Tutorial Time v1.2
So, suhra's been looking for my first tutorial. I originally posted it at icon_tutorial, but I'm reposting it here for her, because I can't find it. damn memories *shakes fist* So...
Go from this
to
in a few easy steps.
1.Okay, we're gonna start with this base:
by cooldecade
Buffy's skin is a little blotchy and blurry, so we need to fix that.
2. Click on the base layer and go to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen. Then, to bring out her eyes, go to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen Edges. It'll look a little too sharp, so to fix that, use your Blur tool (Hard Round 3 pixels--or at whichever size you choose) and smooth out her skin. But be careful, because you don't want to lose some of her facial features.
Tip: When it comes to blurring the skin, be extra careful around the nose, eyebrows and chin. This can be a problematic zone because it can mess around the face of the individual you are working on.
3. Once, you have sharpened and blurred, you should end up with something like this:
Now, in order to lighten the base, you want to duplicate the base layer and set it to screen. You'll end up with something like this:
We want it a bit lighter, so duplicate the base layer again and set it to screen. You'll end up with something like this:
4. Now to add some contrast to the icon, we're going to duplicate the base layer again, but this time set it to soft light. Place this layer above everything (your base layer, and your two duplicates set to screen). You'll end up with something like this:
5. Now, we're going to desaturate the icon a bit. So, click on the top most layer (the base layer set to soft light) and desaturate it.
Do this by going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. You'll end up with something like this:
6. Now we're going to add some color to this icon. Add a new layer above and place it above all of your layers. Take the fill tool, and fill the layer with a light blue (in this case, I used #90DAF8). Set the layer to color burn, opacity 76%. You'll end up with something like this:
**
7. Just to add another splash of color, we're going to add this light texture (I don't remember offhand who made it, check my resources in my userinfo):
set it to soft light and place it above all of your layers. You'll end up with something like this:
Yuck, right? So, take your eraser tool and erase the light texture from Buffy's face. You'll end up with the finished product:
You could go further and add some brushwork or text, but I chose to leave mine textless. This tutorial is simply for technique.
Using a light blue set to color burn can give you very vibrant colors in an icon, however, it's a tricky technique to work with. It requires a bit of lightness in the base, so you might find yourself playing around a bit with this one. If necessary, have a few more duplicates of your base set to screen, that'll help lighten it up.
Hope you found this useful. If you make anything using this technique, I'd love to see it! Feedback rocks my world, keep in mind this is my first tutorial.
Go from this
to
in a few easy steps.
1.Okay, we're gonna start with this base:
by cooldecade
Buffy's skin is a little blotchy and blurry, so we need to fix that.
2. Click on the base layer and go to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen. Then, to bring out her eyes, go to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen Edges. It'll look a little too sharp, so to fix that, use your Blur tool (Hard Round 3 pixels--or at whichever size you choose) and smooth out her skin. But be careful, because you don't want to lose some of her facial features.
Tip: When it comes to blurring the skin, be extra careful around the nose, eyebrows and chin. This can be a problematic zone because it can mess around the face of the individual you are working on.
3. Once, you have sharpened and blurred, you should end up with something like this:
Now, in order to lighten the base, you want to duplicate the base layer and set it to screen. You'll end up with something like this:
We want it a bit lighter, so duplicate the base layer again and set it to screen. You'll end up with something like this:
4. Now to add some contrast to the icon, we're going to duplicate the base layer again, but this time set it to soft light. Place this layer above everything (your base layer, and your two duplicates set to screen). You'll end up with something like this:
5. Now, we're going to desaturate the icon a bit. So, click on the top most layer (the base layer set to soft light) and desaturate it.
Do this by going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. You'll end up with something like this:
6. Now we're going to add some color to this icon. Add a new layer above and place it above all of your layers. Take the fill tool, and fill the layer with a light blue (in this case, I used #90DAF8). Set the layer to color burn, opacity 76%. You'll end up with something like this:
**
7. Just to add another splash of color, we're going to add this light texture (I don't remember offhand who made it, check my resources in my userinfo):
set it to soft light and place it above all of your layers. You'll end up with something like this:
Yuck, right? So, take your eraser tool and erase the light texture from Buffy's face. You'll end up with the finished product:
You could go further and add some brushwork or text, but I chose to leave mine textless. This tutorial is simply for technique.
Using a light blue set to color burn can give you very vibrant colors in an icon, however, it's a tricky technique to work with. It requires a bit of lightness in the base, so you might find yourself playing around a bit with this one. If necessary, have a few more duplicates of your base set to screen, that'll help lighten it up.
Hope you found this useful. If you make anything using this technique, I'd love to see it! Feedback rocks my world, keep in mind this is my first tutorial.