Willow/Giles Tutorial
We're gonna go from
to
in Photoshop CS (though easily translated).
Layer 1: We're gonna start with this picture. I've cropped it already, and as you can see, I've placed it so there's extra space on one of the sides. Not really what I want, so we're gonna fix it.
Layer 2: I've duplicated the layer, sharpened it once (Filter-Sharpen-Sharpen), and adjusted the levels (Image-Adjustments-Levels) a tiny bit.
Layer 3: Duplicate your sharpened layer, and desaturate it.
Layer 4: I took this texture by ashke_icons, desaturated it, and erased everything that covers the icon itself, which gave me something like...
Layer 5: I created a new layer, and filled it with #001F3B, and set it to "Difference" at 100%.
Layer 6: I duplicated the first sharpened layer, and cut out Willow and Giles using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (though however you like to cut stuff out will work). It doesn't need to be perfect. I set it to "Screen" at 100%.
Layer 7: Finally, I took the first sharpened layer again, and set it to "Overlay" at 63%. And voila! You can add text if you'd like or leave it as is.
Disclaimer Stuff: Please don't steal the icon and claim it as your own. These ideas are for you to maybe use on your own stuff.
Comments are love! :D