Paint Process+The Layer Clip

Wanted to show how I paint kinda @U@;; I'll try to be as clear as possible...

First of all: I am definitely not professional. This is just how I "paint."

TL;DR ahead

Tools:
SAI; Ink pen (lineart + base color), Marker (shading)

I USE A LOT OF LAYERS. I flatten them a lot too. That is why my use of the marker tool is uh "controlled"

1. Lineart. I draw out what I want to paint... I don't really do lineart for it so it's basically my sketching lmao ; u ; That's why the hair area looks messy... I erased the appropriate areas DURING painting so sorry I didn't screenshot the basic sketch.

2. Base Colors. Mostly base colors. I completely deleted the hair outline to give a softer look. Sorry for the shading (shorts etc), I just brushed over the areas with the marker tool and flattened the layer on the base.

3. I shade... I actually do random colors. OTL That's not a really good idea but it seems to work decently for me. I just try to see if the colors look good LMAO ... I tend to mix in a lot of blues, oranges, and purples.

4->5. Smoothed some things out and yuh. You can see how I add most of my highlights (eyes, hair) here. I add a new layer and stroke over areas with the base color (look at the sleeves... see how it's kinda blobby white on top of the shading?) that's how I like to show form.

6. Finished product...

Sorry I ramble/it looks confusing. :C I'll do my best to answer questions in the comments if anyone has any <3... Will scrap later.

Time taken: 40 minutes
Tool: SAI

EDIT!! *Extra: sorry something important. I use the Layer clip/ Clipping Group option a lot. Note: That is why my shading is within the base color and clean.

Above your layer box you see check boxes:

[ ] Preserve Opacity
[ ] Clipping Group
( ) Selection Source

To use Layer Clip first you have a base.

Layer 1 - Base Color

Then you want to shade? Make a new layer OVER the Base. Not below.

Layer 2 - Shade
Layer 1 - Base Color

Select Layer 2. Check the Clipping Group Box.
[ ] Preserve Opacity
[x] Clipping Group
( ) Selection Source

---Layer 2 - Shade
Layer 1 - Base Color

You can do that for multiple layers and STILL edit the Base Color (which you can do with slightly more difficulty with Preserve Opacity/Opacity Lock)

EX.

---Layer 4 - Highlight etc
---Layer 3 - More shade
---Layer 2 - Shade
Layer 1 - Base Color

If you have any questions please don't be afraid to comment. But this is pretty much the best way I can explain this. If you have SAI please experiment for yourself! I save a lot of time this way. You can do this with later versions of Photoshop too (Right Click layer -> Clipping Mask) Have funnnn