Coloring Characters the Industry Way! Photoshop

Coloring characters in Photoshop can be daunting at first, but we made a cool video to show you how real industry artists color in Photoshop. Some of these digital painting techniques are used at major studios including Disney, Cartoon Network, and Rick and Morty, Special guest star Jack Cusumano explains how to color in Photoshop.
✍Download all the PSD Files here!
DropBox : goo.gl/cMiRw5
google Drive : goo.gl/NKww3T
Guest Artist Jack Cusumano!
/ jackiecous
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Alex Ries
www.alexries.com/
Brandon Allen
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Angel Hilton
angelhilton.com/
BaM is dedicated to teaching artists all about the animation industry, and skills sets including character design, background design, animation, and painting! Send us your art, and BaM will make an episode about YOU!
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---------------------------------
Music used
Dirt Road Traveler by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
Inner Sanctum by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Marty Gots a Plan by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Tennessee Hayride by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
Blue Sizzle - Madness Paranoia by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

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That gas station blew my mind.

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Indeed

[@GeriMargarette]

lol same

[@i_teleported_bread7404]

Your PFP conveys that perfectly.

[@hardinrami8500]

I KNOW!

[@HannahTheCreator1]

I had to rewind 3 times to see how it was possible lmaoooo

[@shirousabez3637]

Oh man, that 2 pixel fill difference was a lifesaver. Thanks guys for the hard work and the awesome tips.

[@Ima80skid]

Seriously! It really is. Had no idea. I've been manually filling them in like a fool...lol

[@josetaetin4332]

@@Ima80skid me too! What a waste of time

[@wonkglorg]

That saved my life, I have been watching different tutorials for a while now but non every mentioned that

[@Desitos]

That tip has single-handedly solved world hunger, climate change and achieved world peace.

[@theepicminecraft11]

Wish I found this sooner. as someone who is planning to apply for game design. I am content with how I draw from paper. but I have no clue how to use software and such. which is frustrating when drawing as I cannot manipulate these tools to my advantage. The first tutorial which actually demonstrates these simple tools which many amateurs such as myself easily don't see. which more experienced artists take that knowledge as a common fact Video is of very high quality from cinematography to editing. feels like I should be paying for this service. May I mention how this has no ads. seriously these people have pretty good intentions

[@LupusIsHere]

ive been doing this so wrong, ive been just hand colouring everything on a below layer and then just manually erasing any brush strokes outside the lines

[@BaMAnimation]

I used to do this too back in the day!

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Saaaaaaameeeeeeee

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Why did we people even not know this channel was a thing?

[@Katgirldiamond]

Same sadly with my lineart style i can't use selection tools

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@@Katgirldiamond big oof

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You guys have a KILLER channel. I grew up in the 90's and always wanted to be an animator (even went to school for it) but it just didn't work out for me. You guys are living the dream!

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Why did it not work out for you?

[@natsu.dragneeel]

@Parth Agrawal ...

[@chickenbologna814]

This channel is seriously underrated. My question is what are your favorite and least favorite parts of working in animation? Also how did y'all come up with the idea for this KZbin channel?

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they liked the comment a year ago but they never replied well if it aint a sad story

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Betty Boop It is xd

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@@anonymous-ql8fp Very sad-...

[@AverageAnimationEnjoyer]

so sad

[@imaperson9582]

@@anonymous-ql8fp *Cries*

[@mysticusfreeze]

This is probably the most useful tutorial I've ever watched thanks!

[@jamesesposito37]

yea haha . Plus with the option to slow it down is great.

[@jamesesposito37]

I'm trying to figure out how to do a color fill in procreate that goes into the black line art further, let me know if you come across that. Or anyone out there that might see this, help me out!

[@arryanimations5570]

Anybody interested in checking out my animations though😬

[@rayaya6580]

Cock shaped cups

[@ApSelene]

This is already how I color in photoshop!!! Feels guud

[@cloudver2366]

Noice

[@jasonm.9053]

I would really appreciate an in depth tutorial of how you transferred textures from web images on to your line drawing. The technique is very beautiful when done properly. I wish more time was spent on the subject.

[@CypherDen]

Ahhh these episodes are so amazing and always so entertaining!

[@LandonLaCross]

CypherDen it was a really good video but I don't like how that girl turned out in the end :(

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Hey! Nice to see you here!

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Hi love the amino CypherDen!

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Hi Den!!

[@hero9402]

Wow you also watch this..well I love your videos.

[@leoe7701]

These tutorials are goldmines for us freelancer trying to get into a professional company down the line. It's always kool to see how others approach digital art. Definitely earned a new sub!

[@SMHunt]

“did you pirate that?” “no brent, don’t think about that” 😂

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what the meaning?

[@divalea]

Thanks for giving color stylists some love! In comics, colorists are also crucial and haven’t had pay raises in years! Off to sign that petition!

[@shirousabez3637]

LMAO THAT TORRENT BIT

[@abbeybrickner6603]

FINALLY ALL MY COLORING QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!

[@BaMAnimation]

the 40 hours i spent editing this video feels like it finally paid off.

[@abbeybrickner6603]

BaM Animation aww yay! You guys make some awesome stuff!! Keep going!! :D

[@meatus1888]

BaM Animation you guys did really well, you should feel proud of your hard work !!!

[@MANGLORIOUS]

Rewatching this vid 4 years later and the editing and story still slaps! The little alien skit, the way Brent fell over after Max took the phone from him (very funny acting btw), and the fact you guys drove to a blumming desert for this video! It’s awesome, this channel slaps

[@LieLikesMusic]

More entertaining than educational if you ask me. Good overview of a lot of complex things

[@HBruna]

Does this channel interferes with your actual careers at the studios that you work on? what do your bosses or co-workers think about BAM? Great channel! Greetings from Perú

[@matthewlong610]

We like it! (co-worker)

[@melissag-h2709]

No, we LOVE it! (also co-worker) Sometimes artists from different areas don't always see or completely understand what their co-workers in other departments are doing, or how they do it. But we all have a tremendous respect for each other. It's cool to see what the "other side" does all day and how they do it! I'm a storyboard artist, so I get to see my quick, crappy drawings turned into beautiful designs by these awesome designers, which you (the viewers) get to enjoy onscreen!

[@digixdel6376]

We loove it (future co-worker still working on his papers. :) )

[@infinitehush]

I'm not technically a co-worker but I do work in the industry as a Timing Director (another very obscure/misunderstood job), and this was amazing/enlightening to watch!

[@MultiWeroloco]

que haces acá H lol still a great channel tho

[@TheUraniumCore]

Oh my god. That background art made me want to cry. It's so beautiful, and the video made it look easy to make, which I know it certainly isn't! Amazing content.

[@SirIkeMedia]

I would never work for the animation industry. It's too restricted and doesn't pay equally. I'll just stick to making my crappy cartoons for youtube. Informative video though. :)

[@halo5151]

@Dean wut

[@raposinhadoaj]

@Dean what?

[@Bingobongo12]

You guys are a life saver. I'll be sure to submit my characters in hopes to learn more about design and Illustration for the animation industry. Maybe understand expression or how to create pitch illustrations when presenting to studios.

[@BaMAnimation]

ooh we love pitches! Good idea

[@DYW14]

Everytime you guys upload videos like these, I've always take important notes in my handmade sketchbooks. I'm glad you guys are doing this to inspire all artists in a good way. :)

[@devilscry]

That shortcut for expand was one of the best advice I've ever gotten for Photoshop, Thank you!

[@KidCop2011]

"Aliens probably use this as some kind of rock, right?" Lmao

[@byronrhodes1659]

Thank you for your hard work on this channel, as an amateur it’s helping to speed up my work flow and improve my digital art. I’ve made art my whole life traditionally with great success but digital art was always difficult for me. This channel has brought clarity for me and taught me some vital skills. Thanks so much for demystifying the animation industry.

[@henokmedin4901]

You guys are AMAZING. As a young art student in the animation field, I've been doing traditional art almost all of my life. I kind off have the basis for digital art but with your videos which I watch over and over again really makes it very easy and fun to watch. I know I'm just one guy saying this but thank you so much for all of your hard work putting together these kind of videos for us young artist. Keep up the good work!

[@MarqRomero]

Man, the extra effort and fun you guys put into your videos is what sets you guys apart from other tutorials. Loved this one!

[@chantarawtf2189]

this is one of the most helpful videos I've ever watched. Colour artists definitely deserve higher pay! Colouring is so complex and difficult, kudos to the professionals and everyone else that takes the time to learn colour theory!

[@nadineroberts5857]

the clipping masks for lineart and expanding pixels is so revolutionary for me, thank you

[@thefakeaccent]

I feel like I've stumbled on a diamond in the rough with how good your content is, relative to how new the channel is. I think this channel could get really big really soon

[@BaMAnimation]

Hey guys, next video we are going to be answering your questions. so please leave your questions and comments here!

[@tavo.8395]

BaM Animation hello guys, i love your videos and my dream is to become a professional animator, so, my question is, how can i start my career on animation without knowing where i can study?

[@junovhs4646]

Could you explain the animation process of Samurai Jack and its technical challenges/limitations/benefits also I challenge you to animate something... 100% ON PAPERRRRrrrr

[@InfiniteIMAGINATION]

how you use the video reference for animation ?

[@InfiniteIMAGINATION]

thnkyouu

[@joemadvill]

BaM Animation what cartoon ( and / or anime) shows inspired you? Mine is Invader Zim and Soul Eater .

[@AllyGamegal]

That "halo effect" solution changed my life forever And it answered a lot of my coloring probs. Really grateful for this!

[@robinfox4440]

This channel has helped me in more ways than I can describe. This type of art has been my dream since high school and I graduated 12 years ago! Digital art has always been so inaccessible and you guys have helped me to work practically to achieve my dream. Thank you so much!

[@jackcusumano]

When u guys get one of those gold play buttons I wanna see it.

[@FloatingSunfish]

I would totally watch a show with these guys. They're all super interesting!

[@LifeisReal1990]

Every time I watched anime, i always wondered if their outlines were using anti aliasing or pixels to prevent those faded black to white shadings, but these guys explained EVERYTHING. I am definitely subbing to them, and big thanks for sharing the files to help us understand how to tweak with them ourselves.

[@The9thDaisy]

Best tutorials with exceptional editing and amusing script that I've seen out here! My process typically takes SO LONG and with your tips I might actually start meeting my deadlines instead of crawling past them most of the time. Thank you so much!

[@ainoaguy]

Im in love with your content omg. Could you do an episode on how studios rig 2D characters? Not a lot of content like that out there.

[@MatthewRAB]

Oh man, this is a great piece! I'm going to use this to explain to people outside of animation what I do as a color stylist.

[@8sided]

I just found this channel and it blows me away with every video. Especially this one. I’ve been using the brush and painting everything for years. This is my favorite channel now.

[@its_nukatron]

OMG I needed that Modify > Expand trick like years ago! Thank you SO much for all these tips @BaM Animation!

[@batmancrush1935]

This is exactly what artists aspiring to join the field need, a detailed but easy instruction on how the industry does its work, all while giving hands on experience with the addition of the psd files. For that I thank you a million times over. Keep up the good work! I'm wondering if you manage to use any specific or special brushes you might add those for free in the future as well, not sure if that's asking for too much but just an idea :P

[@mrsnapoly]

Your work is AMAZING guys, seriously

[@birdgvee4982]

4:54 expand selection setting *falls on knees and praises you* Thank youuuu!

[@madgunmusic]

Wow guys! you gave me back that dream of my childhood to work in a small animated series. For years I had forgotten it because of my work, studies and life in general but when I saw all of your videos I got nostalgia and good memories! thank you so much, who knows, maybe in the future I'll be able to make that crazy dream of my childhood a reality.

[@missoli]

"I'm good at stuff like this! maybe this should be my career!" *7:52** appears* "oh"

[@lambmaster27]

God even these videos are industry level! Great job guys! I love how much work goes into these, really a treat! Thank you so much. Will continue to watch!

[@merrilynmoynihan9415]

Ok, but really, thank you for making videos that are not only crazy informative, but also simplistic and fun and easy to follow. Thank you for not being a monotone time lapse with voice over.

[@NickDeperto]

That 2 pixel expansion trick is something I’ve wondered how to get around for freaking YEARS. I subbed for that alone, but this video as a whole was SO helpful. Thank you so much!!!!

[@HomeworkRadio]

That was wicked! great video guys :)

[@simonvandeputte3019]

these guys are amazing! Very underrated indeed, but I'm sure they are gonna become well known!

[@menteeee]

the expend selection tip is a life saver ty so much 🙏

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The level of your tuts is so much beyond anything I've watched related to art, it's shocking you didn't reach the 10M yet. Keep up the good work guys!

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Guys you are so awesome and I love your videos! Good quality content and amazing editing, kudos to all the people behind this channel, you are going to be huuuuge!

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You guys are amazing!

[@buckwheaties6583]

Deadass about to cry Like I did not understand how I was supposed to magic wand, invert, and fill....like no one was giving me the right info So now just finding it was so satisfying and took alot of pressure off my shoulders 😥😥😥

[@Djolewatchtastife]

Holy cow this is the most useful and informative channel for digital artists I've ever seen

[@GeriMargarette]

Can you make a detailed video on how you make those realistic backgrounds? It looks so interesting. Also, keep it up on giving us really good content! You guys are really helpful!

[@cephazea]

I love your video animation

[@charlesthedev]

This is the level of detail and humour all youtube tutorial channels should possess. Fantastic videos again and again! and so educational !

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I absolutely love these videos, I wish i had this type of info before aimlessly choosing random art majors in school. Now I have some type of direction on where i want to go in life.

[@yarielestevez1829]

Mathematical!!! You guys are amazing really like this tutorial, best tutorial ever, keep the good work you got a fan here and a new subscriber 💪

[@Waynimations]

Your videos are so helpfully. I really appreciate your hard work!!!

[@DaNintendude]

Was doing some art last night and the coloring took ages! I was literally just about to look up how to color more efficiently, and this popped up on my reccommended!

[@soundcloudsim8411]

Thanks for all the AMAZING TIPS!! I graduated college and I'm an aspiring character artist/animator working on my own pitch! The tips for the night time lighting just saved my butt on some key art I've been stuck on, so thank you again!! Love ALL the videos I've watched so far, anyone wanting to learn pro tips, for real watch BaM Animation, I learned things 4 years of art college didnt teach me!

[@samtheartkid9037]

You guys are fantastic.. Can you tell us the equipment needed for short film animation ? For a beginner.. for the QnA

[@yequizen]

Can you guys make a video about line art without a Cintiq or any pen display tablet? Like Intuos series. Love you guys!

[@BaMAnimation]

yes absolutely. been wanting to make a tablet drawing video for quite some time now.

[@monstroretina886]

Sweet! I've been dying to hear some lineart tips from you guys

[@vergeofsanity]

A quick and honest answer: practice. It takes your mind and muscles time to adjust, but if you work at it enough, you should slip into a comfort zone where it becomes as natural as drawing directly.

[@samtheartkid9037]

Thank goodness.. Needed to ask that question

[@CapnSquiggles]

Your tutorials are great. Usually skit stuff is tedious but you find ways to mix it well.

[@ChristianAnimationsStudios]

These guys are the reason why I'm becoming and practicing more on my animations

[@siddh3921]

Plz share the full video tutorial on how to make that cartoon background scene in depth plzz plz plzz❤🙏

[@JayLindstad]

Yes, please do!!

[@sauge677]

i shall help bring this comment to the top.

[@thedarksiderebel]

2 years late, but i also want to see this

[@fokonoyt8061]

Hey BaM can u make a different video about the gamball like background? Love the idea

[@shayb.9585]

Thank you for telling me about that expand pixel option when using the paint bucket!!! I've been spending so much time filling in each white pixel! Thank you so much! 😭

[@FuranA7x]

This channel is pure gold.

[@yequizen]

WE MISSED YOU GUYS

[@BaMAnimation]

we missed you too

[@harkelan]

My dream is to become an cartoonist so im happy I found this channel :"D My question: is difficult to work on cartoon industry ?? (I just realised I'm a year later xd)

[@umrkhayam]

Every time I come back and watch this video, I learn something new!

[@joshuavillajoaquin6410]

GUYS YOU REALLY HELPED OUT A LOT! What ur doing is super generous! Thanks and cheers to more videos!

[@NerdMiGerd]

4:56 Huh, my art professor called them "marching ants" too. Is that what every digital artist calls 'em? Guess it rolls off the tongue better than "blinking selection rope".

[@yousefhussain2629]

I believe that's what they're actually called lol.

[@angrypotato_fz]

That's how they're called also in Photoshop settings (when you refine selection). I guess this term just stuck some years ago.

[@steelpraud]

Question: what were your first jobs in the professional industry?

[@cinnamon9390]

You guys are bananas talented. I still come back to these videos now! Seriously I appreciate you, and will probably write some really big long sappy comment about it at some point soon

[@shaysuketchi5630]

This has been the most useful tutorial for coloring and filling in line art super fast. I wish I've found this video 100 pages back before I did my webcomic.

[@mirror8519]

That final scene is a Lovecraft reference ? "The color from outer space"?

[@chris__whips]

How do you make really nice backgrounds for cartoons? Is it just a still photo or is it in a moving loop?

[@Manganization]

Most background layers in cartoons are stills, unless the scene calls for a looped or dynamic versions.

[@McMitchify]

You guys are talented af!! I really appreciate the part where you mention how to fill in the color in Photoshop without it leaving a white line, that's one of those small things that most tutorials brush over (no pun intended) and fail to mention. In one of my animation classes my teacher devotes the first 15min of class for anyone to share any animation news, I'm def going to share your channel with my class next week!

[@cristianbajoras6597]

Can not wait to proudly say when they reach 10 million that we have been here since the start!

[@ChemPm]

3:20 - Skittles, taste the rainbow.

[@FlavioCarnevaleLithium]

You are great! Please, keep making original videos, thanks :))

[@natemalectv]

Covering colouring line art easily and taking care of the halo effect from anti aliasing makes this video 100000000X useful with just those tips alone. Awesome video guys!

[@medievalwebman2917]

BAM is a Blessing... I feel blessed watching their videos for an uneducated one like me.

[@VidGamer123]

Got a question for your next video: what if I hate Photoshop and all other Adobe products because of their greedy monthly fee model but still wish to draw digitally?

[@ArtofMaximus]

we're not allowed to say "pirate everything" because thats super illegal. You SHOULDN'T do exactly that.

[@BaMAnimation]

Most of these techniques will work in open source software such as Gimp or Krita. Just with different hot keys and buttons. there are plenty of tutorials for those programs.

[@RailRide]

I can vouch for the 'expand selection' feature being present in Krita. By default once enabled it's applied to every magic-wand selection until you turn it off by adjusting the expansion/contraction slider to 0px.

[@voidface8827]

Paint Tool SAI is a loooot cheaper ($50 I believe?) and honestly a great program. A lot of artists I know (and myself) use it;)

[@YllidTheLoonyDog]

I’m upset that so many people don’t know what a birrin is

[@pokemonfanmario7694]

Alex Ries is so underrated man is got GOD LEVEL artistic skills.

[@Omobsterrrr]

Im still amazed by the background 😍

[@chatter2765]

I don't know how you did all this but this was a great video to show some techniques I've never seen before. THank you for this!

[@DenerWitt]

so, its the same as any other artist work. didnt know color stylists made less money. thought that there was line, background, and character painting artists and they were paid the same. thats a shame.

[@Ghostofferings]

Would pay for in depth videos on these topics. Great job in showing so much in very little time!

[@calebfiero6586]

Watched this video slowed down and it was even better! Thank you!

[@PapermasteroneYT]

the background perspective is spot on

[@mosseater2572]

you guys are amazing!!! I've learned more and done more work i'm satisfied with your videos than most classes at my uni!!

[@no-pajamapanda8548]

Your advice on the 2px thing CHANGED MY LIFE. I am self taught on digital art and that was something that has been bugging me. I'm currently having that issue on a tshirt design. Now I can easily fix it! Although I use Krita, they have the same function labeled as "Grow" in case anyone else is curious. ;)

[@kittenkagome1]

Thank you for this. Adding color to the lines in the lineart seemed difficult before I want to try this technique and also the technique for night scenes.

[@videoquez]

Holy Cow - you guys are amazing! I just discovered this channel, and the pace and depth you guys balance is just incredible. I would love to see a video just on digital line-art. If it already exists on your channel, I'm sure I will stumble into it eventually. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!