Step 3
If you want to draw a background, now is the time. I'm often a bit lazy when
it comes to backgrounds, but they are important to the composition as a
whole. I won't go into much detail about drawing backgrounds here, but
one thing I will say is that the colours used in your background will affect
your subject in many ways.
As for the continuation of the subject:
Merge the two layers created in step 1 and 2.
Create another layer, on top of everything else. Use this layer to make any
refinements to the image. Just pick a small area that needs improvement,
apply them to your new layer, merge this layer with the one below and create
a new layer again to repeat the process. This is a slow process, don't rush it.
Tips:
1) When a something needs a different colour, don't try to pick exactly the
right one in a single try. Instead, "over-pick" your colours, i.e. if you feel
something could use just a touch of red, use a bright red colour and apply
it with minimal pressure.
2) Don't use undo too much. It is often better to simply draw over your
mistakes. For example, you've just coloured something in a certain shade
of blue, but now that you see it, you feel it should've been a more greyish
shade of blue. Don't decide to undo your colouring right away! Instead,
consider the option of painting over the blue area with some grey. This
way, you can see the colours changing as you draw, instead of just in the
colour picker. Also, it will help keep your images more lively because of
tiny variations in the colours all over the image.
3) Always keep in mind that light is reflected from one object onto another.
A bright red sweater will reflect the sunlight and cast a red glow onto all
other objects close by. A bright green background will have its effect on
the things before it. Try to emulate this effect in your drawings for much
better results. I think you can see what I mean quite clearly if you look here:
http://www.roelvanmastbergen.nl/show_gal.php?id=89
I hope this will help you on your way. Good luck!
-Roel
