<<<< Icon Tutorial #1 >>>>Image courtesy of Google Search.
Start with this picture:
Sharpen it to bring out the details (Filters>Sharpen>Sharpen)
Now, duplicate the original layer twice. Put the first copy to color burn and the second one to screen. On the color burnt layer erase the parts of the avvie you don't like.
Now, between the first and the second copy of the original picture (aka between color burnt and screened layer) make a new layer (exclusion) and fill it with a dark blue color, I chose 041529. Above all the layers we've got this far, create another one (screen), paint it with a dark blue color again (mine: #111156). Change the fill to 32%.
Since I'm addicted to adding color layers, I add a new one (exclusion, opacity 51%) and fill it with #111156 again. Now, I'll use one of Thia's patterns (it doesn't really matter which one as long as you make it light brownish. Change the layer featuring the pattern to soft light and using the eraser erase the parts you don't like. :-)
Almost finished. Make a new layer, ctrl+shift+alt+e and change its layer mode to overlay. Again, add a new layer, fill it with an emeraldish color and change it to overlay.
This is what I have so far:
I'm pretty happy with the way avvie looks this far. However, I think it looks kind of empty without text.
So I took Text tool, font Palatino Linotype 8pt, uppercase in white color and typed 'breakdown' (because it suits the look on Elizabeth's face :D).
My final icon looks like this:
Useful or troublesome? Here goes my mail!
© Elfe 2006