![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu9nSHFOyD1qTjp5vFaVJnksG6cYC42XXzljtQ9wY3LdFIoccsVbjLW0uH43F3zdlVCgYFTSE1eWReXpHy0swtBbuH5ziqJWnUVCHwDbo5YnBMRTWxTSd62yT7U4cR1umFB7bJRk7Vqwk/s1600/greyscale+base.png) |
a finished greyscale base |
This is a finished greyscale base I created. I spent quite a while on this, making sure the contrasts were good and that it was detailed properly.
To start colouring it I first make a new layer with a clipping mask for each part of the base- so for the body, hooves and hair. All you need to do to make a clipping mask is check the box for it when the New Layer window pops up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp0OcvZDuZEWUYuOiT5PNjJrPRAlN3ZUZlmN5ZTi3SKImId23NE4MySI4F5IC4xaXMFD788KenlvrG5xfFqFtzg-eLi5nVqYNz683vuiCQfdtrAOk9f6XXHMhywJUFdPH0V1lnMTxdcpa/s1600/clipping+layers.png) |
my layer palette with all the clipping masks added |
As you can see in the layer preview window, I've scribbled all over the body colour layer. Because I have a clipping mask added to the previous layer it means that everything on the colour layer will be confined to the space of the base layer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImniM8r3nc9KmYdywY0_ca_5Taz9Wy5tc1GNtGUt55DBKAx1SeB0O1hSKr2OiCVRzMJAAj7pKTvRQu7lIefh2HXaEwegZj6kaSfPlIKmiDp2Auw3BWz84Z3K_Rwcep__7MZxfXzf1RR_s/s320/clipping+example.png) |
the result of the clipping mask |
Then to actually use the base properly I change the Layer Style of the coloured layer to 'Soft Light'. There are many other styles to be chosen from however I think 'SL' gives the best balance between tone and colour.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9JERccHi-X1R7pBDuZfY1V2gQt_iUSuc83ewyK3no9KDyKIjJwCW1psliNendkl0haC6baM09SXrM10SRAQhkPlhEVQ6p_YPln5BGXtIfuMQekQD5A7Exeoe5bL2UVsuTt9iPUTcZDb9/s1600/layer+styles.png) |
all the layer styles in photoshop |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WlukfM4Lud61w53-v_NAZ7uuuJu4JUmsD6CgpdEdgYIRUxKQgdR_hzSRMWqSnczle9Y1sZ_ZpqmDOOEQNqM3Nfgk83P7qz9rT_jcz5NAU2lfK6RwfuXBNYlTdJoI2d0gMfzPBX2Q3P0i/s640/overlay.png) |
'Soft Light' layer style VS 'Overlay'. |
Above is a comparison of two layer styles, 'Soft Light' (which I use) and 'Overlay'. Personally I think the overlay setting makes the colour too saturated- especially when working with brighter colours, and if it looks a little underexposed like the one on the left you can always use the Curves tool to edit the contrast and lightness of the base.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLreiHucgGDen6XRBEUyps9UEgP64N8rCrhkGgvmzPvzOLhtWVl-EZI6P41MZPyOPT9ypSofyU-vClZ0Fegd2JqAKS1-p6I1PV-EL3xMDqTuJdQVm6-QssKh3XN2o_sr-ZWwLJGzOlkVGO/s640/black+and+bay.png) |
a bay and black tobiano coloured horse |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5evWbe_6WvJZG_86PSWtFNenU92o-dnUbecmuaSO7ePagZ4MnLw9KCnM-QicIHpAsrY96r6xITMTEkT0hd3izy5gFFa4DoDdhw7l_h4KpMB8E_uS-dCf76dVwCWI-adILZWuVQDXPIOy/s640/leopard+and+rainbpw.png) |
a liver chestnut leopard horse and a RAINBOW PONY :D |
With more complex greyscale bases you can build up layers and layers of different colours, however I can work with one layer just fine.
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