From this 
to or
All images are thumbnails so this tutorial doesn't take AGES to load.
Start with a new file. Any size works. I was originally going to make a wallpaper, but it morped into an icon. Anyway, fill the new image with black.
Then you go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare.
In the image, I used four Lens Flares in a sort of cross shape. You can do one, two, whatever makes you happy. If you want more than one Lens Flare, always repeat the first step so you can move the flares in any direction or side you want.
Once you've completed your 'lens flares', you want to go to Filter > Sketch > Chrome.
After that, duplicate the base image, and set the copy to 'lighten'.
Still working on the top layer, go to Filter > Distort > Twirl. You can choose any angle you'd like. This is what I got;
Now, you can add color to the image! Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer. From here, you can toggle with the settings, and pick any color you'd like. I messed with the blue settings.
You can also toggle between Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights. Choose each option to see what you can do to increase or decrease certain colors to your image.
Now, we're done with the background. Back to the original wallpaper, you want to cut the girl out [or whoever from whatever image you're using].
I cut her out using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. You start from one point, and slowly work your way around. Sometimes you can use the magic eraser or wand tools, but with this particular picture, the lasso tool worked best. Once you've gone around your image, cut or copy to a new image.
Notice I didn't cut the background out between her arms and torso.
If you want to, you could, but since I'm not using that part of her body, I'm not worried about it.
Once you're done with that, paste her on to the background we created earlier.
Since this is only an icon, place her wherever you'd like, since we're only going to cut the appropriate part out. Since I'm using her head as part of the final icon, I placed it near the top, where it's a little squiggly and the color is a bit more vibrant.
Now, to cut out what you want, select the Rectangular Marquee tool, hold down SHIFT, and select what you want to cut out. This is what I got;
Then I made a new layer, selected a light blue color, and filled the layer. Afterwards, I set the color to Soft Light. You can set the colors to Color Burn, Screen, Overlay, or even use gradients instead of one color.
Finally, go to Image, Image Size, and resize to 100x100 pixels. I added a little squiggly brush in the corner. [one of my own, unnamed brushes. I need to organize them. >.<
] I also added the words 'Ice Queen' with a light blue blending mode behind them. After you've typed the words, saying, whatever onto your icon, right click on the icon layer, and select Blending Options. Then choose Outer Glow. I chose 'Normal' for my Blend Mode and 'Precise' for my Technique. I chose a light blue for the outer glow, and finished with that.
You can even choose a Basic Brush, size 2, and make a frame around the image. Position the brush in a corner, hold down SHIFT, and paint a line from one corner to the other. Continue this for the remaining three sides, and you have a simple, but effective border.
This is my first tutorial, and I wasn't really quite sure what kind of icon to make. The icon might be a bit sucky [at least I think] but I figured it sorta covers the Polygon Lasso Tool, Filters, and people can even make wallpapers, if they'd like. I didn't include too much information on what colors I used specifically, because I want other people to try and be creative and see what they can come up with on their own. Hope this helped and have fun! If you need help, comment and I can try to help you. I'd also love if people post what they made. I'd love to see what you try on your own. :}
This tutorial was created for people who have a basic understanding with photoshop, and know the basic uses of most tools.
to or All images are thumbnails so this tutorial doesn't take AGES to load.
Start with a new file. Any size works. I was originally going to make a wallpaper, but it morped into an icon. Anyway, fill the new image with black.
Then you go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare.
In the image, I used four Lens Flares in a sort of cross shape. You can do one, two, whatever makes you happy. If you want more than one Lens Flare, always repeat the first step so you can move the flares in any direction or side you want.
Once you've completed your 'lens flares', you want to go to Filter > Sketch > Chrome.
After that, duplicate the base image, and set the copy to 'lighten'.
Still working on the top layer, go to Filter > Distort > Twirl. You can choose any angle you'd like. This is what I got;
Now, you can add color to the image! Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer. From here, you can toggle with the settings, and pick any color you'd like. I messed with the blue settings.
You can also toggle between Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights. Choose each option to see what you can do to increase or decrease certain colors to your image.
Now, we're done with the background. Back to the original wallpaper, you want to cut the girl out [or whoever from whatever image you're using].
I cut her out using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. You start from one point, and slowly work your way around. Sometimes you can use the magic eraser or wand tools, but with this particular picture, the lasso tool worked best. Once you've gone around your image, cut or copy to a new image.
Notice I didn't cut the background out between her arms and torso.
If you want to, you could, but since I'm not using that part of her body, I'm not worried about it.
Once you're done with that, paste her on to the background we created earlier.
Since this is only an icon, place her wherever you'd like, since we're only going to cut the appropriate part out. Since I'm using her head as part of the final icon, I placed it near the top, where it's a little squiggly and the color is a bit more vibrant.
Now, to cut out what you want, select the Rectangular Marquee tool, hold down SHIFT, and select what you want to cut out. This is what I got;
Then I made a new layer, selected a light blue color, and filled the layer. Afterwards, I set the color to Soft Light. You can set the colors to Color Burn, Screen, Overlay, or even use gradients instead of one color.
Finally, go to Image, Image Size, and resize to 100x100 pixels. I added a little squiggly brush in the corner. [one of my own, unnamed brushes. I need to organize them. >.<
] I also added the words 'Ice Queen' with a light blue blending mode behind them. After you've typed the words, saying, whatever onto your icon, right click on the icon layer, and select Blending Options. Then choose Outer Glow. I chose 'Normal' for my Blend Mode and 'Precise' for my Technique. I chose a light blue for the outer glow, and finished with that.
You can even choose a Basic Brush, size 2, and make a frame around the image. Position the brush in a corner, hold down SHIFT, and paint a line from one corner to the other. Continue this for the remaining three sides, and you have a simple, but effective border.
This is my first tutorial, and I wasn't really quite sure what kind of icon to make. The icon might be a bit sucky [at least I think] but I figured it sorta covers the Polygon Lasso Tool, Filters, and people can even make wallpapers, if they'd like. I didn't include too much information on what colors I used specifically, because I want other people to try and be creative and see what they can come up with on their own. Hope this helped and have fun! If you need help, comment and I can try to help you. I'd also love if people post what they made. I'd love to see what you try on your own. :}
This tutorial was created for people who have a basic understanding with photoshop, and know the basic uses of most tools.