Photoshop process/something like a tutorial under cut for people who asked :3
Actual advice and tips at the end. This is just my messy process of drawing first.
When I first start drawing, I actually use sai to like doodle the first part, but you can use photoshop too. I use cs4 version of photoshop. My canvas is usually 5x7, 300dpi or 8x10/12, 300dpi. This canvas is the first.
First, I choose a background colour I like and i also add a few random brushstrokes of a different color that I think looks okay. I also make a pretty unorganized palette of colours that I think I’ll use at the side. (you can guess the colors like i do or if you are lazy, you could color-pick using the eyedrop) I also have the reference need to my screen for easy viewing and such.
Oh, and I also like to use the wet media brush preset.
The 22 sized circle brush in the third row is my favorite for the skin/clothes and other details while the 54-sized multiple circles brush is my favorite for hair. The 95-sized brush in the beginning of that row is also useful for hair.
I then proceed to draw, usually using a random assortment of brushes and colors. I’m more worried about colors now than proportions, so it does look off.
Now, I just try to be as accurate as possible, using the ruler (ctrl+r) as a helpful guide. I also make random layers when I feel like it.
Now, it is my least favorite part of drawing lol. I zoom in to about 100% on both pictures and eye the proportions. I then add the final touches and sign it on a new layer :3. It really helps to compare both the drawing and picture closely.
ACTUALLY HELPFUL ADVICE TIME AND STUFF.
I would advise you to start with realism. Everyone says so and it is really helpful. It does help if you search for references that are drawings to begin with, so you will understand how someone would draw it.
References are important! I use references a lot and they do help.
Once I read this answer from Euclase that basically said if you want to be good, draw a lot. The first a thousand drawings are hardest.
It is okay to grid when you are first starting out (I used to do this). Grid by pressing (ctrl+’). Go square by square. Learn how the eye (or whatever part you are drawing) works, how the light falls on the eye.
For Lineart, I like using sai because you can edit the lines, but for photoshop, just try your hardest to make a straight line. I honestly don’t like doing linework though. I prefer painting directly over the sketch and if I make a mistake, I just paint over it.
Something that has always helped me is learning the shortkeys for photoshop, they come in handy. (ctrl+s for save, spacebar to drag the canvas with your mouse, alt for the eyedropper are some of my most used)
I find it inspiring to look at other photoshop-using professionals like alicexz, samspratt, and euclase (those are their tumblr names).
I really am bad at teaching sorry. If you want advice or me to clarify anything, just ask. I’ll answer privately as to not clog up dashboards :3.
