Clip Studio

[Senkusha]

I purchased a copy of Clip Studio from one of those Bags of Holding thingamabobs and today I decided to give it a try. But wow, am I feeling a bit overwhelmed. Who here has used Clip Studio, and do you have any pointers for a noob?

 

[Pizza Box]

Well while I don't know much about Clip Studio, I do know my way around GIMP to a certain degree. So maybe some of that knowledge can transfer over. May I ask what you're trying to do? Is it mainly drawing? Or Is it making edits to some pieces that already exist?

 

[Senkusha]

I believe it's a drawing app... I think. I kinda went in on it because I saw manga characters, and it appeared to have templates for it. But one thing I don't like about it, is that it's a subscription-based software. You have to have a monthly/annual plan to use it.

 

[Pizza Box]

Yep, I can confirm both, it's a drawing program primarily, on top of that. I hear the model it uses for it's subscription is a touch predatory. Anyway, while some of my knowledge from using GIMP will carry over, most of it will not. As GIMP is mainly a coloring/image manipulation program, but it can still be used for drawing. Firstly I don't know your computer/laptop setup, but if you don't have a mouse. Get one if you can, trying to draw with a touchpad is actual hell.

Secondly, if you plan to do any coloring? It might sound basic, and common sense, but I'll share it anyway. Layers, layers, layers. Layers are actually very important in terms of coloring. Back when I used to practice coloring manga panels, or black and white images. It was something I very quickly learned. I imagine Clip Studio would work in the same way. The example I'll use is skin-tone, and blush, that would be something you'd want on different layers. Like I said, it may not be a one-to-one, but I do imagine they'd be close enough to have some crossover.

You have any more questions? I'll try to answer what I can.

 

[Senkusha]

Oh! Let me tell you about the setup I've got that's mostly been idle...

I have an Alienware R13, with an Intel i9, 64GB RAM. I've got a Logitech G502 Hero for a mouse. There's also the Xencelabs Pen Tablet (Medium).

I've got a number of artistic programs too. GIMP, Krita, as well as Clip Studio. I just never have the time to sit and work with them. I have a basic foundation of skills. I know about layers and highly recommend using them.

Basically, it's coming down to the fact that I'll need to actually learn how to draw-- I'm specializing in Chibi characters for now, because they're more simplistic and more abstract. My brain doesn't work with high-definition realism very well. Anyway, I need to learn to draw because at $150 a pop for artwork, I'll be able to finally publish my TTRPG in like... 2080. Besides, I need a new web banner , so I'll probably have to figure that out too.

 

[Pizza Box]

Oh I see!

Well unironically a great program to actually learn how to draw with is... MS Paint! It's basic, with no real fancy bells and whistles, but back when I was actually putting some time to learn to draw (back when I had more that I could anyway.) A friend of mine told me it was one of the best things to actually start with because of how simple it was. I think MS Paint would lend itself fairly well to learning how to draw chibis anyway. As long as you have something that you'll be able to draw steady lines with (I.E. Not a touch pad.)

You'll be fine.

Anyways, the same friend who told me to start with MS Paint said something along the times of this. "I started with just basic stick figures and I added shapes and definition from there."