Tutorial - Screencaps 1
As with any tutorial, this is just a guideline. Follow all the steps, skip some, add some, do whatever you want. Change the values in each step to what looks best for your image, it's probably a lot different than mine :P Feel free to ask questions!
I am using this image as a base, from satcfan.org.
1. Pick your base and crop to 100x100. Use the Unsharpen Mask tool (Filter - Sharpen - Unsharp Mask). I used Amount 34%, Radius 1.2 px, Threshold 0.
2. Duplicate and set to Screen. My image wasn't totally dark to begin with, so I set the layer opacity to 58%. In my image, this still caused the entire sky to go white, ruining the background. To fix it, I used the Eraser, 100% opacity, 0% Hardness. Check the layers palette below to see what I did. If you only need to darken something back a little bit, lower the eraser opacity.
3. Duplicate that same layer and set to Soft Light, 100%.
4. Make a new layer and Fill with a light pink colour - I used #E896D6. I set this layer to Soft Light, 81%.
5. Make a new layer and Fill with a light blue colour - I used #A0D7FA. I set this layer to Soft Light, 65%. I liked what that fill colour did overall, but I didn't like the change in Carrie's face. So I used the Eraser, 100% opacity, 0% hardness, but just over her face.
6. Duplicate your second layer (the one we set to screen and partially erased in the sky). Desaturate this layer and set to Soft Light, 100%. I also used a combination of the Burn, Dodge, and Sponge tools on this layer to enhance her eyes and mouth, just to make her face stand out.
Optional
7. I wanted more contrast between Carrie and the sky, so I used this gradient from oxoniensis-art.net.
8. Using the Gradient Tool (this is under your paint bucket tool), I drew a short line from the top right corner, going diagonally across Carrie's face. I set this to Soft Light, 71%. Check the layers palette below if you're unsure of the angle/amount.
And the layers...
Finally, with a few textures, gradients and adjustment layers...the finished icon! (because we all know icons aren't done until they're buried under as many textures as humanly possible, right? :P)
