[ SethoScara ] Secret Treatment Step-by-Step TUTORIAL (+ HD + PSD) (Patreon)

I went for a linear coloring processt this time, which I can easily explain step-by-step!!

These are the phases I'm going to cover:

0️⃣ Preparation
1️⃣ Flat colors
2️⃣ Base shading
3️⃣Adjusting shadows
4️⃣Rendering #1
5️⃣Rendering #2
6️⃣Improving readability
7️⃣Highlights
8️⃣Adjustments to final!

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SUGGESTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING 💜
You can find in the gallery above the same images I included among text below; I suggest you have a look at them to better compare the progresses after each step! In addition, to better understand the process, you could explore the layers of the artwork's Photoshop document (attached to this post) - REMEMBER: if your software doesn't read my PSD correctly, you can open my files on the free online tool https://www.photopea.com 

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Skipping the sketch, lineart, and greyscale fill stages...

0️⃣ PREPARATION

I start by setting the background so I have an idea of the color palette for characters.

1️⃣ FLAT COLORS

Considering the surrounding colors, I pick flat colors for the characters. I add gradients where needed (character hair/clothes) and include some very basic shading when I feel like it!

E.G.: in this case, I wanted Scara's bodysuit to be see-through and it was a feature I wanted flat colors to already tell!

2️⃣ BASE SHADING

Instead of immediately starting to render after step 1️⃣, I wanted to focus on shadows' positions first so I did this old, useful trick:

• Duplicate all color layers (CTRL+J)

• Merge the copied layers (CTRL+E)

• Set the layer mode to Multiply

• If it's the case, lower Opacity (I notice I usually set around 37%)

• Create a Layer Mask for the current layer

• Make sure you have the Layer Mask selected (click on its thumbnail), and erase the areas where you do not want shadows to fall.

The result should look like what we have here:

3️⃣ ADJUSTING SHADOWS

Step 2️⃣ helps setting the position of shadows, but it takes extra steps to properly color those areas; most will be done during the rendering phase, but a first step can be taken care of now.

(Before proceedinf, I merged the shadows layer with each of the color layers below it and kept working on those. I recommend doing so, but you can also keep the layers hierarchy as it is; if you choose this way, proceed with the following on new layers above the shadows' layer)

Consider the surrounding and think about what surfaces reflect their colors on nearby objects. In addition to this, make sure the background too is affected by the shadows characters cast on it!

E.G.: notice how I painted green the areas close to water, because its color reflects on the skin. I also darkened the floor under the characters where they're sitting.

4️⃣ RENDERING #1

The first rendering step is detailing, under the lineart, with the main objective of defining shapes; we want to give objects a 3D look using a wider variety of colors in order to define convex or concave surfaces.

5️⃣ RENDERING #2

The second rendering step consists of finishing the job started in step 4️⃣ and painting over the lineart in order to improve the materials rendering, repaint what looks rough under the lineart and add extra details to the picture!

E.G.: characters' faces have been further detailed with smaller brushes, details on characters' clothes were added as well as Sethos' braids... I also improved the background further by darkening the area under characters and distancing them from behind with a dotted brush!

6️⃣ IMPROVING READABILITY

In order to better read the illustration and distinguish its panels, it may be needed to increase the contrast between closer and further objects. The result is achieved by stressing the concept of aerial perspective, bringing the background color into play; a practical example can easily explain it.

E.G.: consider the 3rd illustration (Sethos giving Scara head) and the 4th (close-up on Sethos) - we'll call them respectively A and B. In A, Sethos's head silhouette is now much more readable than it was in step 5️⃣ because I softened the immediate surrounding with the background color. The same happened around Scara's left side of the body in A, distancing the whole illustration A from B, which makes them both better distinguishable and readable! 

7️⃣ HIGHLIGHTS

This is among my favorite parts, because it's often the step that makes an illustration come alive! On a Color Dodge layer, I add all the shining highlights ✨

In this case, because the main light source is behing the characters, their outline is affected the most - this is a dramatic effect I often use! You can notice it in: [ GunsNRoses ] The Best Feeling - [ Zhongzhu ] Eternity - [ Wriolette ] A bite of cake 🍑 among others!

8️⃣ ADJUSTMENTS → FINAL!

This is the time for color correction and contrast rebalance. This step is mostly an enhancement than a need, but I always find it useful!

These are the adjustments I used, adjusting each one's Opacity as indicated and erasing their presence from the respective Layer Masks when needed:

• Color Lookup, 3Strip.look (100%), to enhance the skin's reddish parts e.g. blush and increas saturation around highlights;

• Curves, to increase contrast bringing more brightness around highlights;

• Color Lookup, NightFromDay.cube (30%), to shift shadows' hue towards blue, as seen in the background;

• Posterize, value: 36, to further enhance colors and contrast!

• Color Lookup, FallColors.look (27%) to create a warmer atmosphere.

And this is the result! (You can easily compare before/after in the gallery at the top of the post!)

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I hope at least a portion of this may be useful to some of you!! If you wanted to ask anything about the process or any question of the kind, please feel free to! 💜💜💜

💌 HD + PSD in attachments!

Document names stand for:
A - pussy version
B - peen version
PSD contains both!

If your software doesn't read my PSD correctly and you do not have Photoshop, you can open my files on the free online tool https://www.photopea.com !!