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FindChaos In reply to HaAnthony [2012-01-14 07:58:34 +0000 UTC]

Unfortunately, there are no settings in Photoshop (that I'm aware of, beyond just selecting areas carefully) that automatically cleans up for you. I'm sorry if I was a little unclear, but what I was trying to convey is that you build up layers of color. For example, the first layer of colors (the skin, in this figure) can be the most messy. As you add more and more layers (i.e. the hair, clothing, etc.), you do have to stay more and more in the lines. Places where the colors meet, like the sleeve of her arm, resolve themselves by the topmost layers obscuring the "bleeding" of the under-layers.

The purpose of "bleeding" is simply to eliminate junky lines that often occur with selection tools-- areas where the colors don't cleanly meet and you can see bits of the background through. However, when it comes down to the underlying technique, you still eventually have to just paint in (most) of the lines.

Hope that helps!

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HaAnthony In reply to FindChaos [2012-01-14 14:45:59 +0000 UTC]

It does! Its been bothering me for who knows how long! I see most of these tutorials showing the step 3-4 like you have. It got so confusing to the point I had to ask, cause it seems like it went from messy to super neat, And I just discovered how to PROPERLY turn sketches (clean ones) into more line-art after about 6 years of Photoshop it's sorta embarrassing haha. But yeah its very helpful to clean up that understanding so I won't have to go on a crusade trying to find a setting I thought most people used. Thanks so much and you do such a great job in your photo

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FindChaos In reply to ElMiche [2011-12-22 04:56:51 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much! It can be very daunting, but it's also a lot of fun to play around with and learn new techniques and tricks in it.

As to your question, it's one I've answered a lot.

The short answer is: I draw it that way.
The longer answer is: I took the pencil sketch in Step 1 and manually (with pencil on paper) cleaned up all of my lines and made the lines I wanted stand out a bit more. I'm really terrible with the pen tool, but a lot of artists also use that. I prefer the tactile feel of pencil on paper, but there are plenty of Photoshop inking tutorials out there if you're so inclined.
Adjusting the levels can be done by going to Image > Adjustments > Levels and adjusting until your sketch looks more of a crisp black-on-white. Then, you can double-click your Line layer and click the little box that says "Normal" and change it to "Multiply". This way, your line work acts as a transparency - any layers underneath it will show through anything lighter than black.

I hope that all helps! Good luck!

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ElMiche In reply to FindChaos [2011-12-22 10:25:34 +0000 UTC]

Yup, I was messing with some of the effects earlier and all that sounds familiar. I guess my biggest issue is the leftover gray pixels, I might be over analyzing it though. Actually it just occurred to me, I'm drawing really small art on really small paper, perhaps the solution to my dilemma is simply to draw bigger?
Thanks for your help!

Now excuse me while I fan-girl out here...

I love your work! I can't wait till Wednesday of every week, that means you put up new stuff and I get to feed my brain some of your delicious and beautifully crafted masterpiece-soup. Please continue your amazing work! I'm telling all my comic geek friends about "Find Chaos".
Correction. ALL OF MY FRIENDS.

*girly squeal* ヽ(´ ∇｀)ﾉ

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FindChaos In reply to ElMiche [2011-12-22 23:27:10 +0000 UTC]

You might try drawing at a larger scale, or even adjusting your scanner settings to a higher resolution. Depending on your scanner/computer, it may take more time to scan, but it is much easier to color at a higher resolution than a lower one. Afterwards, to save your image, you can resize it (I usually resize to 100ppi) so that it's not a giant file once you post it online. I usually only keep the original PSDs saved as larger resolutions.

And, thank you so much! It really does mean a lot to me when I get positive feedback and learn that someone new enjoys my/our work! And don't worry, unless some horrible hand-in-garbage-disposal train wreck befalls me, we'll continue making FindChaos and all of the other projects far into the future. Thank you again, and I hope you continue to enjoy!

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FindChaos In reply to Psililoquy [2011-12-08 21:39:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I hope it helps!

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FindChaos In reply to TotoYasu [2011-12-03 02:59:51 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

I agree Dodge/Burn aren't for everyone, and I didn't even use them much in this image myself, but I like their organic unpredictable nature.

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TotoYasu In reply to FindChaos [2011-12-03 05:06:38 +0000 UTC]

I go for darkening the color and then airbrushing if it calls for it. You can see it a little in my art here.

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FindChaos In reply to Treyos [2011-12-03 03:00:43 +0000 UTC]

People seem both happy and upset about the translucent lollipop. It leads me to believe that not many people eat lollipops.

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Treyos In reply to FindChaos [2011-12-03 13:22:53 +0000 UTC]

Can't say that I eat them very often, but I've definitely never studied their translucent qualities.

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FindChaos In reply to Bettia [2011-12-03 03:00:51 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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FindChaos In reply to TypewriterInTheAttic [2011-12-02 06:25:45 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

You have it right: I did mean using the Hue-Saturation tool on the line layer. Sorry I wasn't more specific! Be sure you checkmark the "Colorize" box on that tool panel, however. That saturates the colors much better. (Not that I have anything against good black lines achieved through Levels, but I like subtle coloration on the linework. It can warm or cool an image immediately with very little impact on the colors.)

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FindChaos In reply to Sleepwalks [2011-12-02 06:26:02 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I hope it helps!

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FindChaos In reply to terminaldreamer [2011-12-02 06:28:27 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Good GOD, yes, I am impatient, too. That's partly why/how I came up with such a slapdash way of coloring. I just have no patience for much else.

I can't say I've tried Corel. I once used OpenCanvas and played with it a little bit, but my heart lies with Photoshop. CS5 seems able to do just about anything other art programs used to hold monopolies on.

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terminaldreamer In reply to FindChaos [2011-12-02 21:49:12 +0000 UTC]

Corel is alright. I'm glad I attempted the free trial-- what I like about it is the ability to mimic the quality of certain mediums. But on the whole I feel it's too fussy. I have to say that CS5 is winning me over, too. Although, right now I'm mostly using it for digital collages, light renderings for theatrical productions and resizing costume renderings. I'm hoping to get matte painting under my grasp-- I'm excited to attempt your method!

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FindChaos In reply to TheLovelyChemist [2011-12-02 06:28:43 +0000 UTC]

It's a fickle mistress.

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