How Do You "Clean Up" the finished artwork in Potoshope?

[Kane702]

I was wondering how you professionals clean up and finish artwork in PS?

Any advise will help! I can't seem to make it look as good as you guys do!!

[madster]

It's kind of a "you reap what you sow" thing.
You start with a "clean" image before you continue, and then clean up stray elements as you go along.

You have to have a specific process, which usually involves things like Thumbnail sketches, Basic linework, Linework sharpening, Multiple Layers, Selections, and Masks. The specific details will vary, but the basic process usually remains pretty consistent.

[N D Hill]

It really depends on what you want. If you simply want lineart or black and white values as a basis for a digital painting, then there's a lot of manual work to be done if you don't want certain textural elements or mistakes to carry over. (Personally, I don't mind it when that stuff is present. It adds character.) Or are you talking about just making a scan of a traditional piece presentable?

[darth massacre]

As Madster says, keep your linework clean, keep your scanner surface clean and you'll have your work cut by 50% at least.

But since not every artist is a neat freak. The quick and dirty way is the keep your linework as clean as you can....then use CURVES to whiten the white and darken the black.

Won't look very nice, but it works if you just want to clean things up a bit.

[Kane702]

It really depends on what you want. If you simply want lineart or black and white values as a basis for a digital painting, then there's a lot of manual work to be done if you don't want certain textural elements or mistakes to carry over. (Personally, I don't mind it when that stuff is present. It adds character.) Or are you talking about just making a scan of a traditional piece presentable?


Both...Mainly. I want to get my lines not so pixilated. And my colors...better.
I guess I don't really know what I am talking about=:<

[look]

The basic tools that would help you to clean up is the level tool (CTRL+L for hot key) and curve tool (CTRL+M for hotkey).
As for changing the color, I usually tweak it around with the Image>Adjustment>Replace Color tool. And if you get the hang of it, you can adjust color by using the Channel layers. There's also the adjustment layer tools, which can come in very handy for touch up a few spots in the painting, it's one of the little icons on the bottom of the Layer window.