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Simple Lightsourcing: Take Your Skins to the Next Level

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GlitchWraith
Level 50 : Grandmaster Button Pusher Baconator
397
Hello, there! This tutorial covers the simplest way to lightsource skins, which can add realism and create a striking effect. Please note that basic shading techniques are not covered here: this focuses on applying shading skills in a new way.

What is lightsourcing?
Lightsourcing is when you shade with light coming from a certain direction. In Minecraft skins, the most common directions are from the left or right, the top of the head, the front side or a single object/point. Multiple lightsources are also used when multiple objects on the skin are emanating light (such as stars).

This tutorial demonstrates a single source of light coming from one side of the skin.


Step 1) Start with split lightsourcing
A very ironic first step considering the thumbnail. But it's extremely helpful for laying out base colors, establishing the hues you'll shade with, and defining the source of light.
It's a straightforward process. After blocking out the unshaded design, darken one side of the skin or lighten one side of the skin and shade the limbs.


Simple Lightsourcing: Take Your Skins to the Next Level
Pardon my Skindex


Step 2) Divide the torso into strips of dark and light
Shading in strips visually breaks up the torso, which makes it easier to create a smooth transition from light to dark. It also mimics folds in loose fabric.
Start by laying out the general strips.


Simple Lightsourcing: Take Your Skins to the Next Level

Then shade each strip. The hem of the shirt and the top edge underneath the head should be darkened to simulate deepening creases and the shadow cast on the neck by the head.

Simple Lightsourcing: Take Your Skins to the Next Level

Lastly, blend the split down the middle. Incorporate colors from both the highlighted side of the skin and shadowed side to visually blend the two sides together to create a smoother transition.




3) Hair
Very similar to the torso. Start with split lightsourcing again.


Then blend the center. Again, incorporate colors from both sides to create a smoother transition.



Now for the bangs. Split lightsourcing:


Shade:


Blend:



4) Face
Shading the face is somewhat similar to the torso and hair, but the face is not divided into strips since skin doesn't fold the way clothing does and isn't composed of falling strands the way hair is.
Start with split lightsourcing:


Everything is torso

And blend with colors from both sides.



Full skin:

If I can finish in time, I'll add an example of this technique applied to a whole skin design.

Tips:

  • When incorporating colors from both sides of the skin in the central pixels, don't be afraid to slightly darken colors to improve contrast or slightly lighten colors to smooth out the transition. The palette tool makes it very easy to keep track of all the different shades.

Low contrast between the green and purple          Slightly darkening the green improves contrast.
on the torso and face.                     I forgot to darken some pixels in the hair and face.

  • If your highlights & shadows are colors on the opposite end of the color wheel and you're struggling to blend them with only the colors used to shade each side, experiment with the transparency tool or different shades of the base colors.
  • Don't copy the shading in the images pixel for pixel. Because the example shading has a single base color, it will not translate well when copy-pasted on a full skin design. Depth, contrast and texture still need to be kept in mind.
  • Practice. Practice. Practice.
  • Consider adding more colors to your shading. A complex style makes it easier to achieve a smoother transition between the highlights and shadows, especially on the legs and hair where the split between light and dark is most obvious.

  • Once you've gotten the hang of strip shading, try lightsourcing with other shapes, like different or more realistic clothing folds, the shape of the body, and more. Or try lightsourcing from other directions.
                  
Different style         Body shape          Lightsourcing         Multiple light-
of shirt folds                        from the front        sources


Thank you for reading! Hopefully this was helpful :)
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Lxxa
06/30/2024 12:04 am
She/Her • Level 9 : Apprentice Miner
ayo this slaps big time LOL
2
anonpmc4796884
10/19/2023 8:13 pm
Level 7 : Apprentice Miner
[deleted]
2
ExtremeGames
10/10/2023 8:46 pm
He/Him • Level 37 : Artisan Vampire Elf
Cool! My skins SUCK so this will help alot. That's a sub for you!
4
GlitchWraith
10/14/2023 2:23 pm
They/Them • Level 50 : Grandmaster Button Pusher Baconator
Your skins don't seem that bad at all, but glad the tutorial helped. Thanks!
3
illager
10/09/2023 11:53 pm
He/Him • Level 59 : Grandmaster Meme Theorist
One of the best tutorials out there! Great job! You've earned a sub!
6
GlitchWraith
10/10/2023 9:55 am
They/Them • Level 50 : Grandmaster Button Pusher Baconator
Thank you so much!
3
Panda_Dog
10/09/2023 8:33 pm
Level 30 : Artisan Crafter Artist
wow ty i'll try it
4
BlackDagger
10/09/2023 10:13 am
Level 18 : Journeyman Ranger Archer
That was very helpful!
4
GlitchWraith
10/09/2023 12:54 pm
They/Them • Level 50 : Grandmaster Button Pusher Baconator
Thanks!
4
JustaFlqmingo
10/07/2023 7:24 pm
He/Him • Level 58 : Grandmaster Procrastinator Birb
history
Legendary tutorial dude! You have a good shot at winning this thing


edit: u have a much, much better chance at beating me lol
4

Welcome