005 - IFX tutorial - Painting scales
This tutorial was written for ImagineFX magazine Issue#3.
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How to paint scales.
The main challenge by painting scales is to maintain proper perspective and detail to the scales as a whole. The reason for this is that creatures that have got scales usually have round shapes which complicate the entire process of having specific patterns following the shape. My suggestion would be to make a complete “3D” pattern of help-lines that are the shape you want to cover with scales. This will aid you as long as the help-lines have been placed carefully.
One thing is to get the perspective and shape right, but another thing is to make sure the scales don’t look flat and painted onto a smooth shape, but like small, separate scales overlapping each other.
You can give any shape or size you like to the scales, and if you’re going for the real-life, realistic looks, then you have 2 main categories of scales for snakes. The first kind is the smooth scales, which has a smooth surface that reflects the light. The second kind is the keeled scales, which has a duller and no-gloss surface. The fun thing about scales is that you can also create nice looking pattern by colouring separate scales on the creature you are painting, as on the close up picture of the snake.
Capture the cylindrical shape of the creature by wrapping a 45 degrees grid around the shape. If you study pictures of reptiles, you will see that the scales are usually placed in a grid like this.
Step 1 - Draw help lines:
Draw help lines on top of your outline drawing. It is a good idea to keep it in a separate layer. Start by dividing the shape into evenly placed circles (red lines); try to think in 3D how things are. Then add the 45 degree grid in-between the dividers (blue lines).
Step 2 - Add the scales:
Set the help-line layers to 50% opacity, and draw every single scale in a new layer on top. The tip of the scales should always point backwards from the direction the creature is facing, and overlap the scale behind, just like a roof-tile. Remember that you can give any shape to the scales.
Step 3 - Add shape to the scales:
Hide the help lines, make a new layer underneath the existing ones, and paint in a base colour. Add some shadow at the base of each scale, so that it looks as if the overlapping one is casting some shadow. At the end, add some shape, shadow and high-lights. The same treatment for each scale as well.