- lineart: set your sketch to multiply – duplicate it and set the dupe to overlay, then gaussian blur the overlay layer.
- Flat colors! Lock your layers, smush in any gradients on the same layer.
- Add any minor details so you’re not having to render everything out at the end.
- Special effects! Screen, overlay, gaussian blur and smoke brushes are all your lazy friends.
- Add any remaining details like the face, nails, etc – tighten whatever seems important but don’t get lost in the details. We’re going for speed, after all.
- Toss in a gradient fill layer and set it to overlay: painting in shadows and highlights on this scale is for losers and babies– or people with more than half an hour or something.
- Adjust your colors with color balance and photo filter layers– AND THEN STOP. Go get a coffee, go make some tea, give yourself a five minute break so you can view your art with fresh eyes for the end
- After a break, use selective color/color balance to make any last color changes, clean up any details or ugly spots that don’t look great, then duplicate your image> gaussian blur+ duplicate> sharpen
Tutorial on how to 30 minute sketch like a boss. Instructions are in each click-through image!