› › HOW TO> PHOTOSHOP USER>^ MARCH 2017[ 038 ]
Step 11: Add a new layer with
Layer>New>Layer. In the New Layer
dialog, name this layer “Background
Green,” set the Mode to Soft Light,
and click OK. Switch to the Brush tool
(B), and in the Options Bar, select a
large soft-round brush tip from the
Brush Picker and reduce the brush
Opacity to 20%. Hold down Option
(PC: Alt) to sample a deep green from
the background area. Then, paint over
some of the dull brown wooded area
to add more color to the background.Step 12: Create a merged layer by hold-
ing down the Option (PC: Alt) key and
going to Layer >Merge Visible. Rename
this layer “Merge,” convert it for smart
filtering, and go to Filter> Sharpen>
Smart Sharpen. Set the Amount to
193%, Radius to 2.8 px, and Reduce
Noise to 14%. Change the Remove
drop-down menu to Gaussian Blur and
click OK. After applying the filter, target
the smart filter mask in the Layers panel.
Fill the mask with black using Edit>Fill,
setting the Contents drop-down menu
to Black, and clicking OK. This removes
the sharpening effect. Use the Brush
tool again with white paint (press X
until your Foreground color is white) at
100% Opacity to reapply the sharpen-
ing to the dog’s eyes, nose, feet, and
highlighted fur.