We will be making an icon.
PNGs
Edwardian Script ITC
Century Gothic
Colors of Autumn
Looking back on the previous lesson and assignment, I noticed that some images were pixelated and/or blurry. I hope to teach you guys how to choose a good quality image because a good quality image is the first step in making a great graphic.
This lesson is a big jump from the last one, but I know you can do it if you try. And it really isn't hard if you follow along.
Tip 1: Find a large image, the bigger the better. I try to find images bigger than the size of my graphic (a small image enlarged becomes blurry, but a large image shrunken down is still clear).
There are usually four categories of icons with their own subcategories.
I. Image
Skills You Will Learn:
- choosing an image
- image placement
- text effect
- colouring
- using pngs
Resources:
Cherry BlossomPNGs
Edwardian Script ITC
Century Gothic
Colors of Autumn
Helpful Links:
Looking back on the previous lesson and assignment, I noticed that some images were pixelated and/or blurry. I hope to teach you guys how to choose a good quality image because a good quality image is the first step in making a great graphic.
This lesson is a big jump from the last one, but I know you can do it if you try. And it really isn't hard if you follow along.
Tip 1: Find a large image, the bigger the better. I try to find images bigger than the size of my graphic (a small image enlarged becomes blurry, but a large image shrunken down is still clear).
There are usually four categories of icons with their own subcategories.
I. Image
- by itself
- with text
II. Person
- by itself
- with text
- with texture/image and text
III. Typography
- with background/texture/image
IV. Drawn
- by itself
For example: My icon is an image by itself.
1. Create a 500 by 500 pixel canvas (or equivalent).
2. Choose an image that will work as your background. You can choose a texture if you wish. Remember tip 1 before choosing an image.
3. Find a model PNG (an image of a person with a transparent background).
The skin colour of the model doesn't matter. I would like to see some diversity in the graphics. I chose the model because she has a flower crown and it fit with the theme I was going for.
5. If you have been listening to my advice, your chosen images should be bigger than the canvas and you have to resize it.
In pixlr/photoshop, Edit> Free Transform and hold 'shift' as you pull one of the four outer corners inwards so the image becomes smaller, but remains proportionate.
In gimp, click the scale tool (Shift+T) and make sure the proportion chain is linked, then scale it down to size by dragging your mouse inwards.
I used different dimensions for pixlr. In the end, when the image was opened in gimp and photoshop, my image's width was perfect, but the height was too short. I remedied this by duplicating the image and blending the two images together with a soft eraser brush.
6. This is optional and it really depends on your image. Using the (polygonal) lasso tool [pixlr/photoshop = (L) and gimp = (F)] - gimp doesn't have a polygonal lasso, so just use a lasso - and draw around the flower (or whatever object you want to brighten).
Then, change the saturation to 40 in photoshop (Edit> Adjustments> Hue/Saturation) and 100 in pixlr (Adjustments> Hue & Saturation) and gimp (Colors> Hue-Saturation).
Try to get as close to the flowers as possible or you might change the skin/hair colour. I was rushing, so I did it quickly.
7. I used a soft eraser at 50px to erase the harsh lines of her back and some parts of her flower crown.
8. Time for the coloring! I like to start with the skin. Now there are multiple ways to do this, but I'll just show two.
i) First, create a new layer. Then, use a paintbrush to colour over the skin (avoiding the eyes - and lips unless you want to).
You can paint it alien colours.
Set the layer mode to 'overlay' and opacity to 60%.
You can play with layer modes on your own time.
ii) Create a duplicate layer. Then, use the (polygonal) lasso tool to select the areas of the skin you want to colour.
Shift - add
Ctrl/Alt- subtract
Either paint inside the selection or adjust the colours (hue & saturation, color balance, etc)
The advantage of (i) is that you have more options with colour and the application is much smoother since you can erase the parts that you don't want with a soft eraser. This is great if you want a smooth blend.
The disadvantage of (i) is that it is hard to accurate paint without getting paint onto other parts of the model.
The advantage of (ii) is the accuracy. Play with the feathering option for better blending.
The disadvantage of (ii) is that the edges are harsher, so you have to leave a bit of room to erase with a soft eraser for a smooth transition.
9. Repeat step 8 except do it to the hair. Again, you can use whatever colour/method you want. Extra: You can colour the eyes and lips using the same method.
Tip 2 if you want to emphasize the shadows, you can create a new layer and paint the area you want to add more shadow (a darker shade of the skin colour) than add a strong Gaussian blur at radius: 9px
10. Text time! I used ffcccc as my base colour in pixlr. Then, I added a bevel using the following adjustments:
In photoshop, I did something different.
In gimp, you can't achieve the same look, so we are going to do something a bit different and more complicated.
11. Optional: You can add adjustments to the background. Add your pre-lesson watermark.
Done!
Deadline: June 22, 2015 11:59 PM EST
Things That Should Be On Your Graphic
- a model
- a good quality image (background)
- colouring (hair and/or skin)
- pre-lesson watermark
- an inner style text effect (layer style)
1. Create a 500 by 500 pixel canvas (or equivalent).
2. Choose an image that will work as your background. You can choose a texture if you wish. Remember tip 1 before choosing an image.3. Find a model PNG (an image of a person with a transparent background).
The skin colour of the model doesn't matter. I would like to see some diversity in the graphics. I chose the model because she has a flower crown and it fit with the theme I was going for.
5. If you have been listening to my advice, your chosen images should be bigger than the canvas and you have to resize it.
In pixlr/photoshop, Edit> Free Transform and hold 'shift' as you pull one of the four outer corners inwards so the image becomes smaller, but remains proportionate.
In gimp, click the scale tool (Shift+T) and make sure the proportion chain is linked, then scale it down to size by dragging your mouse inwards.
I used different dimensions for pixlr. In the end, when the image was opened in gimp and photoshop, my image's width was perfect, but the height was too short. I remedied this by duplicating the image and blending the two images together with a soft eraser brush.
6. This is optional and it really depends on your image. Using the (polygonal) lasso tool [pixlr/photoshop = (L) and gimp = (F)] - gimp doesn't have a polygonal lasso, so just use a lasso - and draw around the flower (or whatever object you want to brighten).Then, change the saturation to 40 in photoshop (Edit> Adjustments> Hue/Saturation) and 100 in pixlr (Adjustments> Hue & Saturation) and gimp (Colors> Hue-Saturation).
Try to get as close to the flowers as possible or you might change the skin/hair colour. I was rushing, so I did it quickly.
7. I used a soft eraser at 50px to erase the harsh lines of her back and some parts of her flower crown. |
| Before 'overlay' and 60% opacity. |
i) First, create a new layer. Then, use a paintbrush to colour over the skin (avoiding the eyes - and lips unless you want to).
You can paint it alien colours.
Set the layer mode to 'overlay' and opacity to 60%.
You can play with layer modes on your own time.
ii) Create a duplicate layer. Then, use the (polygonal) lasso tool to select the areas of the skin you want to colour.
Shift - add
Ctrl/Alt- subtract
Either paint inside the selection or adjust the colours (hue & saturation, color balance, etc)The advantage of (i) is that you have more options with colour and the application is much smoother since you can erase the parts that you don't want with a soft eraser. This is great if you want a smooth blend.
 |
| step 9 |
The advantage of (ii) is the accuracy. Play with the feathering option for better blending.
The disadvantage of (ii) is that the edges are harsher, so you have to leave a bit of room to erase with a soft eraser for a smooth transition.
 |
| Step 10 |
9. Repeat step 8 except do it to the hair. Again, you can use whatever colour/method you want. Extra: You can colour the eyes and lips using the same method.
Tip 2 if you want to emphasize the shadows, you can create a new layer and paint the area you want to add more shadow (a darker shade of the skin colour) than add a strong Gaussian blur at radius: 9px
10. Text time! I used ffcccc as my base colour in pixlr. Then, I added a bevel using the following adjustments:
In photoshop, I did something different.
 |
| Photoshop Adjustments |
 |
| Gimp Adjustments |
11. Optional: You can add adjustments to the background. Add your pre-lesson watermark.
Done!
Deadline: June 22, 2015 11:59 PM EST
Things That Should Be On Your Graphic
- a model
- a good quality image (background)
- colouring (hair and/or skin)
- pre-lesson watermark
- an inner style text effect (layer style)
Results
 |
| Left to Right: Pixlr, Photoshop, and Gimp |
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