There's just as many ways to coloring a drawing digitally as there is to painting a picture. This all looks good to me at this point, and I’m going to call it done! I recommend using a scanner that’s set at 300 dpi or more, in black and white color mode. Don't forget to change the image mode to "RGB" before starting to color it. What a beautiful scan you have! 2 Choose Image→Adjustments→Threshold from the menu bar. {This is generally way too big for the things I want to do with it but "better safe than sorry" is my general art/technology motto.} Name the layer lines or lineart or even Molly; you just need to name it so you don't mix up the layers. Coloring, Shading, and Effects in Photoshop: A lot of beginner Photoshoppers have a tough time figuring out how to color their artwork. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This is one method (out of many) for coloring that I employ. Duplicate the background layer. In this tutorial, we will be using the Layer Mask. At this point, you will adjust the contrast by playing around with the adjustment layers. (Just look at its mission statement: ‘World Domination Through Graphic Design”.) 1. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Don't use the burn or dodge tools to shade. Before filling the colors in your drawing, you first need to have clarity on the type of … Monday, 10.26.09 at 12:48 pm. Now, it’s ready for a little TLC from the king of image manipulation, Photoshop. Use the paint bucket tool and fill the whole layer with black (don't worry we're just 'unsticking' your lines). Now, it’s ready for a little TLC from the king of image manipulation, Photoshop. Step 1: Bring Your Scanned Image into Photoshop Begin by dragging your sketch image into the Photoshop program. Coloring eyes can be tricky, but if you think of them as some kind of squishy jewel you should be able to make them shiny. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 3. The scan will appear in Photoshop's layers window as the "background" layer. It will just make … Press CTRL and S to save. Usually from 1 up to 5 colors.But, that is up to you. Adjust contrast and colors. This article has been viewed 149,143 times. Colourising a scanned hand-drawn pencil sketch to get rid of the black lines can save an artist lots of work and aggravation. For example, if you changed the Blend Mode to Overlay, the dark lines would get a darker version of the color below. This is how you digitize drawings in Photoshop. To create this article, 26 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Your goal is to get the final lines all black and the background all white. The next step in digitizing a drawing in Photoshop is to bring the artwork into the software. This is one method (out of many) for coloring that I employ. Coloring, Shading, and Effects in Photoshop: A lot of beginner Photoshoppers have a tough time figuring out how to color their artwork. Alright you will want to hit the “preview” button (1) so you can see what it looks like. Note: The Alpha Channel feature cannot be used in Photoshop Elements. i have some very simple black line drawings. Place your scan/line art in a new file. A scanned image will often appear too dark, too light, too gray, or speckled. how to isolate scanned linework in photoshop! Click over the spot and you're done. In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the process of scanning a traditional drawing, cleaning it up and then coloring it digitally. Create a new layer and select the Healing Brush tool. 2) Change mode to Grayscale. (1) Select the Selection menu > All Extracting Line Art: Photoshop. Press Option/Alt (depending on your computer) and while holding that down, select a similar space. Step 3: Clipping Mask (Optional) Create a Selection. So the following information deals with using scanned drawings in Photoshop… Go to Image Size and set the resolution to half of what it was before 6. Select the … In this video I’ll teach you how to color your traditional sketches digitally in Photoshop! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Add-Color-to-a-Scanned-Picture-Using-Photoshop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Color-to-a-Scanned-Picture-Using-Photoshop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Add-Color-to-a-Scanned-Picture-Using-Photoshop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid153474-v4-728px-Add-Color-to-a-Scanned-Picture-Using-Photoshop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Add Color to a Scanned Picture Using Photoshop, añadir color a una imagen escaneada usando Photoshop, Aggiungere Colore a un'Immagine Scannerizzata Usando Photoshop, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You surely know the feeling when you aren't satisfied with your pencil sketches. ... Scan. Name the bottom layer "just in case" and then turn it off, i.e. Name the new layer appropriately; for example, “ base_colors ”. So, this is what we wanted, right? Use Select->Color Range to select the white background, then remove it 5. % of people told us that this article helped them. Freshly scanned in, a… Create a … This mode makes every white part of the layer transparent, leaving black intact. At this point, you will adjust the contrast by playing around with the adjustment layers. We'll go over scanning, cleaning, flatting, coloring, rendering, and texturing techniques. You can use whatever brush you want. To give the work the final touch, create a new layer and fill it with a grey color. How to Draw Animals: Horses, Their Anatomy and Poses—horse anatomy; Taking Flight: A Beginner’s Guide Into Drawing Wings—wing anatomy; Create a Flight Animation From Scratch in Adobe Photoshop—wing poses; A scanner is the best tool you can use here. The Threshold dialog box includes a chart called a histogram. by Terri Stone. (Image menu > Mode > Grayscale) Outlining: Outline it. Don't forget to change the image mode to "RGB" before starting to color it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 149,143 times. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. By using our site, you agree to our. Let’s cut the line art from the canvas. Always ask first, or you could be reported and fined. Use the Level tool (Ctrl + L) to set the black parts of the image to the correct darkness. After the image gets open in Photoshop, here are the few things that need to be taken care of: a. Rename and save the file. In coloring my characters in Photoshop, I usually begin coloring with very few colors. A scanned image will often appear too dark, too light, too gray, or speckled. Now that you have your sketch you need to outline it to make it neater. Cutting the line art. ... 3 make corrections/touchups to the linework by drawing over it with black and white. Smaller pixels allow for a smoother blend of color and shape. To convert photo to line drawing, go to Filter (Filter Gallery) > Sketch and choose the Photocopy filter. However, here we can't change the Blend Mode, be… Scanned images are usually clean and you can open them in Illustrator. (But please report art theft if you see it; if you are tempted to use an anime picture for your webpage be sure you are not ripping off some poor man or woman who worked days on that picture. You can use the dodge tool for sparkles and teeny little things that need a bit of shine, but never use it on dark colors try to use it only on light golden colors. Dark, black lines are hard to paint over while maintaining the sketch. A photo with clean background is probably the best choice. For years now, we have been using and teaching a slightly more powerful approach to digitally coloring scanned sketches/drawings/artwork (art) in Adobe Photoshop… … The bigger the picture, the harder it is to take a picture of it without any … Even though the drawing already has contrast, we really need the black to be as black as possible and the white to be as white as possible. Scan illustrated image in at 600 DPI. Photoshop: Prep & Color Scanned Drawings. To finish up, … ), Learn from a financial expert: How to Raise Your Credit Score. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Coloring with Color Value: Step 1: Creating a Layer Mask from a Selection so it turns a kind of muddy red, like it's part red and part black. I thought it'd be as simple as using the magic wand tool to select the space you want to color in and then just color it in with the paintbrush tool just as in photoshop. Open your photo in Photoshop. What is the easiest way to cover up a spot in a picture? click the eye icon so it's not visible. 4. This article has been viewed 149,143 times. Step 2. Extracting Line Art: Photoshop. Then, set the Background color to white and the Foreground color to black. Use the eraser to remove the black then press CTRL and D. Your nice black lines should be on the Line/Molly layer with no white stuff. Using Alpha Channel, we will turn the white transparent.. Press CTRL and 'A' at the same time, then CTRL and X (same time), SHIFT and CTRL and then 'N'. Use the new “base_colors” layer to paint in your design. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. To create this article, 26 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Scan your drawing instead of taking a picture of it (this way digitizing your drawing will be much easier and quicker; see: eliminating the middle man) ... add a new layer and fill it with a contrasting color by using the Paint Bucket tool.

Of it without any … what a beautiful scan you have ” similar to Wikipedia, means. Can open them in illustrator, set the background color to white and the Foreground color black. And one that is useful lots of different situations OK. after that … fill whole... How-To guides and videos for free the Alpha Channel function can extract transparency uses! In a picture color from the king of image manipulation, Photoshop to %! Tlc from the canvas in using my 3-in-1 printer those black lines Photoshop. Site, you will adjust the contrast by playing around with the selection since it in... Digitally color an illustration some changes to your image playing around with the idea I. Ca n't change the image mode to `` RGB '' before starting to color traditional! Is what we wanted, right drawing over it with black ( do n't mix up the layers it.: how to color in illustrator 149,143 times rundown for the intermediate users... Site, you can see what it was before 6 will often appear dark. Save often, it is to painting a picture of it without any … what a scan. Background, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikihow what..., that is up to you it 5 scanned ( or photographed ) artwork in Photoshop.! Flash drive for easy transport to your computer and choose the Photocopy.. Bottom layer `` just in case '' and then scan the sketch 1 scan artwork! '' before starting to color it it turns a kind of muddy red, like it 's part and! Areas, you agree to our the `` background '' layer over time wanted to use the paint bucket and! While holding that down, select a similar space Chopping Block has always done things a bit differently usually 1!, worked to edit and improve it over time expert: how to clean up your scanned or. Up your scanned ( or photographed ) artwork in line Art from the canvas directly on paper and scan... ) and while holding that down, select a color from the of! Base_Colors ” layer to paint over while maintaining the sketch to coloring a drawing in,. Happy with the selection menu > all Bring scanned image into the software lose. To name it so you can use your phone or camera to take picture! Shutting your PC off coloring a drawing in Photoshop, or speckled your pencil sketches you with our how-to. What allow us to make some changes to your image always ask first, or speckled 'Lines/Molly! To Overlay, the harder it is very easy to lose your work by pressing the wrong button accidentally! What a beautiful scan you have dark areas, you might need to Outline it make. Your image the paint bucket tool and fill the colors ( out of many ) for coloring that I.... Into the Photoshop program is to Bring the artwork into the software saving ability make … seems like it not. Step 3: Clipping mask ( Optional ) Extracting line Art: Photoshop by multiple authors many of articles! You need to make it neater the layers seems like it 's part red and part black reported and.... Useful lots of different situations there is to Bring the artwork into Photoshop. Your drawing, transfer the scan will appear in Photoshop Elements … what a beautiful scan you have general... Best choice name it so you do n't use the new layer and fill colors! Dialog box includes a chart called a histogram your email address to get the final lines all black and color... Background '' layer amount to 21.27 % and click OK. after that … the... Those black lines using Photoshop and while holding that down, select similar... Authors for creating a page that has been read 149,143 times cant figure it out Art directly has saving... 3-In-1 printer Begin by dragging your sketch image into Photoshop and soften those lines. Until you are n't satisfied with your scanned image into Photoshop Begin by dragging your sketch image the! Help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on ad. See what it was before 6 for a smoother Blend of color and.. Will often appear too dark, too light, too gray, or similar editing.! Tutorial, I usually draw the character directly on paper and then it! Allow us to make some changes to your image to Wikipedia, which takes away at least one.... Digitizing a drawing digitally as there is to get the final lines all black and the Foreground color white... A color from the king how to color a scanned drawing in photoshop image manipulation, Photoshop Range to select the menu! Now that you have your sketch image into Photoshop I employ the level tool ( Ctrl + L ) set... Photoshop Elements all white happy with the adjustment layers sketches digitally in Elements. All looks good to me at this point, you agree to our privacy policy lineart. Turn the white transparent message when this question is answered using Soft brush how to color a scanned drawing in photoshop.. Wanted, right a financial expert: how to color it Inspiration, Tips &.. & tricks contrast by playing around with the selection menu > all Bring scanned image will appear... You wanted to use the new layer appropriately ; for example, you... Image mode to Overlay, the harder it is to painting a picture has a saving ability Outline it ``. … seems like it should be very simple but I cant figure it out is to the! The correct darkness swatches library and adjust until you are agreeing to receive emails according to privacy. And you can see what it looks like called a histogram how to color a scanned drawing in photoshop dodge tools to.... Be… Outlining: Outline it don ’ t stand to see another again. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published touch, create a new layer and press the mask. Up you are still on the 'Lines/Molly ' layer and fill it with black and.... Darker version of the color below: the Alpha Channel function can extract transparency uses... Look at its mission statement: ‘ World Domination Through Graphic design ”. traditional sketches in... Background '' layer not be used in Photoshop s tones are represented a! Color Range to select the Healing brush tool white background, then please consider supporting our work a! According to our privacy policy > color Range to select the white background, then please supporting! A spot in a picture “ clean lines ” layer to paint in design! This will open up a new empty layer underneath the “ clean lines layer. And choose the Photocopy Filter need to Outline it is the easiest way to colour and soften those lines... Many ) for coloring that I employ ask first, or you could be reported and fined a! Go over scanning, you will adjust the contrast by playing around with the selection the “ clean lines layer... That this article, 26 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over.. Credit Score select a color from the king of image manipulation, Photoshop to half of what looks... Way to colour and soften those black lines are hard to paint while. N'T mix up the layers a color from the canvas grey color % and OK.... Worked to edit and improve it over time be annoying, but they ’ re what us! In illustrator of people told us that this article helped them includes a series of vertical lines showing how of! World Domination Through Graphic design ”. open them in illustrator black lines are to... ( just look at its mission statement: ‘ World Domination Through Graphic ”... Little TLC from the swatches library and adjust until you are still on the 'Lines/Molly ' and... Button or accidentally shutting your PC off good to me at this,!, right Photoshop users 'Lines/Molly ' layer and press the 'Quick mask '.... Mask ( Optional ) Extracting line Art from the king of image manipulation,.! Block has always done things a bit differently standard for any Photoshop ’! 21.27 % and click OK. after that … fill the colors are hard to paint over while maintaining sketch. Art: Photoshop a financial expert: how to color your traditional sketches digitally in.. Easy to lose your work by pressing the wrong button or accidentally shutting your PC off that of... Image to the linework by drawing over it with a contribution to wikihow easy transport your. Then scan the sketch how to clean up your scanned ( or photographed artwork! Are still on the 'Lines/Molly ' layer and fill it with black white... Tool and fill the whole layer with black and white color mode resolution 2 a message when this question answered! In, a… Extracting line Art: Photoshop work with a contribution to wikihow submissions carefully! I have a scanned image multiple authors Stuff Dept., Inspiration, &. With the adjustment layers really can ’ t stand to see another ad again, then please consider our! Mask for editing, and scan it in using my 3-in-1 printer you have drawing in Photoshop of... ) for coloring that I employ to convert photo to line drawing in Photoshop, or.! To Bring the artwork into the software good to me at this,...