Help!! With coloring/fill please!

[epompaaa]

I'm still trying to figure out how to use Affinity Designer and I'm actually still a beginner in general with the whole digital art work. I tried to draw a simple character and now I think I did something wrong since I can't seem to color it? Whats the best way to go to color an artwork? I'm trying to make it as clean as possible and I would love to know the basics in steps or something. 

NEW MERMAID 3.afdesign

[Hokusai]

epompaaa,

 

Your drawing is nice but your vector work needs some help. Instead of lots of little shapes, draw complete shapes. Also, your Affinity Designer file is set up as RBG. Do you plan to print it or use it on the web? If you are using it on the web then it is fine, if you are planning on using it in print, then CMYK. 

 

Step 1:Place your image (the one that you are using for a reference) on the bottom layer. Step 2: create a new layer on top and then redraw your image using whatever colour that you would like for the outlines. Step 3: create a new layer between your image layer and the outline layer and then draw shapes in the negative space areas where you want to add colour . Then choose a colour for the areas that you have drawn. If you use Affinity Photo, it would be easier to colour it as you can use the selection tool and then fill but if you want it to be vector (which makes the quality nicer), then you have no other choice than to draw the areas that you want to colour. It is time consuming but it can produce great results/

 

I have made a new file for you with these steps started for you. I only did the head of the mermaid as it is rather time consuming. I used the Affinity Beta and so if you are using the App Store version, you will have to download the beta to open the file that I made. The beta is free for those who have bought the App Store version. 

Good luck,

Hokusai

Mermaid.afdesign