DIGITAL CARTOON PAINTING TAKE YOUR DRAWINGS TO A PRO LEVEL |
Digital Painting Basics |
Description
Chad Baldwin takes you inside the software programs he uses everyday when creating his cartoon illustrations into the computer. Using and organizing his pallets and brushes so he can use on other future projects. Chad also talks about a couple of free applications you can start with right away. Also at a very low cost there are other programs like Corel Painter and Sketchbook Pro you can purchase at a reasonable price.
One of the questions that gets asked most often is “how do you use layers and what are layers used for?” In this training series Chad demonstrates the basics of how he uses layers to simplify and speed up his workflow.
|
|
VIDEO 01 - Software Intro |
In this video Chad walks you threw the back end of Corel Painter. One of the key elements to becoming a digital painter is understanding your software program, and the tools the program has to offer.
Chad shows you how to setup your digital painting so when its time to print the quality will be top notch. One of the best parts about using Corel Painter, is its tools and brushes it has to offer.
Corel Painter has some of the most realistic brushes that mimic the real thing. Chad talks about some of the brushes he uses when painting his cartoon characters. |
|
VIDEO 02 | The Basics
Ever wonder why Adobe Photoshop and Corel painter has layers? What are layers used for?
In video 02 Chad shows you the very basics in using layers to take your cartoon illustrations to the next level. If you have painted on the computer before you may have found yourself not able to undo something that you have worked very hard on. The best parts about using layers are, you have more control over your illustration. Let Chad show you some basic steps he uses when working with layers. You will soon realize layers can be your friend. Layers helps you stay organized and more flexible when you paint. |
VIDEO 03 | Advanced
This 1hour and 20 minute video takes both Video 01 “Software Intro” and Video 02 “The Basics” and combines the techniques learned.
With video 03 Chad is now able to take the digital medium to a more advanced level. Since you now have the basics all covered. Chad goes into more detail adding lighting and shading.
Understanding the basics about using layers you will see the lights and darks become a lot easier and now is when your cartoons will come to life and have more of a 3D appearance to them. |
|
Exploring Character Design  |
Character Flipper.psd Included
Chad has created a simple Photoshop file (.psd) that allows you to flip through different character designs. Use any program that allows you to open Photoshop files. If you have Corel Painter you can use that as well.
Once you have the Photoshop file open you can flip threw different layers allowing you to try different combinations of eye designs, nose designs as well as mouth and hairstyles.
With this flipper.psd file you can explore a lot of different possibilities! To the right you will see an image with three different head designs. These were all created with this Character Flipper.psd file. |
|
Getting your Character Designs into the Computer
In this section of the training course, Chad walks you step by step in how he takes his sketches and gets them into the computer.
Chad does not use a scanner to get his sketches into the computer. Since Chad is not concerned with quality at this point he will just use his phone to take a digital picture. Then Chad will e-mail that digital photo to himself to get it into the computer.
So if you have questions about how to get your sketches from your sketchbook into the computer this is a must see! |
Piecing it All Together / Layering it Up!
Here in this section of the training course Chad walks you from the beginning, showing you how he sketches his characters into the computer and with the use of layers he can mold his character into something stronger.
Using layers when you construct your lines will help you to quickly build your character. The best part is you can turn on and off layers to see what nose or eye combination is stronger. When you find one that you like, you can commit to it and move forward to a different part of the character.
You will see when using layers, even in the early stages of the character design, you can build your character up in a matter of minutes. Try it for yourself I think you will agree! |
|
Lighting the Cartoon Creatures
 |
Basic Paint Kit Tutorial
Chad has supplied with this training course a “Basic Paint Kit”. This kit consists of one video where Chad walks you thru the basics of loading brushes and getting yourself familiar with the interface of Corel Painter.
Also included in this kit Chad supplies a blender brush you can use in Photoshop as well as the brushes Chad uses in Painter.
So, if you are a beginner you will have a good understanding how to load Chad’s brushes and also know the basic key commands Chad uses to navigate around the software program as well as tips to speed up your workflow. |
|
Starting from the Sketch
Here stands a sketch Chad has created with pencil and paper. Lots of folks might think that the best way to get your pencil sketch into the computer is by using a electric scanner. Actually, the best way Chad likes to get his cartoon illustrations into the computer is by using his digital camera.
Using the Digital Camera - The best way Chad likes to get his cartoon illustrations into the computer is by using a digital camera
"I like using the digital camera because it's easy and quick and I'm not to concerned about the quality when brining my illustrations into the computer!" -Chad |
Setting up the Scene with Lights
Watch Chad as he sets up his canvas / scene with lights before he even starts to think about painting any of his characters.
In this training series Chad starts off by painting two light sources right onto the background canvas. On the right Chad paints in a very strong light to the right and also paints a soft blue light to the left.
"Before I start painting I want to see where my light sources are coming from before I get started with painting my characters.
Establishing the lights first allows me to see how the light will fall on the characters before I get started in painting them. |
Bounce the Light and working with Shadows
In this training series Chad walks you step by step in how he applies light values and dark values to shade and light his characters.
The Right Color - Using the right colors while creating your highlights and your shadows allows his characters to pop off the page.
Bouncing the Light - Chad also demonstrate how he uses the light values and bounces the light off some of the shadow areas making it appear more realistic and dynamic.
The best part is when you learn this you can apply it to all of your work to give it more dimension and life! |
|
Click Here To Visit Website
|
