{"id":188989,"date":"2022-04-21T00:52:54","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T22:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=188989"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:48:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:48:32","slug":"how-to-shade-with-painttool-sai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-shade-with-painttool-sai\/","title":{"rendered":"How to shade with PaintTool SAI to give your characters depth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PaintTool SAI<\/a> is a lightweight painting application<\/strong> that’s beloved by digital artists who specialize in animated characters. This software for Windows<\/strong> comes with a broad array of useful tools, most of which are easy to learn<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this tutorial, we\u2019ll show you how to separate a character\u2019s outline and flat colors and use them as a mask to draw and then blend nondestructive shadows and highlights<\/strong> inside the lines. We’ve laid out a few simple tricks that you can use if you\u2019re short on time as well as some more detailed methods if you prefer to do it yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. It\u2019s all about the layers<\/h2>\"Layer

    Once you\u2019ve finished your characters\u2019 outlines and filled in their basic flat colors, it\u2019s time to bring them to life with shading. There are a few different ways to polish your characters and make them look at home in their environments. However, most of these methods involve creating a shading layer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    – Start by merging the levels that contain your outlines and flat colors. Select the relevant layers, and click the bottom left button in the Layers Panel<\/i> showing a plus sign and a down arrow. You can separate them later if you need to.<\/p>\n

    – Select this merged layer, and click its Preserve Opacity<\/i> box, which is displayed in text above the Layers Panel<\/i>. Preserve Opacity<\/i> locks all the lines and fills you\u2019ve already drawn, making it easier to keep your shading neatly inside the lines.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  2. Creating new shading layers<\/h2>\"Layer

    In general, more layers will give you more control over your shading. Here’s how to create new shading layers in PaintTool SAI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    – Click on the New Layer<\/i> icon at the top left of the Layers Panel<\/i>, which shows a blank piece of paper. This layer is where you\u2019ll draw your shading, so make sure it\u2019s above your outline layer. Leave Preserve Opacity<\/i> off for this layer, but click the Clipping Group<\/i> box right below it. That will clip your shading layer to the outline layer below so it can act as a mask when you shade.<\/p>\n

    – Right above the Preserve Opacity<\/i> box that you left unchecked, you can set the transparency of this shading layer. Anywhere from 10% to 50% opacity will let you see the outlines below clearly.<\/p>\n

    – Above the opacity meter, you can set your layer\u2019s mode, which is how this shading layer will blend with your outline layer. Normal Mode<\/i> will completely cover the layer beneath it, but almost any other blending mode will work, depending on your shading style. The Multiply<\/i>, Shade<\/i>, Screen<\/i>, and Luminosity<\/i> modes are popular options to darken or lighten your characters. Overlay<\/i> and Lumi&Shade<\/i> work both ways, allowing you to make shaded areas darker and highlights lighter at the same time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  3. Adding fringe effects<\/h2>\"Fringe

    For a quick shading<\/strong>, follow these steps for adding fringe effects.<\/p>\n

    – Open the Paints Effect<\/i> drop-down menu, and select the Fringe Effect<\/i> option. That will add a thin band of automatic shading to all your edges.<\/p>\n

    – You can change the effect\u2019s opacity and width to modify the darkness and length of the generated shadows.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  4. Adding shadows<\/h2>\"Setting

    If you want to add detailed shadows in PaintTool SAI<\/strong>, you can do so from the shading layer.<\/p>\n

    – First, select a darkening mode like Shade<\/i> or Multiply<\/i>. Select a brush size and color that you feel comfortable with, and use it to darken the areas on your character opposite your light source.<\/p>\n

    – Once you\u2019ve painted on the shadows, you can smooth away any rough edges by giving them a once-over using the Oil Water<\/i> brush.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  5. Add highlights<\/h2>

    Another great way to improve your visual dynamics is to add highlights in PaintTool SAI.<\/p>\n

    – Add a new layer above your shading layer, and use a lightening mode like Screen<\/i> or Luminosity<\/i>.<\/p>\n

    – Pick a thin brush size and a bright color to touch up the areas where the light hits your character.<\/p>\n

    – You can also add thin dabs of white to make glossy or metallic surfaces shine. Use the Oil Water<\/i> brush to blend the edges if necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div>