How to Mold Paint Splatter to a Face in Photoshop

Preparation

First thing you will need to do to create this effect is find some nice paint splatter/spray brushes. For this particular piece I used brushes from Brusheezy: 842-Splatter. You'll also need an image to apply this to. In this case, I shot this image myself.

Step 1

Copy the background and paste it onto a new layer. Rename the new layer Subject and turn the background layer to white.

Create a new layer labeled "Extra Skin." Then using the Clone Tool, Alt-click on other parts of the face that best match the color of skin you want to copy. I suggest using a soft brush to blur out the edges.

For this I usually just play around with the Cloning Tool until I get close to something that looks right. This may take some experimentation, as you have to pay close attention to the light source in the photograph. To see a more in-depth tutorial on the cloning tool you can visit this page on Psdtuts+.

Step 2

Once we have covered all the facial features, select the "Extra Skin" layer and the "Subject" layer, then press Command + Alt + E on to merge the layers into a new layer. Rename this layer "Faceless Subject."

Step 3

Now we can start building our paint splatter area. Create a new layer and call it "Paint map." Select the Brush Tool and start to paint out the area you want the paint splat to appear in. This is where your paint splatter/spray brushes will come in handy.

It doesn't matter what color you use; here I have chosen yellow (#ffc924). It also helps to lower the opacity of this layer so that you can better line up the splats over the subject's face.

Make sure that you only paint where you want the splatter to occur, you may have to paint/mask/erase a bunch to get a nice paint splatter. Take your time with this Step; it may be the most important one of the process.

Step 4

Once completed you will want to get rid of any layer masks by right-clicking on the "Paint map" layer and selecting Convert To Smart Object. After that, change the layer style of the "Paint Map" layer to Overlay. You should now have something that looks similar to the picture below; keep in mind that no two paint splatters will be exactly the same.

Step 5

Next create a new layer under the "Paint map" layer, and name this layer "Extra Skin 2." With this layer selected Command-click the "Paint map" layer to select the paint splat you have created. Next click on the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the layers palette.

Step 6

Turn the visibility of the "Paint map" layer off. With the "Extra Skin 2" layer selected, grab your Cloning Tool again and start copying portions of skin into the area that has no skin.

Again try to match the lighting of the photo; you are basically creating an extra skin layer that will become paint once colored. I find it helpful to turn off the Aligned option for the cloning tool in the top tool bar.

Step 7

Once you've created a nice splatter area made from skin, turn the visibility of your "Paint map" layer back on. You should have something that looks like the image below.

Step 8

Create a new layer above the "Extra Skin 2" layer and name it "shadow." While holding down the Alt key, click between the "Extra Skin 2" layer and "shadow" layer to clip it.

Step 9

Grab a big, soft brush and paint some black to amp up the shadows needed for the "Extra Skin" layer.

Step 10

Turn the opacity of the "shadow" layer down to around 75%.

Step 11

Create a new layer above the "Faceless Subject" layer and name it "Paint Background." With the foreground color set to black, start painting some paint splats with the splatter brushes.

Step 12

All we have to do now is add a little bit of shadow to create the illusion the paint is lifted off the face. First create a new layer and name it "Shadow 2," then Command-click on the "Paint Map" layer to select it. Making sure you are still on the "Shadow 2" layer, fill the selection with black.

Step 13

Making sure the selection is still active, click on the Create Layer Mask button on the the bottom of the layer's palette.

Step 14

Select the mask for the "Shadow 2" layer and invert it by pressing Command + I, or going to Image > Adjustments > Invert. This should invert the mask and hide the black area we just filled.

Step 15

Disable the link between the mask and the shadow paint by clicking on the chain between the layer icon and the mask, as shown.

Step 16

Make sure the paint portion of the "Shadow 2" layer is selected and go to Edit > Transform > Warp.

Slightly adjust the shadow so that it peeks out from behind the paint splat. Depending on how much you want the paint to appear lifted, you can adjust it a lot or a little. Once you have the shadow right where you want it, apply the change.

Step 17

You are bound to have some unwanted shadow from the "Shadow 2" layer; to clean it up, simply paint over what you don't want in the layer mask.

Step 18

Lower the opacity of the shadow to around 72% and you should be all set!

Conclusion

The final image is below. Enjoy applying these techniques in your own work!

Smooth Metal

First, create a new image about 600x600 pixels (or whatever size is appropriate for the image you plan to create). If you haven't already got a shape that you want to apply this effect to, now's the time to make something. The shape in the example is simply made up of 2 circles blended together. Once you have your shape, fill it with this shade of gray: #E6E6E6. Keep your shape on its own layer and make sure you have nothing selected (press CTRL+D).

2.

Most of the steps from this point on will be using Layer Styles, which are available in Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and later versions. Once you've created this layer style, you can save it and use it instantly whenever you want, without the hassle of re-entering all the settings every time you need this effect.

With your shape's layer selected, go to Layer » Layer Styles » Inner Glow, and match up your settings with these: Inner Glow
This gives our shape its first hint of a bevel.

Next you'll be adding a bright highlight (the lightsource). Click on the Inner Shadow category to the left, and match these settings: Inner Shadow

3.

Next click on Gradient Overlay and dial in the following settings: Gradient Overlay
To add a final touch to the smooth metal, click on Satin and match these settings: Satin Settings

Your smooth metal style is complete at this point, though you may wish to add in an optional drop shadow.
But wait... do NOT click OK yet. Remember, we want to add this layer style to your arsenal so you can call upon it when ever you need it.
Click at the top where it says Styles

Now click the "New Style" button and give your style a name such as "Smooth Metal", then click OK. You should then save your styles by clicking the arrow icon to the left and choosing "Save Styles" from the list.

4.

At this point your basic smooth metal panel is complete, though if you'd like, follow along and take it to the next level. In the example, a glowing orb has been added, which you can learn to create with the LCD Orb tutorial.

To make the orb appear as though it's inset into the metal panel simply complete the following steps...
Place the orb onto your image, and create a new layer UNDERNEATH the layers containing your orb but ABOVE your smooth metal shape.

Now select the ','black')" onmouseout="hidetooltip()">elliptical marquee tool, and draw a selection so that it's just a little bigger than the original orb. To make this easier, place your mouse in the center of your orb, and hold SHIFT and ALT at the same time and drag your selection. Now, select your ','black')" onmouseout="hidetooltip()">gradient tool, and use the following settings:

Drag from top to bottom over your selection to create the inset effect. When done press CTRL+D to deselect.

5.

Now, with new gradient-inset layer you just created still selected, go to Filter » Blur » Gaussian Blur and use a setting of about 0.5 to make it a bit smoother.

6.

You can now apply the same techniques to other "stuff" you want to add to your new interface. Here's an example. Be creative and enjoy your new layer style :)

Multicolored Sunset

Design Creative Multicolored Sunset

Now we are going to design creative multicolored sunset using photo mixing some vector shapes and lighting effects.

First of all, we need to find some appropriate picture of sunset to design it in future. Use Google Images or you can also use my picture. Open up picture and start the tutorial! Duplicate background with Ctrl+J, then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply a mild blur of 1,5px.

Now, we set the blurred layer to blending mode Soft Light and set opacity up to 50%. After that make this layer black and white with Image > Adjustments > Desaturate or press Ctrl+Shift+U. This gives us a slightly surreal blurring on the image.

Now, I think we need to do a little dodge work. Select the Dodge Tool (Brush: 250 px, Range: Highlights, Exposure: 50%) and make clearer the dark parts of the image. See the difference now:

Merge two of these layers in one. We are done with background for now. Move to the next step. Create a new layer, then select the Elliptical Marquee Tool and create selections as shown on the picture below. After that fill selected area with white color.

Remove selection with Ctrl+D and apply the Blur Tool to blur the sun shape and then change layer mode to Overlay for this layer.

Ok, now select the Rectangular Marquee Tool and create selection as on my picture that you can see below:

Cut chosen area to the new layer with Ctrl+Shift+J. Apply Filter > Blur> Motion Blur to the new received layer.

You should receive something like this:

Looks as real sun now, don’t you agree? Good, now I would like to add some curl ornaments to the sun glow. Well, we need to find the elements we will use. I prefer to use these. Let’s start mixing curls with sun glow.

Merge all layers with curls in one and duplicate received new one layer using Ctrl+J. Apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with similar settings to these:

Now we have an effect like this:

Merge two layers with curls in one again and duplicate one more time. After that flip new duplicated layer vertical with Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical and move it down.

Apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur to this layer:

See the difference, now?

Set the blurred layer to blending mode Overlay and after that select the Eraser Tool and a soft round brush about 50 px to clear curls image out the sea area.

Now, go to the previous layer and apply Outer Glow layer style to it.

See the result:

Now the lighting is pretty nice already, but I’d like some different hues in the image as it makes the image a lot warmer than bluish colors. Use next colors to make sunset multicolor: #c59840, #c54053, #c540c0, #7840c5, #43609a. So in a new layer, use the Brush Tool (Brush: 80 px) to make brush strokes with a different colors.

After that apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur with similar settings to these:

We received something like this:

Now in your tools palette choose the Smudge Tool (Brush: 150 px, Mode: Normal, Strength: 35%). Using your mouse, smudge your multicolor strokes outwards. Note that in the image shown, I’ve done some pretty big smudges so you can see roughly what we’re doing, but in reality you should make smaller, more subtle smudges.

Now we set the layer to blending mode Color and set opacity up to 47%.

Then use the Eraser Tool with a large, soft brush and remove some areas where you don’t want as much to shine through.

Ok, time to add the sun rays to finish off the tutorial. To make it we are going to use a combination of glowing edges and radial blurring. Go to the background layer and duplicate it using Ctrl+J. Then go to Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges and use settings as on my picture below:

Looks strange, isn’t it?

Set the layer to blending mode Screen and apply new Filter > Blur > Radial Blur:

Please note that the blur center is shifted slightly to the right to the place where the sun shines.

Repeat the last filter used again by pressing Ctrl+F. After that go to the Image > Adjustments > Levels to correct brightness and contrast for current layer.

Picture becomes better now:

After that try to correct the sun rays a little bit. Use the Smudge Tool (Brush:150 px, Mode: Normal, Strength: 30%) to do this.

Looks better now! Now, bring more sharpness to the sun rays. To do this use the Sharpen Tool (Brush:500 px, Mode: Normal, Strength: 40%).

We finished off with this tutorial now! Hope it was interesting and useful for you!