Layer Breakdown of Bolin & Tonraq (Patreon)

 I decided to make a series of images to show what I feel I have learned recently (and also so I don't forget it in the future when my mind turns to poop)

1. I start by inking over my sketch with black lines. When I am happy with the look

I change the line colour to grey with a hint of pink and set the mode to Linear Burn.

Now the lines will pick up colour from any future layers beneath it.

2. I make a layer under the Lineart and start filling in the flat colours. I keep all

the flats on the same layer and set it as a reference and use a custom magic wand 

to quickly and easily select the areas I wish to work on. I make a layer between the

Lineart and flats and start filling in the Shadows with the Lasso Fill tool and the

Blur brush.

3. Between the Shadows and Lineart layers I make a new layer for Deeper and Core

Shadows. I make a mask using a selection of the Shadows Layer so I don’t stray

into the light areas. I make a Midtones layers between the Flats and the shadows.

I pick a slightly darker and a little more saturated version of the flats and shade

all the edges and creases. Sometimes I do this in bright pink and then switch to the

midtone later. This is to aid visibility while working.

4. I make a new layer between the flats and the Midtones and I start applying

highlights. If I’ve done a good job on the other layers the Midtones and shadows

will help give the highlights a sheen like quality. Above the Core Shadows i add a

multiply layer with a sandy texture that I lightly blur to add pores to the skin.

I make the texture in the areas in shadow darker and more visible.

5. Above the Textures I add a lighten layer and apply reds, pinks and oranges to 

the areas where light hits the skin and runs along the shadows. Light takes some

hue from the blood under the skin when it reflects off it. I’ve learned this is called

SubSurface scatter. I make a new screen layer above that and apply shines or 

specular lighting.

6. On top of the Shines i make a hardlight layer and apply some reds, purples or

pinks to areas that might have some blush to them. Knuckles, cheeks, knees etc.

sometimes I want the eyes to pop, so i might make a layer on top and set it to add 

glow and give the eyes a little airbrush with the same colour as the iris.

7. Here I made a layer on top of the Lineart layer and set it to overlay. I applied 

orange for an intense secondary light, duplicated it and blurred the second one

for a glow effect and adjusted the opacity of both. I finished by adding a layer

on top of everything else, set it to 15% overlay and filled it with orange and blue

to harmonise the colours beneath and adjust the overall atmosphere.