Layers; single or multiple. What is the right technique?

[Disaster Master]

Layers; single or multiple, what is the right technique, what is yours?

Hi everyone.

As you know the FULL version of Art Rage features using more than one layer.

And this feature is of a great value to the digital artists,

This feature helps you to be in the safe side, minimizing the probability of spoiling what is painted in the background of an work when you need to add some extra details.

So, it is preferable to use a new layer to accommodate the new stuff rater than using the current one.

Therefore, if you are not satisfied with the new additions, you can, completely, get rid of the whole layer and keep the layer(s) of the background unaffected simultaneously.

But,
Is it, always, necessary to use a particular layer for every part of your painting?
And when it is advisable and not advisable to apply separate layers.

I’m, just, wondering about what the right technique of applying multiple layers is ‘n what personally, your technique is.

Willing to hear from you,

-----
BTW:
Why can't I see the other forums.

Disaster Master

[ingie01]

Using layers is yet another tool to be used in any way that makes the final outcome better. Yes, I know it sounds vague-- however, this program is very close to being the real media including allowing you to be or not to be creative! To use or not to use the provided tools. To progress or revert. It can be overwhelming with so many choices.
When I first embraced digital, it was on a Commodore 64 with a digital pad(can't remember it's name) that simply overwhelmed and intrigued me.
Now we all have ArtRage and a choic of mouse or pad!
Oh yeah, producing art is a lot like playing and playing and playing some more......

[bearblue1]

I never really had the heart for layers until artrage. But now I find it helps me remember to work the background in first, then the middle, then the foreground. And, of course, it helps with cases of "muddy" paint when I want clearer values. So, yeah, I'm loving the layers.

It's not much different than working with dried acrylic, or layering paper to add on content over already worked areas. So the concept isn't an unfamiliar one. It's just, when I paint with acrylic/oils, I'll sometimes forget to work in the background first and get started right on the figure... then remember. Which can be it's own drawma.

I loves me layers, I sure do.

[ENCHANTER]

I love me layers too!! :)

very useful process , especially when trying stuff out!

dont like waht i done...then i just delete that layer!

:)

[Fashmir]

I use layers for many reasons. I usually start with a layer for my pencil sketch. This allows me the freedom to play with composition, perspectives, scale, subject and so forth. If I get a composition I like but want to try different subjects I can sketch on different layers and turn on and off various elements to find what most pleases me. Once I get my sketch dialed in I can dive right to the bottom of the stack and start painting in a background. From there on it is a matter of experimentation as I go along. It has become for me almost an intuitive process without much thought to create a new layer at certain turns in the creative path. It allows me to explore a shift in color, texture, or tool type without risking my underlying work that I wish to keep. It is a good question to ask. I hope I have been helpful.

[bcmillustrator]

I actually don't use layers....ok that's a lie...last night I used layers for the first time but at some point soon in the painting, I will be merging the layers.

The reason I don't use layers is because I tend to use the negative space of an object's background to sculpt an object's outside silhouette and I find layers get in the way of this interaction.

I use layers in other applications but haven't warmed up to it in ArtRage. Like its been said before, it is just another tool. If the painting looks the way you want it, then who cares how many layers you used!

Brian

[rezidue]

Wrong forum for this?

[AndyRage]

Moved to technical.

Layers are whatever works for you and gives you the results you're after.
They can be useful for putting detail in the foreground without affecting background. This could allow you to try different things in the foreground, or to make changes easily in the background. You can use them to sketch in reference lines overtop your main work area, then fade them out so they dont interfere while you're painting.
Adding a layer lets you treat ealier paint as 'dry' to paint over, but you can go back to the lower layer and paint in the wet paint if you want.
You can use a layer to give yourself a mixing palette which you can easily remove from your finished canvas.
You can use a layer to apply a tint to the whole painting by choosing a paper colour, make the paper semi-transparent, and then use the layer opacity control to affect the amount of colour overlayed.
And as ArtRage matures and gets more features, you'll find many many uses for layers.

[Disaster Master]

Wrong forum for this?

I had no choice.

Still I can't see the other forums.

because clicking the link " Ambient Design Forum Index" which is next to the "New Topic" icon at the top of the forum takes to no where.

I’ll be back.

[archer]

I personally plan to use as many layers in my paintings as I feel I need.

Like you, I don't want to wreck somethng that I'm happy with, and layers are a great way to experiment to see what works and what doesn't without sacrificing something you like.

be nice if you could name layers, but just HAVING layers in this great creative tool is a huge benefit.


archer

[Disaster Master]

but just HAVING layers in this great creative tool is a huge benefit.
archer

Yes, of course no one would deviate with someone else about this,
but what I meant is that using more than one layer might not give you the same outcome that you might be given by using one layer, especially, when you need to have some interlaced colors.

Yes, again “HAVING layers in this great creative tool is a huge benefit” if you know when to apply them.

[Disaster Master]

When I first embraced digital, it was on a Commodore 64 with a digital pad(can't remember it's name) that simply overwhelmed and intrigued me.
ingie01, hello
Then, you are, digitally, so primitive.
When was that? in the mid of the 80s.


Now we all have ArtRage and a choice of mouse or pad!

Not only that sir, add a third choice, a stylus pen of a touch screen.

BTW,
I am really wondering what choice of the three, such master as Fashmir uses?
Certainly, it's not the first choice. :wink:

[Stephen Lo Piano]

I'll make a suggestion about working with layers from my own personal experience. Layers are good for preserving one object while working on another that is close by in the composition layout of your image design.
For instance if I was working on a landscape painting with mountains in the background and a farm scene with a barn and tractor, I might want to paint the mountains on the background using one layer and the barn and tractor on another. This will help with oil brush since painting all on one layer will create a circumstance; if you paint the entire background canvas of mountains the colors there will mix in with colors you want to use for painting the barn and tractor over the background. On separate layers you do not have to worry about the areas where the barn and tractor overlap the background mountains. Of course some people avoid this situation by simply leaving the area space blank where the tractor and barn will be placed in the image, yet you may find a slight blend at the edges where the background meets the objects.

One other advantage of layers is the ability to experiment with adding different objects to your composition. In my example if I want to try three different types of barns and tractors, by using separate layers for testing each different barn and tractor you have an advantage that would cost much more work and time without layers.

Layers will cause problems if you cannot remember to keep objects serparate and while painting move back and forth to the layers where the separate object is painted. If you start applying brush strokes for the tractor on the layer intended for the barn when you go back to the tractor layer you may begin to experience a situation where you cannot erase on that layer certain areas accidentally painted on another layer, this can get very confusing if working on long time consuming images. Another problem with painting over the one area that is on the wrong layer is a transparent effect while the rest of the object that was painted on the correct area will cause a paint mixing type of blend. Sometimes things can get out of hand with brush strokes on the wrong layers when you attempt to separate objects being painted into many layers. You have to combine them all to get the correct effects again, therefore you would probably be better off not working with layers.
When you work with graphic and digital programs that allow you to import images onto separate layers this feature is very useful, especially when you have the ability to adjust the level of opacity on each layer.