[28]; Tutorial 003: Nicki Minaj Icon
Requested by john_scorpy at Ask the Maker!
Unfortunately the PSD file for this icon was missing some pretty vital layers for some odd reason so I had to recreate as best as I could. Hope it's good enough! :)
1. The first thing I did was added a Gradient Map adjustment layer and chose the default Copper gradient and put that layer on Soft Light at 57%. I duplicated that layer and checked the box next to Reverse.
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2. I then added yet another Gradient Map adjustment layer and instead chose #290a59 to #ffb011.
3. Select the base (/background) layer in the layer palette and press CTRL+J to duplicate it. Move it to the top and set it to Soft Light.
4. Press Ctrl+Shift+E to Stamp Visible, then CTRL+J to duplicate that stamped layer. Add a Gradient Map adjustment layer with #ff175c to #ffd800 and set that layer to Hard Light. Right click on that layer (make sure it's above the duplicated layer you stamped at the beginning of this step and that it's the only layer selected) and click Create Clipping Mask (like so) which will make that layer only affect the layers it is connected to.
5. Select the duplicated stamped layer you created in step 3, set it on Darken and move it (with the move tool by pressing 'v' and using the keyboard arrows) 2 presses over. Add a Layer Mask (like this) and brush over Nicki's face. Press CTRL+J to duplicate this layer, right click on it and again select Create Clipping Mask (like so) so that it is connected to the layer below it. Move it 4 presses to the left. This is what the icon and layer palette looks like at this point (without the Layer Mask added):
6. Press Ctrl+Shift+E to Stamp Visible. Create a new layer and fill it with the background color, which in this case is #dab40e. Move this layer below the stamped layer you just created. Move the stamp layer up towards the middle of the canvas, like so:
7. On a new layer, use a brush with the Hardness turned to 0 and paint (in the same color as the background) the bottom edge of Nicki so that it is soft, like so:
8. Paste this textire by lessrest onto it and set it to Lighten.
9. Paste this texture by (unfortunately I don't know. let me know and I'll add it) and set it to Soft Light.
10. Add this texture by (unfortunately I don't know. let me know and I'll add it) and set it to Soft Light. Then add this texture by innocent_lexys and set it to Soft Light at 52%.
11. Add this texture by lessrest again and set it to Lighten.
12. Add a Vibrance adjustment layer and turn the Vibrance up to 100.
13. Add this texture made by me and set it to Screen.
14. Press CTRL+Shift+E to Stamp Visible, then go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask and set it the Amount to 50, Radius to 1.0 and Threshold to 0. Lower the opacity of this layer to 30% and you're done! :)
vs. original:
Not too shabby. Hope this helped! :)