Objective
To learn advanced Photoshop layering, masking, and effects by
example. To learn Photoshop production techniques by recreating
the art below:
Discussion
The ability to achieve an illusion of depth in a
two-dimensional medium is a magic trick that has seduced artists
over the centuries.
One of the strongest cues to depth is achieved through the use
of light and shadows. If done properly, we can't help but "see" the
third dimension. In this example, we'll use a special technique
called "displacement map" to shift some pixels in order to achieve a more "natural" looking carving.
Procedure
prepping the image
- download starter files
- open "carve.jpg" in Photoshop
- image > mode: grayscale; filter > blur > gaussian
blur (4)
- save as "displacement_map.psd"; close (this file will
be used later as a "displacement map")
- file > open recent "carve.jpg", save as "carve.psd"
- file > place linked "icon.pdf" (this is a smart object)
- layer mode "overlay", scale and reposition, return
to normal mode
silhouette climber
- duplicate background layer, rename "climber", move
to top
- new adjustment layer (levels), make image lighter (for easier silhouetting)
- magnetic lasso tool: silhouette figure (no need to retouch)
- add layer mask
- delete
adjustment layer
- reveal all layers
carve the rock
- go to "icon" layer
- layer > layer style > color overlay: eye-dropper a dark color
- change blending options (see PDF settings)
- add layer style "bevel and emboss" (see PDF settings)
- add layer style "inner shadow" (see PDF settings)
add displacement map
- dupe "icon" layer; hide previous layer
- layer > rasterize layer
- filter > distort > displace (10, -10): "displacement_map.psd"
- go to "background" layer
- filter > sharpen > unsharp mask (radius=2, threshold=2,
amount=?)
grading
- add your name and the exercise number on the PSD file
- layer > flatten image; image > mode > CMYK
- file > save as (format=JPEG; quality=10)
- open the JPEG in Photoshop and print a proof for grading
- file your graded proof in your Process Book for individual review