Digital Painting in Clip Studio Paint - Character Design from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Draw and paint character designs with more confidence.
Use manga studio 5 / clip studio paint effectively.

Digitally paint a variety of materials.

Draw and paint character designs with more confidence.
Use manga studio 5 / clip studio paint effectively.
Digitally paint a variety of materials.

Syllabus

In this section you will learn how to draw and paint a character concept from scratch. You will learn all the various tools used within Manga Studio 5 to aid in that process.

In this lesson you will learn how to rough in a basic pose of a character. You will learn why it is better to not worry too much about the overall correctness of the pose since we have lots of ways to edit at our disposal.

In this lesson you will learn how to refine the sketch by soft erasing and redrawing the work. You will also learn about the size and distort transformations to adjust the proportions of the drawing.

In this lesson you will learn how to select and adjust parts of the artwork to save time. We will also talk about the choices made in detailing the work at this stage.

In this lesson we will be soft erasing again and making some more deliberate choices with the design of the character. You will also learn the benefits of flipping the canvas to check your work for flaws.

In this lesson you will learn how to use the Mesh Transformation tool to adjust your line work. You will also learn the benefits of making incremental changes to the work and slowly allowing the ideas to take shape versus settling on the first thing that you draw. ( Note - You will find the art files and Custom Brushes attached to this lesson. )

In this lesson you will learn how to create a single piece of chain mail and create an entire Texture from it. You will then learn how to use the Distort and Mesh Transformation tools to add realism to the effect.

In this lesson you will learn about the Layer Mask feature. You will also learn how to draw out a selection using the G-Pen, which will give us our first flood fill of the character. We will then use the Lock Transparent Pixel feature to help paint and segment the work.

In this lesson we will finish creating our perimeter selection of the character. You will learn how to save a selection with the Convert to Selection Layer feature. You will also learn how to organize these effects with Layers and Groups.

In this lesson you will learn how to draw through the main silhouette of the character and define additional segments to aid in the painting process. You will also learn how the Layers can help you to save out your Selections and itemize your work.

In this lesson you will learn how to create some more Selections in the character design. You will also learn how to use the Convert to Selection Layer feature to safe guard your work.

In this lesson you will learn how to use the Mesh Transformation through multiple layers to edit your work. You will also learn how to select the leg of our character and move it while keeping all the layers intact.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint with the Smooth Watercolor brush. You will learn how to apply the base shadows and highlights to the armor while Blending with this unique style of brush.

In this lesson you will learn how to create a selection from the existing armor and apply paint effects. We will apply texture while using the Combine Modes to enhance the effects. You will also learn how to use the Color Balance to control the shifting of colors in the work.

In this lesson you will learn how to apply another Texture on a floating layer to enhance the effects. Then we will start to detail the work a bit by painting in the finer highlights and shadows.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the cape by adding in some larger shapes of shadows. You will also learn to add in a brighter light source by using the Combine Mode called Glow Dodge. Then we will soften up the line work by erasing back the Layer Mask.

In this lesson you will learn how to use the Marquee tool to select the mountains in the background and add the base paint. Then we will continue to use the Marquee tool to cut out shapes and apply some hard edge effects to create the look of ice. We will also paint in a light source in the sky to help direct where the highlights will go.

In this lesson you will learn how to apply some additional color and contrast to the mountains using Combine Modes. You will then learn how to paint the sky effect with the soft brush, going back and forth from dark to light.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the chain mail area of the suit and give it some realistic effects. You will learn about controlling the highlights and making the material look real by adding random shadows.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the hair. By working from large to small we can get the hair to look more natural than trying to illustrate every strand. We will also add in some atmospheric lighting to the hair.

In this lesson you will learn how to apply texture effects to the shield. You will learn how to create small imperfections in the metal and add shadows for contrast.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint and detail the hilt of the sword. First we will block in the major shadows and highlights to add form, then we will draw in some smaller texture details.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the handle of the sword. We will first create a small segment of the handle that we will repeat to create that entire section. Then we will apply shadows and highlights over the top of it to finish the look. Then you will learn how to check and fix any alignment issues by using Layers.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the blade of the sword. You will also learn how to cut the blade portion from the painting and adjust the alignment by using the Distort feature. You will also see how we can change the taper of the sword very easily with this tool.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the skin tone using the Smooth Watercolor brush and the Airbrush. I will also show you how to create a light source with the Highlight brush.

In this lesson you will learn how to paint the face and sculpt the features. I will cover how to add subtle shifts from dark to light to create a feminine look. You will also learn how to set up multiple windows in reverse from one another to spot flaws in the design.

In this lesson you will learn how to select from the existing paint work and blend the transitions. As well as make mental notes of what needs to be fixed and slowly adjust the work.

In this lesson we discuss how the small changes at the end can really start to fix the problems areas left in the painting. You will also learn how angles can help you to see and adjust flaws in the work.

In this lesson you will learn how to create and utilize the Quick Mask feature to edit your work. This combined with the Mesh Transformation tool is highly effectively for adjusting parts of the artwork.

In this lesson you will learn some other useful ways to touch up the artwork. First we will change the cape from a blue to a deep red simply by using the Hue / Saturation / Luminosity slider under the Tonal Correction tab. Then I will show you how to grab an area that is already painted and use it for the knee guard to save time painting it from scratch.

In this lesson you will learn how to add in some smaller details to the work. You will then learn how to combine all the character layers together while still preserving the Layers and Selection Layers for any last minute edits.

In this lesson you will learn how to tighten up the edges by working on a new layer over top of the merged copy. We will then select from the existing painting by using the ALT key to access the Eye Dropper tool. You will also learn how to create hard edge shadows and blend them into the work.

In this lesson you will learn how to load your selections from the saved layers. You will also learn how to combine them to select more of the character at one time. With those in place we will add in some more lighting effects by sampling from the scene itself and using Combine Modes with a new layer.

In this lesson you will learn how to apply contrast to the background to help push the character forward on the canvas. We will also be blurring parts of the background as well as adjusting the Saturation. This will also help to push the character off the canvas and direct the viewer.

In this lesson you will learn how to apply some final highlights to the character to add depth to the scene. White is very powerful and can push the eyes through the scene. Just make sure to use it sparingly or you can hurt the artwork.

In this lesson you will learn how to apply some post processing effects to the work. These are the final touches before giving the work to the client or adding it to our portfolio. Will will continue to adjust the Saturation and Blur of various areas in the work.

Here is a tutorial sheet for you to practice painting a face. Do whatever character you like or follow along with this one. I would love to see what you come up with so be sure to share your work in the Q+A Section. Good luck with your studies!

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Provides custom brushes and layered art files, allowing learners to follow along and practice the techniques directly, which is helpful for skill development

Explores the use of layers and groups, combine modes, and layer masks, which are essential for non-destructive editing and complex compositions

Focuses on Manga Studio 5 / Clip Studio Paint, a popular software among comic artists and illustrators, making it directly applicable to their workflows

Emphasizes editing and refining artwork throughout the process, teaching learners to be flexible and adapt their designs, which is useful for iterative design

Requires Manga Studio 5 / Clip Studio Paint, which may require a purchase or subscription, potentially posing a barrier to entry for some learners

Uses Manga Studio 5, which was succeeded by Clip Studio Paint in 2015, so learners should ensure that the tools and techniques are still relevant

Reviews summary

Character painting workflow in clip studio paint

According to learners, this course is a largely positive resource for mastering the digital painting process for character design within Clip Studio Paint. Many students found the instruction to be clear and easy to follow, appreciating the step-by-step workflow presented from initial sketch to final rendering. The course is noted for covering essential Clip Studio Paint tools and techniques, such as layer masks, blend modes, and transformations, and reviewers frequently praised the inclusion of custom brushes and art files for practice. While some found the pace occasionally slow or noted that the course focuses on a specific character example rather than broad principles, it is widely regarded as providing a solid approach to digital character painting for users of this software.

Centered on painting one character.

"It's okay, but very specific to this one character workflow."

"focuses on one character, so you'll need to apply the techniques to your own designs afterwards."

Provides brushes and art files.

"Loved the included brushes and files."

"The included brushes are a big plus."

"Providing the art files allows you to follow along perfectly."

Focus on essential software features.

"Covers lots of useful tools like mesh transformation and layer masks."

"Learned so much about digital painting techniques in CSP."

"The approach to saving selections and using layer masks is brilliant."

"Good walkthrough of the character painting process."

Guides learners through a complete process.

"Step-by-step was perfect for learning the CSP workflow."

"It guides you through the entire process from start to finish."

"This course takes you from sketch to polished artwork in CSP."

"I loved the way he walked through the process..."

Instructor explains concepts clearly.

"Instructor explains everything very clearly."

"Robert Marzullo is a great teacher. Clear, concise, and easy to follow."

"The instructor explains things clearly and easy to understand."

"Breaks down complex processes into manageable steps."

Some sections move slowly for some.

"Sometimes the pace felt a little slow, but it was good for following along."

"I found the pace too slow in some sections."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Digital Painting in Clip Studio Paint - Character Design with these activities:

Practice Basic Sketching

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Improve your foundational drawing skills to make the most of the character design lessons.

Browse courses on Sketching

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Practice gesture drawing with quick poses.
Focus on capturing the flow of movement.
Experiment with different sketching tools.

Review 'Figure Drawing: For All It's Worth'

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Strengthen your understanding of figure drawing to improve your character design skills.

View Melania on Amazon

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Study the chapters on proportion and anatomy.
Practice drawing figures from reference.
Apply the principles to your character designs.

Review 'Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter'

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Deepen your understanding of color and light to enhance your digital painting skills.

View Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions) on Amazon

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Read the chapters on color theory and light sources.
Analyze how the principles are applied in master paintings.
Experiment with applying these principles in your own work.

Four other activities

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Value and Shading Exercises

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Improve your understanding of value and shading to create more realistic and compelling character designs.

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Create a value scale from black to white.
Practice shading simple forms like spheres and cubes.
Apply shading techniques to character sketches.

Create a Brush Set Showcase

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Experiment with different brushes in Clip Studio Paint and showcase their effects to solidify your understanding.

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Explore the different brush categories in Clip Studio Paint.
Create a canvas and test each brush with different settings.
Document the effects of each brush and its settings.
Share your brush set showcase with the course community.

Design a Character Turnaround

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Apply the skills learned in the course to create a complete character turnaround, showcasing the character from multiple angles.

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Sketch the character from front, side, and back views.
Refine the sketches and add details.
Paint the character in each view, paying attention to lighting and shading.
Present the character turnaround in a clear and organized manner.

Create a Custom Brush Pack

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Design and create your own custom brush pack in Clip Studio Paint tailored to your character design style.

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Experiment with different brush settings to create unique effects.
Save your custom brushes as a brush pack.
Write documentation describing the purpose and use of each brush.
Share your brush pack with the course community.

Career center

Learners who complete Digital Painting in Clip Studio Paint - Character Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Character Designer

A character designer specializes in creating the visual appearance of characters for various media such as games and animation. This course directly mirrors what a character designer does, going through the full process of concept sketching to final rendered painting. The course's focus on using digital painting effects with diverse brushes, applying texture effects, and using transformation features directly contributes to the skills needed for a character designer. The course's emphasis on non-destructive editing using layers and masks is crucial for efficient workflow. A character designer will benefit from this course by gaining tangible experience in using Clip Studio Paint and a broad range of digital techniques applied to character design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Digital Painter

A digital painter creates artwork using digital tools, and this course teaches the techniques needed for character design and painting. This course walks the learner through the entire process of character design, from sketch to finished work, making it fit for a digital painter. The digital painter will learn about the use of layers, masks, blending modes, custom brushes, texture effects, and transformation tools, all within Clip Studio Paint. A digital painter should seek to take this course as it provides guidance and instruction on creating a fully realized piece of character art. This course is a great fit for aspiring digital painters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Painter

Illustrator

An illustrator creates visual content for various media, and this course provides helpful training for creating original character designs using digital tools. The course emphasizes the use of layers, masks, blending modes, and custom brushes within Clip Studio Paint, all of which are essential for a digital illustrator's workflow. The ability to refine sketches, apply textures, and use transformation tools, as taught in this course, further enhances an illustrator's output. The course focuses on creating a complete character from sketch to final paintwork, a skill highly relevant to an illustrator's work of creating digital artwork. This course may be useful for those wanting to enter the field of illustration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Freelance Artist

A freelance artist provides art services to clients, and this course teaches the digital painting techniques necessary to meet a variety of needs. This course's comprehensive overview of drawing, editing, and painting a character from start to finish using Clip Studio Paint, along with its emphasis on using layers, masks, and blending modes, make it perfect for freelance artists. The course also covers texture effects and transformation tools which are useful to a freelance artist who may need to work in many styles. A freelance artist may use the skills from this course to create a portfolio of digital paintings. This course may be useful to those who wish to become freelance artists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Artist

Concept Artist

Concept artists develop visual ideas for characters, environments, and objects, and this course helps build a foundation for this work. The course covers the entire creation process, from initial sketching to final paint work, using Clip Studio Paint. A concept artist will especially benefit from the course's approach to making changes to the initial concept, refining sketches, and using tools like mesh transformation. The focus on creating a texture and applying it to armor also will be helpful. The digital painting techniques taught in this course ensure that one is well-suited to concept art which is often digital. This course may be useful for those wanting to enter the field of concept art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Comic Book Artist

A comic book artist uses illustration and sequential art to tell stories, and this course provides a foundation in digital character art creation. The course takes learners through the full process of character creation, from initial sketches to final painted work, using Clip Studio Paint. A comic book artist will benefit from the course's emphasis on using layers, masks, and blending modes to build their art. The course's focus on creating and applying textures and using transformation tools enhances the ability of a comic book artist to create compelling visuals. This course may be useful to comic book artists who wish to build their skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Artist

Graphic Novel Artist

A graphic novel artist is responsible for the visual elements of graphic novels, and this course provides useful training in digital character art. This course will teach a graphic novel artist to create a character, from a rough sketch to the final painted piece. A graphic novel artist will benefit from the course because it teaches how to use layers, masks, and blending modes for editing and painting. Also helpful, is learning how to apply textures and use transformation tools. This course may be useful for the graphic novel artist to increase their repertoire of skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Novel Artist

Texture Artist

A texture artist specializes in creating realistic surface details for digital models or images, and this course provides concrete training in texture creation and application. The course spends time on creating a chain mail texture and applying it to armor using the distort and mesh transformation tools. A texture artist will also benefit from the course's discussion of painting with custom brushes and blending modes. The course gives explicit direction on how to apply and adjust textures using digital techniques. This course may be useful for aspiring texture artists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Texture Artist

Concept Designer

A concept designer develops initial ideas for various products, and this course provides direct training in character concept design in a digital environment. The course focuses primarily on the process of creating a single character, from sketch to fully rendered work, using Clip Studio Paint. A concept designer will benefit from the course because it teaches how to make changes to the concept, refine sketches, apply textures, and use transformation tools. This course may be useful for those who want to develop concepts for character design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Designer

Video Game Artist

Video game artists create the visual elements of video games, and this course helps build a foundational understanding of character creation. The character creation process, in this course, includes sketching, editing, digital painting, and applying texture effects, all of which are needed by a video game artist. The course emphasizes using layers, masks, and blending modes which are all essential in creating game art. A video game artist may find this course helpful in refining their character design skills as they build their portfolio. This course may be useful for those who want to create characters for video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Artist

Visual Development Artist

A visual development artist works on the overall look of an animated film or video game, and this course provides the artistic training to understand this process. Though this course focuses on a specific character piece, it does provide training on sketching, painting, editing, and applying effects, all of which a visual development artist can use. This course may be particularly useful for the visual development artist because it details the use of layers, blending modes, and selection tools. The course is a great introduction to the kind of work required in visual development. This course may be useful for those wishing to be visual development artists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist

Animation Artist

Animation artists create moving images, and this course provides an understanding of the digital character creation process. The course focuses on how to design, draw, and paint a character using Clip Studio Paint, which are all skills that an animation artist can use on a daily basis. It also gives insight on creating and applying texture effects, blending modes, and using layers within a digital workflow. An animation artist may be interested in this course as the course walks through the digital painting process of making a fully realized character from a sketch. A course is may be useful for artists who wish to enter the animation field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animation Artist

Production Artist

A production artist works on the final stages of digital artwork, and this course provides the technical knowledge of digital art creation. Though not necessarily a design role, the production artist will use the techniques in this course, such as working with layers, masks, blending modes, and custom brushes, to create the final piece. The course also highlights how to refine sketches, add effects, and use transformation tools. This course may be useful for a production artist who wishes to learn about the techniques of digital character creation.

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Storyboard Artist

A storyboard artist creates visual representations of scenes for films, animations, or commercials. While this course focuses on character painting, it does teach how to create a character with different poses and angles, and adjust a character's design using tools like mesh transformation. A storyboard artist needs to be able to quickly sketch and edit, and this course, with its emphasis on efficient digital workflows, may be useful. The use of selection tools, layer masks, and blending modes discussed in the course allows one to develop storyboards in a digital environment. The understanding of digital painting may also be helpful in color boards. This course may be useful to those wishing to become storyboard artists.

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Art Director

An art director oversees the visual style and images for various projects, and this course provides insight into the technical aspects of digital painting. While not primarily a hands-on role, the art director needs to understand the processes of digital character production. The course's focus on sketching, editing, painting, use of layers, selections, masks, and blending modes, gives the art director a frame of reference. The art director will be able to understand the workflow better with the knowledge of the digital painting process. This course may be useful to those seeking to be art directors.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Digital Painting in Clip Studio Paint - Character Design.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara

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Comprehensive guide to understanding color and light in painting. It covers topics such as color theory, light sources, and atmospheric perspective. It valuable resource for any digital painter looking to improve their understanding of these fundamental concepts. This book is commonly used by both academic institutions and industry professionals.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions)

Hardcover

Digital Painting in Clip Studio Paint - Character Design

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Character painting workflow in clip studio paint

Activities

Career center

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