illustrator,kionaoki_키오나오키JP Details
Hi, I’m illustrator Kionaoki. Utilizing my experience as a former game artist, I create illustrations for commissions and games, as well as YouTube videos.
Centered on digital grisaille techniques, this class is designed to help you master useful knowledge with the help of visualization. Most importantly, I’d like to share approaches that allow you to enjoy creation, as well as how to visualize advanced concepts through drawing techniques. In this class, you will gain the practical knowledge and approaches required to unleash your imagination and enjoy creation instead of focusing solely on skills.
[Career] - Studied Graphic Design; 10 years as a Game Artist - Freelance Illustrator and YouTuber (70k+ subscribers) - Active in major exhibitions (Pixiv Festa, Comitia) since 2010; focused on commissions since 2020 [Projects] - Commercial illustration for Asher from Omega Strikers - Cover illustration for comic series “Kamen America” and more - Background design, character design, and illustrations for Fighting EX Layer - TCG card illustration for Battle of Three Kingdoms - Illustrations for social network games (Dragon's Dogma Quest, Sengoku Enbu -KIZNA-, Sengoku SAGA, and more) [Other] - Published works on Pixivision - Created review videos of illustration gadgets such as pen displays
[Career] - Studied Graphic Design; 10 years as a Game Artist - Freelance Illustrator and YouTuber (70k+ subscribers) - Active in major exhibitions (Pixiv Festa, Comitia) since 2010; focused on commissions since 2020 [Projects] - Commercial illustration for Asher from Omega Strikers - Cover illustration for comic series “Kamen America” and more - Background design, character design, and illustrations for Fighting EX Layer - TCG card illustration for Battle of Three Kingdoms - Illustrations for social network games (Dragon's Dogma Quest, Sengoku Enbu -KIZNA-, Sengoku SAGA, and more) [Other] - Published works on Pixivision - Created review videos of illustration gadgets such as pen displays
What are the strengths of this class, and what sets it apart from others?
This class demonstrates the entire workflow process from ideation and rough sketching to completion, equipping learners with the knowledge and expertise required to create illustrations. It also separates the shading and coloring stages for more effective learning, and explores how to draw the desired character through trial and error while making the most of digital grisaille techniques. Further, I’ll discuss in detail concepts rarely covered by other classes, including the relationship between grayscale and color information in grisaille painting and the knowledge and rules to keep your creation process firmly on track, all while drawing upon my own experience. Your goal in this class won’t be becoming an illustrator. Rather, it focuses on learning the techniques to bring the characters in your head to life and have fun doing it.
What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by learners studying this genre and those thinking about taking this class? Also, how can this class help them overcome it?
This class is intended for those who struggle with creating color in grisaille, drawing natural-looking poses, coming up with good compositions, or making it past the rough sketching stage because they can’t imagine the finished work. Digital grisaille painting can produce widely varied colors, depending on grayscale shading and drawing settings. In this class, you will learn about the unique RGB structure of digital color and coloring techniques optimized for it. Additionally, I’ll share easy, efficient ways to utilize the knowledge you need, as well as step-by-step approaches to processes and layers, so that you can bring your illustration to completion. Plus, you’ll discover the rules that will keep your creation process on track whenever you have to make a difficult choice.
What did you struggle with when studying this genre, and what was your strategy to overcome that?
In Japan, grisaille painting that is entirely digital and only uses grayscale colors is still not a mainstream technique. When I was in school, though good at sketching, I felt somewhat lost with color and always admired the vibrant, colorful works created by my classmates. So, it was only natural that grisaille instantly caught my attention. Although I learned digital illustration skills on my own, I thought grisaille techniques paired perfectly with 3D CG (which was my profession back then), game rendering, and lighting. This led me to continue studying grisaille. When I couldn’t create the desired color, I experimented with blending modes like Overlay and Hard Light to see how they affected grayscale colors, putting my techniques to trial and error. After a while of doing that process, I could finally produce stripped-back shadows unaffected by the brightness of color.
Do you have any advice to share with learners?
Grisaille is often misunderstood due to its unique style, and some people may feel it doesn’t suit them. Since this class teaches you how to create illustrations entirely, as well as partially in grisaille,
you can choose a practical approach that best fits you. Having created works in various styles, including traditional painting, 3D art, and digital illustrations, I feel that the universal rule for creating art is to understand the characteristics of the medium and master its usage. To achieve this, you need to stay imaginative and curious while enjoying creating and studying. One way to do that is to draw original characters reflecting your everyday observations or what you are worried about or feeling at that specific moment. What’s more important than getting a job or improving your skills is to enjoy drawing without feeling stressed. I hope this class opens the door for you to discover that kind of joy.
Learning the Fundamentals of Digital Grisaille Painting
Understand digital color and greyscale, as well as grisaille coloring visually, not through numbers. With step-by-step practice, you will learn not only how layers are structured, but also more intuitive coloring expertise focused on the senses.
Imagining the Final Quality Through Rough Sketching, and Flexible Approaches to Composition
Stop letting your knowledge constrain your drawing process. Learn the approach required to draw a rough sketch based on fluid ideas that isn’t confined by complicated rules, and composition techniques that prioritize visibility.
Understanding Grayscale and Shadow Required for Grisaille
Discover tips for applying colors without unintended darkening or lightening. Examine the ideal relationship between grayscale and shadow, which allows you to avoid common issues associated with digital grisaille and create the desired color.
Tips for Polishing Your Sense of Color with Grisaille, Not Fazed by Trial and Error
By separating the grayscale and coloring processes, you’ll go through less trial and error when choosing colors. Like 3D design, grisaille painting allows you to focus on each stage of the creation process and discover your own color combinations through various color choices.
Creating Various Textures with Grisaille and Related Approaches
Learn how to create texture while effectively managing layer structure, which can easily become complicated. Instead of relying solely on brushwork, distinguish and create a range of textures by efficiently using folders, masks, and more.
Motivating Yourself Throughout the Creation Process and Final Touches
A clearly divided creation process allows you to complete each stage thoroughly and stay motivated until the end. Let Kionaki guide you through practical tips for minimizing mistakes, finishing touches to enrich the illustration’s look, and how to draw a background that makes the character stand out.
*The above images are sample images for a better understanding.
**Class release dates and content are subject to change without prior notice.
- Section 01
Orientation
1. Instructor Introduction・ Instructor introduction ・ Class overview ・ Who should take this class ・ What you can gain from this class
2. About Grisaille・ What is grisaille? ・ Grisaille’s chemistry with digital painting ・ Separating shading and coloring for easier focus ・Advantages and disadvantages ・ Adding touches to the created layer based on the idea
3. About Your Approaches・ The importance of rough sketching ・ Relying on references or your imagination to draw ・ The importance of composition ・ Relying on the rules and enjoying uncertainties ・ What it means to grab attention
- Section 02
Basics of Digital Grisaille
4. About Digital Color and RGB Values・ Black and white based on value or brightness ・ Color has brightness ・ Grayscale for grisaille ・ Linear and sRGB spaces
5. About Layer Blending Settings・ Hard Light and Overlay ・ Characteristics of Hard Light ・ Things to note and solutions (Special effects and banding) ・ Differences between applications
- Section 03
Demonstrating Tools and Layer Structure
6. Drawing Tools Used by Kionaoki・ Simple brushes ・ Special brushes ・ Blur and Liquify ・ Gradient Map ・ Tone Curve ・ Layer properties: Contours and color
7. Secondary Tools Used by Kionaoki・ Texture ・ Perspective Ruler ・ Auto action ・ 3D placement and extracting lines
8. Shortcuts Used by Kionaoki・ Frequently used shortcuts ・ Shortcuts to memorize
9. Quick Demonstrations・ Practice with simple shapes ・ Reasons for splitting layers ・ Finishing up by arranging necessary layers
- Section 04
Approaches to Creating Rough Images
10. Exploring Various Rules・ The rule of three ・ Careful use of symmetry and repetition ・ The rule of S- and Z- shapes
11. What Is a Tangent Line?・ 1: Straight lines ・ 2: Parallel lines ・ 3: Concentrated lines ・ 4: Lines with overlapping contours ・ 5: Drawing on extended lines ・ How to avoid amateur-looking illustrations
12. Ideation and Design・ Thinking of elements as lines ・ Thinking of elements as silhouettes ・ Thinking of elements as color ・ If you can’t think of anything to draw
- Section 05
Practice: Rough Coloring
13. Pose Drawing and Warm-Up・ Creating a mannequin with basic symbols ・ Center, gravity, and the flow of force ・ Setting up poses using silhouettes ・ Thinking while moving the camera
14. Composition Techniques・ Setting up a composition ・ C-shape, O-shape, A-shape, X-shape, and S- and Z-shape ・ Basic splitting techniques and ratio ・ Horizon line and perspective ・ Using background objects
15. Rough Lighting・ Free but varied patterns ・ Beauty in 2D and beauty in 3D ・ Thinking of elements as planes and shadows, not lines ・ Perceiving contrast
16. Rough Coloring in Grisaille・ Recommendations for HSV sliders ・ Trial and error regarding color ・ Understanding the color wheel
17. Temporary Effects and Filters・ Mie scattering and Rayleigh scattering ・ Gradients and fog ・ Glow ・ Recommendations for Tone Curve ・ How to use Gradient Map
18. The Importance of Rough Sketches in Saving Final Images・ Details can be added later ・ Splitting layers (recommended) ・ What is the state of being close to completion? ・ Heavy vs. light: Two types of grisaille
- Section 06
Extracting Lines from Line Art and Approaches
19. Silhouette Masking, Ambient Occlusion, and Borders・ Advantages of silhouette masking ・ Approaches to borders ・ What is ambient occlusion? ・ Maintaining your passion for motivation
20. Setting Up Hair・ Drawing hair ・ Creating silhouettes
21. The Texture of the Body and Contours・ Texture based on lines and shadows ・ Borders based on lightness and darkness ・ Non-essential lines
22. Equipment and Accessories・ Contour drawing ・ Using decorative brushes
- Section 07
Lighting and Approaches
23. Lighting・ The basics of 3-point lighting ・ The myth of “perfect lighting” ・ Pen pressure control and blur ・ Splitting shadows
24. Highlights・ Diffuse radiation and specular reflection ・ About anisotropic reflection ・ Hard Light and Soft Shadow ・ Various ways to show reflected light in grisaille
- Section 08
Approaches to Coloring and Texture
25. Grisaille Coloring・ Regular coloring ・ Coloring artificial ambient lighting ・ Coloring skin ・ Face, makeup, patterns, etc. ・ Depicting minuscule materials
26. Depicting Unique Textures・ Depicting hands ・ Depicting machines ・ Depicting metals ・ Depicting glow ・ Depicting translucence ・ Depicting wetness
27. Drawing Backgrounds・ Backgrounds that complement characters ・ Backgrounds as compositions ・ Recommendations for Perspective Ruler ・ Background contrast ・ Recommended backgrounds
- Section 09
Completion and Variation
28. Final Effects・ Atmosphere, dust, and particles ・ Lens effects ・ Line extraction ・ Texture ・ Color grading
29. Creating Variations・ Lighting variation ・ Outfit variation
30. Additional Explanations・ More on sketching and shadow ・ About shared auto actions ・ About the shared gradients, and more on grading
31. Outro・ Staying curious and motivated ・ Cherishing images ・ Double-checking and building routines ・ Playing around with tools ・ Summary
This course will use CLIP STUDIO PAINT Ver.4.1.4
Please purchase and install this program for an optimized chapter experience.
