Hi my friend! Carlitos here,

I decided to try this underrated Japanese “manga/anime” software that I remember hearing about back in my DeviantArt days. Software like this takes a lot of work to create, but it often gets pigeonholed into being used for one specific style. Remember Clip Studio Paint in its early days? Or what it was called before in this part of the world? Yes, Manga Studio! Because it’s Japanese, people assumed you could only draw or paint manga with it. Now, artists have discovered the true power behind that software.

With over 20 years of experience in the art industry—working on comics, video games, and even films—I’ve tried pretty much every piece of software on the market. As a long-time Adobe Photoshop user (and a self-confessed nerd), I can say this: Paint Tool Sai version 2 is the perfect transition software for artists moving between Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint.

This underrated painting software is everything Photoshop should be: lightweight, insanely fast, and affordable. The GUI strikes a perfect balance between Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint, with no steep learning curve—just pick it up and start painting. It has all the essential tools to create stunning art, and its speed is unmatched. Need proof? Open a 100-layer PSD file in Sai, and it loads instantly. The same file in Photoshop? You’ll have enough time to cook dinner and walk your dog.

Of course, I love manga and anime—and even the ameri-manga styles popping up from new artists on social networks. But tools shouldn’t be limited to one task. Think about the cavemen painting with their fingers; their art still inspires us. Tools are just a medium for the artist to bring their imagination to life.

I recorded a process video for an unplanned, unscripted illustration. I simply opened Sai and let my imagination flow. The full image took 8 hours, and I didn’t use any plugins or magic filters—just the basics like HUE/Saturation or Overlay/Multiply adjustments when needed. No fancy brushes (love you, Sai ❤️), just the default tools designed for painting. No endless adjustment layers or channel tricks—just pure art on a blank canvas.

I invite you to join me on this journey. I’m planning to create a full Paint Tool Sai tutorial in the future, showing you how to set up and customize tools for maximum productivity. For now, I’m sharing this gift: a process video of my illustration and the full 8-hour raw footage.

I wish you all the best in your career and hope to see some of your creations using this magnificent software. ✌️😊

Carlitos out!

Find the video and a preview here:

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