Too Many Layers

Do you draw with too many layers? Using this many can slow you down. Here are seven ways to declutter your digital art.

⭐️ Scribble Kibble Digital Art Tip # 4 ⭐️

⭐️ MUSIC ⭐️

[Wissle]

Adobe Illustrator vector artists where every single shape is its own layer: And I took that personally

[edenwayne]

I always merge my line arts when its time for coloring but i also save the separated line art in a invisible folder at the bottom of everything because sometimes i like to make multiple versions of an image and having that choice at my disposal is just convenient

[ks_ig]

Having many layers is my version of hoarding. I don’t want to remove one because I’m scared

[Zedrinbot]

I either have 4 layers or 160 layers, there is no in between

BTW in CSP, holding CTRL + Shift and clicking can allow you to select a layer, jumping to whatever item you click, while ignoring adjustment layers and locked layers. Same goes for the object operation tool (though that one has the caveat of potentially moving the layer you select if not careful). Useful with any layer count, but especially for finding which layer has that stray pixel.

[friendbeast]

i was forced out of layer decluttering when i switched to a device that literally wasn't powerful enough for that many layers and god, it saves SO much time

[someotherstranger]

It may go without saying, but the overabundance of layers is ultimately derived from a lack of confidence. It becomes a crutch and eventually a hindrance. I eventually gravitated towards using less layers the more confident I became, but I could probably still cut down a bit more. ^^;

[edenwayne]

What i always do to keep my brain relaxed is put everything in an appropriate folder and collapse every one that I'm not currently working on.

For example if im coloring, i collapse the background and line art, and if I'm done coloring the part, i collapse it and only keep the ones that i still have to work on open.

[MikeDragon]

There was a time when I started using too many layers and have them not be in folders and UNNAMED (always name your layers, kids!). Gradually I've managed to reorganize myself and now, although I still work with a somewhat considerable amount of layers, for now it feels alright. So long as I keep them properly organized, of course. Giving a name to each layer and sorting them in groups (folders) is wonderous. And of course, also merging down any layers that no longer need to be separated, as suggested in the video.

Though currently I feel being strongly held back in many ways by my method of shading/lighting and that impacts the number of layers directly. I've been stuck for years with relying heavily on the Dodge and Burn tools (Photoshop) for the vast majority of my shading and lighting. It gets the job done, but at the same time it's much more limited than what I know can be accomplished via other methods, and due to how Dodge and Burn works, I often am "forced" to use some more layers so the effect being applied won't affect areas it is not supposed to (Lasso/Pen often don't help much with this method). So far I've never been able to teach myself other and better methods for shading and lighting. ;-;

[CrownePrince]

((panic breathing and spamming the Add New Layer button before the Layer Inquisition gets here))

[VintageFenrir]

I had to stop with all the layers because it was making art tedious and I drew less. I didn't have a problem finding anything, I was very organized, but I also stopped every 2 seconds to make a new layer.

[Lightning_Fox]

Literally yesterday I was editing a piece and had to sort through the probably 20 layers to figure out which "jacket" layer I needed, definitely glad I saw this now

[shpelunky]

As a traditional artist, my overusing of layers has become a problem. The amount of transparent sheets I layer on top of each other when drawing is absurd. Thank you for this wake-up call.

[uranusouji]

You can NOT stop me. I am the prince of layers. I have krita, I can name, them put them in folders, color code them, my layers are more organized than my room. And if I get lost I select the layer I'm looking for directly from the canvas using a key shortcut, I have no such limitations mortal, MUAHAHAHA.

[NostalgiaArtist]

love this. should also mention some CSP exclusive features that make life easier, ctrl + shift + click lets you single out the exact layer something is on just by clicking that area. if you select a color adjustment layer on top or something, you can make it invisible and repeat until you find what you're looking for. also select -> select color gamut is an actual god send

[Minittwastaken]

you are too good a teacher to be a free one on youtube

[Zombieharts]

I do what I call “one painting” one brush, one layer. No filters. No blurs or smudges. No erasers.

[thatraccoonthing]

Proud to say I’ve been doing that since the beginning and was astounded by the sheer number of layers shown in the beginning

[Spencer-wcew]

When I draw, I only use solid color layers with masks. If I want to break something lile lineart into multiple layers, I'll put them in a folder and use the whole folder as a mask.
Even for vector layers, I just use them as masks for solid color layers.
It means I can change a color really easily but can look pretty chaotic

[derpcoffee]

Can't relate, I organize my layers better than my life.

[Ponderpine]

I've actually found drawing on very few or one layer to help me a lot. I sketch, layer over that with cleaner sketch, then an under layer for broad colors. Then I combine the clean sketch and colors into one, so I can paint everything together.
It makes it way easier to adjust everything and change elements on the fly, because otherwise I'd have to keep re-doing this or that part over and over.