#potoshop

Anonim asked (I used google translator to translate this): How to color manga like you?

So, if you want to color manga frames similar way that I do you would have two programs: Paint tool Sai (1 or 2nd version) and Photoshop (I use CS6, but you can use CS5 or CC as well). I’ll write how I do it in few steps:

1. First thing is to change the size of a picture. I don’t have very good computer so I can color only rames which maximum sizes are 2500x2500 pxl without any troubles because of not having enought operating memory. I do it in Photoshop, just click “ctrl+a” then “ctrl+c” (copy), then “ctrl+n” (new document) then I change the sizes multiplying them depends of what sizes I want it to be.

2. Second step is making lineart. I use Paint Tool SAI for this. Open your frame in the program, create a lineart layer and with using “curve” or “line” tool I create lineart. First one is red (so I can see it clearly). Than I change color to black and use “pressure” to make the lines looks more natural (thinner in some places, thicker in others).

3. Now it’s time to add base colors. I use folders for every person and for background in separately. Inside the folder I add layer for skin, hair, eyes, mouth, clothes etc. To cover space with color I use wand tool on lineart layer and when I selec the part I want to cover with color I go back to the normal layer (for example skin) and use very big size of brush to cover selected space with color. I name every layer and folder so I can easily find the one I want to work on.

4. Coloring process itself depends on what effect I want to achive, but simple version goes like this: first shades (sharp ones - I make them with “pencil” tool on new clipped layre with multiply mode. Than I create second multiply layer and add 2nd shades - less visible, with smooth transitions between colors. Sometimes I make 3rd or even 4th layer for that. Then I create another multiply layer and use “air brush” tool to add some smooth shades. Next one is a layer with shine (luminosity in Paint Tool SAI 1) layer to create smooth light. Then I create another shine/luminosity layer and add sharp shines mostly on the edges of material/block that I color.

5. At the end of color a part of the frame I go to lineart layer to change the colors of the lineart itself.

6. When I finish all the coloring I save my work in “.psd” (Photoshop format) and open the work in Photoshop. That’s where I add some extras like color balance, gaussian blur, some stars/leafs/circes/other stull from custmed brushes, chromatic effect and many other things. After I finish this part I just sighned my work and save it as a PNG file and it’s ready to publish! If this isn’t clear for you (I don’t have time to make screenshots for now) you can visit my youtube channel. I posted some on my manga colorings speed painting videos there. They are a bit old and my way and style of coloring changed since the lat video, but it’s more than nothing :D. So here’s the link: YOUTUBE.