PLAN
Know what you want to paint. You can spend ages looking for the perfect reference, or instead, create a small list of the features you want to draw. Search out each individual detail until you have a small collection of photos for use. Start from the background and fill your colours first, don't jump into details right away.
REFERENCE
Take full advantage of any reference you can get your hands on. Depending for what you are going for.
SKETCH YOUR IDEA
Draw out your idea, considering composition, possible colors and lighting in mind. It’s important to sketch until you’re satisfied, it's better if you use several colors for different objects.
USING LAYERS IN PHOTOSHOP
◾ Create a new layer for each additional element drawn.
◾ Separate, group, and name your layers accordingly, this will enable you to make changes when you want, to areas that overlap other layers without disturbing them.
◾ If you have trouble finding layers you can change the size of the thumbnails >left click on the Options menu on the right hand side of the Layers Panel, then >"Panel Options"
◾ Quick copy CTRL+J, a layer if you want to make changes to it, when drawing or using the Eraser tool.
BRUSHES
◾ While you use the brush tool hold ALT + Mouseclick to select the -Eyedropper Tool- to fast pick a color in your picture.
◾ "[" and "]", Increase and Decrease brush size, works for the Eraser tool. Note; (you can hold down the buttons, or just click).
◾ Hold down the Spacebar when using the brush tool to use the Hand Tool, so you can move your view on the picture.
◾ Simple brushes are your friend, don't be scared to play with the brush settings.
◾ Use custom brushes. Use/save different angles to your brushes, Window>Brushes>Angle°;drag the circle(the brush direction picker)
To save a Brush Angle, click the New Brush Preset Icon at the bottom of the Brush Presets Panel.
FREE Brush sets i used:
ivaylopetrov.deviantart.com/fa…
Tutorials i learned from:
ivaylopetrov.deviantart.com/fa…