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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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Different style Body shape Lightsourcing Multiple light-
of shirt folds from the front sources
Thank you for reading! Hopefully this was helpful :)
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.
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.
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.
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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edit: u have a much, much better chance at beating me lol