Is Greyscale To Color worth it if you’re shopping in Drawing & Painting?
Greyscale To Color: the $10 shortcut from flat sketch to finished painting
You have the sketch. The values are solid, the composition works, and you can see exactly what the final piece should look like. But the moment you reach for the color palette, you freeze. You pick a hue, it looks muddy, you undo it, pick another, and suddenly an hour has vanished into a blank canvas. This is the most common bottleneck for digital artists who are comfortable in greyscale but stuck when it comes to the actual color pass. (Greyscale To Color)
Greyscale To Color from Zac Retz is a two-part video tutorial pack designed specifically to bridge that gap. Instead of abstract theory, you get to watch a working artist take a simple greyscale sketch and turn it into a finished color painting in real time. At $10, it’s a low-risk way to see exactly how someone else handles underpainting, temperature shifts, and the decision between painterly and graphic styles. If you’re tired of guessing your way through the color stage, this is a focused, practical look at how to do it with intention.
Quick answer
| Best for | Digital painters who are confident in value structure but struggle with the transition to color. |
| Skip if | You are a complete beginner who hasn’t yet mastered basic greyscale sketching, or if you need a course on traditional oil/watercolor mediums. |
| Price | $10 |
| Format | Two video tutorials (40 + 60 mins) + layered PS files |
| One-line take | A practical, real-time walkthrough of the color stage that saves you from hours of trial-and-error. |
If that sounds like your current workflow, check out the Greyscale To Color pack to see the full scope of the tutorials.
What you’re actually buying
The core of this pack is two video sessions: one 40-minute tutorial and one 60-minute tutorial. These aren’t pre-edited highlight reels; they are real-time paintings where Zac Retz talks through his steps and thoughts as he works. You get to see the decision-making process, including the moments where he hesitates, adjusts a color temperature, or decides to keep a mark painterly versus graphic. That context is what makes the difference between a tutorial that feels like a magic trick and one that actually teaches you how to replicate the result. (Greyscale To Color)
Along with the videos, you receive the Photoshop files of the paintings with step layers. This is a huge value add because you can open the file, isolate a specific layer, and see exactly how the underpainting was built before the final colors were applied. It turns the video from a passive watch into an active study tool. You can zoom in, check the opacity settings, and understand the technical structure behind the visual result. (Greyscale To Color)
The topics covered are specific to the pain points of digital coloring: simple value statements that draw the eye, composition checks, color underpainting techniques, and how to use color temperatures to create depth. Zac also shares any Photoshop tricks he uses along the way, so you get a mix of artistic theory and practical software workflow. (Greyscale To Color)
Because the tutorials are filmed in Photoshop, some of the tool-specific tips will lean toward that software. However, the core concepts—underpainting, temperature, and painterly vs. graphic choices—are universal. Whether you work in Procreate, Krita, or even traditional media, the artistic logic translates. If you want to see the specific tools and files included, view the Greyscale To Color listing for the full breakdown.
Why it’s on our radar
This pack stands out because it solves a very specific, high-friction problem: the jump from value to color. Many art courses either cover the entire process from blank canvas to finish (which is overwhelming) or focus only on color theory without showing the actual execution. Greyscale To Color sits in the middle, giving you a focused, real-time demonstration of the color stage.
The inclusion of the layered PS files is a rare touch for a $10 product. It allows you to dissect the work after the video ends, which is invaluable for learning. You’re not just watching a painting happen; you’re getting the blueprint. For the price, it’s a dense, practical resource that respects your time and your existing skill set. (Greyscale To Color)
What actually matters
Before you buy, keep these three points in mind to ensure this is the right fit for your current skill level: (Greyscale To Color)
- You need a solid greyscale base. This tutorial assumes you can create a convincing value structure. If you’re still struggling with light and shadow in black and white, you might want to focus on that first. The magic here is in the color, not the sketch. (Greyscale To Color)
- Photoshop is the primary tool. While the artistic concepts are universal, the software tips and file formats are specific to Photoshop. If you use a different program, you’ll need to translate the technical steps (like layer modes and brush settings) to your own tool. (Greyscale To Color)
- It’s a style demonstration, not a step-by-step manual. Zac Retz paints in real time, which means you’ll see his personal workflow and decisions. It’s less about “click here, then click there” and more about understanding the why behind the color choices. If you prefer rigid, numbered step-by-step guides, this might feel a bit free-form. (Greyscale To Color)
If you’re ready to see how these tutorials fit into your workflow, see current options.
Mid-check
If you’re still on the fence, open Greyscale To Color, skim two reviews (if any), and ask: would I use this this week?
FAQ
Do I need to own Photoshop to use this tutorial? You don’t need Photoshop to understand the artistic concepts, but the tutorials are filmed in Photoshop and include PS files. If you use another program, you’ll be able to follow the color theory and underpainting techniques, but you’ll have to adapt the specific tool tips to your software. (Greyscale To Color)
Is this suitable for complete beginners? It’s best for intermediate artists who are comfortable with digital drawing and value structure. If you’re just starting out, you might find the speed of the real-time painting a bit fast. It’s designed to help you break through the color barrier, not teach you how to hold a brush. (Greyscale To Color)
What’s the difference between the 40-minute and 60-minute videos? Both follow the same process of taking a greyscale sketch to a finished color painting. The difference is likely in the complexity of the subject or the depth of the explanation. The 60-minute video probably covers more ground or a more detailed piece, while the 40-minute one might be a quicker, more focused demonstration. (Greyscale To Color)
Are the brushes included? The listing mentions that you can download Zac Retz’s brushes for free in a separate Gumroad product called “Brushes V1.” They are not included in this $10 pack, but they are a free companion resource if you want to replicate his exact texture. (Greyscale To Color)
Bottom line
Greyscale To Color is a sharp, practical resource for anyone who feels stuck in the color stage. For $10, you get two hours of real-time painting, a clear explanation of underpainting and temperature, and the layered files to study the work up close. It’s not a replacement for a full art degree, but it’s a powerful nudge for the specific bottleneck that keeps so many digital painters from finishing their pieces. If you’ve been staring at a greyscale sketch wondering how to make it pop, this is a low-cost, high-value way to see exactly how to do it.