First icon tutorial :)

[kisu_wo_shite]

This tutorial may vary depending on what base you use. I'm just being a guide. :3

Going from
 to

Made in PS CS2, not translatable. (Translatable for PS CS2 and up, though)

First, duplicate your base and set it to SCREEN 50 %. Then duplicate it again and set it to softlight 100% (may vary with the picture you chose)

I got this:



Then make a new color balance layer. I used the settings:
Midtones: -68, 10, 100
Highlights: -10, -17, 20
Shadows: -100, -45, 20

I got this:



Okay, now the image is a little washed out looking... so let's use some color layers now. Make a new layer and fill it with %171735 and set to EXCLUSION 50%.

Then make a new layer and fill it with %FFFFFF and set to SOFTLIGHT 40-50%

I got this:



Then I made a new selective color layer. I used the following:
Reds: 100, -10, -100, -30
Blues: 100, -20, -36, 22
Magentas: -100, 100, -100, -40
Whites: -48, -8, 27, 25
Neutrals: 20, -12, -11, -10

Merge layers and voila!

Your finished product: