Coloring in PSP?

Can anyone show me how to color in PSP 7, or at least point me in the right direction to learning it? I'd like to color some drawings and I don't have Photoshop (burnt out the eval...) ...

Here's what I posted on my thread. (slightly Edited)

Quick Setup

First Promote the Background Layer to a layer (Right click on it - select promote) and title it Lineart

Just set the layer properties to multiply

Ok create a new layer under the line art and fill it (with your background color of choice - You place a temp color for now so it is easier to see were you missed)

Create a layer above the Background layer called BaseColors


Coloring:

The BaseColors layer is were you will put the flat colors.

Note: On the lineart layer click on the area you want to fill with using the
magic wand tool (might need to go selections > modify > expand by 1)
go back to the BaseColors layer and fill.

Once filled, create a new layer called Darks (the layer properties should be set to
multiply)

With the area you want to shade selected (on the BaseColor use the magic wand to select a
color then goto the Darks layer) just paint on the areas (using the same color as what
you're coloring on) you want to be dark, it does not have to be good at all. then either
just do a Gaussian Blur or Smudge until you get the desired effect you want.

Note: Usually you should use more darks that lights.

Once the Darks are done, create a new layer called lights (set to Screen) and follow the
same process from above, (you can get away with just doing a Gaussian Blur here)

Note: Smudging can be difficult, especially having 2 different colors next to each
other even if you have one selected if your brush goes past the selection into
an area with another color you will drag the color into the area you are
working in. Can happen with blurring too Thats why I have each colors, lights
and darks are on seperate layers.

==================================================================================================== ========================================
Basic Layer format:

LineArt (Set to Normal or Multiply)
Light (Set to Screen)
Darks (Set to Multiply)
BaseColors
Background


Expanded Layer format:

Special FX (For glints, blood splatters and stuff - settings vary for each effect, create a new layer for different effects)
LineArt (Set to Normal or Multiply)
Texture Overlays (best for clothing - set to softlight, but varies for effect)
Highlights (Set to Dodge - used mainly to get hair highlights and shiny metals)
Lights (Set to Screen)
Darks (Set to Multiply)
Shadows (Set to Multiply - just extra dark areas usually for the skin, sometimes metals)
BaseColors
Background

In PSP (since I have more layers than PS) I make each color/item type have it's own shadow/highlights layers -due to smudging/bleeding/blending issues, but it also lets me go back and edit far more though.

Thanks so much!! (That kicks ***, your helm!) I made this in 10 minutes, didnt finish cause i'm a lasy bahstahd, so here!:

[edit]: Any tips to make it more "metal-y"?

I'm not sure what advice Lazarus will give you for metal, but one thing I've noticed when trying to shade it, is that the contrast between lights and darks is nowhere near as suttle as cloth, wood, or any other surface. Make darks really dark, make lights really light, and make transitions EXTREMELY smooth on a flat metallic surface, and really SHARP on curved surfaces (unless it's a sphere, in which case it's also smooth).

Here is a really quick (and simple) example to metals.
Note: The dodge setting reacts differently than most layers when it comes to translucency (blurring, softening, smudging, etc.) but, if done right... it'll give you a real detailed metal look.

Wow, you guys go in-depth with visual aids and all.0_o

then, after completing these tutorials, get photoshop. :D

I don't mean to reserect an old thread, but since a PSP coloring help one existed, I didn't see any reason to start another.

Exactly what layer setting do I set the color layers to? I've tried overlay, but it just doesn't work right.

In general, it depends (The Standard Cicso Answer!). Different settings have different effects.

In this case:
1. Base Color - should just be left at normal
2. Darks/shades/shadows - should be set to mulitply (Note: white is invisible in this setting - hint lineart)
3. Lights/highlights - screen (Note: black is invisible in this setting)
4. The brights - set to dodge (good for shiny stuff - like metals)

Thanks, man.

Damn. I'm still impressed as Hell with that helmet.

Any suggestions for this?

Well? Any?

I'm having one hell of a time with the face, and I don't know off hand what parts of the trench should be shaded and what not.

**** thats alot to do!?