Studio Practice: Photoshop tutorials

Over the past three weeks, during taught photoshop tutorials, I have explored many different approaches to image alteration through photoshop processes.

To begin with I scanned in an ink drawing from a previous setting, ensuring that the quality was high enough to retain the detail once expanded, therefore we chose 300 dpi, but spoke about the 72dpi needed for on screen images.

Then using the levels and curve features I altered the image to a less tonal, more line based outcome, whilst eradicating the shadow cast by the slightly uneven paper, before using the Magic Wand tool-> Select-> Similar to fully eradicate tone from the image. Once this was done I also used both the eraser and healing spot brush in order to ensure there were no marks or slight imperfections on the image.

After this I created several layers and used the brush and lasso selection tool to add colours, ensuring each colour was on a different layer in order to allow quick editing later on. At this stage I also played around with the different outcomes I could create by playing around with the saturation of both black and colour in order to alter the appearance, and trying out different combinations through changing the visibility on certain layers.

Then I looked at the blending modes for layers, and selected the multiply in order to add loose colour underneath the black lines, something which I have not done before on Photoshop. I also experimented with different textures and how to add them using vector masks, as well as layering my existing colour on top and lowering the opacity. I really enjoyed playing around with the different outcomes I could achieve here, especially with the opportunity to expose more/less areas of texture through the use of black and white paint.

In addition, I also learnt how to create my own custom brushes through Magic Wand Selection tool -> Edit-> Define Brush Presets, which enabled me to quickly and effectively produce differently sized and orientated versions of my image without the use of copy and paste. This was something I found particularly beneficial to me, as I loved the freedom this gave me to play around with altering my image to create modern, 'print' style pieces, with the use of select colour.

Finally I combined many techniques to create an outcome which I really like. I used Define Brush Presets, multiply blending mode, brush selection, and the brush alteration tools to create the piece, which I then altered using Hue and Saturation to create a few final outcomes which I am quite happy with.