Paint tool SAI is a very easy program to learn and use. It doesn't take up much space on your computer, but it provides a lot of tools and additional features for those who like to create raster images. Even a beginner can master SAI. The program is much easier than Photoshop. All you need is a desire to draw.
How to draw in Paint tool SAI - basic tools
For those who have decided to engage in creativity for the first time and do not know the English names of instruments, there is no way to skip this point. Be sure to learn the names of the tools so you know what you should be using when drawing in SAI.
Tool:
- Pen (Pen);
- Airbrush;
- Brush;
- Watercolor (Watercolor);
- Eraser;
- Marker;
- Eraser;
- Binary pen;
- Fill (Bucket).
How to draw in Paint tool SAI - beginning
First, install the program on your computer. After launching it, click on “File” - “New”. Set the size of the canvas (your work surface where you will draw), give your drawing a name and click “Ok”. You will see a sheet of white “paper” - a canvas. To understand how the Sai program works, you don't need to use all the tools. As a beginner, you will need the Pen and Eraser tools to erase your mistakes.
How to draw in Paint tool SAI - learn more about the Pen tool
To understand the principle of drawing with this tool, imagine that you are drawing with a pencil on paper. You choose the color of the pencil and its thickness. If you press harder on the pencil, you will get a thick line; if you press lightly, you will get a barely noticeable line. In Sai, in the left panel you select the color of the Pen tool, at the bottom you can adjust its size and density.
How to draw in Paint tool SAI - the better to draw
So, you understand where to start, and this is already half the battle. Is it possible to draw with a mouse in Sai? You can, but the drawing will not be as smooth and realistic. It is difficult to draw a long smooth line with a mouse. If you are working on a large drawing, it is better to use special drawing tablets. In the picture you can see what can be drawn using only the Pen tool and Eraser. Playing with the density of the tool helps in creating shadows and highlights in the drawing. With other tools the principle of operation will be the same. The type of line itself will differ. The Brush brush draws lines that are blurry at the edges, the Binary brush produces a hard line, the Marker gives the effect of a clear and beautiful line. Try to compare these tools yourself, so you will understand what you have to work with.
How to draw in Paint tool SAI - layers
Drawing in Sai has its own small “difficulties”. On the right side of the panel you will see a panel where your layers will be lined up in turn. Why do you need this? If you draw everything on one layer, then you will no longer have the freedom to change your image. If you are drawing, for example, a smiley face, then try drawing a yellow body on one layer, eyes on another layer, and a smile on the third. What will this give you? You'll want to turn the happy into a sad emoji. You will not need to erase your lips with an eraser or sketch the body again in yellow. You simply turn off the layer you don’t need (the eye symbol opposite the layer), create a new one and draw a smile. To make it clearer, imagine that you are cutting out this smiley from paper and putting it together. The first layer of paper is your body, the second layer is your black eyes, the third is your smile. Then you put your smile aside and put a bow on your lips, etc. Now imagine that you glued all the parts together with glue (drew a smiley face on one layer in Sai). To change the shape of your smile, what will you have to do?
Working with Sai is a pleasure. This program is not overloaded with tools. There is everything you need, which allows you to create very beautiful pictures. First, just study the interface, get used to it, click on each window. You will definitely love this program!
