Brush Special Effects, Clipping Layer Tutorial

You have a lot of Brushes in Photoshop which are hidden. We usually use the default set. You should use the other brushes that come with Photoshop. This tutorial will teach you to use at least another Brush that is normally not used. You can create a beautiful effect with it with the help of a few Filters that all versions of Photoshop have.

Step 1 : I have opened this photo in Photoshop. The only thing to note that it has a dark background. The effect will usually look good on a dark background.

Step 2 : On the Layer pallette click on the New Layer icon and a New Layer -- Layer 1 forms.
Step 3 : Now use the small bent arrow to change the Foreground and Background Color. The change will make White the Foreground Color and Black the Background Color.

Step 4 : Click on the Brush Tool.

Step 5 : On the top panel you will find this icon on the right side. Click it to access the Brushes.

Step 6 : When you click the icon this dialogue box appears. Click where the small white arrow points to, to access the Brushes. The Brushes pallette opens. I have a lot of extra Brushes that I have downloaded. That should not worry you.
Step 7 : You will find Assorted Brushes in the list. It comes with all versions of Photoshop. Click on it.

Step 8 : This dialogue box pops up. Click ok.

Step 9 : In the Brushes pallette that opens, click on Brush 48. The small white hand shows what it looks like.

Step 10 : As soon as you click, look at the bottom panel. You will find how the Brush will look like. I will leave it at the default settings.

Step 11 : Click where the arrow points to in the left top panel and from the dropdown you will be able to set the size (master Diameter) and the Hardness. Here the Hardness is fixed, therefore you cannot alter it.

Step 12 : Remember you have set the Foreground Color to White in Step 3. Now draw something like this. Remember that you are on layer 1 (see Step2).

Step 13 : Go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur.

Step 14 : In the dialogue box that pops up change the Angle to 45 and the Distance to 150 and click ok.

This is how the image looks after applying the Filter.

Step 15 : Go to Filter>Distort>Shear.

Step 16 : This dialogue box opens. You will find a straight line in the middle. Click where the arrows point to, to make the line bend, then click ok.

Step 17 : Now press Ctrl+F twice and the image looks like this. It is not necessary that you will get the same result, it may vary depending on your image and Brush size.

Step 18 : Click on the New Layer icon and another new layer -- Layer 2 forms.

Step 19 : Click on the Gradient Tool. Click in the top panel next to access the Gradient Editor.

Step 20 : The Gradient Editor opens. I have clicked on a Preset Gradient. You can click on any of the Presets.

Step 21 : Now with the Gradient drag up from bottom to top keeping the SHIFT key pressed. This enable you to drag upwards in a straight line.

Step 22 : The Gradient will completely cover your image. Look in the Layers pallette. You will find the Gradient in the top layer, above Layer 1. Now Press ALT and click between the edge of Layer2 and Layer 1. A small round spot will appear. The Layer will be clipped with the Layer below. As soon as it is clipped a small bent arrow will form on the left of the layer thumbnail. (See above).

This is how the image looks after the clipping takes place. You can stop here if you want to or continue with the additional steps.

Step 23 : Click on Layer 1.

Step 24 : Now press CTRL+J to duplicate Layer 1 twice. This is how the Layers panel looks.

And, this is how the image looks. That is all.

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Newsprint Girl in Photoshop

This is special effects tutorial which will show you how to make a human figure with newspapers in Photoshop. First you need a silhouette. You can see how a silhouette can be made here. But you can do this tutorial by downloading a free stock, high resolution silhouette. You can download it here. Step 1 : This is the high resolution stock image I have opened in Photoshop. I have downloaded it from the link provided.
Step 2 : Click on the Magic Wand Tool to select it.Step 3 : Click on the silhouette. A column of marching ants immediately surround it.
Step 4 : Press CTRL+J. The silhouette is copied and pasted on Layer 1.
Step 5 : Now you need a photo of a newspaper. I have scanned portions of a number of newspapers for this tutorial. Then just follow these steps.

a) Click on the newspaper image. Then press CTRL+A (Select ALL), then CTRL+C (Copy).

b) Next click on the silhouette image and press CTRL+V (Paste). This will paste the newspaper photo onto the silhouette. Since I have scanned at a high resolution or if you use a high resolution photo you have to resize it.

c) Press CTRL+T. You will immediately find a selection around the image.

d) Press SHIFT+ALT and drag down a corner handle to resize it.

e) Lastly hover you cursor over a corner handle. You will find a small bent arrow appear. (See above). This will allow you to rotate the image. After rotation press ENTER to apply the image.Step 6 : Now press ALT and click just between Layer 1 (the silhouette) and Layer 2 (the newspaper). A small black circle will appear. This will clip the layer.

And, this is how the image looks.

Step 7 : I have opened another scanned image of a newspaper. You will need quite a few.Step 8 : Now follow the exact steps in Step 5 to copy and paste the newspaper image on to

the silhouette. Resize it. Rotate it. Reposition it suitably. Press Enter.
Step 9 : Press ALT and click between Layer 2 and 3.
This is how the image looks now.

Step 10 : I have followed the same steps to drag yet another scanned newspaper image. The silhouette is now covered with the newspaper layers.

Step 11 : This is how the Layers pallette looks. Layer 1 is the silhouette copied and pasted from the Background layer. Layer 2,3,4 and 5 are scanned newspaper photos. Notice the bent arrow on the right of the layer thumbnails of Layer 2 to Layer 5. The bent arrow signifies that it has been clipped with the layer below.

Step 12 : Now click on Layer 1. It is the cutout silhouette. The layer will immediately be highlighted which means that it is selected. Now press CTRL+the New Layer icon. A new Layer 6 forms below Layer 1. Now Layer 6 is highlighted, which means that is the Layer you are on.
Step 13 : Now click on the Foreground Color which is Black by default. If the default is not set to Black and Background to White, press 'x' and then 'd' on your keyboard to restore the default.
Step 14 : Now press ALT+BACK SPACE. This will the Layer 6 with the Foreground Color which is Black.

Look in the Layers pallette. Layer 6 has been filled with Black.

Step 15 : Now click on Layer 1. It is immediately highlighted. That means it is selected. Now click on the Add Layer Style icon.

Step 16 : From the popup, click on Stroke.

Step 17 : In the dialogue box which opens click on where the small white hand points to. In CS 4 the Color is Black. in earlier versions it is Red.

Step 18 : In the Select Color dialogue which opens type in ffffff (6fs) in the small box at the bottom which the arrow points to. It stands for White. Click ok.

Step 19 : Note that the 'Color' has changed to white. Now drag the Size slider to the right. There is nothing hard and fast about it. It will depend on your image. I have set it at 8. Do not click ok.

Step 20 : Now click on Outer Glow in the left panel. The Layer Style dialogue changes to Outer Glow. The default color of Outer Glow is yellow. I will leave it at that. You can change it in the same way as Steps 17 and 18 if you wish.

Step 21 : Drag the Size and Spread sliders suitably, depending on your image. You can see the values I have given. Click ok.

And this is my completed image.

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