Advice, please?
So, I've been drawing Firehouse 13 traditionally. I like the control it gives me over my lines. Pen and ink also just has a very great and satisfying feel to it. Yet-- the problem, this whole time, is that I've been prepping it in grayscale in the hopes that the free digital art program on my desktop-- that I've been using for years-- had gradient mapping in its repitoire.
Gradient mapping, as a concept is entirely new to me, but the idea of being able to cut down on production time through mapping color through grayscale variations... was absolutely immeasurable, something I sorely needed and vied for.
But, as I found today, none of the free programs I've used in the past had it except for in their paid versions. Access to these game changing modes being controlled by a capitalistic paywall was a frustrating thing to learn. Don't misunderstand: the people behind these amazing programs absolutely deserve to be recognized and paid for their hard work, tenfold even. I however, am one broke pigeon.
I absolutely love these programs, and would kill to have a lifetime license to the paid versions, but I have found the lack of positive reviews on these paid products to be quite off-putting and discouraging.
I have read, however, albeit briefly, about a program that strives to leave free, open access for artists and authors of all backgrounds and demographics. This would be Krita, and I would like to hear accounts of users experienced in this program to give me their opinion.
The other option i have in mind is to color traditionally as well, then overlay lighting and shadow and spoken text digitally to save time.
What are your thoughts on this?
