ohhai. I'm JJ, and this is my first tutorial. EVER. So. Be nice? :look: This is for a siggie that I use on another site. ;D
I'd like to encourage everyone to use their own stocks/images and whatnot. ;D This is just to help you maybe learn something. So, let's begin!
All stocks (c) Stef's Stock Pack, found
here.
STOCK:1 ;;
2 ;;
3 ;;
4 ;;
5 ;;
6 ;;
7 ;;
8 ;;
wolf ;;
Nina DobrevWow, that's a lot. xD ANYWHO. Let's begin, shall we?
THE BASE:- Open up a new image. I tend to use 500x250, but that is completely up to you. Paste in Stock #1 on the left side. Add in Stock #2 on the right and blend it in. I tend to use layer masks and the paint brush tool, but that's up to you. (:
- I added in Stock #3 also on the right. Set to Lighten, 30%.
- Put in Stock #4 on the left. Leave it at Normal, 30%. I didn't want all of it showing, so I used a layer mask and took nearly all of it off, except for the gate.
- Add Stock #5. I didn't resize or anything. Put it on Soft Light, 40%.
- Add Stock #6 on the right. Blend it in however you so choose, and put on Soft Light, 100%.
- Pfew. So many stocks! Add in Stock #7 on the left. Do some blending, and then put it on Soft Light, 100%.
- Paste the clock (Stock #8 ) wherever you think it'll look good. I put it kinda off center on the right. Blended a little, and then left it on Normal, 60%.
- Now, add in the wolf wherever you'd like. (: I used a layer mask to cut him out, using a hard brush first, and then softening the edges with a medium-sized soft brush.
OPTIONAL: I wanted to change the color of his eyes. So, I used the Quick Mask tool and using a small brush, and zooming in super close, I colored his eyes. After un-clicking the Quick Mask, his eyes were now surrounded with the 'marching ants'. After inversing the selection, I filled it with a dark brown, and set it to Hard Light.
- I then added in Ms. Dobrev, right next to the wolf. I did the same thing as I did with the wolf, using the layer mask. Only difference is, I blended her hair more into the wolf, so it was almost like they were one. (:
TEXT:- I started out with her name 'Mercy Leverett'. It's font Pavane, 36pt. Right click and go to blending options. Here's what I put:
---- Drop Shadow - default settings
---- Bevel & Emboss - default settings
---- Gradient Overlay - #7c3a4e to #ffffff
---- Stroke - 1pt, #651e31
- Beneath it, I put the words 'you jump in bed with fame' and below it 'another one night paid in full'. Both #ffffff, Georgia, 11pt
COLORING:Note: I might have gotten this coloring from somewhere, but I honestly don't remember. (: If you happen to know, please link me so I can properly credit. Thanks!
- Fill Layer, #4f4f4f, Darken, 40%
- Fill Layer, #501300, Exclusion, 50%
- Selective Color
Red: -51/0/0/0
- Curves
RGB
I: 75 O: 62
I: 171 O: 173
RED
I: 94 O: 81
GREEN
I: 70 O: 56
I: 160 O: 152
BLUE
I: 89 O: 76
I: 139 O: 195
I: 255 O: 255
- Brightness/Contrast
Brightness: +16
- Fill Layer, #939393, Darken, 41%
- Curves
BLUE
I: 133 O: 161
OPTIONAL:Now, you could stop up there, and be fine. ;D But, I like to add a few finishing touches. You may do so as well.
- Make a new layer. Go to Image --> Apply Image. Sharpen Layer.
- Apply image on a new layer again. Here, I zoomed in and used the Sharpen tool, with a hard, round brush, and 30% strength. I went over both sets of eyes, and Nina's lips. I did the same with the dodge tool, but with a soft brush. Make sure it's on Midtones. I have mine set at a 70% exposure. Then I took the Blur tool, 50% strength, with a small, soft brush, and went over her skin.
- And lastly, apply your image once more on a new layer. Here, I used a filter that you can download called Topaz Clean. You can download a free trial
here. I played around with the settings, and then set the layer to 40%.
And that's it!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. (; I'd love to know what everyone thought and see what you've made!