Ajna's step by step shading
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Hello and welcome to my shading tutorial. I must say, first off, that I am in no way the best, and my method is even looked down upon by "real artists" but I am happy with the way I shade and this tutorial is merely a step by step process showing how I, personally, go about shading. :) Many artists have different techniques and it's always a good idea to try different methods, so take what you like from my tutorial and add it to what you already know. The images shown below the text are shown at 800x600 pixels. Click the image to be shown a larger resolution. :) I am starting with a pre-drawn image. I am using Paint Tool SAI, image size of 355 x 874 pixels. I normally work on a larger canvas, but I chose this image simply because it was a recent work that wasn't already shaded. If you take a look at the image above, you'll see that I have my layers already set up and named accordingly. The base color layer is a layer that I use to "clip" my other layers too. It's always one solid color, in this case, orange. I put all of the markings and other colors on another layer, titled "Extras". The red line on the left hand side of the layer means that it is "clipped" to the base layer. This means that no matter where I draw on the "extras" layer, it will only color over the areas that are colored on the "base" layer, in this case, the orange. I have the pen tool selected, mostly default settings. I lower the density a little bit. I choose a gray-tinted color for the shading, in this case, green.

Now I've created a new layer above the "extras" layer. I select "clipping group" on this layer as well to clip it to the "Base" layer. There's a drop down box that I use to set the layer to "multiply". I've used the pen tool to block in the first layer of shading, using the eraser to refine the edges. I know nothing about light sources, so I just guess where I think the shadows should go... It's probably very inaccurate but I'll learn light sources later. :T

Now I select the watercolor tool and use it to lightly blend the edges of the shading, blurring some areas more than others. I believe these are fairly default settings. The left side is untouched, the right side is ready for the next step.

For the next step, I choose a darker color, and repeat the block shading step. I add a little fur detail on the tail.

Little blendy blend with the watercolor tool. :U

Little bit of eraser action for some fur detail on the tail. :T

Blend :U Also, notice that I have the AirBrush tool selected. I've also created a new layer above the shading layer. I've clipped this one as well, and set it to "Luminosity". This later will be for highlighting. I chose a pale yellow for my highlights.

I lowered the opacity waaaay down because Luminosity acts like the dodge tool in Photoshop(don't you laugh at me >:C ) so it is STRONG. Lightly brushed on some highlights. Yep.

Now I've gone back and added more detail with the aibrush. Added some more detail to the tail, used a higher density to get bright highlights. Added some diagonal lines on his thighs, shin and feet... just because >_> I like it. No real reason other than that. xD Added some shiny to his knee. Fur detail around the right calf.

Used a higher density again for even bright highlights. Added some highlights on the edges of his legs, tail, more fur detail on the tail. Use small brush size for this.

This is a new technique I've picked up recently. Normally I'd be done, but instead I've added a second shading layer above the highlights layer. Clip it, set it to multiply, pick your pen tool again and choose a darker shade of green. Added some more fur detail on the tail.

I used too dark of a color for my taste, so I lightened it up, and blurred the edges ever so slightly with the watercolor tool. I blur this less than the other shading layer to give it some solidity and dimension. And now I'm done! :U Feel free to contact me through FurAffinity(link below) or email me at srstudiosart@gmail.com if you have any questions! <3 Ajna

All images and text are the intellectual property of Ajna and may not be used for any purpose without permission. Character depicted in the image is the intellectual property of Carrot and may not be used for any purpose without permission.