Tutorial 04 // Patrick Stumph of FOB
Yay! Using the wonderful PS7, go from this to this:
Before you even ask, this sucker is rather image heavy...
**Warning, there is SLIGHT usage of curves...they really aren't so difficult...x_x**
**Warning, there is SLIGHT usage of curves...they really aren't so difficult...x_x**
You really can't get rid of me. Even though my family wishes they could. Because my wonderful little case of laryngitis I came with last time became strep throat {icky!}. So I've been stuck at home, confined to the {rather uncomfortable actually...} couch and coughing like mad. I've decided to be "constructive" and make another tutorial. Don't you feel special yet??
01; The usual....crop and resize your base around your focal point...mine = Patrick.♥
02; Duplicate your base. I used Auto Enhancements {Auto Color, Auto Contrast, and Auto Levels..} which is optional for your picture. Then set the layer to Screen around 50% {which mine is exactly 50%}.
03; Create a new layer and fill with a blueish gray color {similar to #31424A} and set it to Exclusion 100% or so. It will look kind of yucky, I know. But that's why we're not done. :)
04; Create another new layer and fill it with a cyan blue {I thoroughly enjoy these things. xD}. Set the layer to Color Burn around 50% {my layer = 53%}. Still yucky? Good.
05; Duplicate your base image and bring it to the top. Set it to Soft Light at whatever opacity suits you, mine at 60%. If your image is too blurry, you may choose to sharpen it now. I did and used Fade Sharpen {Ctrl+Shift+F} to bring it down to about 30%.
06; Create a new layer and choose another blue {or a lightish color that's common in your icon. My blue = #9CCED6}. Fill the layer and set it to screen around 30-40% {mine's at 40%}.
07; Create another new layer. Stamp visible {shortcut = Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E} and use a gaussian blur around 1px radius. Set the layer to Color Burn around 80% {my layer = 78%}.
08; Now I'm getting into the curves mess.... Ready? On the bottom of your layers palette, there are six little icons. Pick the one that's third from the right that's a half black/half white circle with a little arrow under it. It will give you a list of things to choose from...these are called Adjustment Layers. From the menu, select Curves. A box will appear. There will be a line across the box...click somewhere on the line.
There will be an anchor point on the line. I'm not good at explaining the effects well, so use this amazing curves tutorial to help you. My first point was used to lighten my icon slightly using these settings:
I used a second point {yes, you can have multiple dots on this thing! Curves are amazing once you get used to them. :]} using these settings to equalize the effect a little:
Notice I kept it all on the same RGB Channel. I highly suggest that tutorial up there for curves...it's really helped me! Now, set the Curves adjustment layer to screen around 50% {once again, mine = 50%}.
09; Again, go back down and duplicate your base layer. Drag it to the top and use a Gaussian Blur around 3px radius and set the layer to Soft Light. I left mine at 100%, feel free to play around with it.
10; Create a new layer and stamp visible again {Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E}. Use another Gaussian Blur at about 4px radius again and set it to Normal at a very low opacity {mine = 20%}.
11; Add any text or brushes you wish to add and, voila, DONE.
So I'd love to see what you guys come up with using this. And I bet no one can guess who the next tutorial will feature... xD I leave you in peace as I must go take more medication. Curse Streptococcus!!
