Mini tutorial 3 : fast, easy and it looks nice, too

Philippe Jofresa · 2003-04-02T11:34:22

OK, it's a method I learnt from the Falkenzone. But since I think most of you don't have leet language skillz to understand French, here it is in English, with my own twists. First things first : *NO*, you don't need to be a l33t artist to use this method. Some of my students had to do a stupid multimedia project, and they used this method with great success (but maybe a bit more efforts than someone who can already draw). So go on, don't be afraid, try it 1st step : Get a drawing. If you have a scanner, and you are better on paper than with a mouse, this first step will HELP you, but it wont replace the second step. Simply scan a drawing you like, like this one : 2nd step : In Photoshop, or any software that allow you to use layers. Simply create a new layer where you draw on top of your original, using a paintbrush or pencil (personally I prefer the pencil, as it doesnt anti alias...) It looks kinda crude, but it's much faster than cleaning the original. Here it is : 3rd step : Now use the magic trick : the Path tool ! Simply select all your lineout (since it's pure black, it's dead easy to select it ...) I don't know if there is an equivalent of this in other software, but in Photoshop, simply switch to the Paths panel, and "Turn selection into Path". Now, on a new layer, "Fill Path with Foreground colour". It's almost magic... Et voila ! This took me exactly 10 minutes, from scanning to final presentation. Now on to colour it. I'll post that later, or maybe you wanna still my black and white, and show me your colouring skillz ???(hint ! hint!) youpla :-P [edited by - ahw on March 24, 2003 12:51:18 PM]

Anonymous

May 25, 2001 03:59 PM

THX !!!
your tutorial is great !

i found several tuts, for fixing outlines, but yours is still the best, very simple, and looks great !!!

thx !

MindWipe

940

May 26, 2001 05:50 AM

ahw> Ok, I''ll do that. Thank again. It really helped me, as a beginner with Photoshop, to make goodlooking images fast.

/MindWpe

"If it doesn''t fit, force it; if it breaks, it needed replacement anyway."

"To some its a six-pack, to me it's a support group."

LittleTaz

122

May 27, 2001 05:44 AM

that''s a pretty nice tutorial !
i like it.
well i tried to do so; and after 10 minutes came this picture out:

i hope you like it

bye

Have a nice day !

. . . : : thnx in advance : : . . .

Anonymous

May 27, 2001 06:43 AM

LOL, nice feet there, taz =)

Nice tut, ahw.

------------------
It''s me again!

Taharez

203

May 27, 2001 06:44 AM

That was me, above.

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It's me again!

Edited by - Taharez on May 27, 2001 7:45:18 AM

ahw

Author

264

May 29, 2001 04:24 AM

H ere is another one ... don't ask me where I got the idea from, I don't really know. I think it's because I saw this kid movie "the mighty ducks" the other day. Yeah, that's probably it

A nd that one is for Shurcool. Note how the picture lacks depth... that's because I am using warm colours everywhere. With a lightning background (black to blue to white) it would probably be better...

Wow! Can you tell I am bored. Can you feel the difference between cold coulours and the all-warm colours above?

[edited by - ahw on March 24, 2003 12:54:32 PM]

-----------------------------Sancte Isidore ora pro nobis !

Hase

313

May 29, 2001 05:42 AM

dont draw over the original, if you have a more detailed pic it will take ages...

if you have a reasonably clean original you can simply modify the scan to black and white. either scan it in lineart mode and clean it up some, or use the (whatchammacallums... I´m working with the german PS, so this is kinda difficult. The thingy where you can adjust the intensity for different levels... yeah, i think it should be called levels).
Or just use the brightness/contrast settings.

www.geocities.com/hase13/gallery.html

If I do digital drawings i prefer to do all the work in PS, no scanning... if it´s possible of course.

ahw

Author

264

May 29, 2001 07:48 AM

I think you are referring to the "Curves" menu, richtig ?

The thing is, I already explained this technique in ANOTHER thread (using the curves and other things to get a nice clean basis to work with).
The point of this thread is to show a simple and fast technique that you can apply to a certain style of drawings. Primarily drawings that you do directly in the software, and mainly in a "Flash-esque" style.
This is why I say that the scanning is TOTALLY optional. If you add too much small details, in your line drawing, you'll see them disappear, anyway.

youpla :-P

[edited by - ahw on March 24, 2003 12:55:53 PM]

-----------------------------Sancte Isidore ora pro nobis !

Fantasy Edge

122

May 29, 2001 09:38 AM

I was actully wondering what the path menu was for in the first place. never knew.... heh. I always assumed that we all created a new layer and traced the scan. at least i did. or i would trace the origional with a .005 pigment liner and then scan. any other time savers?

I am not text, I am not organized pixels, I am not killed by turning off your monitor, I am not isolated by turning off your computer. I just am.

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