creative-designs-koalatut

Software: Versions 10, 11, 12 and X3

Author:    Maureen Eves-Lavis

Title:         Paint a Koala

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Featured Tools: Various Paint Brushes (P), Retouch Tools (H), Colour Palette, Textures, Stamp Tool [.], Working in Mode, (paint as object) Edit Active Objects Only and Toggle/Pen Eraser (E).

Additional Files: Koala drawing and gum-leaves from this zipped-file. The gum leaves can be added to your Easy Palette as a stamp   Download

Download and unzip the file and save to a folder. You can add the stamps to your Easy Palette if you wish. For instructions on how, please read these tutorials:

Creating & Adding Stamps or My Stamps

MODES and WORKSPACES

Versions 12 and X3 has the ability for customised workspace modes, choose your own personal settings or Full Edit providing you have all tools available for this tutorial.
Version 11 has five work modes. You will see them listed in the My Workshop Menu. For the purpose of this tutorial, ensure you are working in "Advanced Mode" in order for all tools to be available to you.
Version 10 has two work modes, Basic and Standard. Basic Mode features a simplified workspace with larger buttons and the most common functions, whereas,the Standard Mode displays all of the functions. We will be using the Standard Mode in this tutorial.If you see Standard Mode faded out as shown, then this is the mode you are using. If you change from standard to basic you will lose any presets you may have saved.

Use this push-pin to help keep your place whilst working through the tutorial. Just left click, drag and drop to where you need

Remember to SAVE OFTEN & clear Redo/Undo Edit History after each save.

Step1.

Open the folder where you saved the Koala.ufo and bring the image into your workspace.

Step 2.

Add a background colour by using Linear Gradient Fill Tool (F) Hex #225C90 ( R34 G92 B144) // #589CD6 (R88 G156 B214)

Step 3.

Working in MODE - paint as object, paint base colour of tree-trunk. Bristle Brush, Preset Split 2, size 20. transparency 60 - Hex #89847C (R137 G132 B124). When both sections of trunk are painted click out of mode. Change colour to Hex #574324 (R87 G67 B36), transparency 0 - whilst trunk is still selected click on "edit active objects only", click on Texture and select #10. Paint over the trunk - click out of edit active objects and deselect your painted object. Select the koala drawing, and click on the Pick Tool (k, w) - right click, Arrange - bring to the front.. Now the koala's paws will be correctly sitting on the tree trunk.

If you find that your painting has gone over the lines, whilst in mode you can click on the eraser next to mode and gently clean up the edges.

Step 4.

Click in MODE and using the Charcoal brush size 34, Default Preset, Distribution 46, Weight 100, Colour #C0C0C0 (R192 G192 B201), Multicolour, 2 3 3, Advanced - Spacing 21, tablet "size & transparency," - begin to paint the base coat of the koala by using small circular brush strokes. Don't worry about going over the outside lines as this will had furriness to the koala. Again if you cover other parts of your painting the eraser can be used to clean up. Use the eraser to clean up around the nose, eyes and in-between paws.

Click out of mode, deselect.

Step 5.

Click in MODE and choose Charcoal brush, size 20, Hex #9F9F9F (R159 G159 B159), Transparency 48, Preset default, Distribution 74, Weight 100, Multicolour 2, 3, 3, Advanced - spacing 54, tablet size & transparency - default settings.

Again in circular brush strokes move over the base painting following the contours of the body. Follow the contour of the large thigh/hip by using half circle brush strokes and defining the shape of body, arms and paws.

When happy with your painting click out of mode and deselect.

Step 6.

Click in MODE choose Bristle Brush size 10, Hex #EFEFEF (R239 G239 B239), Preset Grass, brush-head size 0, Density 29, Advanced - spacing 1 - begin to make small strokes of the brush around tops of ears, head, around eyes, nose, paws, parts of chest & body.

Staying in MODE change to Bristle Retouch-Smear size 20, level 35 and gently brush over the fur.

Click out of mode and deselect.

Step 7.

Click in MODE choose paintbrush size 1, transparency 50, soft edge 5, colour Hex #E6E6E6 (R230 G230 B230), Advanced, spacing 1, Fade out 47, tablet "size".

Paint fine hairs on ears, paws, over nose. Click out of mode, deselect.

Step 8.

Click in MODE choose Bristle Brush, size 10, Hex #898282 (R137 G130 B130), Preset Grass, brush-head size 0, Density 29, Advanced - spacing 1 - paint short strokes over body. Change to Bristle Retouch-Smear, 65 brush over hair. Don't over do it or you'll smooth it out too much, if that happens go back to Bristle brush and touch up.

Click out of mode deselect.

Step 9.

Click in MODE choose Paint Brush, size 10, transparency 70, soft edge 5, Hex #100000 (R16 G0 B0), paint in the nose, eyes and mouth, and claws on paws.

Change colour to Hex #CEC1C1 (R206 G193 B193), transparency 90, soft edge 100 and make highlight on nose and eyes. Using the blur tool on very low level, lightly blend the highlights.

Change to Retouch-Dodge, level 51 and lightly touch on nose and eyes, gently flick the brush across fur above the nose and ears here and there. The change to Retouch Burn level 25, soft edge 100, brush size 20 and lightly darken inner ear and cheeks.

Use the gum-leaf stamp to add some leaves. These can be resized to suit and placed on the tree trunk.. Also add some to the koala's paws then click on gum-leaves, right click, Arrange, send backward.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial.

Happy Painting!

Site created and maintained by Maureen Eves-Lavis

Creative-Designs

Terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me and all rights are reserved.

This document may not be translated, duplicated, redistributed or otherwise appropriated without permission.