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Additionally, using “Layer Sets” helps keep everything in order. Layer Sets are basically folders for layers – the button to create a layer set is the one at the bottom of the Layers palette that looks like a little folder. In addition to tidying things up, you can also show and hide a Layer Set with one little click of the eye icon, which is a refreshing change from having to laboriously show/hide layers separately when needed. In this example, I’ve split my layers up as those relevant to her body (skin, hair, etc.), those for her accessories, the bottom half of her, the top half, and the shadow layers (which I’ll get to later).

Using Solid Colour layers to treat detail areas like the eyes and the hair accents is . In this example, I’ve created a layer for skin details and a layer for hair details. The Skin Details layer has her eyes, some makeup business on her cheeks and eyelids, her lips, and her fingernails. The Hair Details layer includes all the special painting I’ve done for the highlights and junk in her hair. Both layers are painted in the usual straightforward manner with a brush and some mixer-chosen colours.

It would probably be most sensible to leave the painting of these details until all the base colours are decided on. For instance, if I later decide to change her skin tone, her lip colour will most likely have to change as well. However, it’s easy enough to re-paint these small details that putting them in half-way through isn’t a bad step, as it gives a better impression early on of the total package you’ll arrive at when finished.

For the silver bits such as her earrings, those massive wrist-buckles, and her bag’s handle, I’ve created two layers – one for the base footprint and another for the detail. I’ve then used the base layer to “clip” the detail layer, the major benefit of which is it lets me not worry about painting outside the lines. “Clipping Groups” step by step:

1) Create the base Silver layer.

2) Colour within the lines.

3) Create the Silver Detail layer above the Silver layer.

4) Hold down the ALT key, and position the cursor directly between the two layers. You should see the cursor turn to a little bubbly thing with a tiny arrow.

5) Click. The Silver Detail layer should slide over to the right and have a little bent arrow pointing to the Silver layer below it.

6) Start painting in your details in the traditional manner.

You’ll notice that wherever you paint on the Silver Details layer, it will only show up where you’ve already painted on the Silver layer. If you’re happy with what you’ve painted, you can hit CTRL-E to merge the layers and tidy up your Layers palette.

Clipping Groups are, of course, much more versatile than simply saving lazy artists from having to stick within the lines. Later we’re going to use the exact same technique to colour the line art. But that step should come last, as it’s dependant already being happy with your colour choices. Shadows first.

Next: Shadow Layers...