In this tutorial you will learn how to create a stencil image effect. This produces the results as if the image has been painted over with a cut out design. You need to use the image adjustment tools for this effect, and some knowledge of turning an image black and white is needed for this tutorial.

Stencil image effect

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop you wish to add the stencil effect to.




Step 2

Remove the background from the image. You can use the extract tool or the eraser tool for this step depending on your image. I have used the eraser tool as there is not much background in the image.




Step 3

Convert your image into black and white by selecting Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. For more methods to turn your image black and white checkout this tutorial.


Step 4

Select Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and drag the contrast slider to +100, then drag the brightness slider to the right until you are happy with the final result. I have dragged the brightness value to +34. If you want less detail on your stencil effect you can give a higher brightness value, and if you want more detail you can reduce the brightness value.



You should now have a stencil image effect.

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a pale looking face. This means the face colour will look whiter. For this tutorial I have used the dodge and sponge tools to create the pale effect. I have used a free stock image of a woman which is available from ww.sxc.hu. This process only require three simple steps.


Create Pale looking face

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop.




Step 2

Select the dodge tool with the range set at Midtones and the exposure at 50%. The dodge tool will create the white effect on the skin.



Now choose and appropriate brush size and paint over the face of the image. You image should look something like below:




Step 3

Select the sponge tool with the mode at Desaturate and the flow at 50%, and again paint over the face of the image.



You should now have a paler looking face.

In this Photoshop tutorial you will learn how to make the sky in an image more blue in colour. This effect requires using the photo filters from the image adjustment.

Bluer sky

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop with a blue sky.




Step 2

Select the brush with an appropriate size and hit the ‘Q’ key to enter the quick mask mode, and then paint the area of the sky. The sky should appear in a red colour like below:




Step 3

Exit the quick mask mode by selecting the ‘Q’ key again. Then choose Select > Inverse. You should get a similar image like below:




Step 4

Select Image > Adjustment > Photo Filter. Then choose the ‘Cool Filter (80)’ and change the density to 30%. You can experiment with the various filters and densities if you wish.



You should now have a bluer looking sky. If you compare the original with new looking sky, you will notice a drastic colour different.

In this tutorial you will learn how to change the eye colour in three simple steps. This process requires using the hue/saturation tools to change the colour of the eye.

Change eye colour

Step 1

Open an image of an eye in Photoshop.




Step 2

Make a selection around the eye using the lasso tool. You can alternatively use the quick mask tool if you find it easier.




Step 3

Select Image > Adjustment > Hue/Saturation and adjust the sliders to your liking. I have selected the following for my image.

• Hue = 144
• Saturation = 47
• Lightness = 8

You should now have an image with a different coloured eye.

In this tutorial you will learn how to create an image canvas effect in Photoshop. This gives the effect as if the image was painted on canvas. The process requires the glass and texterizer filters

Image canvas effect

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop. I have used a free stock image of a fish which is available from www.sxc.hu




Step 2

Select Filter > Distort > Glass and add the following settings below:

• Distortion = 1
• Smoothness = 3
• Texture = Canvas
• Scaling = 80%

You should get a similar image below. Notice there is a slight distortion in the image.


Step 3

Select Filter > Texture > Texterizer and then add the following settings. You can experiment with the various settings if you wish.

• Texture = Canvas
• Scaling = 68%
• Relief = 6
• Light = Top right

You should now have a nice canvas texture on your image.

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a comic style effect. You will need to use the quick mask tool and the poster edge filter for this tutorial. I will be using the comic style effect on an individual person in the image.

Comic style effect

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop.



Step 2

Reset the colour palette by selecting ‘D’ key.
Select the brush tool with an appropriate size and hit the ‘Q’ key to enter quick mask mode. Paint the areas where you want to make a selection. In my case I have painted the woman in the image. If you make a mistake you can use the eraser tool.



Step 3

Exit the quick mask tool by selecting the ‘Q’ key. Then choose Select > Inverse and your image should look like below.



Step 4

Select Ctrl + J to copy the selection into a new layer. Then select Filter > Artistic > Poster Edges and add the following settings.

• Edge thickness = 0
• Edge intensity = 0
• Posterization = 1

You should now have a Comic style effect