The Photoshop Elements Book

WorldMagCresa.tenthee Dtragan effect

BEFORE Create the
Dragan effect

Give your photos a professional, high-contrast look using
sharpening techniques and a mix of adjustment layers

Source file available The Dragan effect is sometimes referred image, such as using a vignette to darken the
to as Draganising images because it background and making the main subject
Use the image provided replicates the style of imagery from stand out with more distinction. Brightening
to re-create this photographer Andrzej Dragan. The renowned up the highlights in the eyes is also an
artist captures a person at their most natural, important feature we don’t want to miss out.
resulting in beautiful portraits. The style of his Check out our tips for improving these aspects
images involves lots of detail, sharpened edges for a powerful Dragan-esque image.
and strong contrast. From the glints in a
subject’s eyes to the wrinkles around their There is no better way to capture the
gleaming smile, there is a lot to get stuck into character of a person than a down-the-lens
when re-creating this effect. pose. Whatever the person’s mood may be at
the time, using Elements we can exploit and
We will show you how to inject high levels enhance this unique moment with the
of detail into your portraits and how to bring techniques described here. The start image is
out the highlights in a controlled fashion. More provided on your free disc courtesy of Hector
emphasis is placed on the atmosphere of the Landaeta (www.sxc.hu/profile/coloniera2).

Prepare your image

Organise the Layers palette for non-destructive editing

Duplicate layer And again

01 Open up your starting image, go to the Layer menu and then 02 Duplicate this for a second time by dragging the
Duplicate Layer. The Duplicate Layer dialog will open and show Background Copy layer onto the Create a New Layer

the name of the new layer as Background Copy. Hit OK to create it. icon (which you can find at the bottom of the Layers palette).

Add High Pass Set Radius

03 Find the option 04 The Dragan
Other inside the effect is known
Filter menu. Here you’ll see for quite pronounced
the High Pass filter. This details. The High Pass
contains a preview of the filter should usually be
image with a grey overlay and kept quite low, but for
a Radius slider underneath. this image it needs to be
You’re image should just be used heavily. Push the
visible under the grey. Radius slider up to 11px.

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New mode Boost contrast

05 06When the High Pass filter is applied, a grey film is placed It’s time to increase and control the lighting. Draganised images
over the image. To blend this with the layer underneath, have high contrast and focus on the face of the person. Go to

change the blend mode from Normal to Hard Light. the Enhance menu and select Adjust Color>Adjust Color Curves.

Scurve Adjust the levels

07 Inside the Color Curves dialog, click the Increase 08 Add a Levels adjustment from the New Adjustment Layer
Contrast preset and then move the Midtone Contrast options. Levels enables us to control the midtones in our image.
slider to the right. Move the Adjust Shdows slider to the left.
Keep details in the shadows, but make sure highlights are bright This is done using the middle marker under the graph. Push this to the left
and white.
until it reads 1.30. This should bring back more details in the shadows.

Understand Dragan

The key features to replicate this distinct style of imagery

THINK IN THE FINE LINES HIDE BACKGROUND
CONTRAST
Look to exaggerate even the finest Reducing the impact of
A balance between of lines and wrinkles in the face. background elements is
highlights and This is controlled with Levels and another trait of the Dragan
shadows is vital Color Curves. effect. This draws attention
to get right. There to the face and makes for a
needs to be detail SHARPEN EDGES more dramatic portrait.
in both areas, but
enough contrast The High Pass filter
to really make the lets you sharpen every
image sing. edge in the image,
making it pop. This is
BRIGHT EYES an effective way to
replicate the original
The eyes in this were made style in Elements.
brighter. This is one aspect
of the Dragan effect that’s
important to include if your
model is lacking contrast.

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Experttip Control highlights Paint back details

Brighten 09 Your image’s highlights may bleach white at 10 Set the Brush tool to around 350px
the eyes this point. Adjustment layers come with Size. Press X to reset your

A Dragan image places masks enabling you to edit them so click on the white Foreground and Background swatches to
strong emphasis on the eyes.
To brighten them up in this mask of the Levels layer and select the Brush tool. the default black and white.
or any portrait image, select
the Dodge tool and set its
Range to Midtones in the
Options bar. Make its brush
size just smaller than one
of the eyes and then, using
the duplicated Background
layer, paint over the eyes to
bring through their colour
and highlights. This will help
to make the person more
engaging and also stay true to
the Dragan effect.

Perfect the effect Reduce colour Darken background

11 Paint over the bright areas in the face 12 The colour in this image is too 13 Add a blank new layer to the top of
and hair of the man to reduce the saturated for the Dragan effect, so the layer stack. We need to darken
add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. The the background to draw attention to the
brightness. Try to avoid sweeping over all of middle slider, Saturation, controls the face as it’s our focus. Select the Brush tool
strength of the colour. Reduce this down to with black set as your Foreground swatch.
the face and only touch on the bright spots. -50 to see a significant drop in tone Increase its Size to around 1,000px and
throughout the image. lower Opacity to 50%.

Add a vignette Final tweaks Experttip

14 By painting over the background of 15 Select the Eraser tool and lower its Opacity Black and
the image with the Brush tool set to down to 50%. Set its size to 600px and remove white

black you can add a fake vignette. Cover the parts of the vignette that have spilled onto the The photographer himself,
Andrzej Dragan, produces
most of the wall and don’t worry about man’s face. You can lower the layer’s Opacity to 90% not only coloured effects
but monochrome ones
painting over the man. Dab the brush over to fade the harshness of the vignette. too. You can still follow this
tutorial for a black and white
the image to apply the effect carefully. Draganised image but, when
it comes to reducing the
Saturation adjustment, you
should move the slider to 0.
You’ll now have removed all
of the colour from the image.
Adjustment layers can be
re-edited at any point, so this
isn’t permanent. For black
and white Draganised images,
even stronger contrast is a
prominent part of the effect.

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AFTER WorldMags.net

104 The Photoshop Elements Book

WorldMaRegtosuc.hnfoer ctlassic effects

BEFORE Retouch for
classic effects

Take a standard photo and turn it into a glamorous portrait
using retouching tricks filters, colour and contrast control

Source file available When it comes to creating a classic light, a desk lamp held high and to the left or
Hollywood-style portrait, the right will do the job. Position it around two
Use the image provided techniques here can get you half metres away. A white sheet will be fine for the
to re-create this way; the other half requires a little dressing backdrop. A vintage dress and a Fifties wig is
up and some basic lighting. all that’s left – the rest is covered by us.

The lighting popular for pinups in this period We will show you how to make the most of
was typically high contrast and angled that strong lighting, to replace the background
45-degrees up and to one side to give depth with something more fitting and to airbrush
to the face. If you don’t have a studio flash the skin for a professional look.

Vintage portrait effects

Get this great look by following our tutorial

Change aspect ratio Apply the crop

01 Open up your start image. It’s taken with a 2 x 3 full-size 02 Click and drag
sensor, so the first thing we want to do is apply a more on the image
suitable crop ratio for an upright portrait. Press C for the Crop and draw a crop box
tool and enter 3 for Width and 4 for Height in the Options bar. over it to suit. We’re
Make sure Resolution is empty. going to lose a little from
the left-hand side as well
as the top and bottom
to bring the model into
the centre of the frame.
You can use the grid lines
to help align the model in
the frame for the most
pleasing composition.
Press the tick icon to
apply the crop.

Expert tip Add a Levels
layer
Refine mask in
earlier versions 03 We want the
lighting to look
If you don’t have the Refine Mask feature, we can use an dramatic, so we need
alternative method. Ctrl/Cmd-click the layer mask on the subject to check that we have
layer to load it as a selection, then go to Select>Modify>Contract. the full contrast range
Enter 4px. With the selection active, drag the layer mask to the from black to white.
trash can and add a new layer mask, which will be based on the Add a Levels
new contracted selection. Go back in History and try a different adjustment layer using
pixel setting if the reduction is too much or too little. the button in the
Layers palette.
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Set black point

04 We can see detail goes all the way to
the right, so highlights are as bright Adjust with Color Curves
05as possible. The shadow information doesn’t The face has turned too dark, so we need to lighten it.ClickontheBackgroundlayer
andduplicate.GotoEnhance>Adjust Color>Adjust Color Curves. Push Adjust
reach the left, so we drag the left black slider
Highlights to the right.
in to meet it and strengthen our blacks.

Lighten the eye Boost contrast Leave the shadows

06 The right eye is a little dark so we 07 We want to increase the sense of 08 It’s often too much to darken
can lighten it by again. Select with contrast further on the face, so we shadows and lighten highlights to
deselect the eye and open the Color Curves increase contrast. If you lighten highlights, for
the Selection Brush tool and open the Color again. Push Midtone Contrast ever so slightly example, shadows appear heavier anyway
to the right. and vice versa. Lighten the highlights slightly
Curves. Push Adjust Highlights to the far left. and leave the shadows otherwise the image
would look too dense.

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Zoom out Select the background

09 Although there is a preview 11 We wouldn’t expect a white backdrop
function in the Color Curves, don’t for a Hollywood shot, so next we’re
rely on it. It is quite small, so the best way to going to drop in a new background. Press A
assess how a change is shaping up is to for the Quick Selection tool and set it to
press OK in the Curves dialog and then Sample All Layers in the Options bar. Click
return to full screen. and drag in the white background to select it.

Merged duplicate layer Refine Mask

12 With the top layer active, use Ctrl/ 14 We can still see some of the original
Cmd+Alt/Opt+Shift+E to create a white background. Ctrl/Cmd-click
merged duplicate on top. Now click the Add the top layer mask to select the lady and
Layer Mask button in the Layers palette. then click the Refine Edge button in the top
Invert the mask using Ctrl/Cmd+I. Options bar.

Experiment with skin tone

10 You can experiment with the
highlight point in the Color Curves.
Push harder if you wish. Our skin tones look
redder and more saturated now, but this
works well for a vintage finish.

Expert tip Bring in the pink Tweak the settings

Improve 13 15Make the next layer down active and Make sure View is set to On Black.
skin tones go to Layer>New Fill Layer>Solid Color. Increase the Smooth and Feather

A fairly warm white balance was used in Click OK on the dialog and pick a nice shade slider. Decrease the Contract/Expand.
processing this image. We’ve added pink to
simulate colour spill in the skin highlights, of pink. We went for #CBAAAA, which you The white halo should be reduced. Click
and help give an overall vintage feel to the
image. When you are adding a background
colour, it is always important to ensure it
works with the rest of the image. If you pick
a colour that doesn’t work, your image will
always look wrong. So choose wisely and if
in doubt, stay neutral!

can enter in the relevant box. OK when you are happy.

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INCORRECT What can Simulate colour spill
CORRECT go wrong
17  Some of the pink background would
Radius for most likely contaminate the skin
smoothing tone. To simulate this, add a Levels
adjustment layer to the top of the stack and
On the final page of our select Reds. Move the top white slider in to a
tutorial we use a technique for value of 245 to add red to the highlights.
smoothing skin in which
Gaussian Blur is utilised.
The Radius setting required
depends on the image size. A
high-resolution image might
require 10-15px, while a lower
resolution image will need less.
Use too little and the effect
won’t look strong enough, but if
you go too hard you’ll find that
the detail moves into the skin
as you approach the edges with
your work, darkening the skin
texture. If you work further away
to avoid this issue, skin problems
will become visible between the
smoothing area and edge detail.
The only solution is to go back in
the History states and try again
with a lower Radius setting.

Brighter whites

18  Now we’re ready for some
beauty work. Lighten the eyes a
fraction by adding a Levels adjustment
layer on top and pushing it up a fraction.
Invert the mask with Ctrl/Cmd+I and
paint into the eyes only with a white
brush.

Darken the corners Remove skin blemishes

16 To burn the corners a little, add a Hue/Saturation 19 Create a new layer on top and
adjustment layer above the Color Fill layer and select the Spot Healing Brush tool
(J). Set it to Sample All Layers in the
increase the saturation. Click the layer mask and with a large Options bar and zoom in close. Adjust the
brush size so it is slightly bigger than each
black brush, brush into the corners. blemish and click over them to remove.

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Gaussian Realistic background
smooth
24 We can finish by adding some
20 Now for a bit noise to the background too,
of skin which looks very artificial at the
smoothing action. moment. Select the Color Fill layer, hold
With the top layer down Alt/Opt and click the Create a
active, use Ctrl/ New Layer button. Select Overlay
Cmd+Alt/Opt+Shift+E mode, check the box below and this
to create a merged time add 20% Noise and blur by 5px.
duplicate layer. Go to
Filter>Blur> Gaussian Expert tip
Blur and use an
appropriate Radius Improve
value to blur the skin. lighting

Brush in the blur This image is lit with a three-quarter
lighting setup, which normally results in
21 Add a layer mask and invert it with a heart-shaped area of light on the far
Ctrl/Cmd+I. Press B for the Brush cheek surrounded in shadow. To soften
things, create a new layer on top of the
tool and, with white selected, brush stack and take the Brush tool. Set it to
Airbrush mode with 50% Opacity. Alt/
carefully into the skin tone, avoiding all Opt-click to source a midtone colour
from the lower-right cheek and paint
edge detail around the nose, lips, eyes, over the shadow area. Build up as
required and apply noise to the layer.
hair and face edges.
The Photoshop Elements Book 109
Add skin texture Tweak the noise

22 To simulate skin texture and prevent 23 The noise is a bit too sharp for skin
it looking too smooth, hold down texture, so go to
Alt/Opt and click the Create a New Layer Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and run just
button. Change Mode to Overlay and check 0.5px of blur. Now hold down Alt/Opt then
the box below. Click OK then go to click and drag the mask from the skin
Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Select Gaussian, smoothing layer to the texture layer to
Monochromatic and around 15% Amount. copy it, so the texture is likewise only
applied where needed.

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AFTER

BEFORE

Use the Lighting Source file available
Effects filter
Use the image provided
to re-create this

Learn how to add stunning lighting effects worthy of a jungle king

B ig cats in general – and lions in In the following pages, we’ll show you how The starter image is provided on the disc
particular – carry a sense of drama and to start with a photo of a lion in good lighting and is already quite impressive in itself. This
regality other animals can only envy. and transform it into a dramatic scene worthy tutorial will walk you through the process of
One of the benefits of being king of the jungle of the venerable cat. Along the way you will extracting the subject from the background
is never having to pose for portraits. Lions are learn how to utilise image luminosity to make and adding dramatic flair with the Lighting
naturally photogenic, but notoriously highlight selections and the easiest way of Effects filter. We’ll present a technique that
uncooperative at photo sessions. extracting fur from a background. There’s enables you to paint realistic shadows onto
even a few tools used in unconventional ways the lion and even brush backlighting directly
Photographers must take what they can get to open up your creative abilities. onto the edges of the mane.
and be happy with it.

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WorldMUsae gthesL.ignhtiengtEffects filter

Majestic effects fit for a king

Luminosity, filters and masks, oh my!

Feline facial care Out of Africa Tip

01 Begin with the file from the cover disc called ‘Lion. 02 Use the Quick Selection tool to select the lion. Squash the
jpg’. Open it up, duplicate the layer and use the When you have all of the body and head covered, marching
press the Refine Edge button to activate the dialog box. ants line
Healing Brush to remove any unsightly blemishes or Now use the sliders to adjust the selection until it captures
the fur but leaves the background. Go to Layer>Layer This tutorial
distracting spots from the lion’s face. Mask>Reveal Selection. requires a lot
of work with
selections. If
you find the way
Elements displays
the selection
boundary (known
as the marching
ants) distracting,
try turning it off.
Ctrl/Cmd+Hwill
togglethevisibility
of the selection
edge. Keep in mind
the selection is
still active and
working, you just
can’t see the edge.
This can cause
issues if you are
not careful – if you
forget you have an
active selection
and try painting
outside of it you
areinforsome
confusingtimes!

Select and save highlights Merged layer

03 Add a layer beneath the lion by creating 04 Switch back to the Layers palette and press Ctrl/Cmd+D to
a new one and dragging it down, then fill cancel the selection. Now create a merged layer on top of
it with black (Edit>Fill Layer). Go to the top layer,
pick the Magic Wand tool and then click on the the stack by first making sure the lion layer is the focus and pressing
bright highlights. Go to Select>Save Selection
and name it Lumin. Ctrl/Cmd+Alt/Opt+Shift+E.

Lighting Effects Multiply merged layers

05 Go to Filter>Render> Lighting Effects. Begin with the default 06 Duplicate the merged layer and set the blending mode of
spotlight and reposition it to suit your animal. Set the colour to the duplicate layer version to Multiply. This enhances the

a pale yellow, Intensity to 37, Focus 3, Gloss 34, Material 14, Exposure -2 lighting effect and deepens the colours. If the effect looks too

and Ambience 10. Set Texture Channel to Lumin and Height to 1. strong to suit you, reduce the opacity of the duplicate layer.

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Nothing cowardly about this lion Tip

Add the eye-catching highlights and shadows Lighting
workflow
Deeper shadows Painted masks
While we love
07 Add a Levels adjustment layer and name it Face 08 Click on the mask thumbnail for the adjustment the power of the
Shadows. Move the central slider to the far right layer and fill it with black to essentially hide the LightingEffects
to darken the midtones throughout the image. Once effect. Now use a large, soft edged brush with white to filter, it does have
again, the opacity setting for the layer provides another carefully paint the darkening effect back onto the image. its drawbacks.
level of control over the effect. Focus on the regions of the face that fall naturally into Chief among them
shadows for a realistic effect. is the tiny preview
window. As a result
you may find a
setting that looks
spot on is rubbish
once applied at
full scale. Instead
of having to redo
all the settings all
over again, get into
the habit of using
the Save button
to give you an easy
way to get back
to where you left
yoursliders.

Artificial backlight Selective highlights Golden glow

09 Add another Levels adjustment layer for the 10 Go to Select>Load Selection 11 Deslect and create a new layer.
backlighting. This time pull the central handle over and choose the Lumin Go to Edit>Fill Layer, select Color
to the far left to greatly brighten the midtones until they are selection. Then use a large brush from the Use drop-down menu and
almost washed out. Switch to the layer mask and fill it with with white paint at a low opacity to pick a light tan. Set the blending mode
black to hide the effect. softly add the backlit effect onto the of this layer to Overlay. Reduce the
edges of the fur. The selection effect’s opacity as needed for a subtle
restricts the application of the effect look. This touch provides a nice golden
to the brighter areas of the image. light at the edge of the lion’s mane.

Other lighting effects

Add different light modes to images with this filter

The Lighting Effects filter is home to a bewildering array of options, OUTER SHADOW FIVE LIGHTS UP FLOODLIGHT
so much so that you can find a lighting solution to whatever image
you have. The first port of call in using the filter is the Style drop-
down menu. From here you can pick a light type and then use the
adjustment points in the Preview window to set where the light
actually falls in your image. But that’s not all. Each style has further
control options covering aspects such as intensity and focus.

The sheer scale of options and possibility can also work against
the Lighting Effects simply because it is so difficult to know where
to start. But keep with it, and you’ll start to get a feel for how it
works. Also, use the techniques in this tutorial to merge the effects
in with your image, otherwise the results can be too strong.

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WorldMUsae gthesL.ignhtiengtEffects filter

Add the background and final touches

Manufacture a setting for your subject

Piercing gaze Eye of the lion Background texture

12 AddaHue/Saturation 13 Addanewlayerfortheeye 14 Add a new layer for the background texture. Set the
adjustment layer to boost the highlights. Use a small round colours to orange and black and then go to
eye colour to a rich, golden hue. We paintbrush to dab specks of white over Filter>Render>Clouds. Follow this with
used a setting of Hue +11, Saturation the pupils then use the smudge brush Filter>Render>Fibers and Filter>Artistic>Film Grain. Finally,
+50 and Lightness +7. Fill the mask to gently blend the edges of the strokes. use the Gaussian Blur filter set to around 8px to complete
with black and gently paint in the Add these highlights opposite the the background texture effect.
coloured effect where you want it. brightest portion of the iris as shown in
our image above.

The cat returns Black out Layer structure

15 Insteadofcuttingoutthelion 16 Addanewlayerfortheouter Understand the effect
with all its assorted layers, it’s an shadow. Ctrl/Cmd-click the
easier task to just mask out the mask from the original lion layer to load Color Overlay
Background Texture layer. Add a layer that selection. Go to
mask and use a large, soft black Select>Modify>Expand and enter a Outer Shadow
brushes to release the lion from value of 100px, then go to
behind the texture. Select>Feather and use a value of Background Texture
50px. Finally fill the selection with black
and cancel the selection. Eye Highlights

Hue/Saturation

Backlight

Face Shadows

Reverse halo Splash of colour Merged Copy
Merged
17 Ctrl/Cmd-clickthelionlayer 18 Addanewlayeratthetopand Lion
mask again and go to Select> set the blend mode to Overlay. Background
Feather, entering a value of 50px. Use Use the Gradient tool in Radial mode
this selection to mask out the black with the Foreground to Transparent
layer by going to Layer>Layer preset. Add a deep red gradient to the
Mask>Hide Selection. Alter the Outer lower right and a dark blue gradient to
Shadow layer’s opacity as needed to the lower left. Reduce the layer opacity
separate the cat from the to finish.
background texture, but not so much
so that he appears to have an outline.

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WorldMagAsd.dnemephtasis to eyes

Add emphasis to eyes

Use gradients and Hue/Saturation to apply a rainbow effect

Whether or not you believe the impressive technique that involves calling with a brush, and then apply a Gaussian
eyes are the windows to the upon the gradients to wash a rainbow blur and blend modes to bring everything
soul, there’s no denying that sheet of colour over a selection before together. This technique will work on any
they can make or break a portrait. Dull using a Hue/Saturation adjustment and image that you have to hand (even on your
and unengaging peepers make for a dull blend modes to make the whole effect sit pet pictures), however, you get the most
and unengaging image, so you want them together nicely. impact if applied to a black-and-white
to be the best they can be. shot. Just make sure it isn’t in Grayscale
You don’t have to stay with the rainbow mode otherwise your rainbow will be black
And if that want happens to be for feel, either. Instead of using the gradient, and white!
maximum effect, there is a really you can dab on whatever colours you wish

I can see a rainbow

Colourful effects made easy

Make the selection Gradient application Blend mode

01 Youneedtofirstselecttheeyeareatoapplythe 02 PicktheGradienttoolfromthe 03 Thingsaretooharshatthe
effect. Using the Lasso tool (or any selection Toolbar and then click on the moment, so scoot down to
method you prefer), draw around the inside of the eye. Gradient Editor area in the top Options the Layers palette and click on the
Once the selection is made, click the New Layer icon from bar. Pick the Spectrum gradient preset blend modes drop-down menu. Pick
the Layers palette. and then click OK. Drag across the the Color mode to merge the gradient
selection to add the colour. Repeat until with the photo.
you get a pattern you like.

Edit the colour Alter the colours Tidy up

04 GotoImage> 05 StayingwithHue/Saturation, 06 PressCtrl/Cmd+Dtodeselecttheareayouhad
Adjustments>Hue/ you can also use the Hue selected. Zoom in and check that the colours
Saturation and use the Saturation slider to alter the colours in the eye. haven’t seeped out anywhere. If it has, pick the Eraser tool
slider to tame things further; simply Simply move the slider left or right to from the Toolbar and wipe away. Once happy, repeat the
drag it to the left to reduce the effect. get the effect you want. This is such a process for the other eye.
It might be that you want to go further, simple edit but makes a massive
in which case slide it to the right. different to the final result.

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Original image

Source file available

Use the image provided
to re-create this

Selective colour creations
Bring out the tones of your image for beautiful results

S elective Color is a simple and widely used approach to Over the next few pages we’ll be working in Expert mode. The
adding a stand-out effect to your photos. With this process change in the interface when working in this mode may seem a
you can bring out the red in a snow-covered rose or the blue little daunting, but all we are doing is gaining access to the entire
in someone’s eyes, while keeping the rest of the image monotone. catalogue of tools and effects available in Photoshop Elements.
The improved Smart Brush tool in Photoshop Elements enables Using the Smart Brush tool, we will be making selections as well as
you to manipulate your images in a variety of ways, using just the setting up our own specific brush. From that point on we’ll explore
preset effects. The beauty of this process is that you can have as refining the selection using some of the very powerful yet simple
much or as little control as you want over the tonal selections. tools available in the software.

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WorldMaSgelesct.ivne ceolotur creations

Brush Settings SIZE

Get the right brush tip for the job If you have a tablet that has a
styles wheel, or is pressure-
HARDNESS sensitive, you can use it to adjust
the Size and Hardness of your
Adjusting the Hardness brush selection by using this
will define how strong your dropdown menu.
brushstrokes are when
making a selection. Set ROUNDNESS
Hardness to 0 for softer edges
and 100 for harder ones. The Roundness of a brush helps
decide the kind of selection you
SPACING are making. At 100% you have a
perfect circle to make selections
By changing the Spacing with. By lowering the selection
you can tell the brush how you are able to make your brush
generous to be with its much thinner.
selection. Set the Spacing to
a low number when refining ANGLE
your selection, but use a
high one when selecting By clicking and dragging across
large areas. the word Angle you can adjust
the degrees your brushstroke will
come from. You can adjust the
Roundness of your brush here by
moving the anchor points on the
brush diagram.

Refine Edge

Edit the edges of the selections you make

VIEW MODE EDGE DETECTION

Change the view style This option can be very
depending on your useful when your selection
preference. For instance, is not quite covering the
Marching Ants will retain the correct area. By adjusting
selection, whereas Overlay the Radius you can edge
will create a red mask over your selection into the
parts of the image that correct place. Checking
aren’t selected. Smart Radius can automate
this process.
REFINE RADIUS TOOL
ADJUST EDGE
Use the Refine Radius tool to
paint over your selection in Every selection will require
the image, as well as to make different attention. Smooth,
tweaks to the changes made Feather, Contrast and Shift
by your Edge Adjustments. Edge can be used to refine a
rough selection.
OUTPUT
What
Adjusting your Output will doesitmean?
determine how the selection
will function after you hit Feather refers to the transition
OK. For example, Output between selected and deselected
To Selection will retain a areas in an image. Increasing the
Marching Ants selection and Feather setting while using the Refine
Layer Mask will convert your Edge option, for example, will soften
selection into a layer mask. the harshness of the outline being

Having contrasting images made. Go through the menu
will make for a stronger Select>Modify>Feather after

double-exposure effect. you’ve outlined your
selection.

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Closer look Key tools ADJUSTMENT LAYER

Selective colouring is simple when armed with the right tools The moment you start making a selection
using the Smart Brush tool, a new
There will be two main stages to this tutorial. First we’ll explore the Brush Settings and how adjustment layer will appear in the Layers
to make a brush selection. Second we’ll refine our selection using the Refine Edge tool. panel. We are not making changes to the
Once you’ve mastered these tools you’ll be able to apply their effects in a variety of actual image, but are instead overlaying an
different ways. The Smart Brush tool alone provides plenty of presets worth exploring, effect with this new layer to make it much
which can help you manipulate your images in a limitless number of ways. easier for us to go back and change things.

THE SMART BRUSH TOOL REFINE EDGE TOOL SELECTIONS

This option will be our best friend during A Smart Brush selection will never be The way that Photoshop Elements
this process and will do most of the work perfect, so the Refine Edge tool will help presents our selection is very important
for us, but it’s our job to tell it what to do. to smarten up those rough edges. The to how we work with the image. The
Whether you want to remove colour, add interface may seem overwhelming, but as Marching Ants selection will clearly define
contrast or overlay a texture, the provided you adjust the different settings you will our working area when we make our rough
presets will help you along the way. very quickly learn how easy-to-use and vital selection, but Elements has a number of
this tool is. ways for us to view this.

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Brush tool basics Start with the right brush and the rest is child’s play

Make preparations Select a brush Brush Settings

01 For this exercise, use a photo with 02 In the Tool Options tab at the 03 The division between colours in this
strong colours to see the full benefit bottom of Elements, select the image is quite clear, so we don’t
Brush Picker tab then go to Presets>Reverse need the brush to be too specific about the
of the Smart Brush tool. Try it on the image
Effects, then turn your image black and white selection it’s making. Go to Brush Settings,
here by opening ‘Balloons.jpg’ from your
in reverse. Ensure Invert is selected and set set the Hardness to 100%, Spacing to 100%
resources. Activate Expert mode, then pick
your brush Size to 7. and Roundness to 100%.
the Smart Brush tool in the Tool panel.

Create a selection Expand the Selection

04 Focus on an area where you want colour, click once and a 05 If the selection goes too far, select Subtract From Selection.
selection will be made. Everything within the selection will Go to Brush Settings and reduce spacing when working with

retain its colour, but everything outside will desaturate. small leaks, then click and drag over areas you want to deselect.

Apply Refine Edge Check your edges Final touches

06 Once you’ve made final selections, 07 Go back to View mode. Click View> 08 Select the Background layer in the
click Refine Edge in the Brush Reveal Layer and the red overlay will Layers panel. Go to Enhance>

Options. Deselected parts disappear. In disappear and you can review your image. Adjust Lighting>Brightness/Contrast. Push

View mode go toOverlay. Under Adjust Edge Look at the edges and check if there is any Brightness to 45 and Contrast to 30. This will

increase Smooth and Shift Edge until the overflow in the selection. If there is, repeat bring out the remaining colours in the image.

red overlay leaks into selected areas. the process from Steps 5 and 6. Go to Select>Deselect to lose the selection.

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PAGE 126 PAGE 144 PAGE 154

Digital art
Createimpressivedigitaleffectsusingbrushes,filtersandmuchmore

122 Create a comic-book effect 166 Create splatter effects 174 Make water effects
Use the Color Halftone filter Combine brushes and assets Use filters and blend modes

126 Use Elements for 170 Apply textures 180 Design ancient patterns
stunning effects Give your shots some texture Produce ancient designs

Make the most of Elements PAGE 122

130 Smudge your way to
an oil painting

Create an oil portrait with the

Smudge tool

134 Create a family portrait
Fake a painted-portrait efect

140 Create an art-deco style
Master the Mezzotint filter

144 Design an abstract
Control the Custom Shape tool

148 Paint portraits
Mix media to transform photos

154 Create instant pop art
Re-create Andy Warhol's work

156 Make your own
watercolour

Merge traditional art efects

160 Turn photos to sketches
Get creative with your images

162 Customise brushes
Create eye-catching art

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BEFORE

Source file available AFTER

Use the image provided
to re-create this

Create a comic-book effect

Add a fun twist to family portraits by using the
Color Halftone filter to apply a comic-book effect

We all love to display photos of the rest. Things kick off with some contrast combination between detail and creative
our nearest and dearest around editing, courtesy of Levels. Think about the effect is struck.
the house but let’s face it – classic comics (we’re talking early Marvel).
sometimes a normal photo can be a bit Colours are very intense, with clear You can choose to leave things there but if
boring. If you find you want to try shadows and highlights. A bit of prep work you want to run with the comic theme, we
something different, take inspiration from with Levels will sort this out. will show you how to create a suitable frame
classic comics and add some POW! to your and boxes for text to tell your story. The right
family portraits. The beauty of this process In order to boost the halftone effect font is crucial to pull off the comic style with
is that you only need some slider dexterity produced by how the comics were originally any impact, so we’ll point you in the direction
– there is no drawing and certainly no printed, a trip to the Film Grain filter is in of the best free ones that you can download
colouring. All of the information is taken order. This lays the foundations for the star of from the net. We will also take a look at the
from your start photo and Elements does the show – the Color Halftone filter. A bit of supplied custom shapes, picking out which
layer action will ensure that the perfect ones will help you add that final BAM!

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Increaseyourphoto’scontrast Tip

Boost tones for a dramatic style Comic
fonts
Duplicate for safekeeping Boost contrast and where
to find
01 Openthestartimageforthistutorial(oryourown 02 Levels are the next port of call to pump up the them
one) and duplicate the layer to preserve the original. contrast. Elements users need to go to
You need to make
Do this by going to Layer>Duplicate. Double-click on the Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Levels, while Photoshop users sure you have
the right font for
new layer to make the name editable and call it Photo. need Image>Adjustments>Levels. the comic effect
to work but you
don’t have to
search far to find
some fantastic
free ones on
the web. A quick
web search for
‘free comic book
fonts’ will return
loads of options.

See to the shadows A touch more highlight

03 We need to accentuate the shadows. Go to the 04 The shadows are nice and dark but for improved
first line of sliders in the Levels palette and then contrast we need something to contrast with! In
click-drag the black slider (on the far right) to the left. You this case the highlights need attention. This is achieved by
will see the shadows darken. The number underneath moving the white slider (on the far left) to the right. Go for
the slider should be around the 58 mark. around 229.

Embrace the grain Tweak the sliders Halftone time

05 Click OK to exit Levels. The next 06 07The Film Grain filter works within the Duplicate the photo layer and rename
port of call is Filter>Artistic>Film Filter Gallery, so this will open up. You as before. Call it Halftone then go to

haven’t got to go too mad here, so we suggest Filter>Pixelate>Color Halftone and enter 6 in

Grain. The grain will help give the image a the following settings: Grain 6, Highlight Area 3 the Max Radius area. Leave everything else as

grubby edge and achieve the desired effect. and Intensity 10. Click OK to exit and apply. it is. Click OK to apply the halftone effect.

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Installingfonts–get Extra touches
yourcomictexttowork
Improve results with embellishments
Newer versions of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
will pick up on the fonts installed in your system and
have these ready for you when you pick the Type tool.
To access new fonts, you need to install them into your
computer, rather than Photoshop. Here’s how it is done
with a downloaded font.

Blend mode Add a border

08 Hmm, things aren’t looking 09 Comic strips usually have a
that great at the moment, are black border. Go to
they? No fear, a quick change of blend Image>Resize>Canvas Size and
mode will sort things out. Go to the check the Relative box. Enter 1cm in
Layers palette and click where it says both Width and Height and this will
Normal. This will open the blend add a comic-style, 1cm box around
modes. Scroll down to Darken and the entire image.
then click to apply. Much better.

Get your font Border colour Text boxes
When you are using free web fonts, make sure you check
out any limitations that apply. Some fonts are free for 10 Use the Canvas Extension 11 Comics need text and that text
any purpose, while others can only be used for personal Color drop-down menu to needs to sit in a text box. There
projects. If you are using a font depository site, such as decide what colour your border is. We are two types of boxes – one to
www.myfonts.com, you usually see a sample of the font. have chosen Black but if you pick introduce a setting and one for the
Hit the download button to start installation. Other, the Color Picker will appear for story. Press D on your keyboard to
you to choose whatever colour you reset the Foreground and
Install on a Mac wish. Click OK to apply the border. Background colours and then create
In most cases, the font will download as a Zip file. Unzip it a new layer. Name it Top Text Box.
once the download is complete and in the case of Mac Now pick the Rectangular Marquee
users, highlight all the fonts and double-click to install. tool from the Toolbar.

Install on Windows Draw the box
Things aren’t so simple for Windows users, as methods
change according to different versions. Consult your 12 Zoom in to the top-right area of your image and then click and drag with
manual or look on the font site for help. In the case of the Rectangular Marquee to make a text box. Go to Edit>Stroke
MyFonts, you can get instructions from www.myfonts.
com/support/help_install_win.html. (Outline) Selection, enter a Width of 5px, set Location to Outside and keep

everything else the same. Click OK.

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Apply some box colour

Make your elements stand out

Gradient time Set the gradient The other box

13 Select the Magic Wand tool from the 14 Double-click the Foreground square in 15 Press Ctrl/Cmd+D on your keyboard to
Toolbar and click inside your title box. the Toolbar and pick an orange. Click deselect. Create a new layer called
Now pick the Gradient tool, click Edit from OK. Now double-click the Background Bottom Text Box and then repeat steps 12-13,
the top Options bar (double-click the square and pick yellow. Click OK. Now click drawing a box in the bottom right of the
gradient if you are using Photoshop) and and drag from right to left in the text box to image. Instead of picking the Gradient tool, go
then pick the Foreground to Background apply the gradient. to Edit>Fill and choose White from the Use
option (it is black going into white). Click OK drop-down menu.
to set the style.

Add text Adjust text

16 Click on the Top 17 If you need to make
Text Box layer any changes to what
and pick the Text tool you have typed, highlight
from the Toolbar. Go to the text and then use the
the font drop-down top Options bar to play with
menu and pick your the type size and colour. If
chosen font (see side you want to move the text,
panel for how to install hold down the Ctrl/Cmd
these). Click in the box key and then click and drag
and type text in the to move. Click the tick icon
new layer that appears. when finished.

Comiccustomshapes Layer structure

Adorn your image with these presets Be a comic-book hero

One obvious comic-book Bottom Box Text
element that we’ve missed out is Bottom Text Box
speech bubbles, but even these Top Box Text
can be handled by Photoshop, in Top Text Box
the guise of its Custom Shape tool. Halftone
Select it from the Toolbar (possibly Photo
behind the Rectangle tool) and click Background
on the top Options bar. Click the
right arrow to see the shapes and
pick Talk Bubbles. Click an option to
choose it and, making sure you have
the Shape layers icon pressed, click
and drag to apply the shape. Make
sure you set the colour you want
from the Options bar!

To add a border, repeat the
process used for the text box
border and type as you did before.

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Use Elements for
stunning effects

Photoshop’s little brother can be just as effective as the main CS suite

You can achieve the same results in Photoshop Elements as you can in Photoshop CS6, you will just need
a bit more patience and time as diferent tools are needed. Photoshop Elements works in the same way as
CS6 apart from missing the Pen tool, but don’t fear, this is easy to rectify.

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WorlUdseMEleamgentss.fonr setutnning effects

Duplicate Locate Posterize Adjustments palette tweaks

01 Go to the Layers palette 02 To hide the Background 03 A new adjustment layer will appear at the top of
(older versions of layer, press the eye icon next your palette, so to alter the strength of the
Photoshop Elements may not it in the Layers palette. Posterise your posterised effect, bring up the Adjustments palette
have this option) and drag and duplicated layer via the Options bar (Window>Adjustments). Here you just move the slider
drop the Background layer onto – Layer> New Adjustment Layer> until you are completely happy with the effect. We have
the Create a New Layer icon Posterize – and hit OK when the used a Level of 7.
to duplicate. dialog appears.

The difference is apparent Select your colours and tools

04 Photoshop Elements does not have the Pen 05 In the Toolbar select the Eyedropper and click over a midtone colour in
tool, so we have to change our tactics now. the face to sample. This sampled hue will appear in the swatches. Now
Zoom in to your image using the Zoom tool (magnifier
icon). Click Create a New Layer and make sure it sits at select the Magnetic Lasso tool, which is hidden underneath the regular Lasso.
the top of the stack.

Trace the Fill your
face shape selection

06 Use the 07 Click onto the
Magnetic Lasso first pointer
tool to select the face created. You’ll be left with
shape as it’s attracted an active selection. Click
to pixels of a similar onto the newly added
tone. Slowly trace the layer in the Layers palette
shape. Keep clicking the and select the Paint
mouse to lay extra Bucket tool. Click the
anchor points so the middle of the active
tool follows as closely to selection to fill with your
the edge as possible. sampled colour.

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Complete the selections Tip

Use the Marquee and Paint Bucket tools Paint vs
marquee
Colour swap Tidy edges
You may prefer
08 If the wrong colour has filled your selection, 09 Tidy the edges of the shape to make it more to use the Brush
double-click on the Foreground and Background solid and vector-like. Use the Zoom tool to get tool to paint in all
swatches to pick new ones. You can sample areas from in close and make sure you are clicking onto the filled of your different
your source photo by hovering over the image once the face layer in the Layers palette. End the active selection coloured layers
colour picker is open and clicking. by hitting M and clicking within the selection area. as you can get
a much neater
Brush set up Erase any mistakes effect. If you take
this creative route
10 Select the Brush tool from the toolbar 11 Moveyourwayaroundtheedgeofthefaceuntilcompleted.If instead of using
and choose a hard edged, medium you make an error when painting, simply switch to the Eraser tool the Marquee
sized brush at 100% Opacity. We now want to tools, always use a
fill in the wobbly edges created by the Lasso with a hard edged chosen and a small brush tip to erase any flaws. hard edged brush
tool. We will be placing a layer of hair on top so andmake sure
it doesn’t need to be perfect. you paint on
separate layers
for each colour.
You can edit layers
more easily and
delete them if
needed when
everythingis
labelled correctly.
To do this, double-
click on the layer’s
name to edit it.
Another useful
piece of kit you
could use if you
wanted to paint by
hand is a Wacom
pen and tablet.
Using one of
these will give you
greater control
and it will feel
more natural than
a mouse.

Perfect circles Build up the eyes

12 Hide this layer in the palette when finished by pressing the eye icon. 13 Add a new layer to the top of the stack and use the
Select the Elliptical Marquee tool from the Toolbar and draw around Paint Bucket tool to fill in. Repeat this process for the
the coloured iris area of the eye. Double-click on the Foreground swatch pupil and other eye. Select the Magnetic Lasso tool and
below all of the tools and pick a suitable eye colour by Ctrl/Cmd-clicking on trace the rest of the eyes, add a new layer and fill with white.
the source photo. Use the Eraser to get the right shape.

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Add an illustrative touch

Bring your artwork into the template

Eyelashes Build up the face Add more features

14 For the eyelashes, use the 15 Click and hold on the Sponge 16 Your face should be taking shape nicely now, so
Brush tool set to a black tool icon and select Burn from continue to add on the lips, teeth and nose areas.
colour. Keep the brush small with a the submenu. In the Layers palette
hard edge and work zoomed in. Alter click onto the eye-filled layer and Keep zooming out and saving as you work, turning the
the brush’s size and opacity when press Lock. Use the Burn tool to paint
working and don’t be afraid to be around the edges adding depth and layer’s visibility on and off to keep track of your progress.
bold as you can always erase areas. use Dodge for any highlights wanted.
Repeat on all areas of your image to
add more interest and depth.

Layer structure

Build the effect

Hair

Nose

Hair Lips and Mouth
Face
17 Using the Magnetic Lasso tool, trace around the main area of hair. Eyes
Once actively selected, add a new layer above the skin and fill with a Posterised Photo
dark brown colour sampled from your photo. Select the Smudge too (it may Source Photo
be hiding behind Blur in the palette).

Smudge for
natural hair

18 Use this tool to pull
out more natural-
looking strands of hair from
the main bulk and use it on
the eyelashes too for a soft,
natural effect. Set it to 80%
Strength and vary the brush
size as you work quickly
using the [ and ] keys.

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AFTER

130 The Photoshop Elements Book WorldMags.net

WorldSmMudagegyosur.wnayetotanoilpanting

BEFORE Smudge your way
to an oil painting
Source file available
A straightforward look at creating an oil portrait
Use the image provided
to re-create this T he Smudge tool is an easy way to try your brush to paint ‘free form’ and add more hair,
hand at ‘oil’ painting, so this lesson begins extend the dress and add sunlight to the trees. I
know many of you will want to stop after the
with how to smudge directly over a scenic smudging ends, but I want to urge you to continue!
There’s a lot of fun to be had with painting
portrait and paint the entire image using only the freehand. You can make as many layers as you
need to experiment every step of the way. Anytime
Scatter brush. you are not happy with the way things are going,
You will work from background to foreground, just use your Eraser tool or delete the layer and
start anew. The main objective of this lesson is for
which is the same process as a traditional artist. you to experiment and practice to develop the
Working this way also enables you to paint over any skills you need to feel satisfaction in the final
overflow as you move towards the foreground. results. Once you’ve tried it a few times, we
guarantee you will be up all night painting!
You will also use the traditional brush strokes
called ‘hatching’ and ‘cross hatching’ to create a
nice painterly effect. Towards the end of this lesson
we will switch to more difficult techniques using
the Stipple brush for the hair and the Soft Round

Taking a traditional approach

Starting with the background and working towards the foreground

Paint in the old
hatch style

02 Now, working on the top layer, select
the Smudge tool and the # 46
Scatter brush (located in the Default
brushes and used with the default settings).
At 50% Strength paint with a traditional
‘hatch’ style which is moving the brush back
and forth in a consistent direction, (diagonal
here). Use this technique in all the
background area (except for the leaves) all
the way to the river edge.

Get started Change directions

01 Open your original picture and make 03 Keeping on the same layer, change
a copy of the original layer by your ‘hatch’ stroke direction (using
dragging the image to the New Layer icon in the same brush and settings) while painting
your Layer palette. Now make a new layer the leaves so they are not completely lost in
by clicking on the layer icon and name this the background. This will help define their
one ‘Background Tree’. Make sure Sample shape while still giving a nice oil painting look.
all Layers in the top menu bar is selected. This method is called ‘cross hatching’.
(The same brush will be used through the
whole lesson.)

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Express yourself with your strokes Tip

Experiment and make your painting your own Use the
Clone tool
Paint with flare Paint water Rock painting
Sometimes
04 Wearenow‘crosshatching’ 05 Makea‘water’layerandzoom 06 Makea‘Rock’layerandusing the Clone tool
the river bank. Feel free to in close with a larger brush. We a medium size brush, zoom is faster than
express your self by adding more will now use our brush from side to side and use hatching and cross hatching painting over
pressure to your stylus or changing in a horizontal stroke. We want to strokes, making sure to preserve the an unwanted
stroke directions several times, but pay smooth all the pixels and give a nice natural form of the rock and taking area. We used
attention to the forms and shapes and painterly flow while making sure it stays care not to fuzz up the edges. the Clone tool to
keep them intact. Notice here that I ‘water’. It is important to do the water remove the dress
used an upward stroke to suggest the before the rocks as we work towards bow. Sample a
grass on top of the bank. the foreground. nearby area as a
source and make
sure the brush
is a soft one so
there are no hard
edges. You can go
back and smudge
to remove
any repetition
of unwanted
patterns you find.

Onyourwaytoabeautifulpainting

Apply these techniques to your own photos

Paint the skin Smudgewonder An Realistic effects Keepitreal ‘Hatching’
effective way to achieve The Spatter brushes and‘CrossHatching’ isan
07 Createanewlayercalled‘Skin’. an oil look is to use the are a good choice for effective brush stroke to use
Decrease the brush Strength to Smudge brush. It is a smudging as their effect as it gives a nice painterly
35% and use a smaller brush around 15 quick waytogetthelook changes with brush size effect and can preserve
pixels. Carefully go over all the skin area you want while being and pressure and can form as long as care is used in
using small hatching and cross hatching straightforward. master either skin , hair or changing directions.
stokes, painting in the direction of the nature. Experiment!
facial planes and taking special care
around the features so as not to distort
them. Go slow! Repeat for the dress.

Paint in the round Follow form Changing to a Easywater Paintingwateris
circular stroke is essential quite simple, use a long swift
08 Forroundobjectsdonotuse in order to preserve the stroke from left to right. Just
the hatch stroke method. form of round objects. be sure not to distort any
Here is where you want to stop and nearby elements as you paint.
preserve their shape and paint using a WorldMags.net
careful circular motion . The same idea
applies to the roundness of the lips, use
care and use curves!

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Finishing up and changing brushes

Learn to embellish your image with final details

Layer structure

Painting with ease

Paint hair Switch from Smudge Paintedleaves
to paint Dresspaint
09 Make a new layer called Hairhighlights
Hair. Zoom in close at 50% 10 Tobringsomelifetothehair, Hair
Strength and vary your brush size change from the Smudge tool
as you work. Paint as you would if to the regular paint brush and choose a
you were actually brushing her hair. Stipple brush from the Natural Brushes
Paint right over any background gallery. Set the Strength to 50% and
edge spillage . now click on the Brush icon at the top
to change the fade to 65%. Make a new
layer called Hair Highlights.

Paint the hair Paint and extend Dress
the dress Skin
11 Now,usingthesettingsinstep10, Rocks
bring up the colour box and 12 GobacktotheDefaultbrushes
and choose a Soft Round at
choose a golden yellow-brown and

begin painting in highlights. Take care to 100%. Paint directly over the dress

vary the colour , keeping the lightest at extending it over the rock behind her.

the top. Swing your brush outward to Alt click on her dress to sample the

imitate the motion of hair in the colours of the shadows and paint in the

breeze. Decrease brush size for folds , shadows and light to make it

thinner strands of hair. more natural.

Water

Cast a skirt shadow Sunlight in the trees Backgroundtrees
Originallayer
14Go back to the layer called ‘Rock’, Make a new layer called Painted

Leaves. Bring up the color box
13 choosetheBurntoolandusinga andchooseaprettyyellow/green.Use
soft round brush, burn the area around the Soft Round brush at 50% to paint

the skirt so it looks as though there is a sunlight over the existing leaves varying

shadow on the rock. This makes the direction and size. Adjust the layer for a

dress extension much more credible. more subtle effect.

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WorldMCraeatgeasp.ernfecetftamilyportrait

BEFORE Source files available

Use the images provided
to re-create this

Create a perfect
family portrait

Learn the techniques to capture a successful family
picture and fake a painted-portrait effect in Elements

AFTER If you have had a difficult time capturing a great misunderstood filter to begin the base-painting
family picture and don’t know where you are process before finishing off with some default paint
going wrong worry no more, as we will solve this brushes to give your piece a traditional, painted look.
problem as well as giving you a creative option to We will show you how to easily add an extra element
edit the photograph afterwards. The most important to the portrait that helps create a story and much
aspect is starting with a great picture. The key more interest. We chose to place in a kite, which we
ingredients include the location, pose, composition feel will enhance the mood and add some fun to the
and mood. After you’ve captured your wonderful final picture.
family portrait, we will take the image into Photoshop
Elements to explore what we can do to create a Family portraits are one of those things that people
fine-art portrait worthy of being printed and hung in tend to think are simple, but this guide will help you
a frame. We will address options such as changing spot common errors that you may have made in the
the background scene for another shot to improve past, as well as make sure your next family outing
the image, and will also be using a somewhat produces a treasure you will be proud to show for
years to come.

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Get the shot and get started Shoot the sky

Take the picture and choose a new background 02 Ifyoudon’tliketheoriginalbackgroundofyour
image, you can change it. All you need is a
Composition point and shoot camera set on Automatic and a good
eye. Look for a beautiful cloud formation or anything
01 Planyourshoot you find pleasing. We chose a summery sky.
either for the early
morning or near sunset
to ensure there is no
harsh sun to cause
squinting or shadows. Ask
your subjects to cuddle
close and make contact
with one another. White
T-shirts are best because
they are easy to paint
over. Use an aperture
between f/4 and 6 for
good focus.

Start in
Elements

03 OpenElements
and bring in the
files ‘PerkinsFamily.jpg’
and ‘SkyBackground.
jpg’. Drag your family
from the bin area onto
the sky image in your
working space.

Tip Shootthebackground Layers

Paint in Choose your image carefully 04 Toensurewekeepouroriginalimages,clickon
different both the sky and the family and make a
tones Choosing the right background is extremely important duplicate layer for each. Drag them so they alternate
to the overall look of the painting. You may want to go and name them if you want to by clicking on the text to
When painting for a long drive with your camera and shoot the sky keep everything organised. It is always good to work
an image, the from different times of the day. A cloudy sky adds from duplicate layers in case of mistakes.
shadows and more interest to the composition. We considered both
highlights are the skies shown, but decided on the one on the right Replace the background
very important because the large cloud formation enhanced the image
to the overall as it followed the lines of the group shape. The blue sky 05 UsetheLassotooltoselectthetreearea
success of the also adds to the mood by suggesting a fun, sunny day. around the family, getting as close as you can
portrait. Keep in but not touching them. Connect the Lasso tool in a
mind where the complete shape around and then hit the Backspace
light source is key to remove the original scene.
and ensure that
the shadows
look natural. This
applies to every
element in the
image. The light
on the hair, the
fold of the T-shirt
and the contours
of the arms. If you
do not have a high
enough contrast
between these
elements, the
image will
lack depth.

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WorldMCraeatgeasp.ernfecetftamilyportrait

Bring fun to the portrait

Liven up the background and create a fake vacation

Clean up the Change clothes Underpainting Tip
background
07 ToaddcolourtotheT-shirts 08 Toaddaquickunderpainting Get the
06 ChoosetheErasertool,a and separate them from the we are going to use an hair right
soft round brush at 100% background, choose the Color unsuspecting filter called Surface Blur
Opacity and erase all the background Replacement tool and click on your (located in the filter gallery under When painting
debris from around our subjects. Foreground swatch to select the hue of Blur>Surface Blur). Set both slider hair there are
Zoom in close and take your time to your choice. Paint over the areas you options to 9. This will give you a nice a few things to
make sure you do not erase any part want to change as shown. jump into the painted look. keep in mind.
of the people (if you make a mistake, All hair is darker
use Ctrl/Cmd+Z to undo). When underneath
everything is tidy, flatten your layers. and gets lighter
towards the
surface. This is
due to sunlight,
but is also a
matter of light
and shadow.
Understanding
this simple fact
will produce
better results.

Toppaintingtips

Simple techniques for masterly brushstrokes

Takeyourtime Agoodpainting Brushtypes Explorethebrushesin
takes time, so slow down and your palette – load another set and see
pay attention to how you are how they respond. We liked the Natural
applying the paint. It is best to Wet brush, but you may find that
use a low opacity and paint in another suits you. There are no rules.
glazes to build up the effect.

Create a colour palette

09 Toappendyourportrait
colours to the default palette,
hold Alt/Opt on each colour of the
image and click the little white box
under the palette window to add them
one at a time. Now you to have all your
colours ready for the painting process.

Smudge painting Paintnaturaleyes Zoominvery Paintthehair Useloose Blotstrokes Whengoing
close and notice that the whites brushstrokes for the hair and go from shadows to highlights
10 Duplicatethetoplayerand of the eyes are not quite white. To outside the lines a bit to avoid it can be hard to get a natural
name it Smudge. Set the see this, Opt/Alt-click on them to the cut-out look. Steer clear of look, so experiment with
Smudge tool to Spatter and change reveal the true colour, and then crisp lines by painting over or blotting your brush lightly
Opacity to 30%. Paint the entire go a little lighter. smudging them. rather than using strokes.
image, being sure to fuzz up the harsh
lines where the background was
changed, and follow all contour lines.

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Theperfectpicture Start painting

There are some very important aspects that make Load a new palette and begin the effect
a family portrait come together and if you miss
any of these then your final image could suffer.
Pay attention to composition, poses, colours and
added elements – it’s all about harmony.

Share the love New brushes Paint faces
When shooting the
initial picture, ask 11 Load the Natural Brushes 2, 12 Makeatransparentnewlayer
family members to choosing one of the wet tips. called Faces, zoom in and paint
relax and try to be as Duplicate new top layer called shadowsandhighlights, paying special
natural as possible. Clothes and begin painting shadows attention to the eyes. Use the bracket
Forced smiles don’t and highlights of their outfits using keys to adjust the size of the tip of
look great so the more your colour palette. Vary the opacity your brush to add detail.
comfortable they are, of the paint for the best effect.
the better.

No soldiers Ask
everyone to bend
their arms and
legs to create a
nice, casual mood
without any stiffness.
These softer angles
create a better
composition as well
for the right effect.

Background Hair highlights Enhance the sky
harmony
Be sure to choose 13 Make a new hair layer and paint 14 MakeanewlayercalledSky
a background that in highlights and shadows. Vary and start adding colour to the
is not cluttered and the brush size and opacity and use a clouds using some of the T-shirt
enhances the group loose, sweeping stroke to suggest tones such as lavender, pink and
shape of the family. movement. Paint everyone’s hair this yellow. Work the brush in semicircles
Notice the cloud way. Incorporate new colours if you and a blotting motion, following the
shape mimics need to as well. shape of the clouds. Vary the opacity
their pose. and use a large tip.

Clothes harmony
Have the family dress
in simple clothing
with no graphics or
patterns to ensure
it does not distract
from the mood of the
image. Ours were in
shirts which we
have enhanced.

Prop Paint out jewellery Define the rocks
connection
When adding an 15 Thewatchonourdadisabit 16 Makeanewrocklayer.Paint
external prop, distracting, so let’s paint over it. over the rocks using the same
make sure it adds Zoom in close and Alt/Opt-click as you brush and define them by adding
to the story and paint, ensuring you match the skin as more shadows under the family and
complements the close as you can. You can either use a more highlights. You want the rocks to
colour scheme of the high opacity or paint over in stages until have the same painted look as the
entire image. The right the watch is gone. rest of the image.
prop will not distract.

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WorldMCraeatgeasp.ernfecetftamilyportrait

Add a prop Layer structure

Incorporate a kite and enhance the story Understand the effect

Rocksandkite

Add a kite Delete white area Sky2
Hair
17 Toaddalittlemorecolourand 18 PicktheMagicWandtooland Faceandskin
interest to the image, open click on the white area around
your ‘kite.jpg’ file from the disc and the kite. Hold down your Shift key to
place it in the sky. When you open it select the other areas until all of the
up it will show in the project bin. Now unwanted part is highlighted. Hit the
just drag the kite with this panel to the Backspace key to erase it and only the
layered image. Be sure that Show kite will be left. Be sure to deselect
bounding box is checked at the top. before proceeding.
Click the check mark to settle it in.

Clothes

Position the kite Kite tails Smudge
Colourreplace
19 MakesureyouhavetheMove 20 Mergethelayersdownsothat Background2
tool selected and drag the kite the kite is now part of the rock Sky1
to a position that you feel is right in the layer. Change your brushes back to the Background1
composition. We chose the upper- Default gallery and choose the #32 Oil
right area with the top just over the brush. Paint in the kite tails by Alt/
clouds. To rotate the kite, swing your Opt-clicking on the matching colour to
cursor out and you will see the curved create long, loose and curvy tails by
arrows enabling you to do this. stroking with the brush. Keep the
Opacity at around 80%.

Tip Flatten and
finish
Clothing
shadows 21 Ifyouarehappywith
all of your layers and
The same the overall painting, go to
advice we just Layers>Flatten. This will
gave for the hair compress your image, so
also applies to make sure you definitely
clothing. The little don’t want to make any
girl’s shirt is deep more changes at this stage.
purple under her To add that finishing touch,
arm, but appears we will incorporate a
light pink where canvas texture to make it
sunlight is hitting look like an authentic,
the surface. painted portrait. Simply go
to Filters>Texture.

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WorldMagCsre.anteaenatrt-decostyle

Create an Source file available
art-deco style
Use the image provided
Learn how to create this fun art-deco style that to re-create this
is reminiscent of the golden age of travel
Experttip
I n these days of constant commuting and Over the next few pages we’ll show you how
endless traffic, we’ve lost our wonder of to use Elements’ native filters and tools to create Gradient
travel. There once was a time when travelling a fun advertisement that recaptures the spirit of control
was an adventure. adventure from a bygone era. There are several
useful techniques included to show you how to Understand the Gradient
Trains and ships were mysterious marvels of use a combination of filters and blending modes tool. By default it’ll use the
engineering that could bring the horizon within to get the proper texture for the poster. foreground and background
reach. These wondrous machines made the far colours. To create a single
reaches of the globe accessible to anyone. There is an illustration element to the project, colour gradient that fades
People saw travelling as an occasion, not a chore and we’ve provided a stock image of an old-style out, select Foreground to
Ð something worthy of wearing your finest steam locomotive to use as a reference. But since Transparent in the Options
clothes and best hat. The destination didn’t even the focus of the tutorial is not the illustration bar presets. Another
matter as much as the journey itself. tools, we’ve provided the finished illustration on important element is the
the disc for you to use if you don’t feel like shape of the gradient, as
Relive those days of wonder and amazement exercising your skills. It’s up to you if you want to defined by the buttons in
by creating your own Thirties-style travel practise and have the time to do it. the Options bar. You will
poster. A style marked by bright, bold colours definitely use Linear/Radial
and exaggerated perspective that was fun, So get ready to join us on a grand adventure gradients most.
assertive and adventurous. This can all be that might make you reconsider the doldrums of
achieved in Elements. your morning commute.

All aboard the Elements Express!

Turn a stock photo into a fun Thirties travel poster

Put things into Can’t draw? It’s okay, Need more canvas
perspective we’ll help you out
03 Ifyouhaven’talreadydone
01 Open the source image from 02 Start to draw around the major shapes of the train so, merge the train shapes
the disc and double-click the with the Brush or Pencil tools. Put each on a new into a single layer (Layer>Merge
background layer’s thumbnail to turn layer and keep things geometric. Fill with colour. If you don’t Visible). Now extend the canvas by
it into a regular layer. Now go to feel comfortable enough to draw, we’ve provided the going to Image>Resize>Canvas Size.
Image>Transform>Distort and drag illustration for you on the disc. Look for the file called Set the Width to 240mm and the
the corner handles out beyond the ‘OldTrain.png’. Height to 300mm. You’ll get a warning
canvas to create the exaggerated about clipping – just press OK.
perspective you see here.

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The classic filter-blend mode combo

Recreate the old-time effect with an easy technique

Go dotty Level out Watch those curves

04 Duplicate the train layer, 05 To make the bottom area of 06 Ctrl/Cmd click the train layer thumbnail to
then set the blending mode the train darker than the top, create a selection in that shape. Open Color
of the duplicate to Overlay and add a Levels adjustment layer. Pull the Curves and push Adjust Highlights to the right and
reduce Opacity to 75%. Now go to left slider handle in to about 28. Then Midtone Contrast to the left. Adjust the curves in a
Filter>Pixelate> Mezzotint. Set the target the adjustment layer’s mask gentle upward slope to increase the contrast to the
type to Fine Dots. This should give and use a black to white gradient bright areas of the train.
the train illustration an antique, gritty, (going from top to bottom) to fade the
print effect. effect away from the top of the train.

Adjustment layers Tip

Non-destructive editing Lock it Golden age

Adjustment layers are the hallmark of non- To alter the 07 Create the same selection again and add a Solid
destructive editing. These Elements wonders work fill colour of a Color adjustment layer. Select a golden hue (we
like a lens that the layers below it are seen through. layer that has a used b58003) and set the blending mode to Overlay. This
They also allow you to readjust the settings or transparent area will give the train an orange tint that fits with the effect
remove the effect completely at any time. In this can be tricky if we’re attempting to achieve.
tutorial we utilise several different adjustment layers. you try to do it
The quickest method of creating an adjustment layer by selections. Keep things grounded
is to use the icon at the foot of the Layers panel. It’s The selection
a circle that’s half filled along a diagonal line. Clicking never seems to 08 Create a new layer beneath the train layers
this will bring up the menu of available adjustment match perfectly. called ‘GroundGradient’. Create a rectangular
layers. If you have a current selection, that selection Instead, use selection of the bottom area of the canvas and fill with a
will be used as a mask for the adjustment layer. If the the Lock Linear gradient going from a burnt red (8e291c) to a dark
adjustment layer thumbnail has a small down-facing Transparency grey (140d08).
arrow to the left of it, that means it is clipped to the button in the
layer beneath it and will only affect pixels on that Layers palette.
layer. To add or remove the clipping, hold down Alt/ It’s the small
Opt and click the line between the adjustment layer chequerboard
and the layer beneath it. icon right at the
bottom of the
palette. With
this enabled, it’s
an easy task to
fill the layer with
a new colour
and not have
to worry about
changing the
transparency.

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WorldMagCsre.anteaenatrt-decostyle

Finishing touches Layer structure

Add the final flair to your poster Station to station

Transparency lock Make some noise TextLayer1
TextLayer2
09 Lock the transparency of 10 Create a duplicate of the BorderShape
the GroundGradient layer GroundGradient layer and ColourFill
and create the train-shaped go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Set
selection again. Go to Select> the Amount to 75%, Distribution to
Modify>Expand and enter a value Gaussian and check
of 100px. Expand by 100px again, Monochromatic. Change the layer’s
go to Select>Feather and enter a blending mode to Overlay to give
value of 100px. Fill with black. the ground a textured effect.

Vanilla skies Transform CurvesAdjustment
LevelsAdjustment
11 Create a new layer under the 12 Hit Ctrl/Cmd+Alt/Opt+T to Traincopy
GroundGradient layer called transform a copy of the
‘BGshape1’. Create a vertical gradient shape. Rotate it, move and
selection along the left side of the scale it to just cover the right edge of
image and fill with a Linear gradient the original shape. Repeat to finish
from d29f00 to black. Add noise the sky.
with the Amount at 50%.

Train

Gradient in the sky Easy border GroundGradientcopy
GroundGradient
13 Add a ‘SkyShading’ layer 14 Create a white rounded SkyShading
above the gradient shapes. rectangle almost to the edges BGShapes
Set foreground to yellow. Choose of the canvas but leave plenty of
the Gradient tool set to Foreground space at the bottom. Switch to the
to Transparent and the Radial Shape Selection tool and pick the
shape. Make a gradient from the Rectangular path. Change the mode
vanishing point to the front. to Subtract From Shape Area.

Add some text

15 Finish off the piece by
adding appropriate
text in an Art Deco style
font. Be sure to arrange the
text so that it lines up with
both left and right sides of
the border. Now sit back and
enjoy your new Thirties style
travel advert!

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WorldMags.Dneseigtn an abstract

Source file available Design an abstract

Use the image provided
to re-create this

Use Photoshop Elements to create a colourful and engaging
abstract artwork with a little help from the Custom Shape tool

The aim is to create an abstract image filled you like. Creating an abstract can be easy if you
with colour and fun. Brushes, duplicate start with the right material and, with Elements,
layers and custom shapes really come into those mesmeric shapes and impressionistic swirls
their own with this effect, so have a go at thinking are only a bit of time and dedication away. You can
like an artist and be creative. Start with basic replicate this tutorial in Photoshop too, as the tools
shapes and build up the layers, adding whatever and techniques are very similar.

Place in shapes Create form

01 On a new document, use a large solid brush to place circles of 02 Select the Custom Shape tool, choose any form that
different colours and sizes randomly. Now on a new layer you like and draw it on your canvas. Go to Layer>
(Layer>New Layer) use a brush from the Pen Pressure set (such as Paper Simplify Layer to convert the shape to pixels. Duplicate this
Mache) and add organic shapes. Overlap parts of the shapes, leaving shapes layer and scale it using Free Transform. Make another
some background space. duplicate and use the Hue/Saturation adjustment in order to
alter the colours. Place the two scaled layers creatively to
bring out the contrast.

Experttip

Realistic
results

With a selection active, you
can use the Select menu
to invert the area by going
to Select>Inverse. This can
be handy for large areas by
selecting only the part you
don’t need, and is doubly
helpful when you want to edit
an area of the image around
the main focal point (the
background in this case). With
practice you can achieve a
number of different things
with the Inverse command.

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Stroke of genius Compose the
elements
Stroke outlines can be used easily with
selections. They can create patterns 04 Now it’s time
and you can set line width and colour to compose
for your strokes with a couple of clicks. the different elements.
Choose Layer>Merge
Stroke the outline Visible to flatten all the
shapes and their
To use the Stroke Outline function with any of adjustments into one
the Selection tools, Go to Edit>Stroke Outline layer. This new
and set the parameters for the functions it will composite can then
carry out when activated. be duplicated. Go to
Image>Rotate>Flip
Layer Horizontal, set
the duplicate layer to
Vivid Light and scale
and rotate it using
Free Transform (T).

Set the line width Gradient and
merging
In the Stroke Outline dialog box, you can set the
desired line width and whether the line is on the 05 Duplicate this
inside, outside or centre of the selection. Now newly scaled
choose the line colour and how transparent or layer. Go to the Filter
opaque the stroke will be. menu and navigate to
Adjustments>Gradient
Map. Choose the
Transparent Rainbow
gradient or experiment
with the number of
different colour schemes
available. Now use
Layer>Merge Visible in
order to merge all the
layers and duplicate this
composite. Choose
Image>Rotate> Flip Layer
Vertical to stand it upside
down and set the blend
mode to Difference.

Stroke outline ideas Revealing colour

Using Stroke Outline with hand-drawn linework 06 Hidethebottom
(created with the Pen tool, for example) is layer by clicking
possible if you select the original lines, delete its eye icon and use the
them and then stroke the selection. This can lead Magic Wand tool to select
to interesting effects with different line widths. areas from the top layer.
Make sure Use All Layers
is unchecked and that
you vary the Tolerance
settings. As you select
areas, reveal colour from
the bottom layer by
pressing Backspace on
the keyboard.

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Stretch a gradient

10 Make a selection with the Magic Wand within the new stroke outlines and
use the Gradient tool to stretch a gradient across these areas. Try a
magenta-green-yellow blend, setting the layer blend mode to Lighter Color. You
can add another gradient by drawing one across the image on a newly created
layer in a colour you feel compliments the design.

Stroke selections

07 On a new layer choose Edit>Stroke (Outline)
Selection and select a contrasting colour to

stroke the selection indicated by the marching ants.

Choose a line width of 20px and change the blend

mode to Color Burn. Make all layers visible again.

Paint bucket background Adjust the
blend mode
08 Click on the Paint Bucket tool and choose
a vibrant red. Create a new layer 11 Adjust the
gradient layer’s
(Layer>New Layer) and, with Use All Layers blend mode to Hue
and smooth off the
unchecked in the dialog box, fill it with colour. Drag Stroke outline with a
low opacity eraser.
this to the bottom of the stack. Stretch a short
gradient with a
brighter colour from
the bottom-right
corner of the image.
This will work by
brightening selected
areas, lightening the
overall effect.

Finishing touches

12 Set the new gradient layer’s blend mode to Color or, if you feel adventurous,
Vivid Light to bring a little sparkle to the lower parts of the piece. Now flatten
your image (Layer>Flatten) and save a copy to show off your new design.

Eraser tool edit The Photoshop Elements Book 147

09 Using the Eraser tool, remove areas from the
abstract shapes’ layer below the stroke
outline. Erase shapes in a loose pattern. On a new
layer select the Magic Wand and, holding Shift, select
some of the shapes. Go to Edit>Stroke Outline and
stroke the selections as before.

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AFTER

148 The Photoshop Elements Book WorldMags.net

WorldMags.nePtaint portraits

BEFORE Paint portraits

Source file available Transform your photographs by mixing traditional and digital
mediums in this creative Elements tutorial
Use the image provided
to re-create this Digital programs like Elements give us a lot to join our scanned elements together to create a
of creative freedom but every now and final image that just wouldn’t have been possible
then it is nice to remember the good old without a lot more time being spent on it (waiting
traditional mediums and techniques. In this around for areas to dry) and a considerable
tutorial we will start off by creating some painted amount of mess being made.
textures then transfer these into Elements by
scanning, which is where the genius takes place! So dust off those paints and get a start photo
ready or, alternatively, load all of the starting files
Element’s Layers palette and blend mode that are provided on your free disc. We’ve provided
options play a huge role in this project, enabling us a range of paint marks and the portrait.

Unleash your inner artist

Begin the process by creating some paint marks

Make some mess Set up your canvas

01 To begin with we need to make a wide variety of different marks 02 While you are waiting for the paint to dry (or whenever
to scan in. We have used a range of brushes, palette knives and you’re ready!), open the start photo provided on your
free disc. Double-click on the Background in the Layers palette
sponges to get some good splodges. Keep them varied and ensure you so that it is unlocked and editable. Increase the image size so
that it will be high resolution using Alt/Opt+Ctrl/Cmd+I, making
pick complementary colours as we won’t be altering these in Elements. sure Constrain Proportions is checked.

Scan the splodges Perfect size

03 Scan in your paint marks and open up 04 Resize your start
Photoshop, however, if you do not have a photo if needed
scanner then do not fear as all of the paint marks used so that it is positioned
in this example are provided on your free disc. within the canvas ready
to be transformed. To do
WorldMags.net this press Ctrl/Cmd+T to
activate Transform,
holding down Shift to
keep perspective. Drag a
corner pointer in order
to increase or decrease
size and press Enter
when happy.

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Expert tip Paper textures

Elements 05 Also provided on the disc is the
mark making textured paper that is used in the
background. Open this up and simply drag
Go to the Brush tool and and drop into your new canvas. Position it in
use the Brush Picker to the top left of the canvas. Go to the Layers
select your brush tip. In palette, click onto the paper layer to highlight
our case that was the Oil and press Ctrl/Cmd+J to duplicate.
Medium Brush Wet Edges.
Set whether you’re working
with a mouse or tablet, as
the opacity and flow will
alter to simulate pressure
accordingly. You can tweak
the brush mark’s edges
depending on whether you
want a soft watercolour
edge or a solid line.

Build up the background

06 With the Move tool selected, position this
duplicated layer in the top-right corner. Swap
to the Rectangular Marquee tool, draw down the side
of the duplicated layer to select the white paper edge
and hit Backspace to trim then nudge this layer so it
sits alongside the other paper layer.

Canvas complete

07 Shift-click both paper
layers in the Layers
palette and press Ctrl/
Cmd+E to merge. Press Ctrl/
Cmd+J to duplicate this layer
then go to Image>Rotate>Flip
Layer Vertical. With the Move
tool, position this new layer at
the bottom of the canvas
and use the Rectangular
Marquee to trim the
unwanted edge.

Layer order Blend mode choice

08 Merge the two 09  Click onto the photo layer in the Layers
paper layers palette and select Pin Light from the blend
and select the Healing mode drop-down. Add a mask to the photo layer by
Brush Tool from the pressing the icon at the base of the palette.
Toolbar. Alt/Opt-click
onto the paper texture WorldMags.net
and paint over any joins.
This tool will blend the
two sets of pixels
together hiding any
unsightly lines. In the
Layers palette, move this
paper layer so it sits
underneath the photo.

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