How To Scan and Clean Art for Print!

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This video is all about scanning and cleaning comic art for print, and for submission to publishers. We go through how to combine scans from a smaller scanner, choosing the correct file type and resolution, cleaning and prepping, and creating a smaller preview image.
For in depth courses, check out DavidFinchArt.com

[@brettbarkley8042]

I've waited years-and endured so much art that lost something in scans-for this video. Thank you!

[@kennywang171]

OH MY GOSH DAVE!! YOU GOT SPONSORED!!!!! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU ☺☺

[@michaelbarletta1024]

A square space sponsorship? It’s official, David, you are a true KZbin content creator now!

[@rakutempo]

Not sure if anyone already said this but a good trick for splicing the two scanned halves together would be to drop the opacity of the layer that's on top by about 50% which would then allow you to line the crop lines of your comic page up. Once aligned, put the opacity back to 100% before flattening 👍

[@cuchuloholic]

it’s called tiling and its a basic knowledge for any illustrator like me and him who’s 40 or older because scanners were small and expensive and large ones were generally not in your home or readily available lol.

[@cuchuloholic]

and yes im glad you find it cool i came here to comment that im glad he still shared this little trick even though lots of people may find it obsolete or weird but it works great as a workaround or in a pinch.

[@M3ATSHAKE]

Appreciate this one Dave. I know many ask questions often around scanning. Great stuff, thanks!!!

[@jdsantibanez]

There is an automatic align and merging tool in Photoshop. You don't have to do it manually anymore!!

[@1MightyR]

Thanx for explaining all this. I was wondering how to get rid of the blue lines. Im gonna check out Square Space too!

[@jdsantibanez]

You would have to add contrast and switch to gray-scale.

[@dannycruz5446]

You can just split the RGB channels, blue is removed instantly

[@1MightyR]

@@dannycruz5446 good info! Thanx

[@1MightyR]

@@jdsantibanez thank u!

[@alphinart]

There you go again, uploading the most useful tutorials! Thanks Dave! 👍

[@whatthefanart]

TIP 1 >> when stitching scans of two halves >> set the top layer to Difference mode in the Layers. At first you'll get a lot of contrast noise. This is the effect of showing the difference of the contrast between the layers - where blacks and whites (shadows and highlights) are overlapping. Even more noticeable with overlapping colors. Then use the arrow keys to line up the top layer. As the layers get closer and closer to alignment, the image becomes more of a solid black, and where you see some white edges, you get a clearer idea of the direction to tweak the alignment. The idea is to make the top layer solid black, where there's NO difference of shadow/highlight contrast. Then set that top layer back to Normal and you should see a perfect alignment of all the ink lines and solid shape edges. TIP 2 >> for cleaning up the loose pencil scribbles from the final lines DON'T use the eraser >> instead use the Dodge tool, set to target Highlights, 10% Exposure (intensity) and uncheck Protect Tones option. The Dodge tool is a way of "bleaching" the tonal values of where you brush, and by setting it to target Highlights has a reduced effect on shadow areas of the image, the *stronger* pencil lines. Keep in mind it *can* still effect shadow tones to some extent so adjust the brush size in finer detail areas. Still it's a lot safer than the eraser and gives you more flexibility to brush more freely and smoothly with cleaning up the line edges. In fact it's even better to do the Levels adjustment BEFORE brushing, as that contrast cleanup will strengthen the dark lines and diminish the soft grays, making some disappear entirely into the white.... reducing the brushwork needed and making the Dodge brush target the highlights separately from the shadow lines that much safer.

[@michaels6147]

Excellent tip; I’ve used this method for panoramic photography for a couple of years now. I wonder if you can use frequency separation for cleanup?

[@bigcladwolfdetecting6017]

Great tips

[@DocFlint]

I wrestled with this topic quite a lot when starting out and trying to scan pencils and inks the right way for my friend to color it digitally. Eventually, you'll just find the right "levels" value in PS to do the trick, for the most part. That being said, the whole process of scanning, cropping and cleaning up is quite a chore in itself, haha. Very informative video, especially regarding the industry standard file types, resolutions and the whole process overall!

[@genacat4599]

Thank you so much for this. I've been looking everywhere for a video like this 💖

[@stavros9849]

Thank you for making this video, I've been wondering how this process is done for a while now. Amazing.

[@supersonico9364]

Thanks for sponsoring Dave SQUARESPACE 👍

[@fadhliammartaqiyuddinhakim5750]

Awesome videos as always David!

[@alanmottaart5778]

This is awesome Dave! Congrats on getting a paid promotion too! Really needed this video, will help me a lot!

[@nickellfrancis6846]

David finch I really appreciate what you do for this art stream so thank you 🙏💕😉😉

[@akcomic4202]

Hi Dave, this was an amazing video and I am so happy you got a sponsor!

[@jamesmurphy.]

I was googling about this today. Nice one Dave 👍 you're a legend Dave

[@nferdiddy494]

this is the exact video I been looking for.

[@abcsforkids]

Awesome thanks for that advice it sure was helpful..... and thanks for your inspiring amazing Art work that has tought me a lot and helped me improve in my style. Have a blessed day David Finch.

[@jameskillian8795]

This was a great video! Would love more like this about getting work ready for print! Very helpful!

[@StreamerGuy_]

Daves intro, along with jazzas ild intro are probably one of the coolest sounding intro music😁

[@alphinart]

Finch Flock unite! ✍️

[@KillerTacos54]

WOW! Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful video Dave

[@tomicart5854]

Awesome Dave!🙌🙌🔥

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

I did this with an image a while back, but didn't have a tablet so ended up doing it all with a mouse, and it took DAYS to clean it up! Very interesting and useful video David, as always, thank you for doing this!

[@Jerseylance1]

Nice

[@greatwhitesufi]

ayyyy I asked for this on a Monday Night Draw a couple of weeks ago and David answered me, I'm still like 5 videos behind on the course David, hopefully get it done soon

[@kingpen1179]

Present as always David ❤️

[@denniskelly3110]

Sweet! Thanks so much for. Making this video.

[@mg-ThisHandleIsSoStupid]

Aw, I miss those Epson scanners. When I was teaching, I had access to 4 of them, as well as 10 large format Epson Printers. So nice.

[@artpipe]

After all these years, adios blue line. Thanks for the info.

[@aersiul]

This is so helpful. Thank's Dave!

[@arunkkutube]

Always wondered how to retain black....after coloring black didn't stand out. ... But this tutorial really helped me.... Thanks @davidfinch ... Will post new work , based on the inputs soon.

[@danielwandawn3070]

Hey david, i got a trick for cleaning. Select smart selection, and play with the strength.. then make a mask. You can delete all the color that you dont want (messy grey) with one click. Cheers.

[@mauriciomagalhaes181]

Thank you david.

[@endriosborn4719]

So great!! Really helpfull,thank you!

[@Zentron]

I also find that using a Fill Layer over the top set to White means that you don't have to do any destructive editing, that way can just erase the fill layer if want to restore an area of the drawing back to how it was, long after the 'Undo' function has gone past its history limit. Plus if want to apply the paper texture, can just copy from a clean area of the background where the paper is, then clip mask it over the fill layer, that way can still get the texture, but without the hassle of using the Clone Stamp tool.

[@ademirca4621]

Well done your an artistic masterpiece

[@underamoon]

what kind of lap pad are you using for working in bed/chair?

[@kmolina5841]

So needed this 😀

[@Dr.RockeART]

Very good tutorial! Different but still quite fitting! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@mostuniquechanelnamemeredi2514]

Extremely useful video!!

[@samankucher5117]

Surprisingly useful 🍀

[@Einherjar_Art89]

Holy crap, this is exactly what I needed lol

[@paulessenson7920]

Ka-Chinnnnng!!! lol well done Dave!

[@orus68]

Great info David. Sometimes I like to leave my scans a little dirty and less contact on the duplicate layers for layer mode effects later when coloring.

[@orus68]

I tip I always gives is to save the original unaffected scan as the back later and then duplicate that to the next layer to work with. You always have the raw scan then

[@bigprobllama]

That's really helpfull! Thanks a lot

[@jaybills437]

Very informative thank u

[@timothy790110]

The easiest way to align top and bottom is to have the top slightly transparent. Perfect alignment every time.

[@jamesjames9938]

Thanks Dave

Hey David. You must be using Automate / Bath in the File menu to joing pieces of a page. And "J" to remove rough lines. I hope that help you. Thanks for sharing your videos o/

[@miklospinter]

I suggest to use a new layer for the cleanup in Photoshop. This way you can keep the original scan, compare the cleanup vs the original any time, and it's a lot easier to undo mistakes later because you can erase (or mask out) the cleanup layer.

[@doon99]

I like to let Photoshop do the work so, I just scan the two parts, then select "photo Merge" and the program combines them into one perfect image in seconds rather than jumping through hoops to align things. Also, for clean up, the dodge tool set on "highlight" is a faster less destructive way of cleaning up/erasing the lighter gray lines without effecting the dark lines..likewise, the burn tool to darken things if needed.

[@ToddBeatsART]

Yes!!! Photo merge is it!

[@hoodiegodbrycie4128]

The Goat

[@thelastlaugh01]

Great video! Is that inked line work available to download for coloring practice?

[@Chessbox09]

Thanks so much, I learned so much from this video. First of all, that I need a new scanner lol. Mine doesn't have TIFF or JPEG option, so I was wondering why I was struggling so much. There are so few videos on this subject that its hard to find advice. If you are reading these comments, is there anyway you could put the name of the scanner you were using? Thanks

[@doomsmithslightpadchannel1478]

I looked up that scanner and good god man! That's alot of cheddar to shell out! But you mentioned something about printing prints ourselves, I was wondering what printers you'd suggest to use?

[@mikelinux1961]

I know you have to clean up he art for printing but I love seeing the remnants of the process.

[@pdirestajr]

If you set your brush blend mode to "Overlay" it will only lighten the pencils to white without affecting the blacks.

[@miklospinter]

Pulling down the opacity on one of the halfs makes it a lot easier to match the two scans.

[@VinceRushArt]

Do you ever use the ‘threshold’ tool to make your blacks black and whites white? And if not is there a reason? Great video! 😄

[@NTMComics]

I have a question. So I watched an old Brian Haberlin video where he turned the inks into bitmap so the lines were "stair stepped" and then turned it back into color mode. I've been doing that recently for my indie book but I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing since technology has advanced since he made that video. Thoughts? Should I rescan those pages and not do the whole bitmap process or just keep doing it?

[@bkostering1622]

Typically the process you described above would be done by the colourist before flatting

[@NTMComics]

@@bkostering1622 Thanks so much! That makes perfect sense.

[@eletriccreeper]

ive been wondering: its necessary to scan the pencil or final art in color? In the software i use i can scan in in B&W and i though perhaps thats easier but maybe there is something i dont know... Great vid anyway :)

[@coolitmrheat9581]

Nice

[@thenamelessone3471]

Woah, just got a scanner two days ago

[@jadescandy1897]

What type of printer you use ? If you can help me 🙏

[@user-gy8vl5nr1y]

вай, благодарю!

[@hthrly7555]

What photoshop software is this?

[@DHRFIGHTERPODCAST]

How much is that scanner?

[@RamirezFlores]

About $3500

[@Launchpad05]

I scan my artwork at 400 dpi since it's for a comic book I'm making myself, and not a large poster. If I want to make a poster, I should go with 600 dpi, right?

[@ridewherever]

Draw and ink digitally?

[@guardianofthelabyrinth3519]

Hi Dave ,lately I've been struggling drawing dragons,if you don't mind,can you make a video on how to draw one.Thank you.

[@jcfemiani]

For automatically stitching the two halves together I find Microsoft ICE (Image Composite Editor) useful, not connected with them in any way just an FYI.

[@d36williams]

really ballsy is to take a picture with a phone, straighten it out in photoshop and mail that. If you use a stand and the stand never moves and the paper lies in the same spot consistently, it can actualyl work very well

[@JuanUys]

At 4:00, can't you just select both layers (shift-click both), then Edit -> Auto-Align Layers?

[@Zaiyou]

Sweet how do u print in blue line for inking. Know Meredith is against it but wanna try inking your DPS magneto on throne with mjolnir, do a collab with Jim Lee if u get chance. #FinchFlock

[@bepinkfloyd814]

When is only black and white i just put the thing when making the selection that automaticly select everything that is black or white and than just paint on It xD

[@brawlstars64699]

Please help how to work on Photoshop I Am zero on this

[@Dahmere]

This video could not have come out at a better time for me since I'm actually trying get more into the digital scene. I'd appreciate if anyone could give me scanner recommendations.

[@keithaguilar9790]

Daaaaave....use Layer Adjustments (non destructive) verses Image adjustments (destructive)

[@Kiadaw77]

I used to have a scanner, then I have a scanner/printer. Now I just take photos with my iphone.

[@theunprofessionalartist9484]

Wouldn't non-repro/photo blue save you more time on cleaning up your pencils?

[@dungeoneering1974]

Instead of painting out the pencil with white, why wouldn't you use the Dodge tool?

[@omnesilere]

Starts at 1:42. Damn you squarespace.

[@jayowens1072]

If you read this I care about you enough to tell you that you have sinned against a Holy God and because of that you are under condemnation and will endure God’s wraith if you do not come to know and believe in His son Jesus Christ who died on the cross so the door to have your sins forgiven could be open and you receive salvation as a free gift you will suffer for all eternity turn from your sinful ways and live a life that is appealing to the Lord and brings Him Glory you don’t have all the time in the world tomorrow is not guaranteed

[@pastmasterdan4080]

Smiling behind a mask, makes you look high

[@roydelacruz8949]

DAVID FINCH! You need to do cringe intros in your videos plzzzzz DO IT!!!

[@millybob2793]

hi mister my dream is to one day draw better than you so i hope you see my comment

[@omnesilere]

draw more, comment less. gl

[@millybob2793]

@@omnesilere bet

[@ssemr14]

From what I saw in the video, this is the worst way to clean a digitized job. Photoshop has tools for this that are better, more practical and easier to use. Sorry, but I don't understand why you do this.

[@kal7rider780]

Do you mind sharing the better ways? I agree this looks time consuming and prone to more error.

[@thoughtonpaper]

Great video! Subscribed!