Incorporating color halftones into your work is an important step to creating authentic retro illustrations. Getting a handle on how to use them properly, however, might take a little more effort than you're used to.
Don't worry though! We're ready to explain the ins and outs of halftone coloring, and by the time you finish this tutorial it will seem like a piece of cake.
You'll be surprised how quickly you improve!
In this video, our guest artist, Matt, uses our ColorLab comic color kit for Procreate. You can use any tools or software you like, and these tips will (very likely) still apply. In fact, the process is almost identical for Photoshop, Affinity, and Clip Studio Paint. The point is to find what works best for you so that you can incorporate these tips in a way that will spell success.
The ColorLab Comic Color Kit, halftone brushes that make it easy to add authentic color and shading that look like they came straight off the presses. Get it today and present your work in glorious technicolor!
Halftones offered faithful color reproduction at a fraction of the cost.
Halftone printing is a type of reproduction that allows high-quality images to be made quickly and cheaply. Before this technique was invented, printers were mostly restricted to printing one solid block of color at a time if they wanted to keep things cost-effective.
Halftones broke up these blocks into dots that allowed printing light and dark tones and anything in between all at once. Printers were able to reproduce highly detailed photographs and illustrations more cheaply than they ever had been able to before.
💡But Wait There's More: Want to learn more about halftones and the history of print? Check out our Comic History blog series.
Take the time to gather references to help inform your choices.
As we mentioned in our article going over inking tips, having references is a great way to identify things to help your vintage inspired work look more authentic. Take some time to pick a few references that capture the look you are going for and see what you notice.
The more familiar you get with the work of that genre the less you'll have to rely on references, but they are a handy tool to have no matter where you are in your art journey.
Set up your workspace early so you can work quickly and efficiently.
Before you get started coloring, you need to make sure you're setting your document up for success. Organize your artwork like this:
Another helpful tool to have on hand is a halftone color chart. If you're following along with ColorLab, this will be something you already have provided to you. If you're using a different tool, there are examples of historic color charts that you can use as well.
💡But Wait There's More: Depending on the colors you've chosen you might also need a fourth color layer for your blacks. You could also put your black halftones on your line art layer if you wish.
Choosing your colors is important, so take the time to find one that fits your work.
This is a crucial step. Color can either make your line art look right at home or wildly out of place. Look at your references to see what colors you notice pop up the most. Take notes if necessary or color pick from the originals. It's okay to use the same colors you find in the reference, just make it your own.
In our example, Matt is using an analagous color scheme, which means the colors are next to each other on the color wheel. There are a lot of different color schemes, so don't feel like you have to stick to just one.
Block in your colors before moving to halftones to ensure they are harmonious.
Before diving straight into halftones, take the time to paint in the solid colors you've chosen so you know how everything looks together. It may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will save you the huge headache of realizing that your colors don't match and needing to start all over again.
The good news is that you don't have to be precious about it. Slap your colors on to get a feel of how everything looks, and take notes of the corresponding halftone color codes.
This leads us to the next step.
Match the colors you selected to the color chart and write them down.
Despite only being comprised of 3-4 colors, the possible number of color swatches halftones are capable of producing when mixed is massive.
For this reason, it's a good idea to write down the code for each color you want to use in your illustration. Again, this might seem like an unnecessary step. Still, few things are as annoying as forgetting what color you wanted to make and having to hunt it down all over again.
Set yourself up right from the beginning by jotting them down on your canvas, in your notes application, or on a scratch piece of paper.
Different halftone styles will yield different results.
Not all halftones are the same. In fact, since its introduction in the late 19th century, there has been an explosion of different styles and effects that artists could choose. With ColorLab, you get the following:
Whatever tools you're using, it's a good idea to take note of how your halftones look and how they stack up to your references. Pick something that is going to mimic the original and stick with it.
In ColorLab, each brush name corresponds to the codes in the color chart.
At first, halftone color codes might seem like a magic incantation or a bunch of nonsense, but when you break it down, it couldn't be simpler.
Every code in a color chart will have one or more letters and at times a number. If you're using ColorLab these codes will correspond to the brushes in the pack. Let's take a look at the Red codes so you can get an idea of how to read them.
We can then apply that same logic to B or Blue, Y or Yellow, and K or Black.
So, the code R2Y2 that Matt uses to color the skin of the two people in his illustration is comprised of the Red 2 and Yellow 2 brushes.
If you're not using ColorLab you might find that their system works differently. In general, however, halftones will all use some variation of this technique.
The ColorLab Comic Color Kit, halftone brushes that make it easy to add authentic color and shading that look like they came straight off the presses. Get it today and present your work in glorious technicolor!
Use print defects and other visual effects sparingly for a more authentic and attractive look.
Much of the comic artwork created during the mid-century was made quickly, with little time allotted for detailed coloring. That doesn't mean you can't add some in and stay authentic. The key here is subtlety. Review your references to see how you can tastefully incorporate shading, white highlights, or other finishing touches like print defects.
Coloring your retro work authentically can seem intimidating, but when we break it down, it couldn't be easier. A few colors unlock almost unlimited swatches that are true to the era and quick to whip up.
Study your references, note what colors were used, and incorporate them into your own work. Now that you know how to break down the color codes, you'll be surprised how quickly your art comes together.
And some finishing touches like shading, highlights, and print defects (sparingly) to bring your work to life.
Explore the evolution of comic book printing and how color transformed the medium. Learn about ink opacity, tonal range, and historical techniques—plus, grab free brushes for your digital artwork!
Learn how to create a vintage-looking comic panel with our step-by-step tutorial. You'll be able to add color halftones, wear and tear, and other effects to achieve a convincing vintage aesthetic.
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