Some time ago i promised to write a tutorial about how i work with coloring and filters. So here we go. Hope you like!
We go from this
to that
Open your picture and put it on your new document. I used 500x200 size, but that doesnt really matter ^^
I start with this one.
Put a light brush you like at a suitable place (i actually put that step on it later but in my layler order it comes next so ill describe how its ordered)
Make a border around using Rectangular Tool and fill with the color you like. i used black and got this one. yay easy.
Next step is to add a Hue/Saturation Layer (depending on the picture, you can still change later) I used: Saturation +20 Opacity 100%
Next comes Selective Color Layer Opacity 79%
Reds: +44, -6, +29, 0
Yellows: -63, +87, +100, 0
Cyans: +100, -100, -100, 0
Neutrals: +55, -9, -23, 0
Next is Selective Color Layer 2 Opacity 100%
Reds: -59, -2, +49, 0
after those steps my sign looks like that
Next is [b]Color Fill Layer[/b] using #91c3d0 and set to Multiply Opacity 50%
Next step [b]Color Balance Layer[/b] Opacity 60%
Midtones -16, -13, -18
Highlights -5, +11, +43
Shadows +23, -8, +11
Than make a Brightness and Contrast Layer Opacity 100%
Brightness +39, Contrast -9
Looks like this now
Now i made a Curves Layer Opacity 100%
RGB make 1 point and set to: INPUT 85, OUTPUT 101
BLUE make 2 points. Make first point and set to: INPUT 94, OUTPUT 92
than make the second point and set to: INPUT 189, OUTPUT 158
if everything worked you get this. not a big change ^^
Next comes Selective Color Layer 3 Opacity 78%
Reds: -36, +20, +33, 0
Yellows: +33, +13, +13, 0
Neutrals: +31, +13, +5, 0
I made some more borders at the left and right. Same like the others.
Add some text. i blurred it a little bit
The coloring is done. Hope that wasnt too complicated. You can also change or leave something out. Example: make Selective Color 1 & 2 and Color Balance Layer unvisible and you got something like this.
Flatten Image and dublicate your new base.
Go to Filter->Filter Gallery->Water Color
Water Color Settings i used:
Brush Detail 10
Shadow Intensity 3
Texture 1
Press OK, set your layer opacity to 30-40%
Use Layer Mask and Gradient Tool (muityply, 60%) to erase the filter from the face. Maybe sharpen if you like. DONE! ^-^