Hannibal tutorial

[apologizeg]

A tutorial for this icon was requested, so here we go. :)


Using Photoshop CS5
18 steps


I almost always work with a 200x200 canvas, and since the psd is saved as 100x100, I had to re-create the step by step images, but the outcome should be somewhat the same. :)

01. I used topaz on the screencap before I cropped it, just to smooth things out (you can probably just blur if you don't have topaz):
CrispStyle: Strength 2, Threshold 0.50, Radius 8



02. Now it's time to add the second cap, the one with the stag. [link]
Re-size the caps height to 200px and drag it over to your icon. Set it to Screen 100%. Then duplicate the cap and set it to Screen 20%.



03. Add a brightness/contrast layer to brighten things up:
Brightness +27



04. To add a glow to the icon, we need to first stamp all the layers (ctrl+alt+shift+e) then go to Filter >> Blur >> Gaussian blur: Radius 14,0 pixels. Set the layer to Soft Light 100%.



05. Now stamp your layers again (ctrl+alt+shift+e). Go to Image >> Adjustments >> Variations.
Click once on "more magenta" and then ok. Variations can be great when you just want a little change of color. :)



06. Add another Brightness/contrast layer:
Brightness: +18
Now I thought this made the white parts of the icon too bright, so I masked away over the white parts on the sides.



07. Now I thought the stag screencap looked to dark and dull, so I duplicated the layer with the screencap and dragged it to the top. I masked away some of the screencap in the upper left corner, where it covered the piece of hair sticking out, I thought it made it too bright. Duplicate the layer again. This time mask away some more, like this:




08. And now I made it black&white for some reason. Using a b&w gradient map. And then another gradient map to make it pink. Make a gradient with #010004 on the left side, and #e90690 on the right side.



09. And to make it more interesting, add this texture by mm3butterfly and set it to Soft Light 100%.



10. Now stamp the layers again. Go to Filter >> Filter gallery >> Paint daubs: set both settings to 1 (brush type: simple).
I think this is a great way of sharpening before re-sizing the icon to 100x100. If you use it at 100x100 I think it can look too sharp.



11. Re-size the icon to 100x100px.
Add this texture by 12feethigh and set it to Screen. And add this texture by fuuurs, add a tiny bit of vibrance (or saturation) and contrast to the texture and set it to Screen.



12. Now it's time for another gradient map. Make a gradient with #050202 on the left and #fff0e7 on the right side.



13. It's too dark now, so we need anohter brightness/contrast layer:
Brightness: +125



14. Stamp the layers again, and set the layer to soft light for some nice contrast.



15. Stamp the layers again. Go to variations again and click once on more blue.



16. Almost finished now! It's time for a final brightness/contrast layer:
Brightness: +35
Mask away a bit at the top and bit down on the right side.



17. Stamp the layers. Go to Edit >> Transform >> Rotate 90° CW



18. Final step: Make a new layer, choose the soft edged brush, and pick the white color and use the brush a little bit below his chin and to the left, where it's the darkest. Set the layer to soft light 50%.



If the explanations were too vague or if you're just wondering about something, don't hestitate to ask! :)

Comments

[neonspider]

Wow, this tutorial is perfection, thanks for writing it!

[apologizeg]

I'm glad to help :)

You can probably skip a bunch of the steps and get the same result. This is just what happens when I don't have a plan before I start iconing (which is like, never). :P

[the-silverdoe.livejournal.com]

Amazing, thanks for writing it! :)

[apologizeg]

I hope it'll be helpful! :)

[imaginary-lives.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is very inspiring! Thank you! :D

[apologizeg]

:D

[geckoholic]

Ohh, this is really great. Thanks for sharing!

[apologizeg]

:D

[absolutelybatty.livejournal.com]

I have been staring at this all day trying to absorb the genius. Thank you so much for sharing the process behind this icon with us. It is still brilliant even though I know its secrets now. ;)

[apologizeg]

Heh, thank you :3

[rebel.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for this tutorial! It's such a gorgeous icon :)

[apologizeg]

Glad to help :)

Btw, I was looking through your userpics, and saw that you have credited this icon to me, but phaust_ is the one who made it. Also this icon you have credited to likealight, is by shrimpy_19. Just thought I'd let you know. :)

[rebel.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO, so much! I seem to have a habit of accidentally crediting the wrong makers, haha. Changing them now, thank you again!

[vapor.livejournal.com]

Thank yooooou!

[apologizeg]

I just hope it'll be helpful :)

[apologizeg]

Thank you! Aww, don't say that! It really just happens, I usually don't plan how I want the icon to look like. :P

[dixon.livejournal.com]

gorgeous tutorial of a gorgeous icon <3

[apologizeg]

Aw, I'm glad you like! ♥

[satinelight.livejournal.com]

Ida, I'm so sorry I've found it only today. THANK YOU SO MUCH. This icon is adorable. I'm going to study that tut soon.

[apologizeg]

I thought maybe I shoud've notified you. :P I hope it'll be helpful! :)

[satinelight.livejournal.com]

I tried your quality improving technique and it works perfect (200-topaz-paint daubs). Thank you so much for this tut.
I'll link you to the icon I achieve, when I finish, if you wanna see it.))

[apologizeg]

Great! Oh, absolutely!

[satinelight.livejournal.com]

I used it on this (http://s3.uploads.ru/aIcbl.png) one first and then on this (http://s3.uploads.ru/kHQbT.png). I think, 2-nd is better, because the first seems bit overdone.))

[apologizeg]

Ooh, I like both! But I think I like the colors in the second one more. :)