Crying Data Sketch 2

Digital Illustration

In Tools by Niles Data

Digital Illustration

Hello there, my name is Niles. I’m here to talk to you about digital illustration. Within the world of artists, there seems to be a small divide. The traditional artists and the digital. Over the last decade, digital art has introduced incredibly rendered and colorful pieces for our minds to melt over. It was during this time that I was introduced to such craft.

But soon after, I heard things like

Digital artists are cheaters…” or things like, “Digital artists take away the craft.” I’d continue reading such things during my youth. It put a damper on the whole experience, to say the least. Especially considering how I didn’t the same way. If anything, I thought of it more of an enhancement from the traditional pencil and paper.

Even though I had not experimented with many digital tools. Trust me, It’s like learning how to draw from scratch. Only now you have too many colorful buttons everywhere. One wayward twitch, an accidental push of a button could be the result of seeing all your work explode before your eyes. There is quite a lot to get to grips with. Between me and you, I have the patience.

What software should I use?

Clip Studio Paint (Manga Studio). This software became the new love of my life during my university years and remains so to this day. When I first looked into this program I just couldn’t believe it. It was all about building comics. All in one program! No buying fancy pens and paper, layout tools and special markers. It was all right there in one neat little package.

Oh, there is also a bonus. It’s easy to navigate!

Other benefits to digital illustration


It saves time

Illustrating digitally saves me a ton of time. Layouts and panels have become so much easier. If I want to keep a particular layout of a panel I can save it and drag and drop it somewhere later down the line. Easy as pie!

Easier to organize

Instead of trying to keep all of your pages somewhere neatly where they, lets face it, can get lost. All I have to do is put the files in a folder. In my computer!

Easy to preview

When I finally decide to take a look at them before printing I can render them to whatever size and format I want. Which helps to let me see how the pages will flow together.

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So many tools!

Vector tools are a big part of them. If you’re someone like me who has shaky hands syndrome. Creating the perfect effect is only a pinch, pull, or width adjustment away! I find it to be great for quick environment work and cool magical effects.

MANY RULERS TO RULE THEM ALL

I think this heading deserves a subheading of its own. These are my favorite part. There is just so many of them. Perspective tools, focus lines, and a straight ruler (because lets face it, you can’t forget how to draw a straight line).

Bonus tools!

Don’t forget these! You have the option to import 3D models which create their own perspective. If you have some knowledge of 3D programs and have always wanted to use them to enhance your work then Manga Studio is there for you! It can handle your drawings and 3D work at the same time to suit your needs.

Saves money!

Unlike pencils or paper. You won’t find yourself running out of your digital illustrating tools. As long as you treat them well they will last you. When it comes to digital programs, I’m not worrying about them going bad.

Colouring/Inking is a breeze (Gravy and peas)

The layer options really help you out. Separating your steps into sections. Like when you don’t like your gravy touching your peas. With traditional illustrating tools, you take your risks. Inking on top of your sketch can easily ruin your work with those accidental smudges. Like that, you have just got your gravy all over those peas.

It’s all on your computer

I know I mentioned this earlier. But think about it, it’s all there. All you probably should do is back up your work on an external hard drive or some cloud service. Depending on the type of work you do, you could pretty much do it anywhere you want.

I’d like to say something

I value craft. I love hearing stories of traditional illustration with pen and paper. But there is something I also like to say. Whether you sketch on paper or on your computer it doesn’t affect its value. It’s art, it’s all about someone wanting to express something (the comic) to someone else (the reader).

One other tool I would recommend is Lazynezumi. This tool helps smooth out your lines and has different settings to pressure, speed, and line correction. Similar to vector tools. You can try it out for 30 days without question, and if you like it it’s only $35. It’s not just for Adobe Photoshop either. It works with MS Paint, Gimp, Sketchbook, Sculptris, ZBrush, Paint Tool SAI, Manga/Clip Studio (of course), and I believe more.

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About The Author


Niles

Creator of Crying Data

Multitasking in cake eating, playing video games and drawing the strangest of things, I create misery and misfortune for grumpy and hormonal fictional characters. Throughout my artistic life I’ve been involved with video game art and reaching towards the role of concept artists. But recently I’ve taken on my love for the manga world and decided to dive into it’s depths to creating my own. After a few years of studying and chewing over a mind numbing story all that time had become a reward, as over the last year or so I’ve started scribbling out the pages on my first love and big project, Crying Data. A story on grief and misfortune to where even the happy endings are a lie.

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