You don't need to use software as complex as Photoshop to create a work of art. Microsoft Paint is included in all computers that use a Windows operating system and is a program thanks to which you will be perfectly able to make all the drawings you want. This article shows you how to use both the modern and older versions of Paint, as well as providing some useful tips.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Classic Paint
Step 1. Create a sketch using the Pencil tool
Select the "Pencil" and start drawing. You will get a better result by using a color that is other than black.
Step 2. Outline the main outlines of your design
Use the "Pencil" tool and start tracing the main lines of your drawing. You can make a rough sketch or try harder to create a more defined and precise work.
Step 3. Add the base colors
Use the "Fill" tool to color the design with the colors you want. To accurately color each created area, use the "Zoom In" function.
The "Fill" tool icon features a tilted bucket of colored paint
Step 4. Create the lines for the shadows
Use the "Pencil" tool to draw the outlines of the areas that represent the shadows of the drawing. It is not a problem that they slightly overlap the contours of the main design, in fact it is a detail that you can remedy later. To draw the lines, you should use the same color you intend to use to create the shadow areas and light areas.
Step 5. Add the shadows
Color in the shadow areas using the "Fill" tool. Choose a color that is a darker shade than the base color you chose earlier.
Step 6. Highlight the points of your design that are directly hit by the light
Use the "Fill" tool to color the areas illuminated by the light using a lighter color tone than previously used.
Step 7. Finished
You can add texture to the design by adding more details by hand, although the main part of the process has been completed. To improve yourself, all you have to do is keep drawing!
Method 2 of 3: Use the New Version of Paint
Step 1. Work with an area of the right size
Since Paint works with pixels, if you want your drawing to be truly beautiful, you need to enlarge the workspace. To do this, select the "Resize" button, then choose a size greater than 2000 pixels.
Step 2. Hand draw a sketch of what you want to represent, then upload it to your computer
This process will be much faster if you create a freehand drawing and then scan or photograph it for viewing on your computer. Alternatively, you can also draw directly with Paint, but in this case use a very light gray color.
If you've created a digital copy of your drawing, simply upload the file into Paint so you can complete it and make a wonderful drawing. But make sure you keep a copy of the file containing the original sketch (in case you make a mistake and have to start from scratch)
Step 3. Create the main lines
Use the "Curve" tool to trace the main lines of your design in black. Find a solid line (such as the upper arch of the eye), then select the starting point and draw a line to the desired end point. Now use the mouse to transform the straight line drawn into a curved line that faithfully follows the guideline of the sketch. Repeat this step until you recreate the original sketch using the black color.
Using the black color for this step is very important. You can still change the color of the outlines later, but for now, draw them in black
Step 4. Delete the guidelines
Now is the time to get rid of the original sketch. Press the "Select" button, then select the image with the right mouse button. Choose the "Invert Color" option. Change the image to color, black and white. To do this, access the "File" menu and select the "Properties" item, then select the "Black and White" radio button located in the "Colors" area. When finished, press the "OK" button. After the image has been turned black and white, repeat the last step to bring it back to color. Invert the colors of the design again using the "Invert Color" function from the context menu, you will get a perfectly clean design.
At this point, saving a copy of your work can be very useful, especially if you make a mistake that forces you to start over
Step 5. Add the base colors
Use the "Fill" tool to color the design with the colors you want. Make sure you also color any pixels that are enclosed in closely spaced lines or in corners.
Step 6. Add the highlight areas, shadows and shades
Now comes the fun part. Select your design and copy it as it looks now. Choose an area where you want to add the shading (such as the hair). Select the base color of the area in question and set it as Color 2, then make Color 1 suitable for drawing shadows. Use one of the tools available to apply the desired shading. Don't worry about going out of bounds. Just shade one area at a time (using the same base color).
Step 7. Create the "layers"
Now is the time to eliminate the color smudges near the edges. Use the "Zoom out" function to view the drawing in its entirety. Press the "Select" button, then select the image with the right mouse button and paste the previously copied image. Here is the magic. Press the "Select" button below the Selection button and choose the "Transparent Selection" option. Ta-da!
Step 8. Continue until you are done
Repeat this process for all areas of the design and for all shadows, until you are happy with the result.
Method 3 of 3: Learn What You Can Do
Step 1. Know the limitations of the program
What you always need to remember is that Paint is not Photoshop. So do not expect to be able to obtain the results achievable with Photoshop by drawing with Paint. You can create beautiful images, but still have a very distinctive look. Accept it. Also remember that files are saved at a lower quality level than programs like Photoshop. So don't expect to be able to print them at high resolution with excellent results.
Step 2. Apply the possible changes
Learn what kinds of edits you can make to an existing image, such as a photograph. Remember once again that Paint is not Photoshop, although some basic changes are still possible with this product. Here are the operations that can be performed:
- Cropping images. This is easier to do with Paint than with other programs, as all you have to do is drag the corners of the image.
- Touch up minor skin problems. Touching up small imperfections, copying and pasting areas of the image, is quite simple with Paint, the important thing is to be patient.
- Correct red eyes. If you have dark pixels to replace the red pixels with, or if you feel comfortable using freehand tools, then solving this type of problem with Paint is doable and does not involve major difficulties.
Step 3. Try other programs
If you're using Paint because you think you can't have a better program, it's time to review your opinion. There are many other options. Try these alternatives, they can help you along the path that leads to total mastery of digital art:
- One free program that you may find of great help is Oekaki. Visually very similar to Paint, however, it has many more features. You will not have to download any files. In fact, many websites provide Oekaki as an application that can be used directly via an internet browser. This program allows you to work some real layers, similar to Photoshop, thus giving you the ability to create much more beautiful images.
- If you want to use a much more powerful program, but don't pay the cost of buying Photoshop, learn about the possible alternatives. Paint Tool Sai, Manga Studio and many other Photoshop-like programs can be purchased for € 20-50.
Advice
- Save images in "GIF" format in the case of images without shading or animations. Use the "PNG" format for shaded images. The "JPEG" format is the best to use for photographs. The "BMP" format is not recommended as the colors would be of poor quality. Remember this information when choosing the format in which to save your work.
- If you are a very precise person, you can use the "Zoom in" and "Zoom out" features, accessible through the View menu.
- When using the "Fill" tool, make sure that all pixels of the same color are connected to each other. Using this tool in areas where contiguous edges have gaps will cause color to leak into unwanted areas.
- Practice and "play" with all the other tools available until you become more experienced.
- Remember that practice makes perfect!
