"What do you mean - glue?" - Process (Patreon)
Content
2. Final sketch. Now I go back and do a more detailed sketch, working out the clothing, hair, and props.
3. Inking. I use a variable-width inking brush for the characters and a constant-width brush for hard things (the belt buckle, etc) on vector layers. I use lots of different layers for different parts, which makes it easier to overdraw and erase as needed. For the chain, I used my chain brush which I previously created from my own linework.
4. In Photoshop, I convert the imported lines to a folder with a mask and put a solid black layer in the folder. (CTRL-click RGB in the Channels tab, invert the selection, create a mask from the selection.) This will come in handy later when I color the linework. Then I create another folder and start creating the basic color blocking. I also imported the tube and ad copy from my "Mermaid on the Rocks" picture.
5. Form shading. I create a dark brown solid color layer (linear burn) and start painting in the basic form shading with a soft airbrush. Except for the hair, which gets its own dark brown layer but with linear burn blending for more richness. I also use a smudge tool on the hair and various creases in clothing and skin to create detail.
6. Backlight. A desaturate pale blue solid color layer (screen). When I combined it with the form shading, backlighting really makes the characters pop. I used both a soft brush and a soft airbrush. When it's done right, it should look like real lighting from a different angle. And again, smudge the edge of creases and hairs.
7. Cast shadows. I make a new dark brown layer set to multiply and start painting in the cast shadows with soft brush, using a smaller brush in places where the object casting the shadow is closer to the thing the shadow is on.
8. Put them together and it's looking good!
9. Shiny. Now add in the shinies. I used a solid white layer at for basic shine on lips and skinsuit (to make them look more artificial), another solid white for shine in the eyes, and solid white set to overlay (which makes a richer shine) for the hair shine. Painting the hairshine, I use a variable width sharp brush, then go over it with an airbrush to give it a little glow. I also add a second backlight, matching the color of the shine, just for the extra shiny leather. Combined with a second colored shine matching the backlight, it gives the shiny material an strong glistening effect.
10. Colored linework. Going back to the linework folder, I started adding new solid color layers, using the mask to paint the color of the linework. Since the new layers are inside a folder with a mask defining the linework, I don't have to be very precise when coloring the lines. I always add new color layers below the ones I already did so that I can be sloppy in the areas that are already covered by colored linework.
11. For the blush, I add in a light red layer, airbrushing just on the same area as the skin for the joints and face. I use the same technique for the eyeshadow. Eyelashes are done with a folder containing a solid grey layer and a solid black layer. I use a variable width brush to paint in lashes on the folder mask. Then I paint in a few thin streaks on the grey layer mask to add depth to the lashes.
12. For the sweatbead, I used a white layer with the fill turned down and add a layer effect with white inner glow set to 100%. Then I use a variable width brush in the mask to paint in the shape of the sweat. After, I add a new white layer to paint in the shiny highlights on the sweat.
13. Final details. I added some watercolor texture to the backdrop using an old watercolor texture I made by blobbing paint on paper and then scanning it. I added a simple gradient to give the background some interest. I flipped the ad copy from "Mermaid on the Rocks" around to the opposite side and choose a fitting slogan. Then I drop in the caption (Garamond, italic) and I'm done!