This is something I felt like contributing cause I was bored. (and cause some people like exploring new lineart techniques)
Step 1. Getting organized
Alright, first we need a picture, so draw up something, scan it in. Make sure you convert the image to RGB format first so that we can work with it. (Do this by going up to Image > Mode >RGB Color)
Step 2. Seperating your lines (Probably the hardest part)
Awesome, we’re ready to start working. First goal is seperating our lines onto a new layer so we dont color over them when filling the lineart in. Go to the channels tab in the lower right corner of your screen. Right click on the blue channel and duplicate it. With the new “Blue copy” channel highlighted push control + I to invert it. Your black and white lines should look reversed now. Go back to the layers tab and make a new layer called “Lines”(make sure it has a transparent backround). On the new lines layer go to Select > Load selection > Blue copy. This gives your image a marquee (sometimes you cant see it though). Go to Edit > Fill > Black. Now your marquee is filled with black. Go back to your old backround layer and fill the whole thing white. Now your lines should be seperated into a new layer and we are ready to add color.
Step 3. Applying color guidelines
First of all, make a new layer for each new area you color in your picture (eyes, hands, hair, etc.). I cannot stress enough that coloring on the lines layer is a bad thing (I cannot count the times i’ve done this on accident and ended up cursing myself out). Also keep all layers below the lines layer so you can always keep your color inside the black lines.
Step 4. Techniques
Having all your areas on seperate layers gives a large ammount of customization. I’ll list a few of the best techniques that I can remember here:
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Hue/Saturation:
**Going to Image > adjustments > Hue/Saturation You can change all color within one layer. Which is a huge benefit. Say you color your pictures eyes green and want them blue, just go to the eyes layer, adjust the hue/ saturation, and you can change the eye color to any color in an instant.
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Shades and highlights:
**Using the dodge tool you can add highlights to your picture. Using burn you can add shades to your picture. Best of all since everything is seperated into its own layer, you wont have to worry about adding shades to other areas that you dont want shaded. This is kinda tough to get right at first, but with practice shading/highlighting is a breeze.
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Coloring on already colored areas:
**Say you were coloring a persons head, you have a layer for the hat and hair. Color the hat in and make a new layer for the persons hair. Now, as long as that hair layer is below the hat you wont have to worry about coloring over anything you did in the hat layer. It sounds complex but its really very simple when you see it for yourself
Sorry if I made it too hard to read, Just ask and ill help clarify if something isn’t right. Hope I didnt steal anyones technique though. This is just the one I prefer use, as do many people prefer to use others.
