Sure, Peano. I actually wrote a tutorial about that image for the Innographx forum. It's a little involved, but then none of my work is simple 1, 2 , 3's ; )
The "shadow layer" is created using the standard sketch method:
- dupe your image layer
- invert the top layer, set the blend mode to "Color Dodge". This should turn the layer white. If it doesn't, you should lighten up your shadows because those dark areas will become unsightly blotches in the sketch.
- Now run gaussian blur and play with the slider until you get a nice shadowy effect.
I combined that with another layer created using the same method, but adjusting the gaussian blur slider so that the lines were very fine.
If you want the entire tut, here it is...
===== Pam's sketching technique =====
I've been trying to find a sketch technique that looks natural. The key, I think, is trying to create several variations of pencil strokes. On this image I used 4 layers of different "pencil strokes". First, I prepped the image:
1 - Using the standard sketch method (invert, color dodge, g blur) create 2 copies of the image. One adjusted for very fine lines, the other for shadows that are not too dark.
2 - Create 3 or 4 "sketch layers" as follows:
First sketch layer:
· Open new layer, make sure colors are set to default (black foreground, white bg)
· Edit> Fill, White (Mode: Normal)
· Filter> Noise> Add Noise (amount 12, Gaussian, Automatic)
· Filter> Blur> Motion Blur (35 degrees, 14 pixels)
· Go to Image> Adjust> Levels and adjust the contrast. Your goal is a layer full of short, angled strokes that have the contrast of pencil lead on paper.
Repeat this process for a second layer with these changes:
· Add noise (amount 50, Gaussian, Automatic)
· Motion Blur (change the angle slightly)
· Filter> Distort> Ripple (here I used about 65-100, medium)
· Adjust contrast of this layer again for a heavier, darker pencil look.
Repeat this for a third and fourth layer. Try changing the settings for a slightly different look. Longer strokes, different angle for example.
Here are some ideas for creating and using the sketch layers:
- Filter> Texture> Grain, stippled (start with 60, 70) Try the Ripple filter before or after using motion blur.
- You can also sharpen the sketch layer after creating it. On this image however, I sharpened after all the sketching was finished.
- I used 4 sketch layers on this image. Experiment with the blend modes of the sketch layers. The modes I used on this image were soft light, overlay, darken. Multiply using a mask also works well. I also ran colored pencil on the fine line sketch and set the blend mode to soft light. You can also rotate or flip the sketch layer to get a different sketchy look.
- I sometimes use masks to limit a pencil stroke to a particular tone. For example, I might want the shadows to have a darker, thicker stroke. One quick method to mask in this way is to use Select> Color Range and either choose shadows, or pick a certain tone and adjust the fuzziness slider to pinpoint the tone you're working.
At this point, I almost thought it was finished. Many of you may prefer this version. But I had a nagging sense that it needed something more, some punch. I tried adjusting the contrast but that just didn't do it. Then I tried an experiment. I ran Smart blur/edges only on a copy of the fine line sketch and inverted the result. Then I ran the Aniso filter on that, fading and adjusting the resulting line thickness using levels. Then I set the blend mode to "Soft Light". The result was the exact opposite of what I was looking for. So, just for the heck of it, I inverted the layer. I nearly fell out of the chair. That did it!
Here is a little animated gif showing you the progression of steps:
http://www.pbase.com/image/29152833
---
Pam
http://www.pbase.com/pam_r
'art is working on something 'til you like it...then leaving it that way'
