How do I do shading like this?

[johnc10499649]

I need some help pls! I would like to learn how to replicate something like the attached. Can anyone recomend a video tutorial that best describes how to do it ? I am looking to replicate it and use it as a poster at my wedding of me and my girlfriend so want to make it perfect!

I am using an image of me and my girlfriend which I am tracing in Illustrator but now I need to add colour so should i use Illustrator or move to Photoshop? Many thanks, John

[CHMprepress · Accepted solution]

Maybe this helps The Mesh Tool - Coloring and Shading - Adobe Illustrator - YouTube

[johnc10499649]

Ah brilliant thank you, I haven't used the mesh tool before so will need to find tutorials on that first i think but yes this looks like what i need! Thank you!

[Jacob Bugge]

John,

If the poster includes the middle word, remember to have it as TILL (TIL is the spelling as part of UNTIL); unless it is a new fancy way of shortening.

[tromboniator]

Jacob, it's nonstandard, but it's not wrong.

[Jacob Bugge]

Right you are, Peter.

[johnc10499649]

Thanks for the grammar lesson all! Any more helpful tips on producing this piece of work would help 🙂

[Jacob Bugge]

John, Peter,

Actually, TIL is at least in British context reckoned as an obsolete form taken up again; with a bit of luck it may rise to prominence and be seen as just the other standard form (alongside its other meanings such as sesame).

[tromboniator]

It's hard to know how to go about being helpful. How familiar are you with Illustrator and Photoshop? Are you working from a color image? What method are you using to trace the image? How much time do you have before the wedding?

[johnc10499649]

I wont be using text in this piece! So can we drop it haha! I just need help with the colouring!

[johnc10499649]

Hi, I would say I'm competent on both Illustrator and Photoshop and a quick and patient learner so if shown a new way of doing something I could take it in and learn it quickly. The image I am using is a colour image and I reduced the opacity and traced the image with the pen tool. I now have the image traced and I could colour it to a basic level but I want it to have the effect like the image above so it looks more like a tattoo in terms of its shading. Does that make sense?

[tromboniator]

Sorry, John, I was interrupted by sleep.

I think you would be well served by the gradient mesh techniques in the video that CHMprepress posted. If you go in that direction, don't try to fill your tracing with color—use that as your top layer, overlying gradient mesh and other artwork beneath. Work in layers, adding them as needed. Turn off your tracing layer (your pen tool work) as you work on colors, just turn on to check your progress. Don't try to get all the details in at once—eyes, mouth, dimples, strong shadows, and other finesse work can be added on above a base layer that just has the facial skin tones and major shading. Remember that you can use transparency anywhere in a gradient mesh, which is useful for blending with layers beneath.

Save often, and save multiple versions as you go, in case you find yourself in the wrong direction, and don't want to do 500 undos.

Starting a gradient mesh from a rectangle, regardless of the shape you want to end up with, will give you maximum control and predictability over mesh lines that you add as you go.

You'll notice that this assumes you'll use Illustrator. It's the one I know best, and the one I'll choose whenever possible.

[tromboniator]

I also refer you to post #5 in Basic Blending Questions and rcraighead's brushes.

[johnc10499649]

Tromboniator, you are incredibly helpful I really appreciate it. I will try these techniques above and see how i get on. Thank you once again. Hopefully I can have something I'm happy to share with you once I have completed it!

[Danny Whitehead.]

I know it might not be very helpful, but the elephant in the room here is that this would be better done without even switching on your computer. The whole beauty of that tattoo flash style is that it's hand-drawn.

[johnc10499649]

It would but I can't draw to save my life! haha

[tromboniator]

Have patience with it, be prepared for do-overs, have fun! If you have more questions, come back and see us. I look forward to what you accomplish. And I wish you a wonderful wedding and a fantastic marriage.

Peter

[johnc10499649]

Will do. Thank you very much Peter, you are very kind. Will be in touch 🙂