[MistyTehMoose]

So I have had alot of complaints by people who don't like the way I use photoshop, but to me, I find this is the easiest way. Anyway, this is my step by step guide for photoshop, love it or leave it. I use a tablet, by the way, but I used to use a mouse, either way is ok if you have the patience.

Step One:

Make sure your beginning canvas is quite large, you can resize it later. Start with a new layer. Picture whatever you are drawing broken up into shapes. With people, I imagine everything as circles and ovals. Keep in mind what parts on the body bend, and what does not. Then, draw the circles to make a rough outline of what you want to draw. I use a different colour, it makes inking it later on much easier.



Step Two:

Add a bit of detail to the circles. Hair, eyes, finger, etc. Be as rough as you like as long as you can still define what is what. This is why I like using a tablet, because you can actually do a rough sketch easier than with a mouse.



Step Three:

Make a new layer, zoom in, and start inking. I use the pencil for this, make it as thick or as thin as you like. I like quite thick and defined lines, so that's what I do. Take your time and don't rush. I find it easier when it is zoomed in quite far, it also means you have more control over the lines. This is why making the sketch colour different is important, that way you can see exactly what you are doing.



Step Four:

Go back to the layer you have drawn your sketch on and wipe the fucker out. You should now be left with just the black outline. Once you have done this, your screw-ups will jump out at you. Quickly fix them up before someone screenshots again.



Step Five:

Add some colour using the trusty old bucket tool.



Step Six:

Now it's time for shadows. Define where exactly the light is coming from and draw the shadows accordingly. Make sure they're not all over the place, that will just look wierd. Take into consideration the natural curves and shapes your object has, and shade to that. I use the brush tool for this, it makes the shadows look much smoother. You're almost done! If you would like, I go over the black outline again with the brush tool so that it smooths out the edges.



Add some colour to the background, and resize it to the desired size. If you make it smaller, its harder to notice your fuckups :)

[PyroOwned]

The line in the mouth looks like she has a gap in her front teeth. Apart from that, it's awesome :D.

[Kenneh]

A technique used in real life integrated into photoshop. Great job misty, the tutorial is totally fool-proof.

[Joho The Hobo]

Cool, thanks for this. I've just recently gotten into drawing with photoshop, this will defo help.

[Phance]

I skip steps 1 and 2. I picture what I want in my head then I get to pentooling.

[MistyTehMoose]

Originally Posted by Phance

I skip steps 1 and 2. I picture what I want in my head then I get to pentooling.

I find that sketching the general shape first helps, and you will find that it it better proportioned.

Well, I did anyway.

[Digey]

Originally Posted by Phance

I skip steps 1 and 2. I picture what I want in my head then I get to pentooling.

Could you clarify? Do you use the pen tool, and draw vector images or did you mean Brush?

If you are drawing Vector images Illustrator is a far better program for that (flash also do vector, but that is more complected).

Anyway That is Vectored in illustrator.