[#16] tutorial #1 garnet & zidane (ffix)
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13 steps, NO SELECTIVE COLOUR! Using Adobe Photoshop 7.0. This tutorial works best for dark images.
01. Take your picture (we're using this one of Garnet and Zidane from the game Final Fantasy IX), and crop it the way you want, to 100x100 (the maximum dimensions for Livejournal).
Now, as you can see, this cap is a little darker than we'd like it to. To fix this is rather simple. (You can skip the following step if the icon doesn't need any lightening).
02. To begin, duplicate the base image (by going to Layers >> Duplicate Layer...), and set the layer to Soft Light, 100% opacity. Now duplicate it a bunch of times, this time, setting the layers to Screen, 100%, until the cap is as light and clear as you want it to (this particular image used 5 screen layers to get rid of the darkness).
03. Do one more duplicate layer, and set this one to Soft Light, 50%. The previous screen layers had ruined the intensity of the shadows a bit too much for my liking, so this Soft Light layer deepens the shadows a bit, as you can see, especially on Garnet's hair.
Now, the icon is much lighter, but a little boring. Let's add some interest with colour and adjustment layers!
04. Create a new blank layer (Layer >> New >> Layer), using the Paintbucket tool, flood fill the layer with #421515 and set this layer to Hue, 25% opacity</b>. This step flushes a little brown into the image, especially on the shadows. I also like how this step reddens the highlights on Garnet's hair.
Now it's time to use adjustment layers. (Layer >> New Adjustment Layer...). They can be a little difficult to use at first, but when you get used to it, they can become a wonderful tool to use. I tried to avoid using Selective Colour since I can find that can be a bitch to learn, especially when starting out. D<
05. Our first adjustment layer is a gradient (Gradient Map...). Click on the gradient and choose the black and white preset (should be the third option) and set this layer to Screen, 55%. The icon was still a little dark, so using a b&w gradient lightens it up a little.
06. Create a Levels layer (Levels...). Click on the Auto button and it will do the settings automatically. Set the layer to Linear Burn, 15%.
07. Create a Channel Mixer layer (Channel Mixer...). Choose Output Channel: Red and up the Source channel: Red to 200%. Upping the red will infuse that colour into the icon, but as you can see, it's a little bright, so set this layer to Luminosity, 100%. This retains a little bit of redness, but also has the advantage of not making the image too dark and also keeps more definition.
08. Duplicate the black and white gradient layer you used from step 05, and drag it to the top of the layer palette> This time, change the settings to Screen, 50%.
09. Duplicate the Channel Mixer layer from step 07, drag it to the top of the palette. Change the settings on this layer to Saturation, 25%.
10. This is our last adjustment layer, it's a Levels layer. Drag the black arrow to the right to about 53. Leave the layer settings at Normal, 100%.
So we're finished with the adjustment layers, and the icons looks much better. But I find that the skin is a little too ghostly white for my liking. So it's time to work with a couple of colour layers now.
11. Flood fill a blank layer with #CFCFCF and set this layer to Luminosity, 10%. The skin is a little darker using this step, but still rather pale to me. Let's fix that.
12. Fill another layer with #FFEDCA and set to Linear Burn, 50%. Gives the skin a flush of colour, making it look more realistic. You can fiddle around with the opacity as you see fit.
13. To finish off, duplicate the base layer and drag to the very top of the layer palette. Set it to Screen, 100%. This step lightens the skin and shadows a little, but now is a little more natural looking.
When dealing with an image that isn't so dark, try changing the final layer to Overlay, 50%.
And you're done!
I tried to make this tutorial not so complicated, but if you have questions, please feel free to ask.
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