Step 1
This is the first in a series of tutorials detailing the creation of work for Obsolete, as the latest set of art and illustration by the amazing Depthcore collective is titled.
Here Kervin Brisseaux shows how he turned a basic illustration into a retro-futuristic artwork in Photoshop. Youll use the Marquee and Pen tools to create various forms, and generate atmosphere with glow effects made using Adjustment layers and Layer Styles. Youll also use motion blur for a dynamic feel.
Adjustment layers and layer masking allow for maximum manipulation with minimal risk, and the skills you learn will therefore be useful in a many projects. The effects here can also accentuate other kinds of subtle visual pull in compositions.
The project files include Kervins initial illustration plus the full layered PSD artwork. They may not be used for any commercial purpose.
Time to Complete
10-15 hours
Software
Photoshop CS5 or later
Project Files
Files for this tutorial are downloadable from here.
Step 2
Open illus.psd from the project files. It has three base layers: linework, ground, and figure. Hide the ground layer, since we wont be working with it right away.
Step 3
Start by creating a new layer and filling the entire canvas with black. Move this new background layer behind the other objects (if you havent done so already).
Step 4
Well start the colouring process by applying a black to red Gradient Map to the figure layer. You can do this by selecting Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient map. Add a clipping mask of the Gradient Map to the figure by hitting Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + G.
Step 5
Now we can start applying various glow effects on the black line work to accentuate certain parts of the suit. Select the linework layer, go to the Add a Layer Style button at the bottom of the Layers panel and apply the Color Overlay and Outer Glow effects. Adjust the settings for both until you get something like what appears above.
Step 6
Add a Layer Mask to the linework layer. Use a black (foreground) and white (background) soft brush to begin hiding or revealing the glowing lines in various areas of the illustration. You can control the brushs strength by adjusting its opacity and Flow settings.
Step 7
Duplicate the linework layer (Cmd/Ctrl + J) multiple times and repeat steps 4 and 5 to achieve an effect similar to that shown above.
Step 8
Now well accentuate the shininess of the suit by adding more contrast in places. Start by applying highlights, which can be created with airbrushing techniques or adding a subtle Inner Glow Layer Style effect in the figure layer as shown.
Step 9
Create a Levels adjustment layer above the figure layer and apply it as a Clipping Mask to that layer. Set the white output level to about 150. Using the Layer Mask, begin to erase certain areas of the Levels adjustment layer as shown. This should create a more dramatic sense of contrast.
Step 10
Now well add streaks to indicate we have a superhero moving at a high velocity. Start by using the Marquee (M) or Pen (P) tools to create some horizontal shapes like those shown.
Step 11
Use a variety of Layer Style effects, including Color Overlays and Inner and Outer Glows, to stylise the streaks as shown. As before, use masks and brushes to apply these relatively sparingly.
Step 12
Repeat steps 9 and 10, this time creating secondary and tertiary streaks of various colours. Keep going until you have a sense of fast motion.
Step 13
To add more dynamism, we need a sense that our figure is racing past a backdrop. First, well add a simple background by creating a new layer called noise directly above the background layer. Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Set the Amount to 20%, hit the Gaussian button and check Monochromatic.
Hit Cmd/Ctrl + L to bring up the Levels dialog box and set the Input levels to 0, 0.4, 180. Add more noise and levels adjustments on this same layer until the noise elements are as dense as what is shown above.
Step 14
Duplicate the noise layer and set this noise copy layers blending mode to Lighten. Go to Filter > Blur> Motion Blur. Set the Angle to 0 and the Distance to 30 pixels. Bring up the Levels dialog and set the input levels to about 0, 8, 90 to make the effect more visible.
Step 15
Well now add colour and focus to the canvass centre. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient and select the Radial style. Ensure this new layer sits between the noise layers and the figure and motion layers. Add Gradient Map adjustment layers for the same purpose.
Step 16
Unhide the ground layer and repeat the earlier steps to imbue it with the same colours, glows and sense of motion.
Step 17
Finish with subtle atmospheric touches such as rainbows (add layers with suitable gradient fills) plus more colour variation and depth (use Gradient Adjustment layers again).
Step 18
Freelance illustrator and designer Kervin W Brisseaux is a senior member of the Depthcore collective. Based in New York, he recently completed a degree in Architectural Design at Syracuse University. His commercial projects have include work for clients such as Axe (Lynx in the US), Nike, the BBC and Aquafresh. His passion for design aside, Kervin is a lover of music and fruit juice.
brisseaux.com, depthcore.com
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