Creating Realistic Shadows in Photoshop & PSE

At April 13, 2012
By Stacey
In Beginner, Beginner, News, Photoshop, PS Elements, Tutorials
0

Shadows are arguably the most significant aspect in making your scrapbook layout look realistic. Here is a tutorial series by Sherry Saunders and Cilenia Curtis, that we ran in our newsletter on adding realistic shadows to your elements and papers using several different methods.

Creating Realistic Shadows Part 1 (PDF file)
Creating Realistic Shadows Part 2 (PDF file)
Creating Shadows/Layering (PDF file)
Warping Shadows in PS & PSE (PDF file)

Blending with Masks

by Maddy Fernandez

I am going to show you how to use masks and how easy it is to use them. Now there are many ways to accomplish the same tasks in Photoshop. So I will show you what I do. You may have another method, but that’s OK. Just use what you can glean.

Here is the link to the mask that I will be using: [link] So go ahead and download it and we can start. The mask is placed on a 12X12″ canvas in Photoshop. I am using CS4, btw.

Now open up a new scrapbook size file (12X12″) with a white background layer. If you scrap at a different size, e.g., 8X8″, simply resize the canvas or drag the entire mask onto a new canvas of your choice. Open up your mask and drag it onto your new file. (If you hold the shift key down while dragging it it will automatically center it. Of course it doesn’t matter with the mask file since it already is 12X12″.

Now open up a photo that you would like to use on the mask. Make sure it is around the same size as the mask and that the faces are well within the borders of the mask. (Of course you can use a smaller photo, just resize it by dragging the transform tools in the corners). Drag the photo onto the mask layer and press Opt+Cmd+G (Alt+Ctrl+G on a PC) to clip the photo on to the mask. You can also right-click on layer in layers window > Create Clipping Mask option.

At this point, you can rotate or resize the photo and drag it so it will fit to your liking.

Important: When editing your photo, make sure you are working on the photo layer:

Now we will edit the edges of the mask to match your photo. While on the photo layer, press B to activate your brush and find a soft brush of your choice. While the brush is selected, press the Option/Alt key to pick colors from the borders of your photo. Set your brush opacity around 89-95% (experiment with it) and start brushing over the edges of the mask on the photo layer. Work slowly and make sure you undo or use your history tool to undo strokes. *Note: It am using a wacom tablet and it’s a lot easier. But you can still do this even if you don’t have a tablet.

When you are satisfied with how it looks, you can select both of the layers (photo layer and mask layer) and link them so they will stay connected. Also, try and rotate the mask and move it around to see what would look best. Try to stay away from putting any focal point dead center. When you have it how you like it, add your background paper(s) and embellishments to spruce it up.

Here is my final layout. Note: I lied. Naaahhh, I actually played around with it some more and you can see it here in my gallery.

Hope you enjoyed this. I used my Sweet & Spicy products (part of the Shall We Tangerine Tango CAKE). They are on sale for $1.50 each for a limited time! I’d like to see what you come up with using the mask. Also, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me.

~Maddy

Tutorial – Using digi art to print on fabric for home decor

At February 7, 2012
By curtc
In Beginner, Hybrid Projects, Photoshop, Tutorials
0

Printing on Fabrics

Here is a new tutorial on using digital brushes and stamps to print on fabric for home decor prints. Click on the preview to download the full tutorial in pdf format.