ADD COLOUR AND INTEREST
ADD UNUSUAL ELEMENTS TO CREATE VISUAL INTRIGUETECHNIQUES ILLUSTRATE WITH MASKS
QUICK TIP: STACK CLIPPING MASKS
Clipping masks work quite differently from
regular layer masks. Clipping masks are not an
effect to add on to an existing layer, but a layer inABOUT LAYER MASKS
Layer masks are very versatile when it comes
to showing or hiding certain elements in a layer.
It uses greyscale to determine how transparent
or opaque a part of that layer will be. White is
used to show detail, while black is used to fully
hide detail. Shades of grey in between create
transparent detail, its transparency depending
on how close to white or black that shade of
grey is. To start with a layer being completely
shown, go to Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. To
hide everything, go to Layer>Layer Mask>Hide
All. Layer masks can also have filters and other
effects applied.14
CUSTOMISE THE TATTOO
To add more dimension to this tattoo, it will
also be masked out as if it was fading. On each
coloured tattoo layer, place a new layer mask. Using
the Free Inky brush, faintly fade out where each
section of each tattoo colour meets. Feel free to
create extra patterns and shapes inside the masks
itself. In this case, the tattoo colours all intersect and
race around from her clothes to shoulder. These
layers can also be grouped (Layer>New>Group) and
a mask created on this group for more fading.15
START THE FABRIC
Now to create one of the most eye catching
and fluid parts of the art, the colourful fabric. To get
the best effect, it is best to have the fabric flowing in
the same style and direction as her hair, to have
uniformity. Create a new layer above each layer (or
below each layer, if it will not overlap your foreground
art). Freely sketch out the direction and folds of your
fabric, and fill it with its base colour (An almost black
grey in this example).16
ADD STRIPES WITH CLIPPING MASKS
The fabric is the area that will have the most
visual interest and dimension. To do so it will be filled
with different stripes of colour running the length of
the fabric. Create a new layer for each colour and link
it to the fabric’s base layer with a Clipping Mask
(Layer>Create Clipping Mask). Using Photoshop’s
basic Hard Round brush, draw in each colour as a
stripe, following the contour of the fabric’s twists and
turns. Use as many colours as needed, but keep it
harmonious with the previous colours.17
SOFTEN AND BLEND
To blend in with the sketched art more
seamlessly, the fabric will need to be shaded and
faded off to blend with the background. In a new
layer above your colour stripes layers, using the Flat
Charcoal brush, lightly shade in some dark areas in
according to the twists of the fabric. Afterwards, set
the layer effect to Multiply. These shadows can also
be masked off. Group all of the fabric-related layers
together and place a mask on this group. Lightly
fade out edges and highlights to add more depth.18
ADD FINAL TOUCHES
Now to add the finishing touches. In the
background layer, add in some broad brush strokes
for shading. Using your preferred texture resource,
add in a soft, but toothed paper texture above the art
in a new layer and set this layer effect to Multiply.
Add in a few extra elements as needed, such as
extra sketch lines or small areas of white ink. Feel
free to explore some different Adjustment Layers
(Layer>New Adjustment Layer) to play around with
colour or filters for some or all of the art.itself that will attach itself to a layer underneath
and follows its same transparency and sometimes
layer effects. They can also be stacked together.