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When you open a new page in your TwistedBrush sketchbook, the 31 transparent layer slots are grey. These layers have a black dot in their center, indicating that they are empty and inactive. The bottom layer slot is white and is bordered in black, demonstrating that it is open and active, as shown below.
You may begin sketching or painting on the opaque background layer. Or you may open a new layer and start sketching or painting there.
Adding A Layer
To create a layer, simply left-click on a blank layer slot. The slot will turn white showing that the layer is ready to be used. You may create a layer inside the Layers’ Dialog, too. To do this, click the black arrow to the left of the Background Layer, or select menu Layers > Layers. Inside the Layers’ Dialog, simply click the Insert button or place the cursor on any of the “Click Here To Create Layer” bars.
As paint is placed on a layer, the layer slot in the Layer Panel and in the Layers' Dialog will show a thumbnail of your work.
In the example that’s shown above, the background layer was closed by left-clicking it and a backdrop for the painting was made on a layer two slots up. Additional layers were opened, one of which was used for the main graphic design. Note: The active layer is bordered with black in the Layer Mini Bar and it is highlighted with black in the Layer Panel.
To paint another element of your design on its own layer, left-click an empty layer to open it and begin painting there. If you make a painting mistake, simply erase what you don’t like with one of the eraser tools. Images on other layers won’t be touched! If you don’t like anything that is on a layer, delete the entire layer, open a new layer, and start again.
Using More Layers
Layers let you slip images in front of or behind other images easily and professionally! Below, a sun was placed on a layer that sits between the backdrop and the main design. By sandwiching the sun, it peeks through the blue and pink rays and gives another sense of depth to the overall piece.
Using A New Layer Just To Tweak Your Painting
When a painting is nearly finished, you may get the urge to add "a little something more" in the hope that the addition will make it more dynamic. That's what happened to this painting. The center region needed a touch more color . . . a touch more jazz, if you will. A new layer was used, as shown below.
When you are satisfied with the way your painting looks, you can seal all of the layers together by merging or flattening them. Doing this will compress file size and save disk space. Note: Be sure to save your work in TBR format first or you won't be able to access individual layers at a later date.
Copy and graphics for this page were contributed by TwistedBrush member shutterbuggy ~Rita.
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