Tutorial #1
This tutorial was requested a few weeks ago, I thought I'd please everyone and write the damn tutorial. Anyways, it's my first tutorial, so I'm sorry if it isn't very good. Remember, these are just guidelines, you are not meant to copy the icon step by step, I wouldn't like seeing 104348932904830984 copies of this icon everywhere. Preferrably use another image or so too. So, I'm going to teach you how to make collage-y icons, like this one in PS 7:
1. Pick your image. I'm going to use this image.
2. Resize the image by going Image » Image Size. I resized it to 6 centimetres.
3. Open up a new document, size 100x100, transparent background by going File » New.
4. Sharpen the image you've picked depending on how blurry it is. If you think it's too dark you can duplicate it and set the second layer to screen, and then sharpen. I had no need for it this time. I just sharpened mine once.
5. Now, still with the document with the image open, press Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + C and then open your 100x100 document. Paste the image by pressing Ctrl + V. Use the move tool to place it where you want it to be.
» My result
6. Now, go back to the document with the image. Go Image » Image Size and resize it again. I resized it to 5 centimetres. If it turned out too blurry, you can sharpen it once and go Edit » Fade Sharpen 20%. Again copy the photograph and paste it into your 100x100 document. Place it where you want it to be. You might have to use the lasso tool a bit to cut it and make it better, or just simply the eraser tool. You also might want to flip it or something.
» My result
7. Now you can just keep resizing, pasting the photo into your 100x100 document and flipping it around until you're satistified. If if turns out blurry, just sharpen it once, and if it turns out oversharpened just go Fade Sharpen.
» My result
8. Now make a new layer in your 100x100 document. Select a stripe somewhere on the image using your rectangular marquee tool and fill it with a colour that matches your image. It has to be a pretty dark colour, but not too dark. I picked the redish #AB0600. Then set the layer to Multiply.
» My result
9. Then I took one of my own brushes and added it in the right corner using the colour #FFFFFF. (white) You can just paint something like it in one of the corners, but you don't have to do it at all if you don't want to. And that's it. You've got your icon. :] If you've got any questions feel free to ask. This is my end product:
Hope you found this helpful. If you make anything using this tutorial, I'd appreciate if you credited me somewhere. Comments are appreciated, and also I'd love to see what you've made. ;]
1. Pick your image. I'm going to use this image.
2. Resize the image by going Image » Image Size. I resized it to 6 centimetres.
3. Open up a new document, size 100x100, transparent background by going File » New.
4. Sharpen the image you've picked depending on how blurry it is. If you think it's too dark you can duplicate it and set the second layer to screen, and then sharpen. I had no need for it this time. I just sharpened mine once.
5. Now, still with the document with the image open, press Ctrl + A, then Ctrl + C and then open your 100x100 document. Paste the image by pressing Ctrl + V. Use the move tool to place it where you want it to be.
» My result
6. Now, go back to the document with the image. Go Image » Image Size and resize it again. I resized it to 5 centimetres. If it turned out too blurry, you can sharpen it once and go Edit » Fade Sharpen 20%. Again copy the photograph and paste it into your 100x100 document. Place it where you want it to be. You might have to use the lasso tool a bit to cut it and make it better, or just simply the eraser tool. You also might want to flip it or something.
» My result
7. Now you can just keep resizing, pasting the photo into your 100x100 document and flipping it around until you're satistified. If if turns out blurry, just sharpen it once, and if it turns out oversharpened just go Fade Sharpen.
» My result
8. Now make a new layer in your 100x100 document. Select a stripe somewhere on the image using your rectangular marquee tool and fill it with a colour that matches your image. It has to be a pretty dark colour, but not too dark. I picked the redish #AB0600. Then set the layer to Multiply.
» My result
9. Then I took one of my own brushes and added it in the right corner using the colour #FFFFFF. (white) You can just paint something like it in one of the corners, but you don't have to do it at all if you don't want to. And that's it. You've got your icon. :] If you've got any questions feel free to ask. This is my end product:
Hope you found this helpful. If you make anything using this tutorial, I'd appreciate if you credited me somewhere. Comments are appreciated, and also I'd love to see what you've made. ;]