drawing Drawing Tutorial

How I add color and shading

This tutorial shows you the basics of how I color my work.

Tutorial category: drawing  
Tutorial type: Step-by-step   
Submitted by: tomorrowNight
Tools used: RateMyDrawings Java Draw (Advanced)

This tutorial is based on:
Mermaid by tomorrowNight

 

Step 1

I placed the basic colors where I want them to be, just to see how they would compare to one another. I can change them as I go along. Doing this helps me to make sure that the colors work together.

 

Step 2

I began adding the shading to the skin. I used a darker color than the skin and used the watercolor brush at low opacity.

 

 

Step 3

Added the shading to the hair, then the highlights. For the shading I used the watercolor brush. For the highlights I used the 'lighten' tool. (Be careful with using this tool, because sometimes it makes an image too annoyingly bright for the eyes.)

 

Step 4

I shaded the tail with the watercolor brush then on a new layer added the scales with a darker color to areas with a lot of shade. Added some light again with the 'lighten' tool.

 

Step 5

Shaded the rocks with watercolor. Made sure to add the shadows near her body.

 

 

Step 6

Colored in the sky. A simple blue color and worked in some clouds with a few swirls with the watercolor brush. Changed the color of the flower to blue with a watercolor brush. Made the fins see-through by removing a bit of the fin colors with the eraser. I cleared some room to draw in the water.

 

Step 7

Added in the water for the last step. Again, using the watercolor brush and the highlights with the pen tool. :) All done!