Star Wars: Poe Dameron #7 Variant Cover Step by Step Part 2 Color

Here's a look at how we created the cover for Poe Dameron #7.

Flats

The first stage of color is called flats - flatting allows me to choose an area to color at any point throughout the coloring process.

Initial Rough In

I colored this on my Cintiq 13 HD using Photoshop CS3 .

Just getting the initial color and lighting correct before I go into detail, using the Paint Bucket tool to adjust all the colors to the palette I'm using.

Intermediate Stage

Added more lights and darks with the Pencil tool. And began adding variation in the shadows to show the environment. Lassoing and using the Gradient in the background.

Coloring Line Art

At this point I like to color the line art... especially the interior edges and the edges facing the strongest light. 

 Of course, I lose as much of the line as possible - especially as I move away from the "camera".

Almost final colors

FINAL COLOR

I softened up Poe's face a bit in this final.

TD

See how we made the Line Art in 

PART 1