The document provides instructions for creating digital paintings in Photoshop using a multi-layer process. It begins with creating a line art layer from a sketch or 3D model. Colors are then blocked in on separate layers. Gradients are added to layers to build color and emphasize light. Shadow layers are created from 3D models. Trees and plants are painted using a three layer process of branches, foliage shape, and texture. Entourage elements are added with noise. Clouds are painted using gradients and filters. Finishing touches include darkening corners, adding textures, and using adjustment layers. The overall process builds up color, lighting, and detail across multiple layers.

1. Digital Painting in Photoshop
JOHN J. ZANETTA
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2. Brushes

3. Typical layer structure
 Line
 Texture
 Windows
 Entourage
 Begin with background and move
 Trees
forward
 People
 Cars
 Shadows  Use a photograph, illustration, or
some kind of image for inspiration
 Shade
 Building
 Roof
 Experiment with different tools
 trim
 Pavement  See what others are doing
 Sidewalks
 Streets
 Courtyards
 Grass
 Sky

4. 3 Layer Process
 Typical layer structure
 Base
 Wash
 Noise
 Link the Wash and Noise
layers to the base layer
 Adjustment layers, layer
properties, and blending
options can be applied to each
of these layers

6. Examples

7. Examples

8. Examples

9. Examples

10. Examples

11. Getting Started

12. Step 1:
Line Art
• PEN/PENCIL DRAWING
• SKETCHUP
• Wireframe
• Sketchy line art
• Colors and textures
• COMBINATION OF THE TWO

13. Pen/Pencil
Drawings
The more line, the less
rendering and vice
versa
Consider which textures
and details you want to
suggest through the
drawing and which
through rendering
Line drawing should
comliment the
rendering
Keep it clean

14. Sketchup
Exports
Export wireframe
Edit export options
Explore sketchup styles
Keep drawing scans,
print outs, and model
exports the same size
and resolution for easy
transition

15. Wireframe/
hand drawn
combination
A combination of
exported line from
sketchup and hand
drawings can be
combined.

16. Step 2:
Block it Out

17. Block it Out
Be fast
Its okay to be sloppy,
but you must
understand your layer
structure
Use all available
Photoshop tools for
selecting
Don’t zoom too far in
Don’t be too precise
around vegetation

18. Using
Sketchup to
Block it Out
You can use the
Sketchup model export
to easily make your
selections in your
digital painting. By
making an element a
distinct color, you are
able to isolate it and
manipulate in
Photoshop. Try hiding
the edges when you
export from Sketchup
as well.

19. Block it Out Time Lapse

20. Step 3:
Gradients

21. Gradients
Before Gradient After Gradient

22. Gradients
Create “linked” layer to
layer you would like to
apply the gradient to
Use Photoshop gradient
tools
Build color using a big
soft brush with the
opacity turned
back…don’t guess at the
color with the color
wheel
Study light source and
play with values to
emphasize the center of
interest

23. Gradient sketch

24. Gradient Time Lapse

25. Step 4:
Shade and Sunlight

26. Shade
Create new layer and
set layer properties to
“multiply”
Select a flat purple from
color wheel
Use the selection from
your “building” layer
Fill the building faces
that are in shade
Gradients can be added
via a linked layer after
blocked out

27. Sunlight
Create new layer and
set layer properties to
“color dodge”
Select a flat purple from
color wheel
Use the selection from
your “building” layer
Fill the building faces
that are in direct
sunlight
Gradients can be added
via a linked layer after
blocked out

28. Shade Time Lapse

29. Step 5:
Shadow

30. Shadow from
Sketchup
Adjust shadow settings
Hide edges
Export only the
shadows

31. Importing
your shadows
into the
painting
Place layer beneath line
but above color layers
Layer blending option
should be set to
multiply
Adjust color of shadows
through adjustment
layers
Use your selections to
mask out any areas that
you do not want
shadows

32. Shadow Time Lapse

33. Step 6:
Plants

34. Trees
Begin with some kind of
image of a tree, pull
opacity back to draw
over top
Create branch structure
on one layer
Next layer should be
shape of foliage
Make separate layer for
wash effect
Make final layer for
“noise”

35. Trees
Layer structure
Apply watercolor filter
or “inner glow” layer
style to the tree shape
layer, noise layer, and
branch layer if desired

36. Tree Demo Time Lapse

37. Background
trees
Same 3 layer concept as
other trees
Typically less saturated
colors

38. Background Tree Demo

39. Shrub Demo Time Lapse

40. Step 7:
Entourage

41. Entourage
Add noise to building
faces, street lamps,
people, cars, etc.
Consider light source
Use wet edges brush,
and/or turn opacity
back on your brush
Use sketchup exports
and photos as under
lays

42. Entourage Demo

43. Step 8:
Sky and Clouds

44. Clouds
Same concept as
gradient, build color up
Begin with base gradient
Choose brush and begin
creating cloud
formations, set layer to
hard light
Use filters to achieve
desired effect, blur,
watercolor, and others
work best
Give your sky depth with
deep blues or warm lights
Go back and highlight if
necessary

45. Sky Time Lapse

46. Step 9:
Finishing Touches

47. Finishing Touches
 Darken corners using the multiply layer and a soft
brush, similar to photographers
 Use adjustment layers to achieve best contrast, tonal
range, and saturation
 Add warmth or more contrast to the focal point
 Add textures
 Flatten image and apply watercolor filter, you can do
this with or without the line.

48. Using photos
for textures
Play around with filter
options
Use overlay to add color
and tone to the area
that the texture willl
cover
Pull the opacity back so
that the texture does
not overpower the rest
of the textures in the
image

49. Textures
Textures should be
placed on top of the
color but underneath
the line art
Use overlay blending
option
Use adjustment layers
to maintain tonal values
of drawing

50. Final Time Lapse