Just To Experiment

GearSecond

I have been working on this for…..a week now. Since the Raw came out.

Anyways it wasn't totally easy, and it took forever alone, and I was working with not only a raw, but no translations.

Anyways the text isn't the point.

Anyways it looks pretty good. I want some feedback, I've been considering starting my own Scanlation group using colored Manga pages. This is the first whole thing I've done (I did my Avatar and it gave me the idea)

So here it is:

Before attempting this yourself, consider that I spent nearly a week with photoshop, probably like 5 hours in all, for one page out of the, what? 16-18 in a weekly chapter.

I have considered starting the group, With me doing most of the coloring for consitency and having a translator a cleaner and a temporary colorer(basically making a mock-up for use until the real thing is done) and then getting a webhost. I'd like feedback though first, so I don't try it and everyone says it sucks.

In all, even if this wasn't the best thing you've ever seen, I've learned alot. Especially about making a wood texture. I also learned that although it's great for cleaning it up, don't use Smart Blur, especially while half done. Therefore a few spots appear….blocky.

Anyways THat's about it. Feedback would be nice. I was gonna have a few more sample pages, but I couldn't wait. It's nearly 3 Am here and I had free time so I finished it. anyways, yead. Feedback?

cxtknight

w0w… n0t bad dawg...though it looks like kid stuff it's all good... dats blingin...

Narguilo

Your Aokiji is quite good !!
but the other stuff don t give a good looking, it looksa little weird
But perhaps with more shadow it could be good !

Rokushiki

the good:some of the drawings look much better with colour,especially the 3rd panel(the one with robin and aokiji)[and your avatar =D]

the bad:the positioning and font of the words in the speech bubbles are rather inconsistent.some of the colour choices are a little weird,like the "galley-la temporary hq" yellow-skyblue colours,and chopper's skin/face colour

just my 2cents

dudeinthewater

hmm im going to be a harsh critic, you got to master some basic photoshop techniques before you move on. if this took you a week, then there are a lot of issues at hand.

1. Text: Your text is inconsistent. Keep the font the same size in each bubble (if the size in 9, keep it 9, if the other bubble is 10, keep it 10). Try to use center line-up button to keep the sentences lined up.

2. If you want to play with color. You need to learn how to select and delete all the whites in the picture so that you can work on the color without KILLING the original picture of the comic (the black lines in your picture are mostly destroyed because you played with the color on the same layer as the original comic). I cant be bother to explain this but if you search the net around, you'll probably find a tutorial.

3. Be sure you credit the translation (also get their permission) or someone will come mauling you later on.

4. Check out NULL's scanlation, thats a good example of what every scanlation should look like.

other than that, good luck.

3-Headed Monkey

Coloring line art like that without any shading shouldn't take so long.

A method I use when coloring in Photoshop is to put the lineart on the top layer and set it's blending properties to Multiply. Then you color on layers below that. You can use the color wand to make selections (I don't care for that… doesn't always get everything), use the lasso tool (I like doing that when I plan on deleting the lineart), or just use the brush and color in the lines (usually quicker for me).

Your choice of colors don't really appeal to me though. It's so... saturated. When One Piece does have color, it doesn't appear that bright. Maybe you would want to use samples from the Color Walks or something as reference for next time you color...

happyaddict

Try playing with layers and shading. Like the others said, look for some tutorials and work on coloring/line art some more.

Truthfully, it's probably a bad idea because by the time you're done with it, the regular scanlations have long come out. And… Ok, I'm just going to come right out and say that it burns my eyes.

But everyone starts somewhere, keep at it.

LightReaper

As 3-headed monkey said, the easiest way to maintain a black outline and still be able to color without going over the lines is duplicate the panel layer, and set the blending properties to multiply, if you then work off the layer below, you will be able to color in and still maintain the black outlines.

Another technique I use is to use a different layer for every seperate color on the image.

Finally, you can pull off some very easy shading and highlighting with the dodge and burn tools, set the pressure to 25% and decide on a direction of light source, then use that light source as a reference on where to dodge and where to burn.

I would show you an example with a coloring I have done, but i'm on the college computers and the art is at home, when I get home i'll post it in this thread, nice job for a start though I know how you feel.

Morgh

Considering I am most likely looking at it in the same way an alien would look at me ( coloured manga is relatively new to me ), and it looking like you've just started doing it; pretty damned awesome.
Just remember that shades/black lines feels necessary
I'm no expert though, so I'll look forward to see how things'll develop with others input.

ChopChopCannon

Not bad, but the words are a bit squished together.

GearSecond

yeah I was trying for Comic Sans MS size 12, I'll be starting smaller next time.

Also yeah sorry the outlinesgot a bit messed up, I tried to restore them later with my "Pen tool" which is basically paintbrush 1 px and less consistancy.

Anyone know how to delete all white on the page? If I could do that, I'd just copy and paste a layer of outlines over everything.

and about the translations: yeah….sorry, I just reworded the ones in the original scanlation. I can't translate myself.

Lets see, yes, lots of work needed, Ah, colors too bright. Hmm yeah thats just Water 7 in general actually, I'll try for darker colors. Worst comes to worst, I have a friend who could probably turn them into color-walk style. As for specifically bright colors, yeah that would be my fault. I figured it's a bright and sunny day out, no reason to make it to dark. Surprisingly I though the best colors were the yellow and blue box. I always imagined it that color.

Ok, so anyone know how to remove all the white?

Buuhan1

Keep practicing. Also, put the setting for the page you're coloring on multiply and color under the page instead of ontop.

Also, shouldn't this be in the creativity section?

Paulie

If you really need to delete the white;

In Photoshop: First use CTRL+L to do a quick clean. Then go to the Select menu, and click "Color Range." Then select a white, and bam, all the white is selected. Delete.

LightReaper

@LightReaper:

As 3-headed monkey said, the easiest way to maintain a black outline and still be able to color without going over the lines is duplicate the panel layer, and set the blending properties to multiply, if you then work off the layer below, you will be able to color in and still maintain the black outlines.

Another technique I use is to use a different layer for every seperate color on the image.

Finally, you can pull off some very easy shading and highlighting with the dodge and burn tools, set the pressure to 25% and decide on a direction of light source, then use that light source as a reference on where to dodge and where to burn.

I would show you an example with a coloring I have done, but i'm on the college computers and the art is at home, when I get home i'll post it in this thread, nice job for a start though I know how you feel.

Ok here it is, all I have done to color this is use the brush, dodge, burn, and magic wand tools.

3-Headed Monkey

@GearSecond:

yeah I was trying for Comic Sans MS size 12, I'll be starting smaller next time.

Also yeah sorry the outlinesgot a bit messed up, I tried to restore them later with my "Pen tool" which is basically paintbrush 1 px and less consistancy.

Anyone know how to delete all white on the page? If I could do that, I'd just copy and paste a layer of outlines over everything.

and about the translations: yeah….sorry, I just reworded the ones in the original scanlation. I can't translate myself.

Lets see, yes, lots of work needed, Ah, colors too bright. Hmm yeah thats just Water 7 in general actually, I'll try for darker colors. Worst comes to worst, I have a friend who could probably turn them into color-walk style. As for specifically bright colors, yeah that would be my fault. I figured it's a bright and sunny day out, no reason to make it to dark. Surprisingly I though the best colors were the yellow and blue box. I always imagined it that color.

Ok, so anyone know how to remove all the white?

When you set a layer to multiply, white from that layer won't show up (not exactly what it does… but simple way to explain it). Any colors underneath the white parts will show through. Try it out, or look up a tutorial that covers blending options.

And I didn't say it had to be darker. I said it was too bright. There's dark vs light, and dull vs bright. Just try bringing the saturation down on your colors some and see how it looks. Not on the entire thing though... contrast makes things interesting...

But yeah... I don't see as much of a point in doing a full colored chapter every week. Maybe you could color a page or so every week for an established group instead, kinda like what scanlators for other mangas do...

CosmicDebris

I don't want to be mean, but if you want to add color, practice with it first, or let someone who already is an experienced colorist do it. It's much easier to leave the panels in their natural state otherwise. As for the font, I recommend using a more manga/comic styled font like "anime ace". And don't let the text run out of the bubble or leave unecessary space.

If it takes you a really long time, it doesn't matter. It only means you spend a really long time doing poor work.

GearSecond

Wow….impressive.

How'd ya do it?

PS: working on a 2nd page in Chapter 1, where Luffy stabs himself under the eye. I'll be looking for comments on if I did any better.\

Wow should have refreshed the page before posting.

I made only one page so I didn't spend a month on a chapter just for it to end up sucking.

It didn't take a week of work, more like 5 hours spread across a week,t aking my time to figure thns out and experiment. This next one is turning out better. I think it'd be wonderful for One Piece to have a colored version, and since noone else is doing it, I figured I'd try.

Baka_Neko

I've had a lot of fun colouring OP manga pics too. You're on the right track. Just keep practicing. This is what I've done:

Let's see, 3 photoshop sessions for me = about 3 - 4 hours (over a few days). Now, I used the Nami bounty picture, since I think it's super-cool. :3 First I traced the original line art on another layer (i didn't want to do the other clean, and very easy ways). I then coloured the skin on another layer, and then the hair on another, then her eyes on another, then her bikini on another, etc etc etc. I know I forgot the bikini halter strap, but I'm not done yet.

GearSecond

how is this? Have I improved? Any?

EDIT: credit to NULL I think for translations. I just borrowed them so it had text.

CosmicDebris

A little better, but 1) colors way too bright - try copying the color scheme from the anime.
2) Don't use the black ink for shading. Remove it and use color for shading/highlights.

Spaceman-Spiff

Originally Posted by dudeinthewater

4. Check out NULL's scanlation, thats a good example of what every scanlation should look like.

LOL

GearSecond

Still too bright huh? Is it the box? I can shade tat down a bit. make it less "FLASHY!".

And I was using the Burn tool for shading, which basically darkens an area. hmm anyone recommend an exposure % level?

As for the Anime color scheme, I've been trying to avoid relying on it, there are a couple color differences I want to make sure of.

CosmicDebris

The burn tool isn't usually a good idea…

If you're using photoshop, try this tutorial: http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Coloring-Line-Art/8243

LightReaper

Really? I think the burn tool is fine.

CosmicDebris

The burn tool should not be the primary method of shading. It has its uses, but then it all depends on how committed to quality of work you are and what kind of look you're trying to accomplish. In my experience the burn/dodge tools produce mediocre and uninteresting results.

hyakamaru

Please try to change the fonts, Comic Sans doesnt have any comic strip feel to the page, and makes the whole thing look goofy.

Try Anime Ace:

http://www.fontfinder.ws/6723/Anime-Ace.html

Baka_Neko

The colours are too bright. I say copy the colours Oda uses in his colour spreads. If the character in question isn't in any colour walks, go for the anime colours. If you want to vary the colours a little bit, then copy the colour, and change it a bit to suit what you want. But, do tone down the colours. Instead of bright, insane green, make it a bit darker, or a little more grey.

I agree with removing the lines and using a colour for the shaded parts.

When it comes to shading techniques, it depends on what you are doing. If you are cell-shading (anime style), then you don't use the brun tool. You darken the colour with the colour picker.

If you are going to do a softer kind of shading, you also don't use the burn tool. I suggest picking a colour a bit darker than what you used, and then change the opacity and flow, and turn on airbrushing. I also suggest using a softer brush, not one with hard edges.

I say change the opacity so it's simple to get the soft-to-dark effect. Just go over your shading at the darkest part of the shadows a few times.

To create more depth, use a darker shade of the colour with more hue. And as you get darker, use less hue. (the vibrancy of the colour)

If you want to use the burn tool, use it after the shading is done and only on the very edges.

If the shadows are too chunky, use the blur tool to soften them.

Don't forget to add highlights as well. Only put highlights where the light shines on the object, and make them subtle.

GearSecond

ok the exact color I can make, less vibrant.

Line issues solved. Shading: Work in progress. Once I figure out what I'm doing it'll be easy. highlights: Any idea how to do that?

Also, just curious, would you guys say the skin colors are ok? I've been trying to do a good job on them.

e1n

shouldn't this be moved to creativity forum? >_>;

GearSecond

It's One Piece and directly Manga related.

I don't see why. It's sorta my new project. I'll be starting with Chapter 1 and working my way up slowly. I'm starting once I get the techniques down.

Might as well let this thread die. I'll just be practicing from now on.

taboo

It's One Piece and directly Manga related.

Yeah, so is alot of fan art. How about once you start coloring whole chapters for download, you can make your own thread somewhere? If all you're looking for is advice for the moment, you may get more artistic help from the Creativity forum.