In the following sections, we will preview each Clip Studio Paint tool you’ll learn how to use in this book. If there’s a style in particular that calls to you, consider jumping straight to that chapter to learn the techniques.

Figure 1.1: A pencil tools sample image

Pencil tools

Figure 1.1 shows examples of pencils that are available in this set of tools. You can use pencils for sketching and expressing warm, crafty art. Yes, you can use pencil tools to complete an entire full-colour manga illustration! Details of how to use pencils can be found in Chapter 3, Penciling: Layer and Layer Property Palettes.

Figure 1.2: An Inking tools sample image

Inking tools

Figure 1.2 shows examples of pens that are available in this set of tools. These are the most popular tools for manga. They produce clean and crisp manga drawings that make it easy to see what’s going on in the scene and are still clear even when printed on colored or bad-quality paper. Details of how to use the pens can be found in Chapter 8, Getting Started with Inking Tools.

Figure 1.3: A brush tools sample image

Brush tools

Figure 1.3 shows examples of brushes that are available in this set of tools. Yes, just like physical brushes, we can mix and blend colors with the brush tools in the latest version of Clip Studio Paint! Oil, water, and calligraphic…there are so many good brushes there. Details of how to use brushes can be found in Chapter 4, Introducing Clip Studio Paint Brushes.

Figure 1.4: A shape tools sample image

Shape tools

Figure 1.4 shows an example of a shape tool drawing. These tools free you from wobbly, shaky lines. Instead, you can create accurate, precise objects, buildings, and décor shapes with shape tools! Learn more in Chapter 11, Exploring Vector Layers.

Figure 1.5: A decoration tools sample image

Decoration tools

Figure 1.5 shows examples of decorations available in this set of tools. They are great for expressing feelings, the tone of scenes, and patterns of clothing! Details of how to use decoration tools can be found in Chapter 4, Introducing Clip Studio Paint Brushes.

Figure 1.6: Textures sample

Textures

Figure 1.6 shows a sample image with and without a texture. If you want to add a paper/scratched/decayed texture to your art, you can always add extra effects by creating or downloading texture images.

You can simply add an extra layer with the texture image and change the layer blending mode. You can learn more in Chapter 16, Using Clip Studio Paint to Color Your Manga.

Figure 1.7: Text and balloon tools sample

Text and balloon tools

Figure 1.7 shows examples of text and balloon tools. Manga creation involves several stages, including panel sketching, inking, coloring (if it’s color manga), adding tones and effects, and adding text. So, you can add dialogue to tell your story. You can learn how to add text and speech balloons in Chapter 7, Using Text and Balloon Tools.

Figure 1.8: 3D figures sample

3D figures

Figure 1.8 shows an example of using 3D figures as a pose reference. You can refer to or trace over 3D models to draw characters. It comes in handy especially when you want to draw accurate posture or objects/bodies from unusual angles. Learn more about using 3D models in Chapter 14, Using 3D Figures and Objects.

Figure 1.9: Layer blending mode sample

Layer blending modes

Figure 1.9 shows an example of a drawing with and without layer blending modes. After completing the basic coloring of your drawing, you might want to add shade, lighting, or light reflection, or even change the overall impression. It is possible to do this using layer blending mode. You can see the entirety of the effects available in Chapter 16, Using Clip Studio Paint to Color Your Manga.

Figure 1.10: Shading Assist sample

Shading Assist

Figure 1.10 shows an example of a drawing with and without Shading Assist. After completing the basic coloring of your drawing, you might want to give it an effective shade. You can choose what type of shading to add, such as Simple shade or Evening shade. The sample image shows Evening shade. You can see the entirety of the effects available in Chapter 16, Using Clip Studio Paint to Color Your Manga.

Figure 1.11: Color mixing sample

Color jitter

Figure 1.11 shows an example of a drawing using color jitter. The latest version of Clip Studio Paint has made very vibrant and realistic color mixing possible. Just turn Change brush tip on for your brush, and you can enjoy how the colors are mixed as you draw. Find out more in Chapter 4, Introducing Clip Studio Paint Brushes.

Figure 1.12: Liquify tools sample

Liquify tools

Figure 1.12 shows an example of a drawing before and after it is retouched with Liquify tools. Notice how the character’s face expands a little, like a fish-eye effect. As you can see, you can change the shape and size of a specific part of an image by tracing it with a pen. It’s so handy when you want to make a minor adjustment to a shape. More details can be found in Chapter 16, Using Clip Studio Paint to Color Your Manga.

Now that you have seen some actual art created by using Clip Studio Paint, I hope you have a better idea of what tools and functions the program offers. It is fine if you don’t know the exact details of how this is achieved at this point, because you don’t have to be an expert to use them all, but it is always good to know the tools and functions that are available.

You will have also noticed that some analog effects, such as scratching or bleeding, can be made digitally. This will give you the opportunity to illustrate mishaps, smudges, or accidental merges of color, which might add interesting effects to your creations!

If you have some images already scanned onto your device, you can add these effects as an extra bit of detail. It would be great if you could find an effect or two that appeals to you. After reading this chapter, installing the program, and obtaining a graphic tablet, you can ignore the order of the rest of the chapters and jump to a specific chapter that details the techniques you want to learn about.

But, most of all, enjoy Clip Studio Paint!

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