Concept Development - Sketch Paint

 We were given the task of colouring this thumbnail that was scanned in from an inked sketch. The techniques used in this task can be extremely useful when producing traditional thumbnails and creating a digital concept.
Unfortunately the original image was a very low resolution. I could have rectified this in Adobe Photoshop before I started the colour paint but as this was only a small task I did not think it to be an efficient use of my time.

 These block colours were painted onto the concept using multiply layers. Separate layers were created for each different colour that was used, you may not see the merit in this but it allows you to return and change each individual colour easily. Even after you have finished the digital paint, you can still alter the colour pallet. Multiply layers add the colour value of that layer to the layers below it, leaving the original line work intact.

 A new folder was created within the layers panel of Adobe Photoshop. This is used to place all of the shading information. A new layer is then set to multiply with a dark gray colour setting on a soft round brush, this can be using to add shading to the entire sketch. Make sure the brush opacity is set to something like 20% or lower, this allows you to build up the shading in a more natural way. I could have used a block shading technique but I believed that the blending technique would preserve that traditional feel. Once I completed the shading on the character I decided to add a shadow, this was done on a separate multiply layer.

Another folder is created, name this folder 'highlights'. The layer styles in this folder will be set to soft light. This time with a white brush colour setting, continuing to use a low opacity, add the highlights to the character. You should be thinking about using a single point lighting approach as this is more appealing to the eye. Keeping a consistent light source can mean the difference between amateur and professional artwork. Again I used a blending technique for this, meaning that the light falls off after the initial highlight.