Anime has covered the hearts of millions with its vibrant visuals and captivating characters. Whether you’re a novice artist or a seasoned pro, the world of anime offers a diverse canvas for your creativity. In this guide, we’ll explore essential ‘Coloring Tools for Anime Drawing’ to help you bring your favorite characters to life.
One of the crucial aspects of anime art is coloring. You need many amazing tools to bring the anime characters to life. I’ll introduce you to essential tools for achieving those eye-catching and vivid colors of anime.
Best Coloring Tools for Anime Drawing
Choosing the proper coloring tools is very important when coloring an anime character. The following tools can help you make your drawing look enchanting. Here you have the best coloring tools for anime drawing.
Markers
Among so many markers available on the market, the best ones are Copic markers. They are my favorites because they offer a wide range of vibrant colors. Additionally, they possess excellent blending capabilities and a smooth finish. The Copic markers come in various styles;
The variety of these markers lets the artist choose the one that suits their preferences and budget.
Colored Pencils
Some of the most loved colors among artists are Prismacolor and Faber-Castell Polychromos. Many anime artists, including me, cherish these colored pencils. These highly pigmented pencils are known for their smooth and intense application. As per my experience, these are ideal for adding fine details and achieving a softer, more textured look in your artwork.
Watercolor Paints
Watercolors can bring life to your empty yet dull canvas. They can make your anime illustrations terrific. Some of the famous brands for watercolors are;
These are some popular watercolor brands well-known for their pigment quality and color vibrancy.
Digital Tools
The technological advancement allows many anime artists to opt for digital tools. These tools are;
- Graphic tabletÂ
- Software like Adobe Photoshop
- Clip Studio Paint or Procreate.
Digital coloring offers accuracy, unlimited color options, and the ability to correct mistakes quickly.
What Paper Do Anime Artists Use When Coloring?
If you’re new to anime art, you’ll find it hard to choose the right paper on your own. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of papers I’ve used, and trust me, they are the best. The artwork on them remains in good condition over time. Here are some paper options:
Bristol Board
Bristol Board is one of the heaviest weight papers with a smooth and vellum surface. It’s ideal for individuals who love using markers and colored pencils. This paper sheet has incredible features such as;
- It prevents bleedingÂ
- Allows for fine-detail work
Artists often use the Strathmore Bristol series for its reliability and excellent quality.
Watercolor Paper
If you love using watercolors, then you should have a watercolor paper. Watercolor papers are easy to use and handle the water without warping or deteriorating. Some of the well-renowned brands for their finest paper quality are;
With papers from these brands, you can create stunning watercolor anime art.
Digital Canvas
You don’t use paper but a digital canvas as a digital artist. It allows you to sprinkle your art on it with the finest tools available on the software you use. You can choose various paper styles, textures, and settings on the digital software to imitate traditional paper types. Ultimately providing versatility and control over the final look of their artwork.
Techniques for Achieving Vibrant Anime Colors
Now that I’ve covered the essential tools, let me show you some techniques for achieving the best color results.
- Layering: Layering is the beginning of any illustration in anime. Whether using markers, colored pencils, or digital brushes, you should start with layering. So, create a light base layer and gradually build up colors and shading. This trick brings a smooth transition and depth to your artwork.
- Blending: An art without blending is like a body without a soul. Blending is paramount for achieving smooth color transition. Since there are traditional and digital arts, you’ll have to use separate blending tools. For markers and colored pencils, use colorless blender markers or blending stumps. On the other hand, experiment with blending modes and brushes in digital art to achieve the desired effects.
- Gradient and Grayscale: Shading and highlighting your art illustrations is essential for creating a grayscale effect. This lets you understand the light source logic and how it affects the colors. Then, for a three-dimensional appearance of the anime character, you can add a gradient to your colors.
- Color Theory: For every artist, understanding color theory is crucial. There are two types of colors, i.e., complementary and analogous colors. Complementary colors help with creating contrasts and standing out of certain elements. At the same time, analogous colors offer a harmonious and eye-pleasing color scheme.
Texture and Detail: Paying attention to detail in anime art is necessary. Here, you have to work on enhancing textures in your illustration. Hair, skin, and clothing all have different textures. You can improve them by using various color techniques.Â
Best Color Pencils for Drawing Anime
Choosing suitable colored pencils can make a huge difference. Here are some of my recommendations.
Prismacolor PremierÂ
- These pencils offer a soft and creamy texture, and you can blend them easily.Â
- They come in many colors, making them the most favorite among anime artists.
Faber-Castell Polychromos
- These oil-based pencils provide intense and vibrant colors.Â
- They are highly pigmented and well known for their lightfastness, ensuring the longevity of your artwork.
Derwent Inktense
- The good thing about these pencils is you can use both dry and wet.
When you activate these colors with water, they offer vibrant ink colors, perfect for achieving the ideal effects.
Conclusion
In anime, drawing is a body, and coloring is its soul. Coloring truly brings a dead thing to life. So, the choice of tools and techniques you use in anime art significantly impacts your work.Â
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Whether you use traditional or digital tools, you must adopt specific practices to bring out the best on canvas. Until then, happy reading and exploring the magical means for your anime art studio.
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