General tips
I have no idea if it fots the comm or not (DJ, feel free to delete if not!) And I have no idea how to tag it either.
Ive tried to put little tips about the things I was the more congratulate about and about the most common mistakes I saw on LJ. The first part is about general tips that makers who are playing around with Photoshop already know. The second part are questions motorized asked. The third part is a list of useful links to communities and tutorials.
If anyting is not clear, if you got other questions, ask them, I will answer.
I apologize for all the mistakes Ive done.
PART 1
Backgrounds.
I've noticed that people think my background are textures but actually they are not. Most of the time, I use the original pictures. I use the smudge tool and use a color of the original picture. I always use the smudge tool at 40-50% instead of 100% to have a more beautiful effect. Then I use the blur tool to have a prettier result.
Light.
Oh well the light thingies. Hehe so basically I can do a whole tutorial about them and how I use them. Though, all_at_once did an awesome tutorial about it here. Basically the lights in my icons are blurbs. I paint in white on a new layer and then use the gaussian blur. Check out the tutorial to have more details (in understandable english)
I also use the brightness/contrast tool to add light. Most of the time, I use this layer in the last steps of my icons.
2 other methods I use : screen layer and curves. I don't use screen layer a lot simply because I think it decrease the amount of contrast and the colors of an icon. And if your pic is not in HQ or too dark, it will seems grainy. So I prefer to use the curves.
Sharpen(ess?).
If you use the little blurb of light, you'll need sharpeness. I saw so many beautiful icons but soo blurry. (well everything depends on taste but I don't like blurry icons). Though, you must be careful to not sharpen too much. For this, when you have sharpened your image, go to edit -> fade and use it to fade the sharpeness. I don't know if it's just my poor eyes, but Ive seen that LJ has the tenency to blurry the icons when you post them so be careful about that too.
Selective color and color balance layers.
I won't point out everything you can do with it, it's quite obvious when you try one. But I wanted to warn the overuse of it. Be careful. The more you use them, the more you will have an overcontrasted icon. SO aither you use them carefully, or use blurry texture to mask the bad effects.
Black and White.
I never use the "desaturate" tool. Why? Because I think the picture is too greyish and went wrong. I always use a black and white gradient and then an exposure layer. My layer order is the following :
1. Picture
2. Black and white gradient
3. Exposure
Then, I begin to work on the picture using color balance layers, textures, etc etc. I place them between the picture and the black and white.
Resize/crop.
For those who doesn't know, there is a resize image tool in Photoshop (and in the other programs too). Please, don't resize manually, it always looks like crap. About the aspect ratio, dtissagirl did an awesome tutorial here. Don't hesitate to resize (well decrease the size never increase it), even if when you put the picture on your base, you see it doesn't filled, don't worry!! You can use a texture or the smudge tool to fill the blanks.
I usually resize a lot in different sizes so that I can play with the resized picture on my base and find a crop I like.
Last but not least
BE CRAZY for god sake. Don't do like I tend to do. Get out of your comfort zone. By that I mean, don't be afraid to try textures, coloring, or all the way to put a layer (normal, color burn, soft light, hue, saturation,...). Trying things is the key. It's the same with the sharpeness. Yes, you should control it but sometimes, an overshaprened icon can looks gorgeous when all the composition tends to ask for it.
DO WHAT YOU LIKE and send trends to hell. You'll probably don't have a lot of watchers, people will probably don't like what you're doing but you know what? It's not what is important here. What is important is to enjoy doing graphics and be creative in your way. Be proud of your work and of your creative mind. Whatever people think about it.
PART 2
What do you look for in a cap/pic? (eg. do you look for caps that already have really rich colours that you can build on, or do you look for caps that you can manipulate a lot, or obscure caps.. etc.)
To be honest, I look for pics that inspire me. It can be an emotion that I feel when I see it or a precise scene that I particularly like in a movie/show. Or just because I find the cap very pretty. They can be dark or colorful, it really depends.
When you start making an icon, do you have an image of what it's going to look like in the end, or do you just see where it goes?
Most of the time yes. I always have an idea of what I want when I begin with a pic. Though sometimes when I'm working on it, I have another idea so I can end with a totally different icon that the one I had in mind at the beginning.
Are there any 'rituals' that you have when it comes to making icons? (eg. do you always start with a soft light layer or something? do you always have particular music playing? you get the gist)
Yes.I always begin with a curve layer. I'm always listening to music and have TV opened (yes both). I also nearly always drink a tea or a coca cola. I also do icons only when Im sure to not be bother by the exterior (aka having someone lurking on what Im doing).
Do you prefer cap galleries or zips?
It depends. For movies, I prefer zips but for TV shows and celebs, I prefer galleries. The only exception is the show Torchwood: Children Of Earth. Ive downloaded the zip of the 3rd season. But it's only 5 epis. The reason is simply that Im doing an 100 icons challenge about it so I need the huge file to find the good icons.
Maybe it's also because movie directors tend to work more on camera angles. They are less simple than in a TV shows (not that they are not in TV shows but you know what I mean.. I hope)So they are more good pictures in a movie than in an episode of a show.
What's your opinion on the current pastoral backgrounds/textures trend? (people putting an open field in the background of every second icon) Because I notice you don't do it, so I'm interested to hear what you think.
You noticed well :p. I don't use it because I always find it doesn't fit the picture. By "doesn't fit" I mean for example, a Supernatural or Battlestar Galactica scene with a pastoral background? No. It feels wrong to me. Now, maybe it's because my fandoms are mainly not part of the "it can happen in life" so it's probabaly why I don't like the trend.
But to be honest, even in the fandoms that are not scifi/fantasy/etc, I won't use it because as I said I think it's just too distracting. I tend to do clean background or with faded effects to keep focus on the character.
Or maybe it's just because I hate the countryside xd.
PART 3
Useful Communities.
good_tutorial : awesome tutorials about nearly everything
iconsbytools : selfish pimping xd.
theskilltester : it's a challenge comm but I love it simply because instead of being focused on an actor, a movie whatever, it focuses on what you can do with Photoshop (or whatever program you use). For example, one of the challenge running now is to use at least 4 fill layers of a precise color. And people are always happy to answer questions if you have no idea where is the tool.
Useful Links.
General icon tips - lestey_x
How to add light to icons - by all_at_once
Cropping guide - by all_at_once
Icon Basics Guide - by all_at_once
Textures and Brushes Guide - by coqette
Coloring Guide - by all_at_once
Icon ratio for dummies - by dtissagirl
Font Guide - by all_at_once
Texture Guide - by ohfreckle
Texture Guide - by all_at_once
Ive tried to put little tips about the things I was the more congratulate about and about the most common mistakes I saw on LJ. The first part is about general tips that makers who are playing around with Photoshop already know. The second part are questions motorized asked. The third part is a list of useful links to communities and tutorials.
If anyting is not clear, if you got other questions, ask them, I will answer.
I apologize for all the mistakes Ive done.
PART 1
Backgrounds.
I've noticed that people think my background are textures but actually they are not. Most of the time, I use the original pictures. I use the smudge tool and use a color of the original picture. I always use the smudge tool at 40-50% instead of 100% to have a more beautiful effect. Then I use the blur tool to have a prettier result.
Light.
Oh well the light thingies. Hehe so basically I can do a whole tutorial about them and how I use them. Though, all_at_once did an awesome tutorial about it here. Basically the lights in my icons are blurbs. I paint in white on a new layer and then use the gaussian blur. Check out the tutorial to have more details (in understandable english)
I also use the brightness/contrast tool to add light. Most of the time, I use this layer in the last steps of my icons.
2 other methods I use : screen layer and curves. I don't use screen layer a lot simply because I think it decrease the amount of contrast and the colors of an icon. And if your pic is not in HQ or too dark, it will seems grainy. So I prefer to use the curves.
Sharpen(ess?).
If you use the little blurb of light, you'll need sharpeness. I saw so many beautiful icons but soo blurry. (well everything depends on taste but I don't like blurry icons). Though, you must be careful to not sharpen too much. For this, when you have sharpened your image, go to edit -> fade and use it to fade the sharpeness. I don't know if it's just my poor eyes, but Ive seen that LJ has the tenency to blurry the icons when you post them so be careful about that too.
Selective color and color balance layers.
I won't point out everything you can do with it, it's quite obvious when you try one. But I wanted to warn the overuse of it. Be careful. The more you use them, the more you will have an overcontrasted icon. SO aither you use them carefully, or use blurry texture to mask the bad effects.
Black and White.
I never use the "desaturate" tool. Why? Because I think the picture is too greyish and went wrong. I always use a black and white gradient and then an exposure layer. My layer order is the following :
1. Picture
2. Black and white gradient
3. Exposure
Then, I begin to work on the picture using color balance layers, textures, etc etc. I place them between the picture and the black and white.
Resize/crop.
For those who doesn't know, there is a resize image tool in Photoshop (and in the other programs too). Please, don't resize manually, it always looks like crap. About the aspect ratio, dtissagirl did an awesome tutorial here. Don't hesitate to resize (well decrease the size never increase it), even if when you put the picture on your base, you see it doesn't filled, don't worry!! You can use a texture or the smudge tool to fill the blanks.
I usually resize a lot in different sizes so that I can play with the resized picture on my base and find a crop I like.
Last but not least
BE CRAZY for god sake. Don't do like I tend to do. Get out of your comfort zone. By that I mean, don't be afraid to try textures, coloring, or all the way to put a layer (normal, color burn, soft light, hue, saturation,...). Trying things is the key. It's the same with the sharpeness. Yes, you should control it but sometimes, an overshaprened icon can looks gorgeous when all the composition tends to ask for it.
DO WHAT YOU LIKE and send trends to hell. You'll probably don't have a lot of watchers, people will probably don't like what you're doing but you know what? It's not what is important here. What is important is to enjoy doing graphics and be creative in your way. Be proud of your work and of your creative mind. Whatever people think about it.
PART 2
What do you look for in a cap/pic? (eg. do you look for caps that already have really rich colours that you can build on, or do you look for caps that you can manipulate a lot, or obscure caps.. etc.)
To be honest, I look for pics that inspire me. It can be an emotion that I feel when I see it or a precise scene that I particularly like in a movie/show. Or just because I find the cap very pretty. They can be dark or colorful, it really depends.
When you start making an icon, do you have an image of what it's going to look like in the end, or do you just see where it goes?
Most of the time yes. I always have an idea of what I want when I begin with a pic. Though sometimes when I'm working on it, I have another idea so I can end with a totally different icon that the one I had in mind at the beginning.
Are there any 'rituals' that you have when it comes to making icons? (eg. do you always start with a soft light layer or something? do you always have particular music playing? you get the gist)
Yes.I always begin with a curve layer. I'm always listening to music and have TV opened (yes both). I also nearly always drink a tea or a coca cola. I also do icons only when Im sure to not be bother by the exterior (aka having someone lurking on what Im doing).
Do you prefer cap galleries or zips?
It depends. For movies, I prefer zips but for TV shows and celebs, I prefer galleries. The only exception is the show Torchwood: Children Of Earth. Ive downloaded the zip of the 3rd season. But it's only 5 epis. The reason is simply that Im doing an 100 icons challenge about it so I need the huge file to find the good icons.
Maybe it's also because movie directors tend to work more on camera angles. They are less simple than in a TV shows (not that they are not in TV shows but you know what I mean.. I hope)So they are more good pictures in a movie than in an episode of a show.
What's your opinion on the current pastoral backgrounds/textures trend? (people putting an open field in the background of every second icon) Because I notice you don't do it, so I'm interested to hear what you think.
You noticed well :p. I don't use it because I always find it doesn't fit the picture. By "doesn't fit" I mean for example, a Supernatural or Battlestar Galactica scene with a pastoral background? No. It feels wrong to me. Now, maybe it's because my fandoms are mainly not part of the "it can happen in life" so it's probabaly why I don't like the trend.
But to be honest, even in the fandoms that are not scifi/fantasy/etc, I won't use it because as I said I think it's just too distracting. I tend to do clean background or with faded effects to keep focus on the character.
Or maybe it's just because I hate the countryside xd.
PART 3
Useful Communities.
good_tutorial : awesome tutorials about nearly everything
iconsbytools : selfish pimping xd.
theskilltester : it's a challenge comm but I love it simply because instead of being focused on an actor, a movie whatever, it focuses on what you can do with Photoshop (or whatever program you use). For example, one of the challenge running now is to use at least 4 fill layers of a precise color. And people are always happy to answer questions if you have no idea where is the tool.
Useful Links.
General icon tips - lestey_x
How to add light to icons - by all_at_once
Cropping guide - by all_at_once
Icon Basics Guide - by all_at_once
Textures and Brushes Guide - by coqette
Coloring Guide - by all_at_once
Icon ratio for dummies - by dtissagirl
Font Guide - by all_at_once
Texture Guide - by ohfreckle
Texture Guide - by all_at_once