Icon Tutorial!
You'll all have to forgive me. This is only the second icon tutorial I've ever posted up BUT I'm really proud of this icon so I figure I'd share the love. It's quite simple to use so I'm going to classify this as a tutorial that a beginner could use. :) If you have any questions, just ask, I'll do my best to answer or I'll find the answer for you! ^^
Anyhow, we'll be making this icon today:
PS: It's dial-up friendly! =3 No curves or other adjustment layers either. And I like simple so I've explained it as easily as I could. ^_^
1. Take your base image and hit ctrl + shift + alt + l (all at the same time) to use the auto-contrast.
2. Duplicate your layer by using ctrl + j. Afterwards, set your copied layer to Screen Afterwards, use ctrl + e to flatten the image.
3. Crop away to your hearts content! I cropped out the backs of Cloud's and Leon's heads for this icon but you can use any part of the icon you want.
4. Next I used this gradient by purple_graphics and set it to saturation at 100%. Afterwards I duplicated this layer and renamed it to "Layer 5". Drag the second saturation layer above the first. :)
5. Next I used one of my own icon textures from the second set. I dragged this below layer three and set it to Soft Light at 40%.
6. A new layer another gradient. And to boot, it's another one by purple_graphics (these are some of my favourite gradients. I use them all the time!). I used this blue monochromatic gradient and set it soft light at 100%. Duplicate this layer and drag the duplicate underneath the original.
7. Okay, this is it! The last step is in fact a border brush from wonderland__. Remember that duplicated gradient layer from the last step? Set the colour of the brush to white and stamp it into that layer.
And voila! You're finished!
Anyhow, we'll be making this icon today:
PS: It's dial-up friendly! =3 No curves or other adjustment layers either. And I like simple so I've explained it as easily as I could. ^_^
1. Take your base image and hit ctrl + shift + alt + l (all at the same time) to use the auto-contrast.
2. Duplicate your layer by using ctrl + j. Afterwards, set your copied layer to Screen Afterwards, use ctrl + e to flatten the image.
3. Crop away to your hearts content! I cropped out the backs of Cloud's and Leon's heads for this icon but you can use any part of the icon you want.
4. Next I used this gradient by purple_graphics and set it to saturation at 100%. Afterwards I duplicated this layer and renamed it to "Layer 5". Drag the second saturation layer above the first. :)
5. Next I used one of my own icon textures from the second set. I dragged this below layer three and set it to Soft Light at 40%.
6. A new layer another gradient. And to boot, it's another one by purple_graphics (these are some of my favourite gradients. I use them all the time!). I used this blue monochromatic gradient and set it soft light at 100%. Duplicate this layer and drag the duplicate underneath the original.
7. Okay, this is it! The last step is in fact a border brush from wonderland__. Remember that duplicated gradient layer from the last step? Set the colour of the brush to white and stamp it into that layer.
And voila! You're finished!