Add Color to a Scanned Picture Using Photoshop

This article will explain how to color 'soft style' anime pictures, much like the ones you see on blogs and quiz sites everyday. (But please report art theft if you see it; if you are tempted to use an anime picture for your webpage be sure you are not ripping off some poor man or woman who worked days on that picture. Always ask first, or you could be reported and fined.)

Steps

  1. Put your drawing on the scanner. If your drawing needs to be inked you may do so by drawing over your pencil lines with a pen. Better tools won't magically make your picture 10x better, but they do help any experienced artist.
  2. Scan your picture. There should be a window with options such as DPI settings and a Brightness/Contrast setting. If you are unsure of your computer's Virtual Memory then set the DPI to 150 or lower. Photoshop is usually better for cleaning up, so finish scanning your picture and open it in Photoshop.
  3. Size your picture to your liking. Many scanners size the picture based on the DPI levels; if the picture looks too big for you, you can size it down by going to Image > image size and entering the dimensions you prefer ex: 800 x 800 pixels.
  4. Go to Image > Adjust > Brightness Contrast and mess around with the sliders until the whites are whitest and the lines are black, make sure your lines are still soft though, if you are not satisfied with the results you may go to Image > Adjust > levels.
  5. Erase any unwanted specs or dirt that were picked up by the scanner.
  6. Clean the lines.
    • Press CTRL and 'A' at the same time, then CTRL and X (same time), SHIFT and CTRL and then 'N'.
    • Name the layer lines or lineart or even Molly; you just need to name it so you don't mix up the layers.
    • Use the paint bucket tool and fill the whole layer with black (don't worry we're just 'unsticking' your lines). Make sure you are still on the 'Lines/Molly' layer and press the 'Quick mask' button.
    • Press CTRL and V. Your lines should appear in red against a black canvas, now press the other quick mask button (to switch the other one off), your lines should look like they have little ants crawling around them. Use the eraser to remove the black then press CTRL and D. Your nice black lines should be on the Line/Molly layer with no white stuff.
  7. Use the Airbrush to color and shade since it's a very soft brush, make a new layer under your lines and color in what ever tone in overall image you'll be using. Color each part of the picture on a different layer, then shade them with the airbrush. If you want to shade all of them at once, make a layer above all the colored layers, but under the line art, and set it to 'multiply' and use a color like peach or blue (depending on what sort of color scheme you're going for) and shade everything, you'll notice the color you shaded with changes a bit when you color over each different part.
  8. Mess with the transparency bar until you get your desired results; be sure to use airbrush.
  9. On a new layer, add the highlights and pink to his/her cheeks if you want, lower the transparency and add some more highlights (white dots etc.) on a new layer.
  10. Go to the line art layer and select the little box that says 'preserve transparency' and color the lines a bit darker than the parts of the picture, ex: if the hair is blond color the hair lines light brown. Do this with all the line art, if you mess up it's okay you can color it again.
  11. Clean up your drawing, sign it and you're done!

Tips

  • If you are drawing a background, such as a forest or inside a house, make sure the light source matches with it, and that the character matches the background.
  • Coloring eyes can be tricky, but if you think of them as some kind of squishy jewel you should be able to make them shiny.

Warnings

  • Save often, it is very easy to lose your work by pressing the wrong button or accidentally shutting your PC off. Press CTRL and S to save.
  • You can use the dodge tool for sparkles and teeny little things that need a bit of shine, but never use it on dark colors try to use it only on light golden colors.
  • Don't use the burn or dodge tools to shade.

Things You'll Need

  • Photoshop 5.0LE or greater.
  • A graphic tablet (a mouse will work, too if you do not have a tablet.)
  • A scanner and your drawing.
  • You should also know how to use Photoshop.
  • You'll need to know what the term 'Line art' means too.

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