people have been messaging me asking how I make, and most of all color my icons, so here´s your answer (finally)
give this tutorial a like/reblog if it helped you out
end result & tutorial under the cut
if questions should arise send me an ask or a DM ;)
End result:
What you´ll need
basic photoshop/ editing knowledge
HQ Screencap of your choice.
Photoshop (or any image editing software that allows you to work with multiple layers) I am using CS6
textures (optional)
Disclaimer: This is just my method on how I do my icons. I am sure there are more efficient ways to do this, but this works for me. Also, all these steps are basically the same but drastically differ on the actual picture you´re using.
i. BASICS
Open your screencap (I´ll be using this one )
If you´re searching for your own screencap, try to find something decently lid, not cropped off anywhere and as HQ as possible.
What I do next is RIGHT CLICK on the background layer and duplicate it.
Then I go to IMAGE -> AUTO TONE to balance out the colors of the picture.
Next, I set that duplicated layer to 20% OPACITY. There is no select way to do this of course, because every picture is different, so adjust the opacity accordingly. I find that auto tone balances it quite well.
ii. CUTTING AND SELECTING
Select the QUICK SELECTION TOOL on your tool bar and drag your cursor over the person/object you would like to make an icon of.
Photoshop will now select it for you, but will sometimes over select or under-select, which is normal. If it over-selects, click on the selection tool with the plus sign, if it under select the one with the minus sign.
After it looks somewhat close to how you want it hit the command keys STR(or ctrl) + C to copy the image. Then press STR + V to paste the image on a new layer.
It worked well without any problems on this screencap, but sometimes you´ll have to use the ERASER to get rid of some uneven lines etc.
This is how it looks like now:
iii. COLORING
This part is very different for each picture, but I follow the basic method every time. If you have an icon psd or another way to color you can apply that in this step instead.
What I use for editing any icon is CURVES, COLOR BALANCE, VIBRANCE, AND BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST.
This screencap has a little bit of a green hue, so I counteracted that by dragging the green COLOR BALANCE over to magenta (for this picture it´s -11) . Basically, always go the direct opposite if your picture has any type of color hue. So if it´s too blue, drag it to yellow etc.
Then I add a CURVE layer and usually just drag it up in the mid-tones a little bit.
Then some VIBRANCE AND BRIGHTNESS. I always go nuts on vibrance, so adjust that to your taste
If the color hue is extreme on certain caps, I either add a COLOR FILL layer in a fleshy/skin tone on soft light, or I use SELECTIVE COLORS to edit the hue manually (like the color balance)
This is the screencap now after all these steps:
now to the fun part..actually coloring!!
Add a new layer and pick a color for the lips and blush. I usually use a vibrant maroon-ish pink (#ce1663).
Use a BRUSH to color the lips and add some blush if you want. For the blush, I use a soft/blurry blush and for the lips a harder one.
After you´re done set the layer with the lips and/or blush to SOFT LIGHT.
Now for the hair
Add another NEW LAYER and select your desired hair color. For blondes, I use a very light yellow (#fff59b).
Hold STR (or CTRL) and click on the little image next to the layer name on we copied earlier to select the picture. You should see those little “ants” walking around the edges of the picture. I use this to make sure not color outside of where I want to color.
Now select the new layer again and color the hair with a brush. I always use the standard brush.
If the yellow looks too green add a SELECTIVE COLOR and select the yellow section and drag the CYAN part down.
If the hair is still too dark I sometimes use the DODGE tool to brighten it up a little bit.
5. Now because the image still looks a little dark I added an EXPOSURE layer that I dragged to +50 (depends as always on the image´s brightness)
ii. BACKGROUND & CLOTHING COLORING
Create a NEW DOCUMENT with the dimension you want your icon to be (mine are 250x250px) Personally I have a psd saved for my colors so that all of my icons match, but for this icon the background/fill color is #00e5b7 and the gradient on top is #c5f4f8.
COPY your colored and cutout subject on the new document. Then select the just copied layer.
Press STR (or CTRL) + T and drag the edges with STR still pressed to “shrink” it to your desired height/size. Some people like to resize the icon beforehand, but for me this is easier.
Once you´re satisfied press ENTER to lock it in place.
Mine now looks like this.
Using the same coloring method as with the hair, I color the clothing on a new layer.
Once it´s colored in, I set the layer to COLOR.
v. TEXTURES
(I just released an icon texture pack here if you want some textures to start with )
To add any textures, place them UNDER your subject. I always set them to SOFT LIGHT. Usually, I´m layering a bunch of textures or gradients on top, but I kept it fairly simple with this one. I randomly picked this flower one I love.
iv.SHARPENING AND SAVING
I usually save the psd at this point to use it to recolor the icons if needed.
Then I save the finished icon as a png on the highest setting.
After that, I open the just saved icon, DUPLICATE THE BACKGROUND LAYER and use SELECTIVE SHARPENING (usually on 200% and 0.3px ) to sharpen it. Then I set the duplicated layer´S OPACITY lower according to how the sharpness looks.
