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Digital Painting
After receiving many queries
about the differences with the tools between Version 3.12 and the current
version of PSP I
decided to rewrite the instructions for this tutorial using the tools and
effects now available using PSP 7.04.
Al Dawson, the author of
the original Digitoils 101
tutorial, which
was written using Paint Shop Pro Version 3.12, has given me
permission to upgrade the tutorial using my images and the tools available
in PSP 7.04. This is a very long tutorial but once you understand the principals Al has
used to achieve his different effects you will be able to apply the same
principals to creating your own masterpieces.
This tutorial uses only PSP
basic tools although as you become more comfortable using the tools
and techniques I'm sure you will want to incorporate some of the other
special effects available to us in PSP 7.04.
Hints & Tips
For a point of reference while
you are working with the tutorial, open your Browser
(File, Browse) and locate the folder where you have saved the jpegs. You
will see all the associated jpegs in the Browser window. Open a group of
images (five to ten at a time) and then minimise them. Also minimise the Browser for the time
being.
As you work on each step, open
the relevant jpeg and have it on the workspace beside your working image
so you can see what your painting should look like at each step. After you
finish a step restore the next jpeg and close the previous one
Experiment with the different
settings for the Retouch and Air Brush tools. I'm using a graphics tablet
and this may vary from how the mouse will work, as far as the pressure
etc. Just go with what feels best for you. Unless a change to tool
settings is specified, used the previous settings.
You will need:
Paint Shop Pro - these
instructions are written using Ver 7.04. Download a trial version HERE.
All the jpegs for the tutorial have been saved into zip files, which you can
download HERE. Unzip them into a separate folder so you can call them up
in the Browser.
Remember to save your file
frequently as you work.
If you don't like a particular step you can always undo or re-load the
previous saved version.
OK - let's get started.
Open a new image 300 x 300,
with a transparent background and 16.7 million colours.
| sky001.jpg |
Step
1
Set the foreground colour to Red 150, Green 225, Blue 254 (#96E1FE) and
the background to Red 0, Green 128, Blue 255 (#0080FF)
Flood
fill the image with the foreground colour.
Double click on the Selection Tool and enter these settings:
top = 0, right = 300, left = 0, bottom = 140
Flood fill with the background colour.
|
| sky002.jpg |
Step
2
Push Tool - select the Retouch Tool
with the settings shown at right.
Push
the light blue up into the darker blue with up & down strokes as you
move the brush side to side. A gradual build-up is the key.
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| sky003.jpg |
Step
3
Now
push the blended blue upwards into the darker blue using same settings
and stokes.
How
quickly you move left and right as you push up and down will determine
how much of a mottled effect you'll achieve. Experiment with the density
& hardness settings to suit your own preference.
If
necessary, use the Smudge function in the Retouch tool to blend any
visible lines |
|
| sky004.jpg |
Step
4
Now push darker blue into blended blue with same settings and strokes.
Again, play with the settings to find your preference.
|
| sky005.jpg |
Step
5
Push the blended blue down into the light blue.
Use the Retouch Tool with the Smudge function set to round and blend the
colours in a large circular motion. You should start to see clouds
forming. Don't be too
fussy - just go with what you have.
|
| sky006.jpg |
Step
6
Change the foreground colour to White.
Air Brush - Shape round with the settings shown at right. Spray white in
tight circular motions to form the tops of the clouds.
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| sky007.jpg |
Step 7
Push tool -Shape round, size 10, opacity 12
Grab the base of the white and push with a
quick circular motion. This defines the shadow areas of the clouds. Be
very free-form with your strokes
I'm
using a graphics pen with the Hardness & Density set at 75 - play
with these settings until you find what suits your own preference.
|
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| sky008.jpg |
Step 8
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 10, Opacity 12, Hardness & Density 75
Spray more white to define the tops of additional clouds. Grab and push
the bases of these clouds just like the first.
|
| sky009.jpg |
Step 9
Push Tool - Shape round, Size 5. Opacity 12
Push the bright outer edges of the clouds with tight,
short circular motions. This makes the clouds look distant and wind
blown. You may also wish to use the Air Brush to add a touch of pale pink
to the underside of the clouds to enhance the shadows. I've used Red
248, Green 218 Blue 243 (#F8DAF3). Blend using the push & smudge
options of the Retouch Tool.
|
| sky010.jpg |
Step
10
Foreground colour - Red 33, Green 69, Blue 87 (#214557)
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 3, Opacity 12, Hardness & Density 100
Spray in the top edges of a mountain.
|
| sky011.jpg |
Step 11
Change the Air Brush to Size 6, Opacity 20
Thicken the outline by filling in beneath the outline. The
goal here is to place some colour to push around.
|
| sky012.jpg |
Step
12
Push Tool - Shape horizontal, Size 12, Opacity 20, Hardness &
Density 100
Push the colour up and
down while moving the mouse side to side, same as we did for the sky. A mottled appearance is what
we are aiming for here, but only enough to create a larger area for the
next step.
|
| sky013.jpg |
Step 13
Push Tool - Size 20. Opacity 12, Density 50
Grab the colour with larger
strokes. Pay attention to angles as this step creates the
"lay" of the mountain.
|
| sky014.jpg |
Step 14
Use the same
settings and push the light blue from the bottom of the image upward
into the mountain. Here we want to highlight the left side since this is
where the light source is. This step also defines the peaks and cleavage.
|
| sky015.jpg |
Step 15
Foreground
colour - Red
98, Green 140, Blue 204 (#628CCC)
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 16
Use long continuous strokes to build up some detail in the shadows.
|
| sky016.jpg |
Step
16
Foreground
colour -
Red 235, Green 220. Blue 205
Use the Air Brush with the same settings to highlight the
sunny side of the mountain. Take your time and build up the colour. Keep
the stokes angular so the mountain spreads out from the top to the
base.
|
| sky017.jpg |
Step17
Foreground
colour - Red
115, Green 154, Blue 94 (#739A5E)
Use the Air Brush with the same settings
Spray green around the
base of the mountain.
|
| sky018.jpg |
Step 18
Change foreground to White.
Air Brush - Size 32, Opacity 16, Hardness 100, Density 16
Dab some mist at the base of the mountain
Retouch Tool - Soften, Shape round, Opacity 40, Hardness & Density
71
Gently soften the mist - don't over do it though!
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|
sky019.jpg |
Step 19
Selection Tool - selection type rectangle, feather 5, antialias
checked
Select a rectangle passing slightly above the top of the mountain and
100 pixels wide.
Edit, Copy (CTRL+C) and then Edit, Paste as a New Selection (CTRL+E)
anywhere within the image. You will see the "marching ants"
around the selection.
|
| sky020.jpg |
Step
20
Click on Image, Flip and position the selection directly below the
mountain.
Keep selected and go to Effects, Blur, Motion - Direction = 180,
Intensity = 10
You will now have an instant reflection!
While
the flipped image is still selected you can make adjustments to the
colours etc to achieve the effect you want.
|
| sky021.jpg |
Step
21
Foreground
colour - Red 31, Green 42, Blue 61
Air Brush - Size 2, Opacity 20, Density 70
Spray in a distant
tree line where the mountain and reflection meet. Don't worry about
being too particular at this stage.
|
| sky022.jpg |
Step
22
Change the Air Brush size to 4 and fill in the ground area.
|
| sky023.jpg |
Step 23
Push Tool - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 30
Push up some detail from the ground to the tops of
trees.
Next we'll add some highlights.
|
| sky024.jpg |
Step 24
Foreground colour - Red 91, Green 138, Blue 68 (#5B8A44)
Air Brush - Size 1, Opacity 25, Density 50
Spray the darker green areas with continuous
movements, allowing the brush to linger in a spot here and there and
barely brushing other areas. Let some base colour show thru
. |
| sky025.jpg |
Step
25
Foreground colour - Red 140, Green 89, Blue 66 (#8C5942)
Use the Air Brush to spray some brownish
areas. You can see a thick, lush foliage begin to appear. Be sure to
spray along the water edge line.
|
| sky026.jpg |
Step26
Foreground colour - Red 185, Green 203, Blue 103 (#B9CB67)
Use the Air Brush, still on the same settings, to spray a lighter green to indicate
spots of sunlight striking the foliage.
|
| sky027.jpg |
Step
27
Push Tool - Shape Horizontal, Size 10, Opacity 16
Using short downward strokes,
pull the base of the ground into the water.
Change the Foreground colour Red 229, Green 226, Blue 203 (#E5E2CB)
Use the Air Brush - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 16 and Density 60
Spray in a waterline at the shore.
|
| sky028.jpg |
Step
28
Push Tool - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 16
Laterally push light and dark
areas of the reflection into one another to suggest ripples.
Set the foreground colour to White
Air
Brush - Shape round, Size 32, Opacity 16, Density 16
Spray some mist at the base, on the right and left
Retouch Tool - Soften setting, Size 10, Opacity 30, Hardness 7 Density
100
Lightly soften the mist areas to blend any rough spots.
|
| sky029.jpg |
Step 29
Foreground colour - Red 26, Green 30, Blue 42 (#1A1E2A)
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 2, Opacity 20, Density 20
Spray in the outline of the closer ground. You will also need to
outline the base as well.
Next fill in the area with the same colour.
Change the Air Brush size to 1 and add detail to the tree line.
|
| sky030.jpg |
Step
30
Foreground
colour - Red 39, Green 77, Blue 31 (#274D1F)
Still using the Air Brush add dark green under foliage. Do not
cover all the dark base colour. Leave patches of dark.
|
| sky031.jpg |
Step
31
Foreground
colour - Red 99, Green 55, Blue 41 (#633729)
Spray a dark brown
primarily at the base, but I've added a vertical cliff also. Again,
don't cover all the base colour.
|
| sky032.jpg |
Step 32
Foreground
colour - Red 196, Green 151, Blue 80 (#C49750)
Spray highlights on the dark brown.
|
| sky033.jpg |
Step 33
Foreground
colour - Red 152, Green 202, Blue 86 (#98CA56)
Spray highlights on the dark green.
Next we'll
reflect this into the water.
|
| sky034.jpg |
Step
34
Freehand Tool (Lasso) - Selection Type = Freehand, Feather 5,
Antialias checked.
Outline the hill we've just painted.
Edit, Copy (CTRL+C), Edit, Paste as New Selection (CTRL+E)
Image, Flip and place the selection directly beneath and align with the
hill.
Do not deselect yet. Go to Effects, Blur, Motion Blur - Direction 180,
Intensity 10 OK
Edit, Paste as New Selection (CTRL+E) again and this time reposition
over the hill to cover up the part of the blurred image that we don't
want.
|
| sky035.jpg |
Step
35
Push Tool - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 10
Horizontally push ripples in the water.
Foreground
colour - Red 240, Green 225, Blue 194 (#F0E1C2)
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 16 and Density 60
Spray
a waterline where
the hill meets the reflection.
|
| sky036.jpg |
Step 36
Foreground colour - select Black.
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 3, Opacity 20, Density 60
Spray in the upper edge of the foreground and and then enlarge the size
to 6 and fill in below the outline.
|
| sky037a.jpg |
Step 37a
Push Tool - Shape round, Size 9, Opacity 40, Density 60
Push up the black to form the trunk and a few main
branches of the tree. Don't worry about precision here. A lot of this
will get covered up in succeeding steps.
|
| sky037b.jpg |
Step
37b
Push
Tool - Shape round, Size 4, Opacity 20
Push smaller branches then change the Size to 2 and push even smaller branches. Again, a lot of this will get covered
up.
|
| sky037c.jpg |
Step 37c
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 3, Opacity 30, Density 30
Use tight circular motions in a continuous spray
of foliage and add a small tree at the base of the big tree.
Foreground
colour - Red 42, Green 73, Blue 112 (#2A4970)
Air
Brush - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 12, Density 16
Spray shadow detail on the tree.
|
| sky037d.jpg |
Step 37d
Foreground
colour - Red 128, Green 108, Blue 92 (#806C5C)
Air
Brush - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 12, Density 16
Spray a medium highlight primarily along the
edges of the tree but let a little mix all the way into the shadow side.
Foreground
colour - Red 207, Green 192, Blue 145 (#CFC091)
Air
Brush - Shape round, Size 1, Opacity 20, Density 20
Spray highlights on the most
outer edges. You don't need a lot of this colour so don't get carried
away.
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| sky038a.jpg |
Step 38a
Foreground
colour - Red 88, Green 43, Blue 32 (#582B20)
Air
Brush - Shape round, Size 2, Opacity 16, Density 30
Spray dirt on the foreground. Build up the colour and leave some open dark areas.
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| sky038b.jpg |
Step 38b
Foreground
colour - Red 150, Green 164, Blue 180 (#96A4B4)
Use the Air Brush to spray some bare rock areas.
Use the Smudge Tool - Shape round, Size 6, Opacity 20, Density 75 to
soften any rough edges.
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| sky038c.jpg |
Step 38c
Foreground
colour - Red 22 Green 44, Blue 20 (#162C14)
Use the Air Brush to spray
a dark green under foliage. Don't cover
up all the black areas. |
| sky038d.jpg |
Step 38d
Foreground
colour - Red 201 Green 172, Blue 101 (#806C5C
Air Brush - Shape round, Size 2, Opacity 8, Density 20
Highlight where the sunlight is
punching through.
|
| sky039.jpg |
Step
39
Foreground
colour - Red 22 Green 44, Blue 20 (#162C14)
Air
Brush - Shape round, Size 2, Opacity 16, Density 20
Spray the under foliage
of both the big and small tree.
Foreground
colour - Red 118 Green 135, Blue 59 (#76873B)
Add highlights to the foliage primarily
around the edges.
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| sky040.jpg |
Step
40
Effects, Sharpen, Sharpen.
Add
a border or frame of your choice and you're finished!
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| Although
I have had no formal art training as far as composition, perspective etc
I have learnt so much re-writing Al's original instructions. Experiment
with the various settings of each tool to see what effect they give.
Don't get bogged down into thinking you have to follow these
instructions exactly as written.
As you become more familiar with
the results of varying the settings for each tool I'm sure you will be
keen to have a go at another digital painting. If you have any queries e-mail
me and I'll do my best to help you.
RETURN TO DIGITAL
PAINTING GALLERY |
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