one thing I've dared not try, coloring on one layer and flipping an image to draw it

Really I didn't flip to draw on another layer, I was just flipping periodically to check for anything that looked distorted. When you flip, it helps you see your lineart for what it really is instead of what you had in your head while you were drawing it; mistakes are easier to find.

kinda did not get what I was trying to say.

Damn, you're good with oC. I have no idea how you did the shadowing as I was trying to keep up with it. Looks like you used another layer or something. Plus, I never learned what the + and the - layers were supposed to do. Looks like you do, though.

Maybe I'll figure it out someday. ^.^

Here's my basic process for the shadows once the rest of the scene is drawn:
1. Create a new layer
2. Draw the ENTIRE shadow in that layer, even the parts that you shouldn't be able to see because your character is in front of them
3. Erase the parts you shouldn't be able to see (you can do this without messing up any of your drawing because it's a separate layer)
4. Adjust the transparency of your shadow layer as desired to get the right darkness of shadow

Also, the layers work like math. Imagine that White is 1 and Black is 0. If you multiply anything by white (1) you get the original number, and if you multiply anything by black (0) you get zero. All the shades of gray are numbers between 1 and 0.

By default, layers multiply by each other, meaning that anything less than 1 is going to contribute to making it darker; you can stack up several layers of gray and it gets closer and closer to zero, kind of like if you used those transparent sheets from an overhead projector.

With the + (addition) layers, you can make things brighter instead of darker. Now when you combine white and black layers, white wins out because 0 + 1 is 1. This makes it easy to add highlights. However, watch out because things can add up very quickly. I'd suggest only using very dark grays in your addition layers to add to the brightness of what's under them.

The - (subtraction) layers follow the same obvious math patterns, but I've never found a practical use for them in my art.

If you get really clever, you can build some pretty complex mathematical expressions out of these layers. Just remember the order of operations is bottom to top. So, let's say your bottom two layers multiply and the top adds; the addition will be done last.

Of course, the best way to get used to it is to try it out :P

*Hugs so very, very tight.* Thank you so much, hon. I see what they do, now. The + layers allow me to make certain areas brighter like light reflecting off the body/scenery. The - layer is apparently just another way to do the shadowing but that can be done in the X layers.

*smooches* Thanks for explaining what they do. I really appreciate it.


Oh yea, by the way, the next con we're at...I've gotta get more than just one or two pics of ya. *chuckles* I mean, ya got probably the cutest suit around, ya know. ^.^

Glad to help! It's the golden rule, ya know? Also thanks for the comment about my suit, but I'm pretty sure there are cuter ones :P

Pffftt.....pffftt, I say! If you heard even half the comments I heard at FWA and AC this year....*coughs* some of them my own *coughs*...hehe...you'd turn red in the face. <3

You've got me very curious now :P

*chuckles* Well...perhaps I'll tell ya some of those things next time we're at a con, cutie.

coolies :)

Ok, now what was just impressive as hell! Awesome work!

How many layers was that?

Let's ignore all the sketch layers that led up to the lineart, and a few other layers that got deleted as I changed my mind about things along the way...

In the end there were 10 layers plus the text I added in another program.

1. Color
2. Shading
3. Shadow
4. Floor texture highlights
5. Spinner lights on back wall
6. Disco ball style lights, and lasers
7. Lineart
8. Nose and eye shine, tiny details on gold trim
9. Lighting highlights on character
10. Fountains in background