Getting Paid to Draw starts soon - learn more!
THE 5-DAY ILLUSTRATION PORTFOLIO CHALLENGE
DAY THREE
Read the notes below!
The Lessons
click below to watch!
Day 1
Brainstorming!
Day 2
Sketch it out!
Day 3
Scan & Color!
Day 4
Finish it up!
Day 5
Show it off!
Sketchbook Challenge
LIVE REPLAY!
Sketchbook to Published
LIVE! REPLAY
Day 3 - Scanning and Coloring!
Welcome to Day Three!
Today, we will scan our drawings into the computer and use Photoshop to color them.
NOTE: If you will be using Procreate for this week's project and don't have Photoshop, no problem. You can work on more sketches today OR start a Procreate version of your drawing.
Today's Exercise.
1. Scan your artwork into your computer using your scanner or your phone.
2. Color your sticker!
Ready for more in-depth Photoshop Magic!? Join us in Getting Paid to Draw!
A few Photoshop tips!
I will be going through these actions very quickly. If you're new to Photoshop, take your time. Feel free to pause the video during the steps.
1. To import the image from your scanner, go to file > Import > images from device.
2. Make sure your scan is 300 dpi or higher.
3. I adjusted the levels to make the line darker and the background white by going to
image > adjustments > levels
4. Create a new layer.
5. Use the new layer for your colors.
6. Place the line art layer over the layer with the colors.
Shortcuts I'm using
Z - Select the magnify tool
hold spacebar - when the selection tool is selected to easily move around your document
L - lasso tool
Workshop Supplies
For my demos, I'll be using these art supplies.
Required:
- Paper and pencil
Optional but highly recommended:
- Photoshop or - Procreate (pick one!)
- iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
- Or a scanner app for your phone (I like Genius Scan)
More Than 15 Hours of LIVE Speakers!
This year's Getting Paid to Draw students are invited to live sessions with ELEVEN amazing guest speakers! Check out this year's line-up.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
“This course is an amazing resource...Whether someone is looking to build a side hustle with prints, illustrate children's books, or learn to pitch editorial illustrations to art directors, there is valuable knowledge to be gained from this course.”
-Emily S.
Questions about Mike's Getting Paid to Draw course?
Join a LIVE Q&A!
NOTE! THIS IS NOT THE BIG MEET-UP FOR THE PORTFOLIO CHALLENGE. This is a short Q&A about the upcoming course.
Click on the date & time you'd like to attend to add it to your calendar.
All sessions are in Eastern Time (like New York.) Use this time zone converter to check your local time.
For more than 20 years, Mike Lowery has been helping artists build awesome portfolios.
Ready to make a living with your art?
If you've been hoping to find new ways to build your illustration portfolio, you're in the right spot.
Over the next few days, you're going to build an awesome new piece that is ready to show off.
If you want to dive deeper into the business of illustration, join me in Getting Paid to Draw! It's my once-a-year, 8-week portfolio-building course. It's the ultimate way to find paid illustration assignments.
Registration starts very soon.
Getting Paid to Draw 2026“I recommend this course because it's essentially a condensed year of art school." - Heather M.
