Which goes first in the picture?

[Icey]

In my picture I cant tell if I should use trace over the outline and make them darker first or just finish coloring it then trace over the outline.

[monkey0506]

To be honest I don't really see any major differences in the outlining..

..but, what program are you using to do your tracing/colouring? I'd highly recommend that if you aren't already that you find a program that supports layers (Paint.NET is a free program that supports this). That way you can colour everything in and keep your outlines on a completely separate layer which prevents you having to worry about your colouring interfering with the outlining at all. The program will flatten/merge the layers when you save it to a normal image format (i.e., PNG).

[Anian]

Yeah, what monkey said, software where you can use layers. On that note, I can't see what you're actually trying to show with those pictures either.

...well comics are colored, and I'm talking digitally: pencil drawing -> inking -> coloring or as it may be scan your drawing, draw the outlines (separate layer), then color (also should be done in several layers, usually people paint flats, that is, basic color of the area, then shadowing and highlights are added on other separate layers). So by the wisdom of more experienced people, I suggest you do it that way - lines and then coloring.
And if you're drawing in something like Photoshop or Illustrator, you'll have nice control over the lines by making them into paths first...look it up on ze internetz, you'll see.

[Icey]

Humm, I think I understand what your saying. I will keep using my light gray lines then go over it with two layers(one for dark outline and coloring)

And yes I am using photo-shop cs4. Does any one know if cs5 works on windows 7 32 bit?

[Pinback]

Humm, I think I understand what your saying. I will keep using my light gray lines then go over it with two layers(one for dark outline and coloring)

Yeah I would do that, that's generally how I paint too- light grey outline or sketchy black, then colors beneath that, then I do a final black outline over the top of it all.

In fact I usually do some color/light highlights over the final outline and color layer, to reduce the 'cartoony' effect of solid outlines a bit, but sounds like you're experimanting which is good- I'm sure you'll refine your methods over time.

[Icey]

I hope so. When I started this style one of your picture came to mind so maybe that help out.

[Dualnames]

I hope so. When I started this style one of your picture came to mind so maybe that help out.

Pinback can't draw. For realz!

Seriously I think this is a nice style. I personally like it. The only issue is that his head is leaning to the front too much in my opinion. And that thing on the armpit, I'd remove it if i were you. Apart from those I really like it. Can I ask if you used any tutorials to learn how to paint like that? And if so, I'd like to look at them.

[Icey]

Well I get a lot of art from tetsuya numora. He does the arty for square enix games.

I like his art style so I just apply a touch of his style to mine and it comes out good.

Also I don't have a copy printer so I just draw like this.
1) I outline the figure in a light gray in MS paint.

2) I move it over to photoshop & make 1 extra layer.

3)on the new lay just trace over the light gray lines once(not to dark)
then on the regular or first layer just start coloring.

I use his art for the skin toning  and also were highlights go.

[Anian]

First of all, "copy printer", is that like a scanner?

Since Photoshop basically gave up on pixel art, that is to say antialiasing is almost impossible to do, and you still do stuff in Photoshop at the end...why do you even use MS Paint before going into PS?

[Icey]

Right, a scanner

I have been using paint for years now and if I do sprites or other stuff in photo shop I feel unconformable.

[LRH]

Paint as in microsoft paint? Trust me, it's very much worth it to learn something a bit more advanced than that.

[Snake]

Paint as in microsoft paint? Trust me, it's very much worth it to learn something a bit more advanced than that.

LOL

Don't listen to him, StrawberryMelt-a-way! MS Paint is all I use!

With the exception of Irfanview for resizing and adjusting colors, of course

[Wonkyth]

You're right, Snake, you are unfunny. 

[Gilbert]

M$Pain, while as its name implies, it fails in many way, it is VERY easy to pick up and is quick for simple tasks, so I use it all the time. In particular, drawing rough outlines for pixel graphics with it is much faster than any thing else. I agree that something more advanced should be learnt, just that Pain is still useful in many cases.

[LRH]

M$Pain, while as its name implies, it fails in many way, it is VERY easy to pick up and is quick for simple tasks, so I use it all the time. In particular, drawing rough outlines for pixel graphics with it is much faster than any thing else. I agree that something more advanced should be learnt, just that Pain is still useful in many cases.

Oh, I wouldn't disagree at all. But when it comes time to use shading effects, coloring, etc, it really helps to have something that can get the job done a bit easier.

[Calin Leafshade]

www.aseprite.org

jus' sayin'

[bearseatbeats]

www.aseprite.org

jus' sayin'

Yeah! Aseprite's really good. It was just what I was looking for. Grafx2 (http://code.google.com/p/grafx2/) is pretty rad but it doesn't do animation (yet).