WORKING PEN GRAPHICS

you're never fully dressed without a smile

workingpen — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:14:26 GMT

More icons!

We've got:
[3] Gossip Girl
[16] Twilight/Twilight actors
[8] Jim Sturgess
[4] Breakfast At Tiffany's

Teaser:

Remember:
+ Leave a comment if you're taking.
+ No hotlinking!
+ Credit jessterroux or workingpen
+ .JPEG and .GIF formats

Total Icons: 31

cause you were romeo, i was a scarlet letter

workingpen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:35:16 GMT

I haven't created a tutorial for awhile!

We'll go from:

TO

Twilight Prom Icon Tutorial
Level: Intermediate/Experienced
Photoshop CS3, but probably translatable to earlier versions

1. Choose an image to work with. I used this sexy Twilight image: http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i115/workingpen/Szenenbild_t26-1.jpg
2. Using your lasso tool (I use the polygonal lasso tool), cut out around Edward and Bella. Don't worry too much about it being perfect; we'll be cropping it down anyway. If you want, you can lightly feather your selection by going to Select >> Modify >> Feather. Don't feather the selection anymore than 1 pixel or it will just look goofy.
3. Now find a nice icon texture/background to go with your image. I used this one from wolfbane_icons . The set is called "Scrapbook".
4. Copy the image's selection (CTRL+C) and paste onto the texture. Now you'll have to resize it down to icon size. Do this by using Free Transform (CTRL+T). This is very important: make sure you select the "maintain aspect ratio" option. Do this by clicking on the little link image on the toolbar in between the "W" and "H". If you need a visual, click here. Now resize the image so it fits nicely into the icon. You can also move it around and rotate the image.
5. Duplicate the image layer twice. You should now have three total layers of the image. Change the original layer to Color Dodge blend mode. Change the first copy to Color Dodge as well, but only 65% opacity. Change the final copy to Hard Light and apply an Outer Glow effect, changing the size to 7 px.
6. Now we're going to apply Selective Coloring. Layer >> New Adjustment Layer >> Selective Color. Use these settings: Reds (Cyan +2%, Black -56%) and Blacks (Cyan -10%, Magenta +23%, Yellow -8%, Black -18%).
7. Almost finished! Last we'll apply this light texture on top and set the blend mode to Screen. *I don't know where I got this light texture, but if it's yours, or you do know where it's from, let me know!*
8. And here is our finished project! You can use these techniques to really play around with icon and graphic-making.

Hope everyone can find this useful! If you have problems with the tutorial and need help, or just have any comments/constructive criticism, leave a comment on the entry and I'll help out! Remember, you don't need a LiveJournal to comment. Also, feel free to friend me for updates!

sing us a song you're the piano man!

workingpen — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:12:39 GMT

Haven't done one of these for awhile! Most of them are Twilight related. I can't stop. But I did make a couple POTC ones. I think I'll work on some Office and Audrey Hepburn icons next. I need to get off the Twilight kick. Cross-posted to my personal journal: jessterroux .

Teaser:

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're taking.
+ Give due credit.
+ Do not claim as your own and redistribute.
+ For personal use only.
+ NO HOTLINKING or I will remove.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ .JPEG and .GIF format

Total Icons: 21

you may say i'm a dreamer, but i'm not the only one

workingpen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:57:27 GMT

A few more Twilight icons for your viewing (and using) pleasure.

[2] Kristen Stewart
[2] Edward Cullen
[1] Emmett Cullen
[2] Kristen and Rob
[5] Robert Pattinson

Teaser:

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're taking.
+ Give due credit.
+ Do not claim as your own and redistribute.
+ For personal use only.
+ NO HOTLINKING or I will remove.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ .JPEG and .GIF format


1	2	3

4	5	6

7	8	9

10	11	12

and we would scream together songs unsung

workingpen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:27:17 GMT

Twicon time! I have 19 Twilight-related icons to share with everyone. I will have more coming soon, including non-Twilight icons--I don't want to go too crazy before December. I also have a few headers with matching icons to share in a day or two, including the one currently being used here! Exciting.

You are welcome to use the following icons, but please please please don't steal and give credit. Merci! And without further ado...

2 Emmett & Rosalie
2 Bella Swan
5 Edward & Bella
4 Edward Cullen
3 Robert Pattinson
1 Cullen Family
1 Jasper Hale
1 Jasper & Alice

Teaser:


1	2	3


1	2	3	4

5	6	7	8

9	10	11	12

13	14	15	16

17	18	19

This twilight garden turns into a world where dreams are real...

workingpen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:50:49 GMT

Twilight fanmix? Yes, please!

I've been working on this sucker for ages, switching songs, deleting songs, tweaking graphics. Hey, it's summer break...nothing wrong with a little Twilight lovin'. It's a welcome relief from classes.

This mix is a bit...eclectic to say the least. And that's really my every intention. It's so common to see the same songs over and over again on Twilight fanmixes. Not that there's anything wrong with these songs--they're great and do seem to be tailor-made for Edward/Bella. But this fanmix is my attempt at something "fresh". Please read: attempt; I'm sure somewhere in Internetland, there are other fanmixes with these songs. BUT, hopefully everyone will enjoy it!

P.S. For all the The Cure fans out there, This Twilight Garden (the mix's namesake) is a rare The Cure song. <3
P.P.S. I'm working on "liner notes" for this mix, featuring lyrics from each song and quotes from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. But I'm a tad anal retentive, so who knows how long until I'm finished.
P.P.S. New Moon and Eclipse fanmixes to follow sometime in the near future.

DOWNLOAD THIS TWILIGHT GARDEN
.rar file - Sendspace - 72 MB
(includes 15 .mp3 songs and 2 .jpeg album covers)
OR download individual songs below

01. Rain by Breaking Benjamin
{ Bella leaves Phoenix behind, settling for the rainy town of Forks, Washington. }

"When I landed in Port Angeles, it was raining. I didn't see it as an omen--just unavoidable. I'd already said my goodbyes to the sun."

Take a photograph; it’ll be the last.

Not a dollar or a crowd could ever keep me here.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
All the world is waiting for the sun.

02. For Real by Okkervil River
{ Edward gets his first intoxicating whiff of Bella's blood, struggling with the violent thirst. }
"The scent was maddening. I so very nearly took you then. There was only one other frail human there--so easily dealt with."

Some nights I thirst for real blood.
For real knives, for real cries.
And then the flash of steel from real guns,
In real life really fills my mind.
You can't hide, you can't hide.

03. Moon Over Bourbon Street by Sting
{ Edward fights with his dark instincts and his increasing curiosity. }
"What if I'm not a superhero? What if I'm the bad guy?"

I have stood many times outside her window at night,
To struggle with my instinct in the pale moonlight.
How could I be this way when I pray to God above?
I must love what I destroy and destroy the thing I love.

04. The Lure Would Prove Too Much by The Twilight Singers
{ Edward risks everything when he defies reason and rescues Bella. }
"At the time, all I could think was, 'Not her.'"

Say so, I'm getting under your skin so soft.
I can't help but pursue,
'Til I'm screwed.
Shine on, I can see clearly the light on,
Crashing me into the rocks,
Your siren sweet.

05. I've Just Seen A Face by Jim Sturgess
{ Edward begins to fall for Bella. }
"You're not like anyone I've ever known. You fascinate me."

I have never known the like of this.
I've been alone and I have missed things,
And kept out of sight,
But other girls were never quite like this.

06. So Cold by Breaking Benjamin
{ Bella guesses Edward's secret and convinces him to open up. }
"'You can trust me, you know,' I murmured."
"'I don't know if I have a choice anymore.' His voice was almost a whisper."

Show me how it ends, it's alright.
Show me how defenseless you really are.
Satisfied and empty inside, that's alright.
Let's give this another try.
You're so cold, but you feel alive.
Lay your hand on me one last time.

07. Fields of Gold by Sting
{ Bella and Edward spend time in the meadow. }
"You are the most important thing to me now."

Will you stay with me? Will you be my love?
Among the fields of barley.
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky,
As we lie in fields of gold.

08. Throw Your Arms Around Me by Neil Finn
{ Edward holds Bella as she sleeps. }
"I drifted to sleep in his cold arms."

I dreamed of you at nighttime,
And I watched you in your sleep.
I met you in high places,
I touched your head and touched your feet.
You will throw your arms around me.

09. Piano Trio in E Flat by Franz Schubert
{ Bella's Lullaby }
"The music slowed, transforming into something softer, and to my surprise I detected the melody of his lullaby weaving through the profusion of notes.
'You inspired this one,' he said softly. The music grew unbearably sweet."

I chose this composition because I felt it was how Stephenie Meyer described the lullaby, and also I think it's a beautiful musical representation of Bella and Edward. It begins softly, but also darkly--very vampire-esque. Towards the end, the music veers away from the darkness, turning very sweet. I know it's not solo piano, but I think it works. :)

10. One Blood by Terence Jay
{ The Cullens and Bella enjoy a last peace before the hunt begins. }
"I can feel what you're feeling now--and you are worth it."

There was peace in the twilight,
And for a moment among,
It was a world without danger, a world without war.
And I will take all your suffering,
It will do any good.
Cause we are one flesh, one breath,
One life, one blood.

11. Protection by Massive Attack
{ Edward does everything in his power to protect Bella from James. }
"I will make you safe first."

Sometimes you look so small, need some shelter.
Just runnin' round and round, helter skelter.
I'll stand in front of you.
I'll take the force of the blow.

12. Gouge Away by Pixies
{ The hunter, bent on destruction, finally gets his hands on Bella. Edward and James fight. }
"Where I floated, under the dark water, I heard the happiest sound my mind could conjure up--as beautiful, as uplifting, as it was ghastly. It was another snarl; a deeper, wilder roar that rang with fury."

I break the walls and kill us all.
Gouge away.
You can gouge away.
Stay all day,
If you want to.

13. Stop Crying Your Heart Out by Oasis
{ Edward saves the broken and damaged Bella. }
"And I was in his arms, cradled against his chest--floating, all the pain gone. 'Sleep now, Bella' were the last words I heard."

Hold up,
Hold on.
Don't be scared.
You'll never change what's been and gone.

14. Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult
{ Bella asks to join Edward in eternity. }
"Why didn't you just let the venom spread? By now I'd be just like you."

Come on baby, and she had no fear,
And she ran to him, then they started to fly.
They looked backwards and said goodbye.
She had become like they are.
She had taken his hand.
She had become like they are.
Come on baby, don't fear the reaper.

15. This Twilight Garden by The Cure
{ Bella and Edward have a happy ending. }
"'So ready for this to be the end,' he murmured, almost to himself, 'for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything.'
'It's not the end, it's the beginning,' I disagreed under my breath."

I lift my hands from touching you,
To touch the wind that whispers through.
This twilight garden,
Turns into a world,
Where dreams are real.
No one will ever take your place.
I am lost in you.
No one will ever take your place.
So in love with you.

</div>

Rain, rain, go away. All the world is waiting for the sun.

workingpen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:37:24 GMT

Eek! It's been ages since I last posted. College, my job, and travel have monopolized most of my time. Oh, and the occasional bar-hopping weekend. But with a new (well, new at Christmas) computer and Photoshop CS3, I am getting back into the wonderful world of graphic making. I'm a bit rusty (okay, really rusty), but I'm having fun messing around.

With that said, hopefully this graphic journal will become more active again. Summer classes end this week (huzzah!) so I'll have a bit of free time on my hands, at least until the end of July when I go away for a wedding. And then I'll be gone again in August to Greece--Opa! But yes...lots of graphicness in store for the summer.

I guess to kick start the rebirth of this journal, I have a few icons I've made somewhat recently. Please remember the rules when snagging these (you can check them out in my user info...but basically, don't steal, don't hotlink, and please give credit).

4 Sweeney Todd
4 Orlando Bloom
4 Justin Timberlake
1 Edward Cullen (Twilight)
1 Ratatouille


1	2	3

4	5	6

7	8	9

10	11	12

13	14

Today the skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche

workingpen — Sat, 13 May 2006 20:15:58 GMT

Bleh.

Unfortunately, my Silver Red and Vibrancy base sets have been removed from Deviant Art because of "copyright infringement". It was stupid of me to post them on there: they're not stock images. So, from now on, all my base sets will be available ONLY through Photobucket albums, unless I end up paying for a domain and server space.

Please check my resources for information of where all images used are from.

Thanks!

P.S. Not sure when I'll update next. Maybe expect some random things tomorrow or Monday?

P.P.S. Jimmy Kimmel last night made my LIFE. Major props to J.J. and Dom...and to anyone who knows where I can find a screencap of Dom with "Binky" and "Ba Ba".

We were merely freshmen.

workingpen — Thu, 11 May 2006 23:13:44 GMT

Sorry for the update delay. I was just so shell-shocked by last night's excellent Lost episode. Is it Wednesday yet?

BIG POST! Right now I have a few different things to offer. First, I have another icon texture set, which I titled "Color Me Textured". They're nothing really special, just a few colorful, grungy icon textures. Secondly, to go along with the whole Spring Meets Summer theme, I have a set of spring and summer icon bases up for grabs. Next, I have a wallpaper to share with everyone. I made it after watching the new Pride & Prejudice film. Last, I have quite a few icons to share. They're all pretty random; look below for the breakdown.

Follow the cuts for everything.

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're downloading.
+ Credit is not required for bases. But hey, if you wanna do it, go ahead.
+ If you have any problems downloading, please let me know by commenting.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ NO HOTLINKING or I will remove.
+ .PNG format

A L B U M - SPRING MEETS SUMMER BASES (save individually)</div>

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're downloading.
+ Give due credit.
+ Do not claim as your own and redistribute.
+ If you have any problems downloading, please let me know by commenting.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ .PNG format

D O W N L O A D - COLOR ME TEXTURED (.zip file)</div>

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're taking.
+ Give due credit.
+ Do not claim as your own and redistribute.
+ For personal use only.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ 1024 x 768 resolution
+ .JPEG format

F U L L S I Z E - PRIDE & PREJUDICE WALLPAPER
</div>
And now for the icons. Here is the breakdown:
6 Lost
5 Stock Images
3 Hedwig and the Angry Inch
2 Dom
2 Lord of the Rings
2 Emilie De Ravin
1 Orlando Bloom
1 Evangeline Lilly
1 Billy Boyd

Preview (follow the cut to view them all):


1	2	3


1	2	3

4	5	6

7	8	9

10	11	12

13	14	15

16	17	18

19	20	21

22	23

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're taking.
+ Give due credit.
+ Do not claim as your own and redistribute.
+ For personal use only.
+ NO HOTLINKING or I will remove.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ .JPEG format</div>
Whew. That's all for now! Enjoy! If you have ANY questions, comments, or suggestions whatsoever, please feel free to leave a comment. I'm friendly and I promise I don't bite. : ) Don't hesitate to FRIEND ME either.

You're out of my mind, out of my mind.

workingpen — Wed, 10 May 2006 21:04:22 GMT

Wednesday is my favorite day!

For right now, I have two quick updates: two different sets of icon textures. One set I entitled "think! pink" and is inspired by that girly album I made. The second set is "Spring Meets Summer" and is just a set of summery gradient icon textures. I actually created each one of them using spring and summer stock photos.

Follow the cuts for download information.

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're downloading.
+ Give due credit.
+ Do not claim as your own and redistribute.
+ If you have any problems downloading, please let me know by commenting.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ .PNG format

D O W N L O A D - THINK! PINK (.ZIP file)</div>
I hope everyone enjoys! I will have more updates later today, but don't expect anything between 9-10 tonight (that's when my whole world stops for Lost). Also, feel free to friend me. : )

Pink is my favorite color.

workingpen — Tue, 09 May 2006 08:58:55 GMT

Gee, I'm awake early...or late. However you wanna look at it.

I have a new sort-of layout. Just a little something I whipped up. I like it alright. Comments and suggestions are welcome! Yes, I know-- it's very pink. But alas, pink is my favorite color. I simply couldn't resist. It was semi-inspired by that girly CD I made the other day.

In the way of updates, I don't really have anything. However, within the next day or two there will be TONS of new updatey sort of things. I've made a few sets of icon textures, a set of summery bases, lots of new icons, a new wallpaper, and I'm working on a couple tutorials. I know I promised that Text FX tutorial, so I apologize for the delay. It's coming! I promise. I'm also planning on making on icon tutorial or two, so if there's anything I've made that anyone would like instruction on, drop me a comment on this entry and I will do my best to oblige.

Oh, quick, off-topic comment: Lost last week was NUTS. HOLY OMFG. I love this show, but damn...I was NOT expecting that at all. I bit off all my beautifully long and manicured fingernails! Yeesh. But now I am so uberly excited for this week's episode; some ish is about to go down and I can't wait to see it. The rest of the season is going to be awesome!

Err, some more off-topicness. Dominic Monaghan and J.J. Abrams are scheduled to appear on the Jimmy Kimmel Show this Friday (May 12th), and Dom will be making an appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson next Thursday (the 18th). Should be interesting for all you Lost/Dom fans! I know within the next few weeks, there are a million-and-a-half Lost cast appearances, but as I'm an avid Dom fan, I'm really looking forward to those two.

Anywho, sorry for the rambling (and lack of graphic goodness), but expect some neat things within the next couple of days. Keep checking back for updates! And feel free to friend me.

Oh oh oh, uptown girl!

workingpen — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 07:45:05 GMT

Just a quickie update. The other day I made a girly compilation album featuring fun, girly songs. I also took some time out to make cover art. I have uploaded the songs in a zipped file, along with the cover art. Just a little treat. Enjoy and expect the Text FX tutorial later. Follow the cut for download links and the back cover including the song listing.

Album Download (.zip file)
Album Download with Cover Art (.zip file)

If there are any problems downloading, please let me know. Also, if you are snatching these, a quick comment would be greatly appreciated, but not required. It's up to you whether you do or not, but oh how I do love comments. :D

</div>

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

workingpen — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 05:52:32 GMT

I meant to update again yesterday, but alas! I forgot. I ended up getting sleepy and going to bed earlier than I had planned. But in any case, I have a whole slew of icons to share with everyone, along with quite a few purty silvery-red icon bases. I used lots of newish resources for these icons, so expect a resource list update either later tonight or later Monday night.

You might have also noticed there's no Text FX tutorial like I promised. I did get started on it, but I haven't managed to finish it. Soon, I promise! I work tomorrow night, so I'm thinking I might have it ready to post on Monday. No guarantees though.

Now for the new icons! There are 24 total. Here's the breakdown:
10 Elijah Wood
6 Everything is Illuminated
4 Lost
1 Dominic Monaghan
1 Pride & Prejudice (Mr. Darcy)
1 Bright Eyes
1 Stock Image

And a quick preview:


1	2	3	4

Follow the cut to view them all.


1	2	3	4

5	6	7	8

9	10	11	12

13	14	15	16

17	18	19	20

21	22	23	24

Questions/Comments/Suggestions are welcome! PLEASE refer to the rules in my user info if you are interested in using any of these. Enjoy!
</div>

I also made 30 nice silvery-red bases featuring Episodes 107 (The Moth) and 212 (Fire + Water) of Lost. Here's the breakdown for those:
12 Charlie Pace
4 Claire Littleton
3 Kate Austen
3 Sawyer Ford
3 Liam Pace
2 John Locke
1 Shannon Rutherford
1 Aaron Littleton
1 Claire/Locke

A preview:

Follow the cut for download information and links.

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're downloading.
+ Credit is not required for bases. But hey, if you wanna do it, go ahead.
+ If you have any problems downloading, please let me know by commenting.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ NO HOTLINKING or I will remove.
+ .JPEG format

A L B U M - SILVER RED BASES (save individually)

If you are interested in using this technique to create your own graphics, check out THIS POST over at icon_tutorial.</div>

Over who kills the last koala bear and who in death will love him more.

workingpen — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:35:48 GMT

I'm in an icon-making mood. I'm trying out some new things and it's actually a lot of fun. I'm also planning on working on a few wallpapers later, just since I haven't done one in awhile. They're more of a challenge for me anyway, and I like challenges. So, anyway, I'll be posting small batches of icons throughout the day.

I am also working on a tutorial series. Basically, they're Photoshop technique tutorials. So far I have decided to create the following tutorials: Using Fonts, Text FX, Cropping for Icons, Finishing Touches, Using Curves, and Using Layer Masks. I'll do more, but these are ones I want to start with, just because they're very important and useful techniques for graphic making. The first one to come will be Text FX and I want to say, expect it late tonight.

I have updated the Resources list with a few new links. Check it out.

As for the icons in this batch (7 total), I have 2 Jack Sparrow, 2 Pride & Prejudice, a Matthew Fox, a Kate (from Lost), and a Charlie (from Lost). Follow the cut to view. Comments and such rock my world, and suggestions are appreciated. Questions are also welcome; feel free to ask me anything. Remember to refer to the Rules under my user info for information on using these icons.


1	2	3

4	5	6

7

</div>
P.S. Feel free to friend me! I am very...friendly.

I need the smell of summer, I need its noises in my ear.

workingpen — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 06:33:55 GMT

Yawn. Here are a few icons real quick (10, in fact) before I head off to dream sweet dreams. If you're interested in using any of them, refer to the Rules under my user info. Comments rock my world. Questions are welcome. Suggestions are fantastic. Enjoy. More to come tomorrow, along with updated resources.

(Some Dom, Billy, POTC, Elijah, and P&P)

A teaser:


1	2	3

Follow the cut for all.


1	2	3	4

5	6	7	8

9	10

</div>
Yawn. I am outta here.

Happy Easter!

workingpen — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 23:10:04 GMT

Just wanted to drop a quick note about one of the resources used in my last tutorial (the Strawberry-Coloring one). I didn't know the creator of the icon grid brush I used, but after browsing a few different communities, I discovered due credit goes to crumblingwalls. You can find the brush set for download HERE.

Down to me, the change has come, she's under my thumb.

workingpen — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:10:13 GMT

I've been busy writing a new tutorial for the Elijah "Rock On" icon. Why did I choose this one? One, I really liked the outcome. Two, it is pretty simple. Three, you can get some really neat results using some of the techniques in different combinations or with interesting images. I made a few quick icons to demonstrate the possibilities.

So, we'll go from THIS: to THIS:

It is a fairly simple tutorial, but I do recommend you have a basic knowledge of adjustment layers, curves, layer masks, and defining brush presets. With that said, follow the cut to check out the tutorial and some sample icons.

Before beginning the tutorial, please note that depending on what image you use, you might have to adjust Opacities, Blend Modes, and Adjustment Layer settings.

Strawberry-Coloring Icon Tutorial
Level: Intermediate

1. Choose an image and using your crop tool, crop it to a 100x100 pixel icon. I used this picture from Always & Forever: Elijah Wood. I also sharpened my image once by going to Filter >> Sharpen >> Sharpen.
2. Create a new layer over the cropped image. Use this gradient, available from crumblingwalls. Set this layer’s Blend Mode to Exclusion with 50% Opacity.
3. Create another new layer. Use this pale gradient*. Set this gradient layer to Multiply with 53% Opacity.
4. Duplicate your original image and drag it to the top of the layers palette, above the other layers. Set the Blend Mode to Overlay, leaving the Opacity at 100%.
5. Go to Layer >> New Adjustment Layer >> Hue/Saturation. Change the Saturation to -28.
6. Create a new layer. Use this golden gradient (another one from crumblingwalls). Set this layer to Hard Light at 72% Opacity.
7. Once again, duplicate the original background image and drag it above all the other layers. Set the Blend Mode to Multiply at 56%.
8. Create a new layer. Flood Fill it with this hot pink color (#C11A80). Set this layer to Color Dodge. Don’t adjust the Opacity.
9. Create another new layer. Flood Fill it with this blue color (#2F66C0). Set the Blend Mode to Color with 18% Opacity.
10. Go to Layer >> New Adjustment Layer >> Curves. In the RGB channel, make two clicks on the grid. Change the first point to Input: 74 and Output: 65. Change the second point to Input: 199 and Output: 188.
11. Create a new layer. Flood Fill it with this navy blue color (#0E294E). Set its Blend Mode to Exclusion with 68% Opacity.
12. Create yet another new layer. Stamp this grid icon brush* over the icon using the same navy blue color (#0E294E). Make sure the Opacity and Fill brush settings are set to 100%. NOTE: SINCE THE BLEND MODE FOR THE BRUSH IS EXCLUSION, COPYING AND PASTING THE BRUSH IMAGE WILL YIELD SOME FUNKY RESULTS. YOU WILL HAVE TO DEFINE A BRUSH PRESET WITH THE IMAGE (EDIT >> DEFINE BRUSH PRESET).
13. Set the brush layer’s Blend Mode to Exclusion with an Opacity of 100%. Duplicate this layer three separate times and then merge the duplicates down to the original brush layer by going to Layer >> Merge Down or by pressing CTRL + E for each duplicated layer.
14. Add a Layer Mask to this newly merged layer. We’re going to erase the grid from Elijah’s face. Using a small round brush (I used one with a diameter of 21 pixels), erase the grid from his face, leaving behind the grid on the background. Remember, for erasing with a Layer Mask, the foreground color MUST be set to black (#000000).
15. With the Type Tool, write your text using whatever font or size you’d like. Using the font Bebas (from DaFont) set to size 26 point, I typed “ROCK ON” in black (#000000). Set the Blend Mode of this text layer to Overlay at 100% Opacity.
16. We’re going to change the text to run vertically. To do this, go to Edit >> Transform >> Rotate 90º CCW. Now position the vertical text where you like
17. Once positioned, duplicate the text layer. Leave the Blend Mode at Normal, but change the Opacity to 14%.
18. You’re finished! You can add additional brushes, text, whatever. I added a simple one pixel black border. Flatten your image and save.

*Unfortunately, I cannot remember where I got these awesome resources from. The gradient is from a set called “water lilies” and the grid brush is from an icon brush set called “grids”. If either of these items belongs to you, or if you know who they belong to, please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me a quick e-mail. Thanks!

Comments and suggestions are welcome, as are any questions you have about steps in this tutorial. If you benefited from this tutorial, a quick comment would be very appreciated.

Just to give you an idea of different possibilities using these techniques, here are a few different quickie icons I whipped up:


1	2	3

4	5	6

Another few off-topic, quick music suggestions:

Sad Eyes - Josh Rouse
Clap Your Hands! - Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
Under My Thumb - The Rolling Stones
Here Comes My Baby - Yo La Tengo
Helpless - World Without Sundays
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven
Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle and Sebastian

;) Enjoy!

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An itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka-dot update.

workingpen — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 04:57:36 GMT

Things have been a little hectic here in my neck of the woods. I was without electricity for four days (woo hoo!). Obviously, without electricity I was computerless and Photoshopless. But I am back and all is well. I figured I might as well give a small update, even if it is only 4 icons.

I hope everyone enjoys. And remember to read the Rules in the user info for information about using any of these. Follow the yellow-bricked cut! :)


1	2	3	4

Yay! I love the pretty table: it's all thanks to 77words's fantastic ICON TABLE GENERATOR. I've gotten very HTML lazy lately, so it's nice to have a simple, quick solution. Two million thumbs up!

Icons 1 and 2 were created with the help of a very spiffy tutorial by x_deadromance. Icon number 4 was created with the help of another wonderful tutorial by lostmymindagain. Major, major props to those two. Lastly, icon number 2 is one of my own designs/techniques. I was just playing around with curves, adjustment layers, colors, blending modes. Number 2 is the result. I have started work on a tutorial for that icon, if anyone is interested.
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This is ridiculously off-topic, but I have to plug a few very fantastic songs that are rocking my iPod and everyone should listen to:

My Number - Tegan & Sara
Walking With the Ghost - Tegan & Sara
Martha - Tom Waits
Guernica - Brand New
Ripchord - Rilo Kiley
Dry Your Eyes Mate - The Streets

That's all. :) More later.

We are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood...

workingpen — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 05:48:04 GMT

Today I have decided to post some of my favorite Photoshop projects, including banners, blends, wallpapers and icons. I just wanted to give everyone an idea of what to expect with this journal. Please read the RULES in my user info for information about using any of these graphics. Below is a teaser. Follow the cut for everything.

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Everything is beautiful when she believes...

workingpen — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 04:52:42 GMT

Welcome to my graphics journal. Yes, I have no life...don't make fun. Just enjoy.

I made a massive slew of "vibrantly colored" icon bases. I plan to come back to them someday and spruce them up a bit: add brushes, textures, gradients, text, different blending modes. However, for now, they're just simple icons/bases. Whoever reads this: you are more than welcome to use them for your own purposes. Just leave a comment, because although they are simple, I did take the time to hunt down favorite photographs, crop them, and apply a variety of adjustment layers and blending modes.

There are about 60 different icon bases and I plan to make even more later with the same "vibrant" technique. There are a fair amount of Lost bases, and also Lord of the Rings, stock images, Dom, Elijah, Orlando, Johnny, random musicians, some of my favorite actresses, and Disney. Below is a short teaser. Follow the cut for downloading information and links.

Remember:
+ Please comment if you're downloading.
+ Credit is not required for bases. But hey, if you wanna do it, go ahead.
+ If you have any problems downloading, please let me know by commenting.
+ Comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism are love.
+ NO HOTLINKING or I will remove.
+ .JPEG format

A L B U M - VIBRANCY BASES (save individually)</div>
If you like this technique used on these icons, you can check out a tutorial I posted at icon_tutorial by CLICKING HERE. I use Photoshop CS2, but it is translatable to earlier versions and Paint Shop Pro. I would say it is for intermediate users, although it is very simple. I have also added it to my memories (along with these bases) so it can be easily accessible at any time.

I am also asking anyone who reads this to check out the journal's user info, ESPECIALLY if you plan on borrowing/using any graphics on this journal. I have listed information about my graphics and myself, and a few simple RULES for those intending to snatch a few things.

Well, this should be fun and I hope everyone enjoys it. Don't hesitate to friend me or drop a comment.