Shadow with Multiply Layer and Layer Mask

[SK89]

Hi everyone,

I have been trying to create shadows in my illustrations similar to those in this video by using multiply layers and layer masks, but I don't think I'm doing it correctly. I'm unsure how to add the black or the blue-gray and work with the different layers. I am confused, so if someone could show me step by step with images, it would be very much appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

 

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums @SK89

I haven’t watched the whole video but I think what you are trying to do is something like that in my attached video.

The video is recorded in Designer’s Pixel mode but the same thing can be achieved in Photo, or Publisher’s Photo Persona.

Important: At one point, when I am dragging the Pixel Layer over the face, I show that the layer can be dragged over different areas of the original layer in the Layers Panel to do different things. Make sure you drag the layer over the name of the original layer and not the thumbnail (in this case).

I’ve used one of the Basic brushes but you can experiment with different ones to get different effects.

You can paint with different shades of grey to get the different shades or use multiple pixel layers, as I have, or both, but that’s up to you. The more layers you have, the more control you will have over the shading.

Note: I’ve just done it very quickly and crudely, you will need to take much more care to do it nicely.

There are probably better ways to do what you want, and I’ve probably not covered everything in the video, so other people may add more techniques, and if there’s something specific that you want to do then you will need to tell us the time-code on the video where it happens.

[SK89]

Thank you very much for your reply. It's almost what I am looking for.

If we reuse the monkey design, could you add a new layer in 'multiply' mode with a dark blue-gray color, and then apply a black mask? When you add the shadow, it should dynamically react to the underlying color. This means if I change the monkey's brown color to, let's say, red, the shadow should automatically adjust to reflect the new red shade, but with the dark blue-gray color.

[GarryP]

You can paint onto the Pixel Layers with a colour, instead of a grey, if that’s what you mean.

I only used a grey because I didn’t realise that coloured shading was necessary.

However, you might need to use a different Blend Mode, but I don’t really understand your requirements enough to say if you will or which mode will be best.

I don’t need to do this sort of thing very much so you might get a better solution from someone else.

[NotMyFault]

5 hours ago, SK89 said:

If we reuse the monkey design, could you add a new layer in 'multiply' mode with a dark blue-gray color, and then apply a black mask?

Yes. The steps are a bit different to the PS based video, and GarryP showed them in his video.

1. add pixel layer (or rectangular shape) in shadow color e.g. dark blue/gray.
2. set layer blend mode to multiply
3. nest the shape to the main layer in child position. It will be clipped automatically, no need to use a mask from base layer.
4. add a black mask via menu, and nest it to masking position of the shadow layer.
5. use paintbrush to paint in white over areas where you want to apply the shadow

 

5 hours ago, SK89 said:

When you add the shadow, it should dynamically react to the underlying color. This means if I change the monkey's brown color to, let's say, red, the shadow should automatically adjust to reflect the new red shade, but with the dark blue-gray color.

It does.

[SK89]

Thank you to both of you! I have finally been able to make it work with your instructions and the video. I appreciate the time you put into answering my questions.