How the Photoshop Dodge Tool Can Help You!

But as time goes by, I was introduced to its special properties from a fellow artist.

Even though I don’t use this tool on a regular basis, there are times where it is definitely essential to shaping depth and perception as it has a unique quality that lets you lighten and darken pictures as necessary.

Let’s look at this tool in more detail, shall we?

1. Looking at the dodge tool

For example, if a light source shines on an object, the outline of the object is shown in stunning contrast to the rest of the object. It is the dodge tool that can reproduce this contrast on the areas that you need it!

2. Using the dodging options

As soon as you click on the dodge tool, the following options will appear. Just like the brush tool, you can specify the type of brush head, size, and textures.

When you select the shadows range, it will change all dark value pixels into lighter value pixels. Any light colored pixels will not be affected within the shadow range. Personally, I find this range not as useful as it should be because it defeats the purpose of getting a good contrast.

On the other side of the spectrum is the range of highlights. Basically, it will lighten all colored pixels to further lighter pixels. What you find that it creates a very nice contrast to the areas defined in the dodge tool.

Last, but not least, the midtone setting is what I use most of the time. I found out that it is a good balance between the shadow and highlight ranges. It creates wonderful contrast of the pixels being colored over with this range.

3. Using the burn options

When you decide to use the burn tool to make your digital drawings darker, you just need to know that this tool is just the exact opposite of the dodge tool.

That is, it has the same basic ranges of shadows, midtones, and highlights. As well, based on these ranges, you can definitely assume it does the opposite of what the Photoshop dodge tool is capable of doing.

Basically, instead of making pixels lighter, it will make the pixels darker depending on one of the three ranges that you chose.

Again, you can also change the brush type, the brush size, and its textures to your liking. Experiment a little to find out what options are right for you and your digital painting.

4. What is the sponge tool?

As you may have guessed, there is a third tool I have yet to discuss. If you click the Photoshop dodge tool again, you will see something that looks like a sponge. This tool is good for creating mood.

There are two options available: saturate and desaturate.

Saturation makes the area filled with brilliant color based on the color that is already in the area. For example, light blue will turn into a deep rich blue. On the other hand, if you put the option to desaturate, it will do the exact opposite as it will take away color!

I use this tool often, with the setting on desaturate, if I want to create a misty environment such as a foggy morning in the background.

Whenever I feel like creating a rich environment such as under the sea or in a forest, I will set the option on saturate to bring out the shining colors of the water or the leaves respectively.

As you can, see, these tools are excellent for creating depth and bringing objects! Of course, these tools are best used interchangeably. Never depend on one tool to bring out depth unless you feel comfortable with one tool.

But at the same time, don’t depend on them as they are just tools for you to extend what you already know about shadowing and depth.

Stay motivated and improve on your basic artistic knowledge to see these tools will shine!

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