Well, my old tutorial is a bit out of date now isn't it...Not only have the models updated since I made it, my technique has changed as well. So here I am making a nice sparkly new tutorial.
---
Getting started:1) This tutorial is done using SAI, but if you are familiar with another program I am sure my techniques will work just as well for you.
2) Download the
.psd UV map(s) that you plan to be using.
3) OPTIONAL - Stare at
this picture while you work.
---
*Note: In this tutorial I will focus only on making the costume since it is the largest and most stylized. After that I will quickly go over the other parts.
STEP 1:
To make sure you're not making skins ALL FREAKING DAY LONG. Start doing some actual work first.
Okay, done with that?
1-1) Open up your costume file in SAI.
1-2) Make a new linework layer.
1-3) Use the "line" tool to draw a lineart.
Alternatively, you could just hand-draw it all or use the curve lineart tool and the pressure to make the lineart look nicer.
STEP 2:
Get distracted by facebook for like 5 hours and leave SAI up. When you finally remember to work on your costume again SAI crashes because it got depressed by you ignoring it for 5 hours while it worked it's ass off.
No, really, this is how I make skins.
2-1) Make a new lineart layer below your first one.
2-2) Draw outlines IN COLOR around all of your pieces (or you could just draw complete outlines/shapes in black and use your original lineart layer for the selection).
2-3) Use the magic wand tool to select all of your colored shapes.
2-4) Selection > increment two-three times.
2-5) Make a layer below your colored lineart and use the paint bucket to fill in every color.
2-6) Merge your color bucket layer with your colored lineart layer.
Alternatively, you could just color everything in by hand.
This is a good time to test out your skin and make sure everything lines up right.
STEP 3:
Finally take a break to get some ACTUAL work done again...
Get back to your skin...
3-1) Resize your costume to 512 x 512. Canvas > Change resolution (make sure "constrain proportions" is ticked on).
3-2) Make linework layer above your colors. Set it to "multiply mode" and clip it to your colors.
3-3) Draw your shading and shit by using the line tool at different sizes. Usually best to use a light grey shade.
Alternatively, you could keep the image at 2000 x 2000 and shade by hand. I'm trying to be mouse friendly with this tutorial (my tablet often stops working...and lots of people here use the mouse).
STEP 4:
Finish whatever work you were doing because YOU KNOW that once your skin is done you won't be able to resist playing aot all the rest of the day.
4-1) Make an overlay layer above your multiply layer with all the same settings (linework, clipping).
4-2) Draw hilights and shit. Usually light grey and then some white work best, but it depends on how dark your base is.
Alternatively, you could just draw by hand. ya.
STEP 3 & 4 ALTERNATE METHOD:
If you are copying from an anime style, you probably will only have a base and darker color (except for eyes and hair maybe).
3-1) Select the darker color.
3-2) Make a linework layer above your base color. Set it to clipping mode.
3-3) Draw your shadows on in an anime style... Whatever that means.
This method is nice because you don't need to worry about hilights or layer modes.
TESTING YOUR SKIN:
It is probably a good idea to test your skin right after you resize it, but before you shade it. This way you can make sure all the transparency is correct and your lineart wraps around/lines up on the model properly. Sometimes you might want to take screenshots of the character and look at them as you edit.
If you are me and you are GOD you can just wait to test until you're 100% done because YOU DEFINATELY DIDN'T MAKE ANY MISTAKES.
(took me another 10-20 minutes to get the shoulders to lineup properly...)
FINISHING THE OTHER PARTS:
Hair:
1) Follow the costume steps.
Eyes:
1) Get a picture of an anime eye (like, the eye of the character you are drawing).
2) Trace it.
Face:
1) Get a picture of an anime mouth.
2) Trace it.
3DMG & Blade:
1) Get a picture of a cool weapon.
2) Trace it.
Skin:
1) Still have the picture of the cool weapon?
2) Trace the hilt in A VERY SPECIFIC POSITION. This is to counter for the way the blade handles angle down.
3) It will probably take you a few tries to line up all of the blade pieces because, unlike me, you are not GOD.
4) Just copy the skin's original lineart & shading in the colors you want. I usually use the watercolor tool when I'm using my tablet, or the airbrush tool when I'm using my mouse.
Cape:
1) Find a cool picture of something that isn't a cape.
2) Trace it.
---
You can totally draw everything by hand if you want to, but it's just a skin that's jsut being used for fun so tracing is okay. If tracing will get it done faster and/or make it look nicer, don't be afraid to trace something.
Anyway, you are pretty much done now. Still have questions? PM me.
---
Get the skin featured in this tutorial: