Getting started with Digital Painting using Ibis Paint X

-Sherlin J

Painting has been with us right from the beginning. From the caves, in the form of stick figures representing history, to a medium to express emotion and concern, now to the current realm of digitalization, painting is involved in every aspect of life. The shifts from traditional tools like pencils, inks, and paints to digital software and graphic tablets opened up new possibilities in terms of creativity, efficiency, and versatility. This article will delve into how to ace that digital painting skill by leveraging a free application, Ibis Paint X.

First thing first, let’s familiarize you with the basic and some unique tools available in Ibis Paint X. Because knowing the names of chess pieces is quite useless if you do not know the rules of the game. 

Basic tools: Spades to lay your foundation

Brush tool – this tool comes with a variety of brush styles from normal paint brush to oil pastel, stars to grass. Besides these numerous brush options, you can even create custom brushes that cater to your desires.

Tutorial to create custom:

• Go to brush tool > click custom brush.

• Choose the desired brush shape, size, fade, jitter, and dynamic.

• Save and start painting!

Swap tool – enables you to switch between eraser and brush on a single touch.

Layer icon – There is a lot you can do with the layer tool. This tool helps to separate your artwork, which makes it easier to edit. This is also useful in making changes to one layer without affecting the others

• Use “+” to add new layer

• You can flip layer vertically or horizontally

• Even add effects, change the opacity (using the scale), merge two or more layers, clip, mask, rename and delete.

• Tap on the eye button to make the layer visible or invisible.

• Temporarily hide or lock the layer to avoid accidental editing.

• You can even rearrange layers by clicking and dragging the three lines.

Reference window – This tool can be found on the top tool menu, it looks like a switch. Flick the reference window option that will lead you to your gallery. Choose the desired picture and done! You can even adjust the size of the reference window so that it will not hinder your canvas.

Colour tools: Hued companion

Colour wheel – Ibis paint provides two wheels colour selection along with this one can also compare the colour with previously picked colour and even reduce its opacity. Personalization at its maximum.

Eyedropper – this helps one pick a precise colour that is already used on the canvas or from other pictures.

Fill tool – one sentence to explain this tool is, colouring made easy! A single touch and it covers the entire area. All you need to make sure is whether every corner is covered without space.

Materials window – you can make use of this tool in many ways based on your     needs. This can work as extra texturing or even for tracing. 

Selection tool: Editing precisely

Magic wand and lasso – both of these tools serve the same purpose of selecting a particular part to edit or make changes. The difference is magic wand works at a single touch while the lasso is to capture by drawing around the object. You can also make use of a lasso to copy and paste your drawing. This will come in handy if you are creating comics. 

Smudge and Blur – these tools give your artwork a more edgy look and detail. 

Transform – a powerful tool whose magic kicks in when you want to move, rotate, distort or skew. You can change either the whole part or an individual element using a lasso or magic wand. If you are not a master of perspective there is even an option for perspective scale, with which you can adjust to make it look like another perspective. 

Ruler tool – another tool that can help you with perspective, straight lines and perfect circles is this tool. This comes with various types such as linear, ellipse, circular, radial, symmetry, array, etc. 

 Gestures:

Ibis Paint x app also provides with some gesture feature for a seamless experience. For zooming, you can pinch in and pinch out. Double tap is undo and triple tap is redo. 

The limitation of Ibis Paint x seems boundless! Besides painting, you can edit pictures, create posters, retouch and even change your hair colour in your photos. Ibis Paint x is your go to regardless of if you want to seriously do art or just want to have some fun. Try it out today!

*Picture in Header : Art Ilustation process showcasing a girl holding a keychain in a blue blackground with jellyfishes (Picture credit: ibisPaint)