So, I expected the writing upload on here to be a bit different, so, it's under story. But, whatever I guess. Anyway, Feel free to download it from above, or to read it below, for those on mobile devices, or who can't download it for some reason.

And feel free to follow this link for the image that I reference: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/31979543/

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Photo-Editor Tips

I decided to write these notes up after looking at my character Arina, after I posted a pic of her to the site. I have a decent understanding of how to use Photoshop, but, I'm not an expert at it. But, I realized, that there are still many people who don't fully know how to utilize photo-editing programs, and, while I don't fully understand everything myself, I can at least go over what it is I currently do know.

+1: Layers
Layers are your friend. Using layers helps to simplify the project considerably. For beginners, it *is* going to feel overwhelming and complicated. But, trust me, they're very useful.
You'll want a series of layers, and typically, you'll start off with about 3. You'll need more, the more complex the picture is.

-Background Layer:
This can be any color you want, including transparent. I suggest starting with a relatively neutral color. Preferably, you'll want something slightly brighter/darker than the shade of grey used by your program. This is so the image doesn't blend in with the program itself while you're working.
Any color is acceptable, but, unless you're relatively skilled in the app you're using, stick with a fairly neutral color. You can change this later, either when you're done with the image, or have made significant progress. This can then be changed to any design you'd like, be it a solid color, transparent, gradient, etc.
This layer is also useful for placing quick color pallets, when you use new colors for your picture. This way, you'll still have access to the original shade of any color you choose, without having to worry about grabbing the wrong one, because you added shading.

-Base Layer:
This is the layer containing the most basic part of the image. Essentially, this is where the line art goes. There may end up being more than one base layer, if using pre-made bases that you may have bought from another artist.
DO NOT edit this layer. This is the "oh crap I f***ed up" layer. This is your back-up/reset layer. If anything goes wrong when editing the image, you can delete the layer you were editing, and duplicate this one to redo your picture, without having to redo everything needed to get the line art back, and all other edits you may have done.
After establishing your base layer, duplicate it, and hide it, so you can focus on the layer you're editing.

-Color Layers:
You should make a new layer for each dominant color you intend to have. The dominant colors are the ones you will have show up the most on the picture. In the case of Arina, her's is blue, silver, and green.

In my picture, I ended up using 2 color layers, rather than 3 like I should have. It's not recommended that you use fewer layers than you have colors, as a mistake made in one area, may result in you having to redo the entire layer.
You should honestly have one layer, per color, rather than dominant color, however, smaller details are a bit more forgiving to work with compared to large sections of the image.

With Arina, I have 2 color layers; a blue one and a silver one. I placed the silver one under the blue one, so that I could erase the blue layer as needed, in order to have the parts of the silver layer show through as needed.

+2: Shading
I originally tried to use different shades of the same color for one picture I was working on some years back, but, it really only came out to look like a poorly designed, flattened polygon-like image. However, with Arina, I was simply messing around and experimenting some with other tools, and managed to give her a better shading look.
With Arina, I used the Burn, Dodge, and Sponge tools to supply the shading.

-Dodge:
This tool lightens any area you paint over. However, all 3 tools have the same basic effect when used: if you brush back over an area about 3 or 4 times, then it's effect is stronger. It doesnt' matter if you do it with a single brush stroke without releasing the pen/mouse, or if you do it with letting go for a moment just to go back over it. As a result dodge simply continues to lighten/brighten as you use it.
You will want to use this tool to help add highlights to your picture. You'll also want to choose a fairly low transparency/opacity/strength for this tool, as it can allow you to add onto the effect as needed. So, the closer to the light source the image is, the brighter that area, and the further away, the darker the area.

-Burn:
This tool darkens the image. I use it for shadows, so, on Arina, the parts of her not exposed to the light source, have been given a slight shadow effect by using the burn tool.

-Sponge:
This tool seems to even out the dodge/burn tools. Basically, if you accidentally over do the dodge/burn effects on your picture, you can use this tool to lighten it back (if burning), or darken it (if dodging). This helps to even out the shades of your image some, to keep it from being to extreme with the brightness/shadows.
I used this tool primarily on Arina's head, as I had used the dodge tool to give her hair highlights, but, I decided to check out the sponge tool, and found that it evened out the brightness some.

+3: Smoothing
This is to help blend in the shadows/highlights of the picture. You'll want to use the blur and smudge tools for this. With Arina, I used the blur tool, and adjusted the size so that I could have her colors blend in some, to help make it look more natural.

The smudge tool is also useful, especially, if you wish to blend the separate colors together, but have or want an irregular shape.

+4: Clean Image
This is an interesting one, because, for a while, I was unable to figure out how people where capable of staying within the lines while they colored. I originally would try to do my best with coloring within the lines, and then, go back over with an eraser and try not to erase the rest of the image.
In order to get a properly clean image, the best way to do this, is to select the "lock transparency" option on the layers you're editing.
Locking the transparent pixels, helps to keep you from coloring any area that you wish to be preserved. This isn't a perfect solution for everything, as many others are able to utilize masking (which I know nothing about currently), which can help to protect different sections of the image during editing. Masking allows for other things too, but, again, I've never used it, and I don't know how to set it up to begin with.


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