Welcome to Gaia! ::

This is not neccesarily the RIGHT WAY to make avatar art. This is just how I do it.

THINGS YOU NEED:



A Scanner



A Pencil
An Eraser
A good Gel Pen
Lots of Paper



A computer (of course)



Adobe Photoshop (or any other Editing Programs)

take note of my workspace. make sure that the "tool box"
and "layers window" is open. You can open it by clicking on
Window>Layers and then Tools

2. Once you are finally content with your creation, start inking it. I use a 0.5 point gel pen because I want thick lines. You can use any other point pens. Whatever you prefer.


NOTE:
You want to get smooth lines. Do not worry about making crooked lines,
you could always make the line thicker so that it wouldnt be obvious
(that's exactly why i make the lines thick ^^).

4. Ok, you have your outlined creation, now you have to scan it.



Open Adobe Photoshop, click on "File>Import>*enter scanner name here*. Now scan your work.



Now there she is!! my chibi ^^.

NOTE:
Make sure you do not leave any pencil lines or you'll have to erase it in adobe (which takes a long time)

6. Now it's COLORING TIME!! With Chibis, I usually color them on the spot.
Meaning I do not use layers (layers are for advanced users, I shall talk
about them in another Guide).

I usually copy and paste a reference picture to
adobe photoshop and then copy the colors.



Right-click the image and then choose "copy"



Go to your scanned work and then Right-click again and choose "Paste" (or type in ctrl+V -shortcut key ^^)

Notice the white box surrounding the avi. We have to erase that.



On the tool box, hold down a click on the eraser tool. A sub-menu will appear. Click on "Magic eraser".


Now click on the white box surrounding the avi. It will automatically dissapear.

NOTE:
Magic Eraser automatically erases all of the same color with one click.

8. Now we'll use the eyedropper tool. This is used to get the exact color of the reference.

Click on the eydropper tool on the toolbox. Click on whatever part of the reference.

I clicked on her hair first. Notice the "current color" box (that's the color chooser thingy, the one with 2 boxes) IT changed to the same color as the hair. Get it? I kinda confused you there sweatdrop Just try exploring the function ^^.

7. Good, now she is colored. But she looks kinda flat doesn't she? Now we
will have to put some SHADOWS and HIGHLIGHTS.



Choose the burn tool by clicking on it on the toolbox. In cases when you don't see it, click (prolong) on the dodge tool or sponge tool and then a sub menu will open. Just click on the burn tool.

Use the BURN TOOL and set it to 15%. I usually use a size 20 brush. Put
shadows on the sides of your work.



It should end up kinda looking like this.

Now after the shadows, Use the DODGE tool to make highlights. I usually
set it to 30% and use a size 17 brush. Put highlights on the hair, the
center parts of the body and "shining" objects.




It does take a while to master this but you'll get used to it ^^.

Now she looks "solid". GOOD JOB!! ^^