This image is the 45%-completed Shire Dragon picture I posted the pencils for a while ago.

I'm currently experimenting with a new coloring technique that, if it works the way I expect, will replace my usual (stolen from No Room For Bushido) technique.

Previously, what I did was color everything in flat color in one layer, then duplicate that layer and fiddle with the brightness and contrast to create shadow colors, then make a layer mask to apply those shadows to the picture where they were supposed to be. I would then repeat the process for darker shadows and for highlights.

This time, I've made one solid color layer with a mask for the fur color, then another for the mane and eyebrow, a third for deatils (the eye, inner ear, fingertips, and horns), and a fourth for the clothing.

This lets me make bulk changes as need be, or to highlight or shade one specific set of colors without messing up the delicate balance of the others. This means I'll be applying highlights and shadows directly to the color layers, but it also means I can make simple changes more easily (if I screwed up a single color with the prior version, I had to rework all of the layers).

I think it's a good trade-off. Plus, I think this is a fun picture even without a background or shading.

I know I'm spending a lot of time talking about digital coloring for something marked as "traditional art." I should maybe suggest a "mixed media" category I can move all my digitally colored line art to...