Photo
The starting file has a few folders set up for you…
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Add Photo
Find your own photo of whoever you like, just make sure it’s big enough to start (first number should be at least 800).
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Select the “photo” folder, then paste (CTRL+V). This should put the photo into that folder.
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It should be at least this size (size it down to this if it’s bigger using CTRL+T).
- If it’s too big, size it down a bit using CTRL+T.
- If it’s too small, find a better picture.
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PHOTO WAY TOO BIG ?
CTRL+T and resize the photo so the face is about this size…
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Then use the Rectangle Marquee tool to select just the face and neck area…
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CTRL+J to copy the selected area into a new layer.
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Select the original photo layer and delete it.
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So you are left with just the face in a layer.
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Filter
Right-click or go to more layer options, and Convert to Smart Object… you should see the icon.
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Then go to the Filter Gallery > Artistic > Watercolor…
- increase Brush Detail to 12
- reduce Shadow Intensity down to 0
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Masking
Add a layer mask to the photo layer.
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Make sure you’re on the default colors.
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Select the Brush tool and set the softness to 50% and size to 100px.
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Paint around the head to keep the face/hair/neck…
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Rotate?
Select the photo part of the layer and CTLR+T to rotate it if needed.
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When you [Enter] to apply the transformation, you should see the filter again.
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Levels
Add an adjustment layer… Levels
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Go to the Properties tab:
- Move the black slider to ~70
- Move the white slider a bit to the left
- At the bottom, click on the clipping mask button.
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Your layer should look like this…
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Brushes
Start by collapsing the photo folder, and add a new layer to the brushes folder.
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Add more layers and rename them 1-4.
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Select the Brush Tool.
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Go to the Brushes panel on the right, and expand the Watercolor Portrait folder and select one of the brushes.
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Choose a color.
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Make the first layer active and click (do not click & drag) near the head.
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Change the color and the type of watercolor brush. Make layer 2 active and click near the head.
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Change the color and the type of watercolor brush. Make layer 3 active and click near the head.
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Change the color and the type of watercolor brush. Make layer 4 active and click near the head.
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Text
Close the brushes folder, and select the text folder. Then add a blank new layer.
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Select the Text tool and click in the middle-bottom of the canvas.
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Type in the person’s name. Set it to any font you like.
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[Enter] to apply the name – this should update the layer’s name to match what you’ve typed.
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CTRL+T the layer to adjust the size and position of the text.
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[Enter] to apply the transformation.
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Watercolor Letters
Insert a blank new layer above the text.
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Hide the text layer; make sure the blank layer is still active.
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Hold CTRL and click on the “T” for the text layer to select the text outline.
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Select a color and a watercolor brush and click over the outlined area.
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CTRL+D to deselect and see the result.
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If you don’t like it, you can backtrack and try a different color/brush.
Background
Close the text folder and make sure it’s active.
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Then add a Pattern adjustment layer above the folder.
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Choose the first Canvas type.
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Set the Scale to 50%.
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Your canvas will look like this at 100% view.
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Change the layer blend mode to Multiply.
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You should now see the canvas texture with the photo and brushes.
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Your layers are like this collapsed…
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Expand the folders by holding CTRL and clicking on any of the folder arrows.
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Reset the Brush Tool back to the default so it’s easier for the next projects you work on.
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