Rotational Symmetry

Do you know how to paint a rotationally symmetrical design like the one pictured to the right?  Perhaps.  With pencil and tracing paper it's possible, but time consuming.  In Photoshop, it's time consuming as well.  Is there a better way? To give you a peek into my concept art process, this three part mini-series shows an effective way to design rotationally symmetrical objects.

It starts in sumopaint.com, which is a free website.  This rare departure from Photoshop is all about design flow: SumoPaint automates the symmetry.  Though the results are fluid, they're not pretty -- so we'll return to Photoshop for refinement in the next video.

Browse Multiple Sub-folders Simultaneously

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Organizing your artwork into 'Project Folders' is a great idea.  But once you've done it, what happens when you want to browse all of the projects' images simultaneously?  "Saved Searches" are the key.  It's a useful skill, and one often overlooked by windows users.   

Did you miss the earlier videos about organization?  Here's one about folder structure.

If you're a Mac user, what similar technique exists?  I'm sure it's easy - so share it with us in the comments below.  

Why I Make Videos

It was about this time 5 years ago that I started recording videos for Ctrl+Paint.  A lot has changed since then - and I'm honored you guys have supported the project with such enthusiasm.  This video will probably make its way to the 'About' page at some point, but for now - enjoy a quick look behind the scenes.  Have fun painting!

The short version: I care a lot about beginners!  

Building a Better Mirror Command Pt.3

Part 1 and Part 2 showed how to make a mirror action.  This video demonstrates why: thumbnail sketching is made so much easier with symmetry!  Though this is only one use for the technique, I suspect you'll have no trouble envisioning others.  

Building a Better Mirror Command Pt.2

Sometimes your best intentions don't quite measure up.  That's what happened to our "Symmetry Action" in the previous video: everything was working... until it wasn't.  Unexpected roadblocks like this are part of life when it comes to automation - so learning to debug and re-engineer is essential.  In today's video I'll demonstrate a revised version of the symmetry action, and show how I got there .

Building a Better Mirror Command Pt.1

As a concept artist, Symmetry is extremely useful.  Thumbnail sketches, character designs, icons and more: symmetry saves time.  But Photoshop's mirror feature wasn't designed with illustrators in mind.  So let's fix the problem!   In this two part mini-series, I'll demonstrate how to design and build your very own symmetry action in Photoshop.   

Though the example used here is 'symmetry', Photoshop actions can be used for a huge variety of roadblocks.  What action will you design?

Color Constructor Pt.2: Exercises

Once you've downloaded Color Constructor, it serves as a great source for study material.  Today's video demonstrates two different studies, each using a Color Constructor screenshot as the starting point.  To follow along, make sure to download my homework .PSD below!

Color Constructor Pt.1

For me, learning is easier when I'm able to experiment.  Given the ability to change a single variable, and watch the result, helps to break down complex subjectmatter.  For this reason, I'm thrilled to showcase the Color Constructor software in today's video!  Created by a colorblind videogame artist, this software aims to simulate the effect of light on colored objects.  You're given what amounts to a 'color playground', where experimenting with light and its effects is a snap.  Even better, the software only costs $7 - and is available on Gumroad.  Give it a try!

To learn more about the software, this is a great 30 minute Q&A with the creator Murry Lancashire.

Gesture Shortcuts Pt.2

Today's video explores the nuts and bolts of "Gestures" in Strokes Plus. As you'll see in the video, the technical workflow is not very challenging. Setting ...

Example Code for a "Paste" gesture in Strokes Plus

acSendKeys("^c")

-- @ = WINKEY
-- + = SHIFT
-- ^ = CTRL
-- % = ALT

Today's video explores the nuts and bolts of "Gestures" in Strokes Plus.  As you'll see in the video, the technical workflow is not very challenging.  Setting up a gesture largely involves pasting the following code, and changing the contents of the ("parentheses" ).  The harder challenge is designing your shortcut 'vocabulary'.  What shapes make sense for your workflow?  What commands should be shared between software?  It's a tough, but worthy, challenge.  Have fun!

Gesture Shortcuts Pt.1

If you've been following Ctrl+Paint for very long, you know I'b a big fan of keyboard shortcuts. They're what make the software fade away, allowing you to f...

If you've been following Ctrl+Paint for very long, you know I'b a big fan of keyboard shortcuts.  They're what make the software fade away, allowing you to focus on the art at hand.  Today's video introduces my new favorite way to use keyboard shortcuts: gestures!  To try for yourself, make sure to follow the link below and get a copy of the (free) strokes plus software for pc. 

Let's Paint Bamboo Pt.3

In today's installment, you'll see the bamboo study completed. As with all paintings, the final step is the polish - and it's slow, patient work. In this pha...

In today's installment, you'll see the bamboo study completed.  As with all paintings, the final step is the polish - and it's slow, patient work.  In this phase it's time to zoom in, slow down, and use small brush strokes to clarify the image.  As I mention in the video, this phase is only possible once the block-in is successful --- it's dangerous to start polishing before the framework is complete.

Related Techniques Shown in This Video

On-Screen Mixing

Let's Paint Bamboo Pt.2

Continuing from our previously finished line drawing, it's time to start blocking in colors.  Though the act of adding color to the canvas is not technically challenging, selecting the correct color is.  Observing color accurately doesn't happen over night , and it's studies like these that help to improve your eye.

If you're curious about the 'masking' step that precedes the painting, make sure  to check out the videos linked to the right.  It's a bit confusing at first, but you'll be happy once you master it.

Related Topics Shown in This Video

Creating a 'Selection Layer' (Masking)

Masking a Layer Group

Color Relativity

Tweaking Your Colors With 'Curves'

Let's Paint Bamboo Pt.1

In this 'Let's Paint' demonstration, I'll show how I painted this small bamboo plant. Though the following videos will get into more detail, this first chapt...

Related Techniques Shown in This Video

Measuring Proportion

Simplifying Form

Refining the Line Drawing

In this 'Let's Paint' demonstration, I'll show how I painted this small bamboo plant.  Though the following videos will get into more detail, this first chapter focuses on the line drawing.  Even though you can see that the final painting doesn't have any visible lines, it's often very important to start with a clean line drawing.  You can think of it like a blueprint on which we'll lay the brush strokes.

Download the brush here (it's a 'tool preset').  If you need help installing the file, you'll find instructions here.

Simplifying Photo Studies Pt.3

Today we'll finish the three part mini-series by adding the polish. This phase is a part of every illustration, though it doesn't make for great video. So ...

Today we'll finish the three part mini-series by adding the polish.  This phase is a part of every illustration, though it doesn't make for great video.  So expect to see the big ideas at play, but you won't see the 45 minutes of repetitive work involved.  Polish isn't exciting, but it really takes your image to the next level!

Simplifying Photo Studies Pt.2

As we continue to break down complex studies into simple steps, part 2 tackles the 'block in'. As you'll hear in the video, the block in is were you make or ...

As we continue to break down complex studies into simple steps, part 2 tackles the 'block in'.  As you'll hear in the video, the block in is were you make or break the image - so this is a very important step.  As I said in the previous video, I hope you're following along with your own study!

Simplifying Photo Studies Pt.1

Photo studies can seem overwhelming, especially if you choose a detailed image. In this three part mini-series, I'll argue that even tough subjectmatter can ...

Photo studies can seem overwhelming, especially if you choose a detailed image.  In this three part mini-series, I'll argue that even tough subjectmatter can be simplified.  It's all about breaking it down.  In this video we'll prepare and create the line drawing.  I encourage you to follow along!

Getting Organized: Brushes

Second to the Layers palette, I find Custom brushes to be most commonly messy habit for digital painters.  How many brushes do you have?  What's your system for organizing them?  This video shows my preference, and one cool alternative (linked to the right.) 

If you have another system, we'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Note:  In this video I say "Blender Brush", when what I meant to say was  "Mixer Brush".  

Related Topics Mentioned in This Video

Labeled, Sorted Custom Brushes (YouTube)

Creating Tool Presets

Installing Custom Brushes 

Previous "Getting Organized" Videos

Templates

Layers

Saving Files

Getting Organized: Saving Files

Where do you save your art files?  How do you name them?  If you're serious about digital painting, these are important questions.  In today's video I'll explore a few important concepts relating to file organization - and how you might design a personal system.

It might not sound fun, but habits like these are part of becoming a successful artist.

Related Topics Mentioned in This Video

Text 2 Folders application (PC only)

Previous "Getting Organized" Videos

Templates

Layers

Getting Organized: Layers

The layer stack can be a dangerous place. It gives you amazing power and control, but that power often comes with a huge mess. After all, you don't name ever...

Related Topics Mentioned in This Video

Color-coding a 'Reminder Layer'

Recording an Action

Previous "Getting Organized" Videos

Templates

The layer stack can be a dangerous place.  It gives you amazing power and control, but that power often comes with a huge mess.  After all, you don't name every one of your layers - do you?  I don't.  But that doesn't mean my layer stack is disorganized.  In fact, I'd argue that your paintings will be faster and more dynamic once you've established a system for keeping your layer stack tidy.  This video explores my process, but we'd love to hear about yours in the comments.

Getting Organized: Templates

We all want to paint faster.  In my experience, speed comes from an elimination of busy work - not flailing your stylus like a crazy person.  Speed is spending time on creativity, and being efficient about the boring parts.  Over the years I've designed systems to help save time and create more artwork - and that's what we'll be exploring in this free mini-series.  

Today's topic is templates.  None of this information is exclusive to Photoshop - it works just as well with other software (or sketchbooks, as you'll see).  So let's start saving time, and get to the fun part!

Related Topics Mentioned in This Video

Creating Document Presets