Tutorial
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Tutorial – Abstract Avatars
1. Create a new image, 100x100 pixels, RGB color mode and with a black background.
2. Create a new layer (Ctrl-Shift-N).
3. Then, in white, made a slanted stroke across the new layer, like this:
4. Now make another new layer, and, choosing a different size brush, repeat as in step 3. Keep doing this until you have about four or five of these layers, like so:
5. Then go through each of your layers and adjust the opacity until it looks nice. For example, I started by setting my top layer at 90%, and working down to 60 or 50%. Try varying the order in which you adjust opacity for a different effect.
6. When you have finished that, merge down all your white stroke layers (Ctrl-E)
7. Now make your top layer invisible by clicking on the eye beside the layer. Then create a new layer (Ctrl-Shift-N) under the white strokes layer.
8. Adjust your gradient tool to (black, white), then use it on your new transparent layer. Go crazy – this is what I got:
9. Now, for the time being, make layers 2 and 3 invisible. Make a new layer above your background, then click the eye to make the background invisible as well.
10. Using the lens flare (filter, render, lens flare), make five flares on the new layer; Two on top, two on bottom, and one in the middle.
11. Apply a chrome filter to this layer (filter, sketch, chrome), with detail:10, smoothness:0.
12. Press Ctrl-J seven times to duplicate the layer. On the second layer (first copy), do (filter, distort, twirl) on it, and put in whatever number pleases you. I used 150.
13. Then on the second copy layer, apply the twirl filter again, only use the reverse number of what you did before. So if you entered 150, enter -150.
14. For the rest of the copy layers apply (filter, distort, wave) and use whichever settings you like. In the end you should have something like this:
15. Set the blending modes of all the visible layers to lighten, then merge the layers.
16. Restore all the layers’ visibility, and, on your gradient layer (should be layer 3), set the blending mode to Overlay.
17. Merge all the layers together. Then, press D to reset your colour palette. Press Ctrl-A to select the entire image.
18. Select (Edit, Stroke) and enter the following settings: width 4px, colour black, inside checked, mode overlay, and opacity 50%. Make sure preserve transparency is unchecked.
19. Press enter. Repeat stroke with the same settings except for width (should be 3px!), and colour (should be white!). And finally, one last time, with a 1px black stroke!
20. Select your gradient tool, and make it whichever colors you like. You can use more than two colors, but max two tends to look best. Then create a new layer, and draw the gradient tool across it. Then set that layer’s mode to overlay, to get this:
21. Now, with the type tool (T), make your text along the bottom section of the avatar, in black. It doesn’t matter if it won’t show up very well yet, because you’re going to change that soon.
22. Right-click on the type layer and select blending options. Click on Bevel and Emboss, Outer Glow, and, if you prefer it, Drop shadow. I’m not using drop shadow on this avatar, but you can if you like.
23. In blending options of the same type layer, click on Color Overlay. Then select a color that is similar to your gradient but stands out where you put the type.
24. When you’re satisfied with the result, press ok and go (layer, flatten image). If you followed the tutorial correctly, you should have an avatar somewhat resembling this:
Enjoy! :P
Note: If you're a more advanced user, you may want to keep all layers open and avoid flattening anything, rendering the image fully editable for later purposes.
1. Create a new image, 100x100 pixels, RGB color mode and with a black background.
2. Create a new layer (Ctrl-Shift-N).
3. Then, in white, made a slanted stroke across the new layer, like this:
4. Now make another new layer, and, choosing a different size brush, repeat as in step 3. Keep doing this until you have about four or five of these layers, like so:
5. Then go through each of your layers and adjust the opacity until it looks nice. For example, I started by setting my top layer at 90%, and working down to 60 or 50%. Try varying the order in which you adjust opacity for a different effect.
6. When you have finished that, merge down all your white stroke layers (Ctrl-E)
7. Now make your top layer invisible by clicking on the eye beside the layer. Then create a new layer (Ctrl-Shift-N) under the white strokes layer.
8. Adjust your gradient tool to (black, white), then use it on your new transparent layer. Go crazy – this is what I got:
9. Now, for the time being, make layers 2 and 3 invisible. Make a new layer above your background, then click the eye to make the background invisible as well.
10. Using the lens flare (filter, render, lens flare), make five flares on the new layer; Two on top, two on bottom, and one in the middle.
11. Apply a chrome filter to this layer (filter, sketch, chrome), with detail:10, smoothness:0.
12. Press Ctrl-J seven times to duplicate the layer. On the second layer (first copy), do (filter, distort, twirl) on it, and put in whatever number pleases you. I used 150.
13. Then on the second copy layer, apply the twirl filter again, only use the reverse number of what you did before. So if you entered 150, enter -150.
14. For the rest of the copy layers apply (filter, distort, wave) and use whichever settings you like. In the end you should have something like this:
15. Set the blending modes of all the visible layers to lighten, then merge the layers.
16. Restore all the layers’ visibility, and, on your gradient layer (should be layer 3), set the blending mode to Overlay.
17. Merge all the layers together. Then, press D to reset your colour palette. Press Ctrl-A to select the entire image.
18. Select (Edit, Stroke) and enter the following settings: width 4px, colour black, inside checked, mode overlay, and opacity 50%. Make sure preserve transparency is unchecked.
19. Press enter. Repeat stroke with the same settings except for width (should be 3px!), and colour (should be white!). And finally, one last time, with a 1px black stroke!
20. Select your gradient tool, and make it whichever colors you like. You can use more than two colors, but max two tends to look best. Then create a new layer, and draw the gradient tool across it. Then set that layer’s mode to overlay, to get this:
21. Now, with the type tool (T), make your text along the bottom section of the avatar, in black. It doesn’t matter if it won’t show up very well yet, because you’re going to change that soon.
22. Right-click on the type layer and select blending options. Click on Bevel and Emboss, Outer Glow, and, if you prefer it, Drop shadow. I’m not using drop shadow on this avatar, but you can if you like.
23. In blending options of the same type layer, click on Color Overlay. Then select a color that is similar to your gradient but stands out where you put the type.
24. When you’re satisfied with the result, press ok and go (layer, flatten image). If you followed the tutorial correctly, you should have an avatar somewhat resembling this:
Enjoy! :P
Note: If you're a more advanced user, you may want to keep all layers open and avoid flattening anything, rendering the image fully editable for later purposes.
Tutorial Comments
Showing latest 5 of 5 comments
realli good =] , its wonderful =]
By N4th4li3L on Apr 4, 2008 9:33 pm
nice tut....
By GrindNonstop on Jan 8, 2007 6:45 pm
You're welcome :)I did this absolutely ages ago, but when I switched to Mac I had to give up Photoshop. Now I have a copy for my Powerbook, and ended up referring to my own tutorial for help! I made a couple changes in it, so go ahead and check &#
By misswynne on Jan 6, 2007 8:12 pm
Awesome tutorial :D the result is so pretty!
By umbreon on Mar 7, 2006 5:36 pm
Thanks!
By disfunctional on Mar 5, 2006 10:22 pm
