first of all, this is tied to THIS tutorial (by me). i suggest you to read that one, too 'cause we use the same coloring.
so for example, if i write 2b, it means that the layer comes after the layer 2 which is on the another tutorial.
i won't be copying and pasting stuff 'cause this would be really long .___.

this is mainly using textures and layer mask.

(about the textures, if you know any of those makers i'm missing, please tell ^__^)

1a. create a new canvas, 100x100px.
open your picture, crop and resize it to size you want. copy and paste this to the blank canvas. (or duplicate > click the layer on right > duplicate the layer > select the right file on drop down-thingy.)
place it wherever you want.
result:


b. create a layer mask to your picture which is on blank canvas. layer > layer mask > reveall all
make sure you've got the layer mask "box" selected (you can see the white border around it.)
choose a brush. then the colors: black erases, white brings it back.
it's useful if you erase too much, you can always get it back : D
result:


c. i duplicate the layer three times.
1. screen 100%
2.screen 100%
3. screen 47%

result:


notice that you don't probably need these, my picture is dark and the coloring/textures makes it darker, so if it is dark after all, duplicate then.

now comes layers 2, 3, 4 from the other tut.

4b. add this texture: by who?
set to multiply 100%
result:


then comes layers 5-14.

14b.
this texture: by spooky_window
multiply 9%

c. by kiho_chan
color burn 100%

d. by kiho_chan
darken 32%

e. by kiho_chan
multiply 19%

f. by who?
multiply 48%

g. by piemin
soft light 100%

h. by piemin
screen 100%
(this can look horrible, skip this or rotate the texture that the light part isn't on your picture.)

i. by treasuresex
multiply 27%

then layer 15.

15b. by who?
multiply 87%

tadaa, you're done :---D

that was easy.

other icons using similar technique:


other textures to use:
by kiho_chan by chaoticfae by noisettee by tove_91

by who? by who? by gothic_mischief by bambinainnero

download .psd

- questions? just ask : >
- comments make my day!
- i'd love to see your results
- enjoyyy!
original post at my journal