet

PIXY - #pixynet

RED VELVET - #rvinc, #rvedit, #dailyrv, #rvnet, #redvelvetinc

PURPLE KISS - #purkissnet, #purkisource

RESCENE - #rescenesource

RIIZE - #riizenet

ROCKET PUNCH - #rcpcnet, #woollimnet

SATURDAY - #saturdaynet

SEVENTEEN - [check the end of the post]

SF9 - #sfnet (MO), #byfantasy

SHINEE - #dailyshinee, #shineeedit, #shawolsource, #shineegif, #shineenet

SNSD (Girl’s Generation) - #dailysnsd, #onlysoshi

STAYC - #dailystayc, #staycnetwork, #seeunsource (for Seeun only)

STRAY KIDS - [check the end of the post]

SUPER M - #supermsource (MO), #superm-net (MO)

T to Z

THE BOYZ - #tbznetwork (MO), #deobisource, #tbzinc, #destinyversenet (MO)

THE KINGDOM - #kingdomnet

THE ROSE - #therosenet

TNX - #tnxsource

TO1 - #to1gifs, #togethernet

TREASURE - #teumesource, #treasurenet (MO)

TRENDZ - #fy!trendz

tripleS - #triplesnet

TWICE - #fortwice, #dailytwice, #twicework (MO), #twicenetwork, #twicecreations

TXT - #txtnetwork (MO), #moasource, #moacentral, #tubatunet, #txthours, #hourlyhueningkai / #hourlyhyuka (for Huening Kai only), #choiyeonjunnet (for Yeonjun only), #dailytaehyun / #dailytyun (for Taehyun only), #dearhyukas (for Huening Kai only)

VANNER - #vannersource

VAV - #vavnet

VERIVERY - #veriverynet

VICTON - #withvicton

VIXX - #vixxnetwork, #vixxedit

WAYV - #wayvnet, #xiaojunsource (for Xiaojun only)

WEEEKLY - #weeeklynet, #fyeahweeekly

WEi - #ruicentral

WITCHERS - #witchersnet

WOO!AH! - #wooahsource

WSJN - #dailywjsn

XG - #xgnetwork

XIKERS - #xikersource

XDINARY HEROES - #xdinarynet 

XLOV - #xlovsource, #byevol, #xlovonly

ZEROBASEONE - #zb1net, #zb1work

Here’s some solo idol-specific networks as well :)

CHUNGHA - #chunghanet

ERIC NAM - #ericnamnet, #ericnamdaebak 

HOLLAND - #hollandharlings

HYUNA - #dailyhyuna, #hyunanet

KWON EUNBI - #woollimnet

SUNMI - #sunminet

WONHO - #wonhonet, #2wonnet (MO)

WOODZ - #bymoodz (no known admin)

And now… the groups with way too many networks to track 🥲

BTS:

#btsedit

#armygfx

#armysource

#bangtanarmynet (MO)

#btsgif

#btsgoldnet (MO)

#clubzerooclock (MO, for Jin, Jimin, V and Jungkook only)

#dailybangtan

#dailybts (not a network, but will reblog some content under the tag)

#dailybusans (for Jimin and Jungkook only)

#dailydaegu (for Suga and V only)

#hopenet (MO, for jhope only)

#houseofddaeng (MO, for Suga, jhope and RM line only)

#hyunglinenetwork (MO, for Jin, Suga, jhope and RM only)

#ipurpleunet (MO)

#jksource / #jungkookedit (for Jungkook only)

#maknaelinegifs (for Jimin, V and Jungkook only)

#namjoongifs (for RM only)

#networkbangtan (MO)

#purplearmynet

#vantaenet (MO, for V only)

SEVENTEEN:

#17net / #usersvt (same blog)

#monsta17

#studiocarat

#svtcreations (MO)

#svtcreators

#svtedits

#svtgifs (MO)

#svtsource

#thesvttown (MO)

#seventeenweeklyphotography (MO)

——————–

S.COUPS - #hourlycoups / #hourlyscoups

JEONGHAN - #hourlyhannie / #hourlyjeonghan

JOSHUA - #hourlyshua, #shuadata

JUN - #dailywjh / #dailyjunhui / #hourlyjunhui, #forjunhui

HOSHI - #hourlyhoshi

WONWOO - #hourlywonwoo, #fywonwoo

WOOZI - #dailywoozi, #wzcreations

THE8 - #hourlyminghao

MINGYU - #hourlymingyu, #going-mingyu

DK - #hourlydk

SEUNGKWAN - #dailykwan, #gsseungkwan 

VERNON - #hourlyvernon

DINO - #hourlydino, #dinonetwork

STRAY KIDS:

#3rachasource (for Changbin, Bangchan, Han only)

#bystay

#createskz (MO)

#daily3racha (for Changbin, Bangchan, Han only)

#dancerachasource (for Felix, Hyunjin, Lee Know only)

#destinyversenet (MO)

#hyunincorner (for Hyunjin and I.N only)

#hyunlixsource (for Hyunjin and Felix only)

#staycompany

#staydaily

#staysource

#skzco

#skznet

#vocalrachasource (for Seungmin and I.N only)

——————–

BANGCHAN - #channiesnet

LEE KNOW - #leeknownet / #linosource

CHANGBIN - #seochangbinet

HAN - #hjsnet / #forhanji

HYUNJIN - #hyunjinnet, #hyunjinsource

FELIX - #felixleenet

I.N - #inniesource

And we've reached the end! 😮‍💨

jboys - #jpopgifs / #jboysedit (for male Japanese idols)

kpopco - #kpopco

malegroups -  #mgroupsedit

malegroupsnet - #malegroupsnet

female groups

beautyidol - #beautyidolsedit

dazzlingidols - #dazzlingidolsedit

femadols - #femadolsedit

femaleidol - #femaleidol

femaleidols -  #fittdt (they’re not a network, but they do reblog creations under this tag!)

girlgroupnetwork - #ggnet

idolady - #idolady

kggnet - #kggnet

kgirlsquad - #kgirlsquad (MO)

kgoddesses - #kgoddesses

kpopggs - #kpopggedit

stanthemyoucowards -  #underratedgirlsedit

multis / soloists

hybenet - #hybenet (requires membership; for Hybe artists only)

idolnexus - #idolnexusedit, #idolnexusnet (MO)

idolwork - #kidoledit, #idolwork

jypartists - #jypartists (for JYP artists only)

k-bands net - #kbandsnet

kflops - #kflops (for artists not in the Big 3 or in major groups)

k-garden net - #kdgnet (select artists only)

kgfxnet - #kgfxnet

kmultiverse - #kmultiverse

kpclub - #kpc.creators

kpopcreators - #kpopedit

kpopgfxnetwork -  #kpopgfxnetwork (MO)

kpopscape - #kpopscape (MO)

kpopcontentcreatorsclub - #kpopccc

kpopstages - #kpopstages (for stage performances)

k-soloists - #ksoloists

k-vanity - #kvanity (MO)

neweraidols - #neweraidols (for groups debuted in 2019 or later)

nugudols - #nugudolsedit

secondgenidols - #secondgenidol (for groups debuted in 2012 or earlier)

ultkpopnetwork - #ultkpopnetwork (open), #ultkpop (MO)

unbleachedidolsnet - #unbleachedidolsnet 

underrated-idols - #underratedidolsedit

underratedkpopgfxnet - #ukpopgfx

Now, we move on to the group-specific networks. This one is catered to each group and can be a bit confusing.

Some groups have multiple networks, while some groups have only one.

Another thing to look out for is if it is an open network. If it’s open, you can use it. If it’s not, you will have to apply for a membership. You’ll have to check if they’re accepting applications, or else you’ll have to wait.

A good way to find a group’s network(s) is by searching for the group name on Tumblr and seeing which tags the CCs use.

To make it slightly easier, here’s a list of gif/gfx networks for some groups. 

Numbers / A to G

2NE1 - #blackjacknet

3YE - #daily3ye

A.C.E. - #choicenetwork, #acenet, #standbyace 

aespa - #aespainc, #aespadaily

AKMU - #coedkpopedit

AOA - #dailyaoa

APINK - #dailyapink

APRIL - #apriledit

ASTRO - #foraroha, #arohanet, #astroclub

ATEEZ - #ateezedit, #atzsource, #atinysource, #ateezlovenet, #destinyversenet (MO), #ateezinc (MO), #seonghwanet (for Seonghwa only), #yeonet (for Yeosang only)

BILLLIE - #billlienet

BLACKPINK - #blackpinknet (MO), #parkchaeyoungnet (MO; for Rosé only), #forjennienet (for Jennie only)

BOYNEXTDOOR - #forbnd

BRAVE GIRLS - #dailybravegirls

BTS - [check the end of the post]

CIX - #cixnetwork

CLC - #dailyclc

DAY6 - #daysixnet, #mydaysnet

DKB - #dkbnet

DREAMCATCHER - #hfdcedit, #dreamcatcherdaily

DRIPPIN - #drippinet, #woollimnet

ENHYPEN - #enhypenet, #enhypennetwork (MO)

EVERGLOW - #everglownetwork

EXO - #exosnet (MO), #bbh-net (for Baekhyun only), #kimkainet (for Kai only)

FROMIS_9 - #fromisnet (MO)

GFRIEND - #dailygfriend

GHOST9 - #ghost9net

GOLDEN CHILD - #gncdnetwork (MO), #woollimnet

GOT7 - #got7editorsnet (MO), #thegot7network (MO), #got7edit, #got7daily

GWSN - #dailygwsn

GUGUDAN - #gugudannet

H to N

HELLO VENUS - #hellovenusnet (MO)

INFINITE - #woollimnet

ITZY - #itzynetwork (MO), #formidzy

IVE - #ivenet

KARD - #hiddenkardnet, #coedkpopedit, #karddealer, #kardnet (MO)

KEP1ER - #kep1ernetwork, #kep1erwork

KINGDOM - #kingdomnet

LE SSERAFIM - #lesserafimnet

LIGHTSUM - #lightsumnet (MO)

LOONA - #loonawork, #orbitloona, #vitaminyeojin (for Yeojin only)

LOVELYZ - #lovelyzdaily, #woollimnet

MAMAMOO - #moomoosource, #mamamooedit, #moomoocentral

MCND - #mcndnetwork

MOMOLAND - #merriesnet

MONSTA X - #mx7net, #monstaxedits, #mxmbnet, #monsta17, #2wonnet (MO - for Hyungwon and Wonho only)

NCT - #neohours, #nctinc (MO), #nctcreations (MO), #haechannet (for Haechan only), #mklnet (for Mark only), #doyoungnet + #doiezennet (for Doyoung only), #yangx2net (for Yangyang only)

NEWJEANS - #newjeansnetwork

N.FLYING - #nflyingnet, #nflyinc

NMIXX - #nmixxnet

NU’EST - #loveznet

O to S

OH MY GIRL - #omgsource

ONEUS - #oneusnetwork (MO), #weusnet, #foroneus 

ONEWE - #weusnet

ONF - #lightsonnet, #onfcreators

P1HARMONY - #p1hnetwork

PENTAGON - #uninet

PIXY - #pixynet

PURPLE KISS - #purkissnet

RED VELVET - #rvinc, #rvedit, #dailyrv, #rvnet

RIIZE - #riizenet

ROCKET PUNCH - #rcpcnet, #woollimnet

SATURDAY - #saturdaynet

SEVENTEEN - [check the end of the post]

SF9 - #sfnet (MO), #byfantasy

SHINEE - #dailyshinee, #shineeedit, #shawolsource, #shineegif, #shineenet

SNSD (Girl’s Generation) - #dailysnsd

STAYC - #dailystayc, #staycnetwork

STRAY KIDS - [check the end of the post]

SUPER M - #supermsource (MO), #superm-net (MO)

T to Z

THE BOYZ - #tbznetwork (MO), #deobisource, #tbzinc, #destinyversenet (MO)

THE ROSE - #therosenet

TNX - #tnxsource

TO1 - #to1gifs, #togethernet

TREASURE - #teumesource, #treasurenet (MO)

TWICE - #fortwice, #dailytwice, #twicework (MO), #twicenetwork

TXT - #txtnetwork (MO), #moasource, #moacentral, #tubatunet, #hourlyhueningkai / #hourlyhyuka (for Huening Kai only), #choiyeonjunnet (for Yeonjun only), #dailytaehyun / #dailytyun (for Taehyun only)

VERIVERY - #veriverynet

VICTON - #withvicton

VIXX - #vixxnetwork, #vixxedit

WAYV - #wayvnet, #xiaojunsource (for Xiaojun only)

WITCHERS - #witchersnet

WSJN - #dailywjsn

XG - #xgnetwork

XIKERS - #xikersource

XDINARY HEROES - #xdinarynet 

ZEROBASEONE - #zb1net

Here’s some solo idol-specific networks as well :)

CHUNGHA - #chunghanet

ERIC NAM - #ericnamnet, #ericnamdaebak 

HOLLAND - #hollandharlings

HYUNA - #dailyhyuna, #hyunanet

KWON EUNBI - #woollimnet

SUNMI - #sunminet

WONHO - #wonhonet, #2wonnet (MO)

WOODZ - #bymoodz (no known admin)

And now... the groups with way too many networks to track 🥲

BTS:

#btsedit

#armygfx

#armysource

#bangtanarmynet (MO)

#btsgif

#btsgoldnet (MO)

#clubzerooclock (MO, for Jin, Jimin, V and Jungkook only)

#dailybangtan

#dailybts (not a network, but will reblog some content under the tag)

#dailybusans (for Jimin and Jungkook only)

#dailydaegu (for Suga and V only)

#hopenet (MO, for jhope only)

#houseofddaeng (MO, for Suga, jhope and RM line only)

#hyunglinenetwork (MO, for Jin, Suga, jhope and RM only)

#ipurpleunet (MO)

#jksource / #jungkookedit (for Jungkook only)

#maknaelinegifs (for Jimin, V and Jungkook only)

#namjoongifs (for RM only)

#networkbangtan (MO)

#purplearmynet

#vantaenet (MO, for V only)

SEVENTEEN:

#17net

#monsta17

#studiocarat

#svtcreations (MO)

#svtedits

#svtgifs (MO)

#svtsource

#thesvttown (MO)

#seventeenweeklyphotography (MO)

--------------------

S.COUPS - #hourlycoups / #hourlyscoups

JEONGHAN - #hourlyhannie / #hourlyjeonghan

JOSHUA - #hourlyshua, #shuadata

JUN - #dailywjh / #dailyjunhui / #hourlyjunhui, #forjunhui

HOSHI - #hourlyhoshi

WONWOO - #hourlywonwoo, #fywonwoo

WOOZI - #dailywoozi, #wzcreations

THE8 - #hourlyminghao

MINGYU - #hourlymingyu

DK - #hourlydk

SEUNGKWAN - #dailykwan, #gsseungkwan 

VERNON - #hourlyvernon

DINO - #hourlydino, #dinonetwork

STRAY KIDS:

#3rachasource (for Changbin, Bangchan, Han only)

#bystay

#createskz (MO)

#dancerachasource (for Felix, Hyunjin, Lee Know only)

#destinyversenet (MO)

#staycompany

#staysource

--------------------

LEE KNOW - #leeknownet / #linosource

CHANGBIN - #seochangbinet

HAN - #hjsnet / #forhanji

HYUNJIN - #hyunjinnet

FELIX - #felixleenet

I.N - #inniesource

If I have missed out on some networks, please do let me know!

1. Open your picture in Photoshop

If you’d like to set a certain canvas size, you can do so by going to File > New and keying in the appropriate sizes in the fields. Then, drag in your picture from the folder you saved it on.

Alternatively, you can open your picture first, then crop it (Ctrl / Command + C). To do so, drag your picture directly into Photoshop, or go to File > Open and locate your picture.

Tip: Use the Ruler tool to help align your picture better.

Press Ctrl / Command + R to enable the rulers on your workspace. Go to View > New Guide and set the sizes to your liking. 

2. Removing unwanted blemishes (optional)

If you’d like to do any photo editing (e.g. removing text, adjusting brightness, etc.), now is the time to do it. If not, you can skip this step.

Since this photo has text on it, we’re going to remove it with the Spot Healing Brush (J) tool. Press the letter ‘J’ key on your keyboard to get it, or you can click on the band-aid icon on the sidebar.

If you don’t see the band-aid, don’t worry! It might appear as one of the other icons shown below. Just right click on it and select the Spot Healing Brush tool.

Q: I got a pop-up telling me to rasterize my layer. Is that normal? A: Yes, it is! Rasterizing your layer/picture just means that you’re converting that layer to pixels, which is necessary to use many Photoshop tools.

After selecting the tool, just paint over the area with text. You may have to paint over it a few times to remove it completely.

3. The Colouring Process

Wait, so quickly? Yep. 

Now it’s time to rely on your eyesight, your colour perception and hopefully the 2 to 3 hours you set aside to colour this picture. Perhaps grab a snack and go for a quick toilet break first 😅

I’m kidding! You’re free to take as many breaks as you want, but I’m not kidding about how time consuming this process is.

3a. Setting the Colour Palette

Since it’s a black and white picture, you have free rein on the colours used. It’s completely up to your taste and preferences.

Create a blank layer by clicking on the ‘New Layer’ (+) icon at the bottom right of the Layers tab.

Select a white colour (#ffffff) for the foreground colour and then click on the Paint Bucket tool. Click on the blank layer to “paint” it white. This will help your colour palette stand out more.

Use the Marquee Tool (M) to create little squares on the white layer. Use the Paint Bucket to fill each square with the colours you use throughout the process. Create a text layer (T) and indicate what you used that colour for.

Place all the text layers and colour palette into a group (the folder icon beside the ‘New Layer’ button). Click the eyeball beside it to hide / reveal the group.

Q: Can I skip out on this step? A: You can, but remember that if you are painting and accidentally revert the colours back to default, you will not be able to get back the same colour exactly.

Q: What if I use the eyedropper tool? A: You will pick up shades of grey from the original picture as well. The only way would be to isolate the coloured layer and then use the eyedropper tool, which might be troublesome if you have many layers.

3b. Colouring the Skin

Above the black and white picture, create a new layer. Set the blending mode to ‘Multiply’.

Select a suitable skin tone colour in the colour swatch panel. Then switch to Brush mode (B) and start painting over the exposed skin area(s). Make sure that your brush has a hardness of 80% and over so that the edges won’t look fuzzy.

This part of the process is the one that takes a lot of time, especially if you are a perfectionist. Don’t give up!! You got this! :)

3c. Contouring

This step is optional, but it will give your picture more depth so I highly recommend it!

The method is the same as in 3b, but there are some changes you have to make. Firstly, create two new blank layers and name them ‘shadow’ and ‘highlight’.

On the ‘shadow’ layer, use the colour picker to select a colour LIGHTER than your chosen skin colour. Change the blending mode to ‘Multiply’.

On the ‘highlight’ layer, use the colour picker to select a colour DARKER than your chosen skin colour. Change the blending mode to ‘Soft Light’.

If the shadow and/or highlight is still too harsh, you can select different colours or turn down the layer’s opacity. Alternatively, you can change the brush hardness to ≤ 20% for a softer contour.

Q: Why do we pick a lighter colour for shadows? A: The ‘Multiply’ blending mode lays one colour on top of another, making it darker. Choosing a dark colour for your contours would make the shadows way too dark.

A: Similarly, the ‘Soft Light’ blending mode makes the colour on that layer really bright. If you were to pick a light colour for it, it would overpower the layer underneath it.

3d. Colouring the Rest of the Picture.

Yes, very few steps, but incredibly time consuming.

Now that you know the basics of how to colour grayscale pictures (steps 3b and 3c), you have creative freedom to colour the rest of the picture!

Play around with the colours, shades and opacity levels to achieve the desired outcome. 

Q: What if I have coloured the whole picture but am not satisfied with the colours? Is there a way for me to change the colours without redoing it? A: Yes! Depending on which part of the picture you would like to change, there are different methods.

The picture on the left is just the plain colouring.

The picture in the middle has a Levels adjustment layer added to increase contrast, giving the picture more depth. The adjustment layer was added above ALL the other layers.

The picture on the right has changed the cardigan’s colour from green to purple. To change the hue of a specific layer, click on that layer (in this case, the cardigan layer).

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation (Ctrl/Command + U) and drag the slider until it lands on a colour you like.

4. TL;DR

Key takeaways from this tutorial:

Take note of colours used for specific areas.

Change layer blending mode from ‘Normal’ to ‘Multiply’ before painting over the image.

Brush hardness ≥ 80% (≤ 20% for contours)

Light colours for shadows + ‘Multiply’ blending mode.

Dark colours for highlights + ‘Soft Light’ blending mode.

Adjustment layers will affect everything below it.

Go to Image > Adjustments > … to edit specific layers.

And that’s it! 

You’ve come to the end of this tutorial. I hope this has given you a good idea of how to colour grayscale pictures :)