full icon tutorial for PS 7.0
my tenth tutorial -- how to make this icon in 18 steps:





i'm going to make a tutorial on how i created this icon:



step 01:

decide on the picture you want to use. i chose this one.

step 02:

resize your image and crop it:



step 03:

duplicate the image. desaturate (image >> adjustments >> desaturate) the second layer and set it to screen.



step 04:

duplicate the base image again. leave it in color and set that layer to soft light.



step 05:

merge the layers and then sharpen (filter >> sharpen) twice.



step 06:

using the blur tool, using the preset rounded feathered brush (5pt) set at 30%, smooth out the face.



step 07:

go to image >> adjustments >> auto color and select it. now the image is less orangey and is prepped.



step 08:

this tutorial is not for a colored icon, but a crisp, clear one; therefore, i'm going to show you how i get my icons to look crisp. duplicate the image you have (it should be only one layer at this point). desaturate that layer and set it to soft light.



step 09:

go to select >> all and make sure that the icon is selected. next go to edit >> copy merge and then select paste. you should have an exact double of the previous image (made up of the base and the desaturated layer on soft light). make sure that you do not just merge the image and duplicate because we will need to insert something in a following step. in this step, you want to sharpen the top layer once and set it to 20% opacity.



step 10:

directly under the top layer, create a layer and, using the flood fill tool, fill it with white (#FFFFFF). set that layer to color, 30% opacity.



step 11:

go to select >> all, and then edit >> copy merge and paste again. bring that image to the top and set that to multiply, 30% opacity (to make the icon a bit darker).



step 12:

i decided to make this icon black and white. to do this, i created another layer on top and filled it with black (#000000); set that layer to color.



step 13:

to bring a little color to the icon, i used a small rounded brush and erased the b&w on christine's lip.



step 14:

use the lasso tool to select christine's lips; copy the last image layer and then paste it. bring it to the top and then sharpen it, then set it to multiply.



step 15:

now i'm ready to spice it up. because it's black and white, i decided to go with a spatter brush:



i did mine in the color #951819:



step 16:

underneath the layer with the spatters, create a 5px white border.



step 17:

now that our icon is complete, it's now time for the text. i used lyrics from good charlotte's my bloody valentine; the font for the smaller text was georgia, size 6, normal, tracking size: 300 -- the font for the larger text was georgia, size 7, bold, tracking size: . to get the shadow effect i right-clicked on the layer, selected blending options and chose drop-down shadow for the effect. my settings were:

blend mode: multiply
opacity: 50%
angle: 120
distance: 1
spread: 0
size: 2

then, depending, i duplicate the text layer.



step 18:

i found it hard to read the text so i used a preset brush:



and made a little squiggle:



underneath the text in red, set to hard light:



and, there it is. 18 steps to making an icon.



+ comments are appreciated; i'd love to see what you created.

(53 comments) - (Post a new comment)

	happyconfusion7 2005-08-21 12:59 am UTC (link)
	*adds to memories then quickly opens photoshop to try it out* (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-21 01:58 am UTC (link)
	*thanks* (Reply to this) (Parent)

	plumcheeks 2005-08-21 01:23 am UTC (link)
	Saving to mems. Can't wait to try! Thanks for making! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-21 01:58 am UTC (link)
	awesome, thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	prettydelial 2005-08-21 01:32 am UTC (link)
	thank you so much! your instructions are clear enough to be easily understood and followed :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-21 01:58 am UTC (link)
	thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ladydemando 2005-08-21 01:51 am UTC (link)
	everytime I use the preset brush...its really blury, is it suppoed to be like that (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-21 01:58 am UTC (link)
	i don't think so -- maybe if you try sharpening it, it won't be so blurry :) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - ladydemando, 2005-08-21 01:59 am UTC

	whiz 2005-08-21 02:27 am UTC (link)
	xD There's only 18 steps! Memorizing, this is b-e-a-utiful. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:41 am UTC (link)
	thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	imperativa 2005-08-21 02:41 am UTC (link)
	that's such a beautiful icon! great tut! :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	happyconfusion7 2005-08-21 03:03 am UTC (link)
	i love your icon!! (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - imperativa, 2005-08-21 03:04 am UTC

(no subject) - cursetheflame, 2005-08-22 12:41 am UTC

	ladydemando 2005-08-21 02:45 am UTC (link)
	Turn your face away...from my sucky icon today....turn yhrough thoughts away from my untaleted phlight, to understand the icon tutorial toniiight (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:42 am UTC (link)
	aww, that icon came out great! loving the e/c-ness :) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - ladydemando, 2005-08-22 01:01 am UTC

	talithan 2005-08-21 04:04 am UTC (link)
	*adds to memories* (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:42 am UTC (link)
	thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	x_babyrockstar 2005-08-21 05:19 am UTC (link)
	Added to memories. I'll go try it out now! Thanks for another great tutorial. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:42 am UTC (link)
	my pleasure :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	_luvvy 2005-08-21 05:38 am UTC (link)
	two quick questions... how do you set something to screen and how do you set something to soft light? i am pretty much a beginner and i just need a little more direction thanks! <3 (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:43 am UTC (link)
	do you have the layer window out? if so, select the layer you want and, on the drop down menu on the window, set it to the lighting funtion you want (screen, soft light, etc). (Reply to this) (Parent)

	amizada 2005-08-21 07:07 am UTC (link)
	Sweet!! Adding to memories and shall try it soon. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:43 am UTC (link)
	thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	dekolette 2005-08-21 07:34 am UTC (link)
	Adding to memories and i'll try it soon (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:43 am UTC (link)
	awesome, thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	liianna 2005-08-21 12:22 pm UTC (link)
	Awesome tut: (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:43 am UTC (link)
	nice icons :) the coloring came out great! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	raynedanser 2005-08-21 12:26 pm UTC (link)
	This is fantastic. Thank you!!! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:43 am UTC (link)
	you're welcome ;) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	likescarecrows 2005-08-21 01:49 pm UTC (link)
	Awesome tutorial. I always wondered how you got your icons looking so crisp and clear. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:44 am UTC (link)
	every now and then i feel the need to disclose my secrets, lol. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	_vogued 2005-08-21 03:50 pm UTC (link)
	purtty. will try later (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:44 am UTC (link)
	awesome :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	innocencefades 2005-08-21 04:52 pm UTC (link)
	aww. well that was simple and rewarding. i added it to my favorites, and here's how mine came out: i saved it without the words as well, so i can add a different set if i feel the need. i'm not to keen on the ones on there now. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:45 am UTC (link)
	very nice :) i may just be way too morbid, but i love the blood effect! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	_atticus_scout_ 2005-08-21 05:12 pm UTC (link)
	wow this is great! i came up with.... THIS: (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:45 am UTC (link)
	awesome :) and i like how the dress is in color too! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	dollygyn 2005-08-21 05:44 pm UTC (link)
	bravo, bravo, bravissimo! love it! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cursetheflame 2005-08-22 12:45 am UTC (link)
	thanks :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	crazy_aly 2005-08-22 03:44 am UTC (link)
	how do u do auto color in psp8? (Reply to this)

	phantoms_lotte 2005-08-23 11:47 pm UTC (link)
	Hey! I absolutely adore all of your icons! I'm trying to make an icon like the one in your tutorial but I have PSP 9. Is there such thing as a spatter brush in this program. I hope I get to know you better and become your friend!:D Don't look at my journal though, it's blindingly hideous. (Reply to this)

	titanicgirl 2005-08-25 04:50 pm UTC (link)
	Adding to memories will try out when I get internet back at my house. (Reply to this)

	inupuppy 2005-08-29 05:19 pm UTC (link)
	Definatly adding to memories. Wonderful tutorial! (Reply to this)

	madelineanne 2005-09-20 11:38 pm UTC (link)
	This is so cool! I was shown it by jillrenay after I admired her entry in aimtomisbehave. I added it to memories and can't WAIT to try it!! (Reply to this)

	somberghost 2005-10-18 02:09 am UTC (link)
	I am all so going to save this under memories. P.S- I love you're icons. There so wonderful. (Reply to this)

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(53 comments) - (Post a new comment)