#25
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Step 1) Start with your base image. Add a Selective Color layer with these settings:
R: -23, 0, +8, -11
W: 0, 0, +15, +11
N: 0, +3, 0, -4
Set the layer to 'soft light' 100% opacity.
I find that adding a selective color layer and setting it to soft light is the best way to add contrast to my icons. Usually, I will put this layer closer to the end of the icon, but I did some fiddling and it looks better at the beginning.
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Step 2) Duplicate the selective color layer, keeping it 'soft light,' set to 100% opacity, 56% fill.
After I was already done coloring I thought the icon could use a little more contrast, so I duplicated the selective color layer.
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Step 3) Duplicate base image, bring to top, set to 'screen' 100% opacity.
This is to lighten the icon.
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Step 4) Add a new color layer, #1c1501, set to 'soft light' 52% opacity.
I added this color layer to give the icon a little more natural brownish coloring.
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Step 5) Duplicate base, bring to top, set to 'soft light' 100% opacity.
I felt icon could use a little more contrast.
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Step 6) Add a new color layer, #ffffff, set to 'soft light' 100% opacity.
The icon was too dark for my tastes, but duplicating the screen layer made it too washed out. Adding a white soft light layer is a good way to lighten an icon without losing contrast.
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Step 7) Duplicate base, bring to top, set to 'color burn' 100% opacity, 20% fill.
I was actually just playing around and thought it looked good. I can't really explain my reasoning for doing it.
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Step 8) Add a new color balance layer with these settings:
Shadows: +6, 0, -3
Midtones: +17, 0, -8
I like to use color balance layers instead of selective color layers to give my coloring a more yellowish/reddish tone.
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Step 9) Add a new hue/saturation layer with these settings:
Master Saturation +23
I felt the coloring was a little too dull, so I upped the saturation to give the icon a more vibrant coloring.
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Step 10) Add this light texture, set to 'soft light' 17% opacity.
It's not super noticeable, but It changes the lighting so Sam's face is a little lighter, and the background is a little darker.
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Step 11) Go back to your base layer and sharpen to your liking.
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I'm not very good at explaining my reasoning, mainly because when I color icons I just fiddle around until it looks right. I'll usually add steps out of order, and so when I write a tutorial for it it's not at all in the order I made the icon. But I hope this helps. :) (plus it was a nice distraction from studying for finals!)
+ Do not copy tutorials directly, please use this as a guide.
+ Please comment if you have any questions/problems/etc.
+ You can find the .psd here if you're having trouble.