Reason for Blending (Images)
- Great for graphic effects such as manipulation and blends.
SHORTCUTS
Move Tool - v
Brush Tool - b
Eraser Tool - e
PART A: Layer Mask (Brush + Eraser)
Layer Mask hides the layer and you must use the brush tool for it to show up. Personally, I like using a soft eraser (same results), but I figured I might as well show this one as it includes using an eraser anyway.The first image is by mimzy and the second is by Comfreak.
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| Layer Mask Final |
The layer mask icon is a rectangle with a dark circle inside.
You can also go to the Layer menu and click 'Add Layer Mask'. The image will disappear. Use the brush tool make parts of the image visible and the erase tool to hide the layer.
Turn on Subtitles/Closed Captions
PART B: Toggle Layer Settings
Toggle Layer Settings you are essentially adjusting blending modes, i.e. the way the layers interact with each other. Depending on the image and the look you are aiming for will decide which mode to use.
Sometimes, you'll find this is all you need. I use this option all the time to create stunning effects. For this part I used two images: 1 and 2 by greyerbaby from pixabay. I recorded the whole thing, so you can view by playing the video below. Of course, this post will be more detailed and in-depth, so be sure to read this too. [turn on subtitles for the video]
Sometimes, you'll find this is all you need. I use this option all the time to create stunning effects. For this part I used two images: 1 and 2 by greyerbaby from pixabay. I recorded the whole thing, so you can view by playing the video below. Of course, this post will be more detailed and in-depth, so be sure to read this too. [turn on subtitles for the video]
First, I have my image open and I need another image as a new layer. I'm about to show you something that will make add an image to a layer that much easier. Go to layer> Open Image (choose one: as layer, URL as layer, from library as layer).
Next step is figuring out the placement of the image. This may involve a little resizing, I free transform the image and place it where I want it to. Afterwards I change the layer blending mode. I set the new layer to lighten. It looks alright at this point, but I don't like where her left hand is, so I erase it using a soft eraser (this is covered a bit more in Part C).
I add the text and done! For the "blend" below, I used the font Neou Thin.
Blending modes will be explained below. If the mode is in pink it means I rarely use. Please note that opacity refers to the transparency of the layer. A layer on normal mode at 100% opacity is typically opaque (unless the original image is sheer).
To show the effects (without a change in opacity) I will be using three circles: white, grey, and black. You can see what happens to the image if I change the blending mode. Ignore the part that says 'original', I simply forgot to remove it.
Modes | Effects
Normal is the default mode. It only shows the image on top unless we adjust the opacity. [see left]
Add simply adds pixel value from one layer to another. White is displayed. [see right]
Alpha affects the area around the circles. It turns dark, usually dark grey or black. [see left]
Darken makes the layer below darker as long as the image/colour used is not white. [see right]
Difference subtracts one layer from another. Blending with white invert. There are no changes with black. [see left]
Erase is the opposite of alpha. It focuses on the circles and it is a bit hard to explain. [see right]
Hardlight combines multiply and screen blending modes. Effect isn't clearly shown. [see left]
Invert makes everything negative. It shows the opposite values. [see right]
Layer seems to act like Normal. No real difference unless you adjust the opacity. [see left]
Lighten is the opposite of darken. It makes the layer below lighter except when using black. [see right]
Multiply makes the dark part of an image become darker. [see left]
Overlay combines multiply and screen. The light areas in an image become lighter and dark areas become darker. [see right]
Screen is the opposite of multiply. The lighter parts become lighter. [see left]
Subtract is the opposite of add. It subtracts values from one layer to another. Black is displayed. [see right]
You can classify each blending mode into a category: darken, lighten, combination, and miscellaneous (aka the weird ones).
Darken Group (opposite of Lighten Group)
Next step is figuring out the placement of the image. This may involve a little resizing, I free transform the image and place it where I want it to. Afterwards I change the layer blending mode. I set the new layer to lighten. It looks alright at this point, but I don't like where her left hand is, so I erase it using a soft eraser (this is covered a bit more in Part C).
I add the text and done! For the "blend" below, I used the font Neou Thin.
Blending modes will be explained below. If the mode is in pink it means I rarely use. Please note that opacity refers to the transparency of the layer. A layer on normal mode at 100% opacity is typically opaque (unless the original image is sheer).
To show the effects (without a change in opacity) I will be using three circles: white, grey, and black. You can see what happens to the image if I change the blending mode. Ignore the part that says 'original', I simply forgot to remove it.
Modes | Effects
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| Mode: Normal |
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| Mode: Add |
Add simply adds pixel value from one layer to another. White is displayed. [see right]
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| Mode: Alpha |
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| Mode: Darken |
Darken makes the layer below darker as long as the image/colour used is not white. [see right]
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| Mode: Difference |
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| Mode: Erase |
Erase is the opposite of alpha. It focuses on the circles and it is a bit hard to explain. [see right]
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| Mode: Hardlight |
Hardlight combines multiply and screen blending modes. Effect isn't clearly shown. [see left]Invert makes everything negative. It shows the opposite values. [see right]
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| Mode: Lighten |
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| Mode: Layer |
Lighten is the opposite of darken. It makes the layer below lighter except when using black. [see right]
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| Mode: Overlay |
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| Mode: Multiply |
Overlay combines multiply and screen. The light areas in an image become lighter and dark areas become darker. [see right]
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| Mode: Screen |
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| Mode: Subtract |
Screen is the opposite of multiply. The lighter parts become lighter. [see left]
Subtract is the opposite of add. It subtracts values from one layer to another. Black is displayed. [see right]
You can classify each blending mode into a category: darken, lighten, combination, and miscellaneous (aka the weird ones).
Darken Group (opposite of Lighten Group)
- comprised of darken and multiply
- any layer that interacts with it turns darker
- white is not affected
- includes lighten and screen
- any layer that interacts with it turns lighter
- black is not affected
- contains overlay and hardlight
- mix light and darkness
- grey (mid-tone) is seemingly unaffected
- involves normal, add, difference, layer, invert, and subtract.
- normal and layer do the same thing - nothing - in my opinion
- difference and invert act similarly, they have a negative feel to them
- subtract and add act the opposite of each other.
BONUS Clip featuring a blend made using some of the techniques demonstrated above. Turn on Subtitles/Closed Captions to view written instructions.
NEXT LESSON:
COLOURING
WANT PRACTICE?
Practice assignment will be posted on Wednesday, July 27 on the thread.
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