How To Paint In Paint Tool SAI

Paint Tool SAI is one of the tools that many artists love to use for painting unique and beautiful works of art. If you also want to start using this software, you may be wondering – how can you paint with the features in Paint Tool SAI?

You can follow this simple tutorial to paint using the Paint Tool SAI software. It covers everything from choosing the canvas size, all the way to how layers work and how you can save the artwork when you are done.

So, if you are ready to start, let’s explore the world of painting in Paint Tool SAI in this tutorial! If you have been waiting to start this process, you are in the right place! Once you are done, you will know the basics of creating art with Paint Tool SAI.

How To Paint Using Paint Tool SAI

If you are an artist who has been wanting to start using Paint Tool SAI but is not sure what that entails, you are looking at the right tutorial! Follow along as we explore how you can create art from start to finish using Paint Tool SAI.

Creating The Workspace

One of the first things you should start with is taking a look at the workspace and deciding what you would change. By default, Paint Tool SAI places everything on the left of the screen. However, you can move one of the two columns to the right or wherever you like.

Setting Up A Canvas

Once you have the workspace down to how you like it, it is now time to create a new file and set up your canvas. To create a new file:

Run Paint Tool SAI.
Click on File in the top menu.
Choose New to open the dialog box.

Now, you can specify certain aspects of the file, such as the width and height and also the resolution. You can choose the width and height in either inches, centimeters, millimeters, or by pixels.

Regarding resolution, your choice should depend on whether this painting is meant for print or web. Print canvases usually have a resolution of 350 DPI.

Understanding Layers

Now that you have a new file open, it is time to discuss layers. These are some of the most crucial elements of a Paint Tool SAI file. After all, using just one layer can make it difficult to make adjustments, or even apply separated effects.

Layers allow you to draw and paint on top of each other. These can also be useful when you are using a brush with low transparency and you want different elements to show underneath.

As such, it is always better to separate out the drawing into different layers. Most approach it as the background in one layer, the line art in another layer, and coloring in another.

You can add as many layers as you like depending on the effect you are going for. While more layers can lower the speed, it is worth it if you want to add different shades and effects.

Choosing A Brush To Create Lineart

There are a number of brushes available within Paint Tool SAI that offer varying effects. You can also use brushes that are available online to create unique effects. To use these to create lineart, you can start with a new layer and use the brush.

One tip is to use stabilization, as it can allow you to create smooth lines. However, the downside of the Stabilizer is that it creates a slight delay when you use your pen.

Adding Colors

Once the line art is in place, it is time to add color. You should start with a new layer, and start by laying base colors down. You can add more colors to show depth, such as the highlights and lowlights.

One of the best ways to do so is to draw an imaginary light source and use that to create dimension in the image. You should also add a background, although some artists prefer to keep a transparent background along with their subjects.

Here is a tutorial on how to color in Paint Tool SAI: