Color applies the hue and saturation of the blending layer to the base layer while preserving the base layer’s brightness. This lets you change the color of an illustration without changing its existing lights and shadows.
The Math
Color takes the hue and saturation from the blending layer and combines them with the brightness of the base layer. The top layer controls what color the result is and how vivid it is, while the bottom layer controls how light or dark that color appears.
Think of it like coloring a black-and-white drawing without repainting the lighting. The Color layer supplies the color, while the base layer keeps its original light and dark values.
Core Rules of Color
Hue changes: The color family comes from the blending layer.
Saturation changes: The intensity of that color also comes from the blending layer.
Brightness stays: The base layer keeps its original light and dark values.
Shading stays intact: Existing highlights, shadows, and other brightness variations remain visible.
When to Use It
Coloring grayscale artwork: Paint colors onto a Color layer after establishing your lighting and shading in grayscale.
Recoloring artwork: Change the color of clothing, hair, objects, or other elements without repainting their existing shading.
Color adjustments: Shift the color and intensity of an illustration while preserving its established brightness and contrast.