how to draw slime/sludge, presented on my moththing fan breed
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here are colors I’m using for dragon base (left column) and gene (right column). Official art might be using more colors for the gene (for example different color for each layer), but to draw the gene base I only use three colors
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All new layers are added under shadow layer and above body part layers (look at the bottom of this post to see exact layers order)
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step1:
make new multiply layer, use ‘darks’ color to draw drips using basic round hard brush (I’m calling this layer ‘SHADOWS’)
(put a bunch of drips on feets, slime is flowing down and pooling on the legs)
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step2:
add shadow to the drips,
use lasso tool to select area under the drip, then use gradient tool to add shadow (still on ‘SHADOWS’ layer)
(note I am using gradient tool for consistency, but you can just use soft brush)
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step3:
make new layer under the drips layer set to screen (called ‘HIGHTLIGHTS’). Use ‘lights’ color to add hightlights to drips and the body (wings edge, horns etc.)
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step4:
note: this step can be done on ‘HIGHTLIGHTS’ layer, but for easier editing I recomend making separate screen layer, which you merge with ‘HIGHTLIGHTS’ layer later
add more hightlights using gradient tool
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step5: bubbles
make new layer set to screen above ‘HIGHTLIGHTS’ (called ‘BUBBLES’)
using ‘lights’ color, draw bubbles around the body
draw spot, erase the middle, add small hightlight, they don’t have to be super even
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step6: transparency
for this step you will need one or more multiply layers (put under ‘HIGHTLIGHTS’)
using ‘darks’ color draw parts that are behind other parts, use mask and gradient tool (or eraser with soft brush) to make them fade away
mostly you just want to see the edge of the parts that are behind. Use separate layers for parts that overlap
merge all transparency layers, make sure they are set to multiply (call the layer ‘TRANSPARENCY’)
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step7
make new normal layer under ‘TRANSPARENCY’ (called ‘COLOR2′)
using ‘darks’ color add gradients around the body and wings
(this color is always on legs)
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step8
make new normal layer under ‘COLOR2’ (called ‘COLOR1′)
using ‘extra color1’ add small amount of gradients around the body
(this color shouldn’t be too overwhelming)
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done, at this point you should have your layers set like this:
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