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PSA: I didn't get the point of layers for way too long
So, I've been messing with digital painting for a while, and for the longest time I just ignored layers. I'd paint everything on one single layer like I was using real paint on a real canvas, you know? It seemed fine until I tried to fix the shading on this one portrait. I went to lighten the cheek, but I messed up and brushed right over the eye line I liked. Trying to fix that, I then wrecked the hair. It was a huge mess. I finally gave up and watched a basic tutorial where the person just turned off a layer to erase a mistake without touching anything else. My mind was totally blown. I felt so silly. It was like I'd been trying to build a house with no foundation.
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riverp276mo ago
Wait you painted a whole portrait on one layer. How did you even fix anything without ruining the rest. I get nervous if my sketch layer touches my color layer. That cheek and eye story actually hurts to read.
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jordan9786mo ago
Actually, using one layer forces you to plan and commit to your choices. It makes you a more confident artist because you can't just hide mistakes behind layers. That pressure can lead to better work in the end.
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danielgonzalez6mo ago
Forget about right or wrong, it's about what you're trying to do. If you're doing a quick sketch to catch a feeling, one layer keeps it loose and fast. But if you're building up a detailed cityscape with glowing windows over a dark sky, layers let you test that glow without wrecking the whole building. It's just a tool, like picking a brush.
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