Right...here are some tips for computer coloring and inking.
Inking
For those that have Photoshop or GIMP, use the Pen tool to trace the path of the outline of the pic. Then use the 'stroke' command (may be called something different in GIMP) and you'll have a nice outline. Make sure you use that command on a layer separate from the original pic you are tracing off of.
Also...make sure the foreground color you selected is the color you want the outline as...and make sure you have the right brush size for tool you are basing the stroke command off of. (if you base the stroke on the pencil tool...and that tool is set at a 17 round brush...you'll get a line that is 17 pix thick...a wee bit too big for outlining purposes...a 1 or 3 pix wide is usually big enough.)
For those that don't have those two programs I mentioned (and those are the only two I know of...) MS Paint does a decent job of inking...just use a color that isn't anywhere else in the pic (I usually use red or blue). Then erase the pic you traced off of.
Powerpoint I noticed does a good job as well...but don't try to use different line sizes when inking in powerpoint...as when you transfer to a poper coloring program the lines convert to all the same size *grumble*
Computer Coloring
Alright...assuming you inked using PS or GIMP. When you start coloring...put the colored layers under the layer with the outline. Have the basic colors on one layer...the shadows on another above it...and the highlights on yet another layer. This way if you end up not liking how you did some highlight/shadow you can erase it of the layer it is on without messing up the rest of it. I also tend to work on one part at a time; like work on the shadows first...merge with the basic layer...then make new layers above to work on the highlights. I also tend to do my shadows/highlights on four different layers: dull highlight, bright highlight, dull shadow, dark shadow. Also be sure to use the blend/blur tool to make things blend in nicely.
Also be sure to use your selection tools so you can work in a certian area without 'going over the lines'.
General Coloring
I usually start with the base colors (what the pic would look like if there were no lightsource), then use lighter/darker shades of those colors to do the highlights/shadows. Point to note...I only rarely use pure white and I avoid using pure black for highlights/shadowing. Pure white I only use for hightlight purposes if I need to make somethign stand out more...black I found to be too strong a color to use for shading. Obviously...when a character of mine is all black or white...I have to use those colors...
I have heard something about using the base colors exact opposite on the specrum to use as shading....I'll have to look into that...
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