ask the maker - icon tutorials - post 3
TUTORIALS FOR THE FOLLOWING ICONS*:
These tutorials are EXTREMELY late. They're from the third Ask the Maker back in August (plus one that was asked about outside that which I've also been putting off). These tutorials are written with the assumption of basic knowledge regarding Photoshop tools and all done in Photoshop CS5. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Also, if there are any other icons you'd like tutorials for, feel free to ASK HERE in my thread for the new round of Ask the Maker. I'll be sure to actually get them out in a more timely manner this time. ;D
*Don't worry, they're under spoiler cuts so this post isn't insanely huge
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I start with Auto Contrast. I follow that with a Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) set to Screen 60% Fill, and a second Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) set to Color.
step 2
I like the pink that's starting to show on Scott's nose so I decide to make that the color I go with in this icon. To bring it out everywhere I use Color Balance (Midtones: Cyan/Red +100, Magenta/Green +52, Yellow/Blue +94). That's followed by a Topaz layer for contrast and some smoothness (I don't remember the actual settings, sorry).
step 3
Their skin looks fine but the background is hideous and distracting from the crop so I decided to fill it in. I create a new layer and, using the eyedropper tool, I pull out a nice pink (#f0b2d4) and use a hard round brush to cover the background up.
→
step 4
I want to brighten it up and raise contrast so I opt for a Gradient Map (#54401c to #e8e6dd) and set it to Soft Light. To pump everything up again I copy/merge all as a new layer, use Gaussian Blur (radius at 3) on it, and set it to Soft Light.
step 5
The icon is lacking warmth so I create a gradient that I set to soft light.
→
step 6
At this point the weird lines that Topaz gives finally managed to annoy me enough that I needed to get rid of them. I duplicate everything onto a new layer and use the Smudge Tool (soft round brush, low strength) to blur the skin. I make sure to leave the important face bits alone, like the eyes and lips. I duplicate everything into another new layer which I use Sharpen on and lower the opacity to 50% Fill. The last thing I did was just smudged Allison's chin because the little bump there made the crop look odd. And then the icon is done!
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
The background in this icon is what I wanted to address first. I didn't like the business in this but (initially at least) I wanted to still have some texture and interest. In all my files I keep a copy of the full-sized screencap so I decided to use that as the background "texture". Using layer masks and a soft round I erased parts of the smaller cap's background.
→
step 2
I then prep the icon a bit. Auto Contrast and two Vibrance layers (Vibrance +100). The bottom Vibrance layer I set to Screen with a 70% Fill, the top I set to Color.
step 3
At this point I scratch my initial desire for a textured background (because, well, it kind of looks like crap) and create a new layer that I fill in around Emma with a nice blue (#3492b6) using a hard round brush. I duplicate that layer twice and blur both (I think I used Gaussian blur, either a radius of 2, 3 or 4). I set the bottom duplicate to Screen with 70% Fill and the top to Soft Light.
→
→
step 4
The area around Emma seems to hard so I hide the blue layer that wasn't blurred. This leaves me with edges that are more imperfect and fit better with the "windblown" Emma. It's still too dark so I create a Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) and set it to Screen at 20% Fill.
step 5
I duplicate all as a new layer and blur it (Gaussian Blur with radius 4) and set to Screen. I create a layer mask on that and, with a soft round brush with lowered opacity, go over Emma's face and a few other select parts).
→
step 6
I duplicate the blurred layer (removed the layer mask) and set it to Soft Light. I duplicate all as another new layer, use Sharpen on it, and lower that layer's Fill to 40%. As I final step I use the smudge brush to soften up Emma's face (forehead and cheeks) a bit.
and
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I started this icon a bit differently. Instead of starting in a 100x100 box I started with the screencaps in 500x250 for prepping and the beginnings of coloring. I'm going to breeze through this part a bit though. XD
→ for Elizabeth:
1. Vibrance +100 on Screen
2. Vibrance +100 on Screen
3. Vibrance +100 on Color
4. Color Balance (Cyan/Red +54, Magenta/Green -9, Yellow/Blue +59)
5. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E, Gaussian Blur (radius 4) on Screen
6. Duplicate previous layer, Soft Light
7. Gradient Map with standard black/white
→ for pirates:
1. Vibrance +100 on Screen
2. Vibrance +100 on Screen
3. Vibrance +100 on Color
4. Color Balance (Cyan/Red +16, Magenta/Green +16, Yellow/Blue +39)
5. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E, Gaussian Blur (radius 4) on Screen
6. Duplicate previous layer, Soft Light
step 2
From there I copy both of the final images and paste into a new 100x100 box with a black background. I shrink down Elizabeth (using free transform tools) and move her towards the top, cropping right above her brow. I take the pirates and set it to Screen and move it towards the bottom after shrinking it down to size as well. I duplicate the pirates layer and move it up top to add a bit of blue to the top of Elizabeth.
→
→
step 3
While I like where the sections are placed, the pirates need to be moved up more. I duplicate the pirate's layer, set it to Normal, and move it to where I'm happy with their position. I use layer masks to remove the excess.
step 4
I duplicate everything into a new layer. Using a soft round brush I create white blobs on the layer. I lower the Fill of that to 30%. I duplicate that layer and set it to Soft Light with Fill at 100% with a Gaussian Blur (radius at 4 or 5).
+
→
step 5
Duplicating everything into a new layer again, I create new light blobs on that layer the same way. I set that to 50% Fill. I duplicate that and set it to Soft Light with the same blur as previously used, returning the Fill to 100%. Finally I duplicate everything again and Sharpen that layer, lowering Fill to 40%.
+
→
and
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
First off a warning: this icon was the result of a lot of back-and-forth experimentation so some of the steps seem superfluous. That's probably because they are. I really had no idea what I was doing and I still don't. XD
step 1
I use Auto Contrast to start out. Now, I'm pretty sure these are just gradients I created but they may very well be textures someone made. I'm very sorry, I didn't remember to label anything in this PSD. SO. YES. ANYWAY. I set the first texture/gradient to Screen, the second to Hard Light with 30% Fill, the third to Soft Light.
+
+
→
step 2
Now, the colors are going where I want them to but this is way too flat and boring. I duplicate everything into a new layer and apply white blobs of light to Loki's face and a bit on the bottom right to help accentuate the light source. I set that layer to Soft Light and lower the Fill to 20%.
→
step 3
It's still TOO DARK so I duplicate everything as a new layer and set that to Screen. I duplicate that layer, set Gaussian Blur (radius 3, I think) and set that to Soft Light at 60%. I duplicate everything to another new layer, Sharpen, and lower Fill to 60%.
→
→
step 4
Next I wanted to add some texture and give more depth to the icon -- and so, of course, head for textures. The first (the blue one) is by talipuu with the other two by vetica.
1. Set to Color Burn with 30% Fill
→
2. Set to Soft Light with 40% Fill
→
3. Set to Lighten with 70% Fill
→
4. Set to Screen with 40% Fill
→
step 5
I duplicate everything as a new layer and move Loki over juuust a tad to the right. Then, using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, I select a section of Loki's face and copy/paste that moving it to the far left of the icon. I duplicate that layer and set the bottom of the two to Screen and set a heavy blur on it.
+
→
step 6
I want a bit more blue at this point so I duplicate everything and apply Variations to that new layer: More Blue +1 followed by More Magenta +1. I set that layer to 20% Fill.
→
step 7
Next I opened that screencap of Thor everything uses in a new 100x100 box. I use free transform tools to shrink it and slightly rotate it clockwise. After applying Auto Contrast I invert the image. I use a combination of Screen, Gradient Maps and the gradients and textures previously used on the Loki icon to come up with what's below. However, I didn't save this (for some reason - seriously, I tend to save EVERYTHING) and recreating it was a disaster. I flip the image horizontally before copying it and pasting it on the Loki icon.
→
step 8
I rotate the Thor image more using free transform tool. I duplicate that twice and set all three layers to Screen, the third to 30% Fill. I duplicate everything as a new layer and set it to Soft Light with 40% Fill.
→
step 9
I create a Selective Color layer to up the blacks slightly (Black > Black > +34%) and set it to Color. I then go back to use some more textures. The first is by innocent_lexys (I think?) and the other two by vetica.
1. Set to Screen with a layer mask
+
→
2. Set to Screen
→
3. Set to Color Dodge with 40% Fill
→
step 10
At this point I don't like how solid Thor is, so I hide one of the 100% Screen layers. I duplicate everything in a new layer and use Auto Tone and lower the Fill to 40%. I duplicate everything again in another new layer and move it up just a bit, cropping just above Loki's brow.
→
step 11
I duplicate everything again and flip that new layer horizontally. I move it down towards the bottom of the icon and use the rectangular marquee tool and layer masks to get rid of some of it.
→
step 12
I don't like that Loki isn't in front anymore so I bring the now hidden Thor layer and bring it up top, unhide it, leaving it on Screen. I use layer masks to maintain some of the transluscency of him.
+
→
step 13
Finally, because I want Thor to not have that bar in the middle of his body, I duplicate everything into a new layer and use the smudge tool to streamline Thor.
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I start first by taking a brush and spreading the color that's already most of the background (#161817). I keep the shoulder and some of the other parts of her body, but get rid of the hand for sure. I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Auto Contrast as my prep.
→
step 2
Because this icon was for a battle where I needed an icon to fall under a pale theme, I decide I need to 1) have color to make it not boring and 2) lower that contrast. I take the bluish-gray from Raveena's crown and fill two layers with it. The bottom layer I set to Screen, the top to Soft Light.
step 3
I want something with more interest than the blue, though, so I play around with Color Balance until I'm happy. The settings for that ended up being Cyan/Red +9, Magenta/Green -89, Yellow/Blue -44.
step 4
I use the following three textures. The first two are by vetica, the third by 12feethigh.
1. Screen with 40% Fill
→
2. Screen with 70% Fill (with Gaussian blur)
→
3. Soft Light with 80% Fill
→
step 5
I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Sharpen, lowering the Fill to 40%. I then add the following texture (I don't remember who made it and I may have edited it, but it is SOMEONE'S so I'm sorry for that) on Screen with 70% Fill.
→
step 6
I duplicate everything again, into a new layer. I set that layer to Soft Light and use a somewhat heavy Gaussian Blur. I create a layer mask to remove the parts obstructing Raveena's face and a bit behind her as well.
+
→
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
For this I knew I wanted to do a cut-out so I began in a 500x500 square. I created a color fill layer behind the image filled with a yellow I pulled using the eyedropper tool (#dcdb5b). On the screencap I created a layer mask and used a hard round brush of varying sizes to eliminate the background. I don't worry about it being absolutely perfect any small blemishes will be invisible down at 100x100.
step 2
Once happy with that I switch it down to 100x100. To brighten it up just a bit I use a Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) and set it to Screen with a Fill of 10%.
step 3
I duplicate everything as a new layer and use Gaussian blur (radius ~3). I set that to Screen with 30% Fill. I duplicate that layer and set it to Soft Light with a 50% Fill. I duplicate everything as another new layer and apply Sharpen and lower that Fill to 60%.
→
→
step 4
I create a black/yellow (#f1f071) Gradient Map and lowered the Fill to 10%. Then, to deepen the colors, I use a Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red -3, Magenta/Green -26, Yellow/Blue -24) followed by a Vibrance layer (+95) set to Color with a Fill of 30%.
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I start with Auto Contrast and Auto Tone, which I follow up with a Vibrance layer (+100) set to Color. I then use a Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red +20, Magenta/Green -16, Yellow/Blue +2).
→
→
step 2
Since I've decided to go with a red/pink muted tones I select a salmon color (#e67e6e) and fill two layers with it. The bottom I set to Multiply at 20% Fill, the top to Screen with 40% Fill.
step 3
I create a gray/white gradient in a new layer and set it to Soft Light.
→
step 4
I duplicate the prepped base and bring it up top, setting it to Soft Light with 70% Fill. I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Sharpen, lowering the Fill to 60%.
step 5
I want to tone down the red a little bit so I create a new Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red -40, Magenta/Green -15, Yellow/Blue -13).
step 7
I duplicate everything into two new layers and set both to Soft Light. The top layer I blur (Gaussian Blur radius 3).
step 8
I hide the blurred Soft Light layer from the previous step and duplicate everything visible into a new layer above everything. I use Sharpen on the new layer and lower the Fill to 50%. I unhide the blurred Soft Light layer.
step 9
I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Auto Color on that. I then take the following texture by deny1984 in two layers. Bottom layer gets set to Screen, top to Soft Light at 60% Fill.
→
→
step 10
For the text I use Bebas size 6 in a peachy color (#f8b9a0) found in the icon. I didn't blur it or anything, just left as is, using a quote from the scene.
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I prep the base using two Vibrance layers (+100 Vibrance). The bottom I set to Screen wtih 70% Fill, the top to Color.
step 2
I duplicate everything into two new layers.
Bottom duplicate: I use Gaussian Blur (radius 5) and use a layer mask to remove some of the parts on Rumplestiltskin and the left part of the trunk. I set this layer to Screen.
+
→
Top duplicate: I set to Soft Light.
step 3
I create a new layer and fill it with a bright orange (#d64100). I then create a new black/white gradient layer which I set to Soft Light.
→
→
step 4
I paste in THIS LARGE TEXTURE (by someone from Tumblr, I don't remember who), invert it and set it to Screen. I shrink the size down until I'm relatively happy with it. I add another black/white gradient in a new layer set to Screen.
→
→
step 5
I hide the layers from steps 3 and 4, leaving Rumplestiltskin's layers. I copy everything visible into a new layer on top and unhide the layers from steps 3 and 4. Using a layer mask I remove the background from Rumplestiltskin, but leave the trunk he's sitting on.
→
step 6
It looks flat, though, so I want to do some steps to fix that. I start by copying everything into a new layer and applying a Gaussian Blur to it (radius about 5 or 6) and set that to Soft Light.
→
step 7
I create a black/orange gradient that I set to Screen, to further the source of light. I follow that up with a Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red 0, Magenta/Green -44, Yellow/Blue -29).
→
step 8
I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Topaz on it (don't remember the setting, sorry) and lower the Fill to 20%. I duplicate everything to a new layer again and use Sharpen, lowering that layer's Fill to 40%.
step 9
I create a new layer of a black/orange gradient which I set to Soft Light with 60% Fill.
→
step 10
As a final step, I want to add more light. I create a new layer set to Soft Light that I fill with white light blobs (layer pictured has an added black background so you can see the blobs).
→
These tutorials are EXTREMELY late. They're from the third Ask the Maker back in August (plus one that was asked about outside that which I've also been putting off). These tutorials are written with the assumption of basic knowledge regarding Photoshop tools and all done in Photoshop CS5. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Also, if there are any other icons you'd like tutorials for, feel free to ASK HERE in my thread for the new round of Ask the Maker. I'll be sure to actually get them out in a more timely manner this time. ;D
*Don't worry, they're under spoiler cuts so this post isn't insanely huge
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I start with Auto Contrast. I follow that with a Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) set to Screen 60% Fill, and a second Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) set to Color.
step 2
I like the pink that's starting to show on Scott's nose so I decide to make that the color I go with in this icon. To bring it out everywhere I use Color Balance (Midtones: Cyan/Red +100, Magenta/Green +52, Yellow/Blue +94). That's followed by a Topaz layer for contrast and some smoothness (I don't remember the actual settings, sorry).
step 3
Their skin looks fine but the background is hideous and distracting from the crop so I decided to fill it in. I create a new layer and, using the eyedropper tool, I pull out a nice pink (#f0b2d4) and use a hard round brush to cover the background up.
→
step 4
I want to brighten it up and raise contrast so I opt for a Gradient Map (#54401c to #e8e6dd) and set it to Soft Light. To pump everything up again I copy/merge all as a new layer, use Gaussian Blur (radius at 3) on it, and set it to Soft Light.
step 5
The icon is lacking warmth so I create a gradient that I set to soft light.
→
step 6
At this point the weird lines that Topaz gives finally managed to annoy me enough that I needed to get rid of them. I duplicate everything onto a new layer and use the Smudge Tool (soft round brush, low strength) to blur the skin. I make sure to leave the important face bits alone, like the eyes and lips. I duplicate everything into another new layer which I use Sharpen on and lower the opacity to 50% Fill. The last thing I did was just smudged Allison's chin because the little bump there made the crop look odd. And then the icon is done!
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
The background in this icon is what I wanted to address first. I didn't like the business in this but (initially at least) I wanted to still have some texture and interest. In all my files I keep a copy of the full-sized screencap so I decided to use that as the background "texture". Using layer masks and a soft round I erased parts of the smaller cap's background.
→
step 2
I then prep the icon a bit. Auto Contrast and two Vibrance layers (Vibrance +100). The bottom Vibrance layer I set to Screen with a 70% Fill, the top I set to Color.
step 3
At this point I scratch my initial desire for a textured background (because, well, it kind of looks like crap) and create a new layer that I fill in around Emma with a nice blue (#3492b6) using a hard round brush. I duplicate that layer twice and blur both (I think I used Gaussian blur, either a radius of 2, 3 or 4). I set the bottom duplicate to Screen with 70% Fill and the top to Soft Light.
→
→
step 4
The area around Emma seems to hard so I hide the blue layer that wasn't blurred. This leaves me with edges that are more imperfect and fit better with the "windblown" Emma. It's still too dark so I create a Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) and set it to Screen at 20% Fill.
step 5
I duplicate all as a new layer and blur it (Gaussian Blur with radius 4) and set to Screen. I create a layer mask on that and, with a soft round brush with lowered opacity, go over Emma's face and a few other select parts).
→
step 6
I duplicate the blurred layer (removed the layer mask) and set it to Soft Light. I duplicate all as another new layer, use Sharpen on it, and lower that layer's Fill to 40%. As I final step I use the smudge brush to soften up Emma's face (forehead and cheeks) a bit.
and
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I started this icon a bit differently. Instead of starting in a 100x100 box I started with the screencaps in 500x250 for prepping and the beginnings of coloring. I'm going to breeze through this part a bit though. XD
→ for Elizabeth:
1. Vibrance +100 on Screen
2. Vibrance +100 on Screen
3. Vibrance +100 on Color
4. Color Balance (Cyan/Red +54, Magenta/Green -9, Yellow/Blue +59)
5. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E, Gaussian Blur (radius 4) on Screen
6. Duplicate previous layer, Soft Light
7. Gradient Map with standard black/white
→ for pirates:
1. Vibrance +100 on Screen
2. Vibrance +100 on Screen
3. Vibrance +100 on Color
4. Color Balance (Cyan/Red +16, Magenta/Green +16, Yellow/Blue +39)
5. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E, Gaussian Blur (radius 4) on Screen
6. Duplicate previous layer, Soft Light
step 2
From there I copy both of the final images and paste into a new 100x100 box with a black background. I shrink down Elizabeth (using free transform tools) and move her towards the top, cropping right above her brow. I take the pirates and set it to Screen and move it towards the bottom after shrinking it down to size as well. I duplicate the pirates layer and move it up top to add a bit of blue to the top of Elizabeth.
→
→
step 3
While I like where the sections are placed, the pirates need to be moved up more. I duplicate the pirate's layer, set it to Normal, and move it to where I'm happy with their position. I use layer masks to remove the excess.
step 4
I duplicate everything into a new layer. Using a soft round brush I create white blobs on the layer. I lower the Fill of that to 30%. I duplicate that layer and set it to Soft Light with Fill at 100% with a Gaussian Blur (radius at 4 or 5).
+
→
step 5
Duplicating everything into a new layer again, I create new light blobs on that layer the same way. I set that to 50% Fill. I duplicate that and set it to Soft Light with the same blur as previously used, returning the Fill to 100%. Finally I duplicate everything again and Sharpen that layer, lowering Fill to 40%.
+
→
and
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
First off a warning: this icon was the result of a lot of back-and-forth experimentation so some of the steps seem superfluous. That's probably because they are. I really had no idea what I was doing and I still don't. XD
step 1
I use Auto Contrast to start out. Now, I'm pretty sure these are just gradients I created but they may very well be textures someone made. I'm very sorry, I didn't remember to label anything in this PSD. SO. YES. ANYWAY. I set the first texture/gradient to Screen, the second to Hard Light with 30% Fill, the third to Soft Light.
+
+
→
step 2
Now, the colors are going where I want them to but this is way too flat and boring. I duplicate everything into a new layer and apply white blobs of light to Loki's face and a bit on the bottom right to help accentuate the light source. I set that layer to Soft Light and lower the Fill to 20%.
→
step 3
It's still TOO DARK so I duplicate everything as a new layer and set that to Screen. I duplicate that layer, set Gaussian Blur (radius 3, I think) and set that to Soft Light at 60%. I duplicate everything to another new layer, Sharpen, and lower Fill to 60%.
→
→
step 4
Next I wanted to add some texture and give more depth to the icon -- and so, of course, head for textures. The first (the blue one) is by talipuu with the other two by vetica.
1. Set to Color Burn with 30% Fill
→
2. Set to Soft Light with 40% Fill
→
3. Set to Lighten with 70% Fill
→
4. Set to Screen with 40% Fill
→
step 5
I duplicate everything as a new layer and move Loki over juuust a tad to the right. Then, using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, I select a section of Loki's face and copy/paste that moving it to the far left of the icon. I duplicate that layer and set the bottom of the two to Screen and set a heavy blur on it.
+
→
step 6
I want a bit more blue at this point so I duplicate everything and apply Variations to that new layer: More Blue +1 followed by More Magenta +1. I set that layer to 20% Fill.
→
step 7
Next I opened that screencap of Thor everything uses in a new 100x100 box. I use free transform tools to shrink it and slightly rotate it clockwise. After applying Auto Contrast I invert the image. I use a combination of Screen, Gradient Maps and the gradients and textures previously used on the Loki icon to come up with what's below. However, I didn't save this (for some reason - seriously, I tend to save EVERYTHING) and recreating it was a disaster. I flip the image horizontally before copying it and pasting it on the Loki icon.
→
step 8
I rotate the Thor image more using free transform tool. I duplicate that twice and set all three layers to Screen, the third to 30% Fill. I duplicate everything as a new layer and set it to Soft Light with 40% Fill.
→
step 9
I create a Selective Color layer to up the blacks slightly (Black > Black > +34%) and set it to Color. I then go back to use some more textures. The first is by innocent_lexys (I think?) and the other two by vetica.
1. Set to Screen with a layer mask
+
→
2. Set to Screen
→
3. Set to Color Dodge with 40% Fill
→
step 10
At this point I don't like how solid Thor is, so I hide one of the 100% Screen layers. I duplicate everything in a new layer and use Auto Tone and lower the Fill to 40%. I duplicate everything again in another new layer and move it up just a bit, cropping just above Loki's brow.
→
step 11
I duplicate everything again and flip that new layer horizontally. I move it down towards the bottom of the icon and use the rectangular marquee tool and layer masks to get rid of some of it.
→
step 12
I don't like that Loki isn't in front anymore so I bring the now hidden Thor layer and bring it up top, unhide it, leaving it on Screen. I use layer masks to maintain some of the transluscency of him.
+
→
step 13
Finally, because I want Thor to not have that bar in the middle of his body, I duplicate everything into a new layer and use the smudge tool to streamline Thor.
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I start first by taking a brush and spreading the color that's already most of the background (#161817). I keep the shoulder and some of the other parts of her body, but get rid of the hand for sure. I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Auto Contrast as my prep.
→
step 2
Because this icon was for a battle where I needed an icon to fall under a pale theme, I decide I need to 1) have color to make it not boring and 2) lower that contrast. I take the bluish-gray from Raveena's crown and fill two layers with it. The bottom layer I set to Screen, the top to Soft Light.
step 3
I want something with more interest than the blue, though, so I play around with Color Balance until I'm happy. The settings for that ended up being Cyan/Red +9, Magenta/Green -89, Yellow/Blue -44.
step 4
I use the following three textures. The first two are by vetica, the third by 12feethigh.
1. Screen with 40% Fill
→
2. Screen with 70% Fill (with Gaussian blur)
→
3. Soft Light with 80% Fill
→
step 5
I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Sharpen, lowering the Fill to 40%. I then add the following texture (I don't remember who made it and I may have edited it, but it is SOMEONE'S so I'm sorry for that) on Screen with 70% Fill.
→
step 6
I duplicate everything again, into a new layer. I set that layer to Soft Light and use a somewhat heavy Gaussian Blur. I create a layer mask to remove the parts obstructing Raveena's face and a bit behind her as well.
+
→
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
For this I knew I wanted to do a cut-out so I began in a 500x500 square. I created a color fill layer behind the image filled with a yellow I pulled using the eyedropper tool (#dcdb5b). On the screencap I created a layer mask and used a hard round brush of varying sizes to eliminate the background. I don't worry about it being absolutely perfect any small blemishes will be invisible down at 100x100.
step 2
Once happy with that I switch it down to 100x100. To brighten it up just a bit I use a Vibrance layer (Vibrance +100) and set it to Screen with a Fill of 10%.
step 3
I duplicate everything as a new layer and use Gaussian blur (radius ~3). I set that to Screen with 30% Fill. I duplicate that layer and set it to Soft Light with a 50% Fill. I duplicate everything as another new layer and apply Sharpen and lower that Fill to 60%.
→
→
step 4
I create a black/yellow (#f1f071) Gradient Map and lowered the Fill to 10%. Then, to deepen the colors, I use a Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red -3, Magenta/Green -26, Yellow/Blue -24) followed by a Vibrance layer (+95) set to Color with a Fill of 30%.
to
[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I start with Auto Contrast and Auto Tone, which I follow up with a Vibrance layer (+100) set to Color. I then use a Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red +20, Magenta/Green -16, Yellow/Blue +2).
→
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step 2
Since I've decided to go with a red/pink muted tones I select a salmon color (#e67e6e) and fill two layers with it. The bottom I set to Multiply at 20% Fill, the top to Screen with 40% Fill.
step 3
I create a gray/white gradient in a new layer and set it to Soft Light.
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step 4
I duplicate the prepped base and bring it up top, setting it to Soft Light with 70% Fill. I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Sharpen, lowering the Fill to 60%.
step 5
I want to tone down the red a little bit so I create a new Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red -40, Magenta/Green -15, Yellow/Blue -13).
step 7
I duplicate everything into two new layers and set both to Soft Light. The top layer I blur (Gaussian Blur radius 3).
step 8
I hide the blurred Soft Light layer from the previous step and duplicate everything visible into a new layer above everything. I use Sharpen on the new layer and lower the Fill to 50%. I unhide the blurred Soft Light layer.
step 9
I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Auto Color on that. I then take the following texture by deny1984 in two layers. Bottom layer gets set to Screen, top to Soft Light at 60% Fill.
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step 10
For the text I use Bebas size 6 in a peachy color (#f8b9a0) found in the icon. I didn't blur it or anything, just left as is, using a quote from the scene.
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[Spoiler (click to open)]
step 1
I prep the base using two Vibrance layers (+100 Vibrance). The bottom I set to Screen wtih 70% Fill, the top to Color.
step 2
I duplicate everything into two new layers.
Bottom duplicate: I use Gaussian Blur (radius 5) and use a layer mask to remove some of the parts on Rumplestiltskin and the left part of the trunk. I set this layer to Screen.
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Top duplicate: I set to Soft Light.
step 3
I create a new layer and fill it with a bright orange (#d64100). I then create a new black/white gradient layer which I set to Soft Light.
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step 4
I paste in THIS LARGE TEXTURE (by someone from Tumblr, I don't remember who), invert it and set it to Screen. I shrink the size down until I'm relatively happy with it. I add another black/white gradient in a new layer set to Screen.
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step 5
I hide the layers from steps 3 and 4, leaving Rumplestiltskin's layers. I copy everything visible into a new layer on top and unhide the layers from steps 3 and 4. Using a layer mask I remove the background from Rumplestiltskin, but leave the trunk he's sitting on.
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step 6
It looks flat, though, so I want to do some steps to fix that. I start by copying everything into a new layer and applying a Gaussian Blur to it (radius about 5 or 6) and set that to Soft Light.
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step 7
I create a black/orange gradient that I set to Screen, to further the source of light. I follow that up with a Color Balance layer (Cyan/Red 0, Magenta/Green -44, Yellow/Blue -29).
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step 8
I duplicate everything into a new layer and use Topaz on it (don't remember the setting, sorry) and lower the Fill to 20%. I duplicate everything to a new layer again and use Sharpen, lowering that layer's Fill to 40%.
step 9
I create a new layer of a black/orange gradient which I set to Soft Light with 60% Fill.
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step 10
As a final step, I want to add more light. I create a new layer set to Soft Light that I fill with white light blobs (layer pictured has an added black background so you can see the blobs).
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