EVO's Guide to CG

[h1]Quick Guide to CG[/h1]
Now there are many ways to CG a drawing, and I use different styles to do it depending on what kind I feel like using. This guide will show you one style that I use. Basically, its a 3 step process. Before we start, I would like to point out some recommendation before trying this. You will need:

Adobe Photoshop (I use 7.0 but any other ver. is fine)
Tablet (not really recommended but useful to have)
Drawing (can't really CG without a drawing)
Knowledge of PS tools (i don't feel like explaining every tools that PS have so bear with me)

Now thats settled lets start shall we.

Step 1a: Preparing Line Art
First scan in your pic into Photoshop, scan it at least 300dpi. You can scan it higher but 300 should be good. (the pic im using is from www.artcorner.org made by EVIL TIGER)
Click to view!

Step 1b: Cleaning Line Art
First off, double-click "background" to make it a layer. You can name it anything you want. If your sketch has marks on it, you can clean it up by adjusting the "levels". What you want to do next is click on "channels". There should be a dotted-like circle on the bottom left. Click it and it should select your line art. Press delete and it should delete the white, leaving only the line art. You now want to lock the transparancy (will get into it later). This line art should be on top at all times.
Click to view!

Step 1c: Preparation to color
Before you start coloring, create a new layer and put it below the line art. Fill it with a color you think you are not gonna use on your artwork. This will prevent from confusion if your background matches the color your using on your artwork.
Click to view!

Step 2a: Color Begins
Now this is what you've been waiting for, COLORING. Like I said at the beginning, there are many ways to do this step, but this is only for style I use frequently. Create a layer for the first color and put it below the line art. You can start on whatever part you like, but ill start on the skin. You want to keep every color in a different layer or at least not let to colors touch. This will make shading/highlighting very easy to do. Now, take your "polygon lasso" tool and select the part you want to color.
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Step 2b: Adding Color
Once selected, fill it in with the color you want. For now, use only the base color for your artwork. You don't have to worry about multiple colors just yet.
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Step 2c: Color all the rest
Reapeat Step 2a/2b until everything is colored with the base color. Be sure that everything is in there own layer and that transparancy lock is on for each. Before getting into the next step, think about where your light-source is.
Click to view!

Step 3a: Shading pt.1
Now heres a fun, but tedious step. Decided on a light-source yet? Because you will be using it for shade/highlight reference. To start shading, click on the layer you want to start and use the "burn" tool to darken the place the shadow is gonna be in.
Click to view!

Step 3b: Shading pt.2
Its a good idea to add more shading to the pic to make it more 3-D'ish.
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Step 3c: Highlighting pt.1/2
This step is basically like shading, but instead you will be using the "dodge" tool to do the highlights. If you are having trouble with either shading/highlighting, you can consult other anime pics for reference.
Click to view!

Step 3d: Finish Shade/Highlight
Not really a final step, just finish your shading/highlighting.
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Step 4: I thought there was only 3 steps?!?
This is the true final step. Now, if you want to change the background, add more effects, or just touch up on your coloring, this is the step you do it in before you call your artwork done. I added a simple BG, shiny spots, and text to call this artwork done.

Click Here to View!

I hope you enjoyed my guide. This is my first time writing a tutorial so if you have any questions/comments, just PM me.

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