Dark Colors Tutorial - PHOTOSHOP 8

FOR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 8 - I do not remember how to use any other version and while I am sure this is easily translated for PSP, I have not used that program ever so I cannot help if you don't understand. However, if you have PS 8, I'm sure I can clarify some things.


We will be making this icon:



(01) BASE
-Resize image [note: for equal cropping, I always make the higher number "100px"]
-Sharpen [if needed].
-Duplicate main layer twice [IMG 1 and IMG 2 is what we will call them so as to not get confused].
-Put IMG 1 to Screen at 100% opacity.
-Desaturate IMG 2 and set it to Soft Light at 100% opacity.
-Make a layer between IMG 1 and IMG 2.
-Fill with an olive color [I used #696128] and set to Multiply at 80% opacity.
-Make another layer above that and fill with a dark brown color [I forget which one I used] setting it to Multiply. Change the opacity as you see fit [I used 40%]. Remember, we want to see Draco.
-Now, go to Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Selective Color.
-Mess around with Black [under NEUTRAL] and Black [under BLACK] to lighten the icon abit and to make Draco have more depth. [I used -10% NEUTRAL {black} and -16% BLACK {black}.
-Flatten image and sharpen.

This is now what I have:



(02) BACKGROUND
-New image, trasparent background, 72 resolution [for mine the h/w was 100x97]
-Filled background with #000000.
-Shift-Ctrl-N [new layer].
-Used a brush by cyberelf [not telling which one; that is what experimentation is for] in #696128 once, set to Screen, 80% opacity.

Now I have this:



(03) FINISH
-Copy and paste BASE onto BACKGROUND
-Take eraser tool and erase all of the background on the BASE image but leave some around the main focus [of yer icon, in this case it is Draco] for that glowey look
-Flatten, duplicate,add 1px black border.


Fin.

I wrote the tutorial so you can easily memorize the steps. If you have any questions, feel free to comment and ask. Just please don't bother me in my personal journal or on IM, thank you.