#layers tutorial

Hey! I kind of put together a visual of how I personally use layers! I hope this helps! 

Okay so first I start with the base layer 

This is where I sketch out the initial picture 

After the sketch is done, I turn the opacity down so that I can begin to ink over the sketch. (In some cases I have another sketch layer that acts to finalize certain lines while not quite being the final lineart.)

So! Once the opacity is down I add a new layer. Otherwise if I try to erase the sketch, the inking layer will erase too! 

I personally like to ink the hair in another layer, that way if I need to erase anything on the head I can do so without erasing the hair. 

After everything is inked, I click on the first layer’s “eye” button to hide the sketch layer.

I then add a few layers for coloring!

I color certain sections on different layers. Remember, if you want a color to be on top of another color, use the layer above the one you are on! That way if you erase you still have the base color.

And done!! ✨✨✨

I can try! It’s a tricky balance of grouping as many things together as possible, while still leaving things separate for effects, layering, and edits. 

1. At the very least (for major illustrations and comics), I have my layers set up like this (above). I separate characters and background things on their own layers as flats, and clip shadows above them. Characters are always on top so I can paint the background behind them. Sometimes I separate the flats even more if specific things in the background need special attention.

2. Here’s a final Lumberjanes page. I try to keep everything separate and on top of the flats (always keep gradients on a separate layer for example). With this set up I can quickly and easily go in and edit shadows, effects, colors etc, without having to recolor/paint. (final page below)

I think the only thing I didn’t do (but normally would) was put the background shadows (painted snow and highlights on trees) on a separate layer (I painted straight on the flats). Thankfully these worked out and I didn’t have to go back and edit ^^;;

I hope that makes sense?