I'm using Adobe Photoshop 5.5 for this tutorial, although I now use Photoshop 6.1, so don't worry if you have a different version of the software. One thing to keep in mind when coloring under a sketch is that it really helps to work with a high resolution file. Your lines will look much better in the end. I usually work with 200dpi files, and when the images are complete, these files usually range between 40 and 60 megs in size.

Step 1: Sketch something. Without this, the rest of this tutorial is useless!

Step 2: Scan it. Try to scan at 200dpi or more, if your system can handle a larger file. I'm assuming you already know how to scan images into Photoshop if you've come so far as to need this tutorial.

Step 3: Put the sketch on its own layer in Photoshop. Set this layer to "Multiply" in the Blending Options (next to "Opacity") on the Layers Palette (see below). This will allow only the dark areas of your sketch to show over the color later on, and will automatically mask out the white parts of the sketch.

Step 4: Make a new layer under the Sketch layer and call it "color." This where you will be painting all of your color "shapes" under the sketch. While you're at it, fill in the Background layer with a flat, neutral color (see below). This will help you pick better colors and it's much easier on your eyes than "glaring white."

Step 5: Go back to the "color" layer. Using the Pencil tool, start painting in the flat colors for every individual shape in your sketch. This may take a few hours depending on the complexity of your sketch (see below).

Eventually, you may end up with a few "color" layers for different characters or elements of your image. You may also end up changing the color of the background a few times because hey, tastes change from one hour to the next (see below).

Step 6: Using the Magic Wand Tool, select an element of the image you want to start detailing. It doesn't matter where you start; it's all personal preference. In this case, I grabbed Ademus's wing (see below).

Step 7: To make your life easier, put this selection on its own layer using Shift-Ctrl-J. Set "Preserve Transparency" (or "Lock" in Photoshop 6) on the new layer so you can basically color all you want without having to worry about "going outside the lines." Everyone colors differently. I use a combination of the Airbrush tool and the Lasso tool to make selections to paint, and then I use the Dodge and Burn tools to add subtle shadows and highlights (see below).

Note: DO NOT depend on Dodge and Burn to do the coloring for you, as I can assure you it will come out looking like total crap. There is no excuse for not being able to paint with real colors!

Step 8: Once you're done with this element, you can merge the layer back onto the "color" layer, or whatever layer you originally pulled it off of, using Crtl-E.*

Then you can repeat steps 6 through 8 for every other element in the image (except small things like eyes and teeth, or jewels...those don't really need to be on their own layer as you would have no real reason to de-select them while painting them in the first place).

*BE CAREFUL to never merge your working color layers onto the background, because it's easy to overlook this mistake and then it's too late to undo it. It's a real pain to try and separate them again, especially if you've already painted the background.

This tutorial is COPYRIGHT ©2001 Stephanie Lostimolo.

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