[TUTORIAL] A signature in 20 steps!

[Distanced]

[Sorry for the GREY in the examples, it's just bad print screen pasting on my part!]

I wrote this tutorial for you all, and I hope you enjoy it and use it!

Tools needed : Photoshop,
Render Stock,
Basic knowledge of photoshop!



1. Open a new photoshop document with the following settings.



2. Fill this layer with BLACK.
And name this layer background.

3. Make a new layer by pressing the new layer button.
Call this layer brushes.

4. Use grunge brushes to create a background, using GREY/WHITE/BLACK colouring.
You may already have some grunge brushes, but check around deviant art for some if you don’t. [ deviantART: where ART meets application! ]

5. Once you have done this, you should have achieved something like this,


6. Create a new layer, and use the gradient tool to fill this layer –
You can chose different colours for the gradient, as you should know.

7. Select this layer, and change the mode to OVERLAY –

8. You should now have something that looks like…


9. This is where, I personally think it gets fun and creative! We are now going to add renders! You can get render packs from DeviantArt –
[ deviantART: where ART meets application! ]

Paste one of your layers on a new layer ABOVE everything else. You can resize it, transform it, etc until it is in a position you like! You should know have something that looks like,



Note : I made my Render black and white, you can do this by doing IMAGE > ADJUSTMENTS > BLACK & WHITE.

10. Now change this render layer to the mode OVERLAY. We have used this tool earlier in the tutorial, so refer back to that if you can’t remember (STEP 7)
You will now have something like…



11. Now make a new layer, go to IMAGE > APPLY IMAGE > and use the following settings.



Untitled-1 is basically the name you have your document saved under.

12. Now change this layers mode to OVERLAY. We have used this tool earlier in the tutorial, so refer back to that if you can’t remember (STEP 7)
You will now have something like…



13. Duplicate this layer, and change the mode to LIGHTEN. We have used this tool earlier in the tutorial, so refer back to that if you can’t remember (STEP 7)
In my case, this didn’t change the dynamics of my picture greatly, however, on some colours it can enhance the look greatly!

14. Create a new layer, and use the gradient tool and make a gradient on the canvas! USE THE GRADIENT BELOW!



15. You should get something like…


16. Create a new layer, set the mode to SOFT LIGHT, take your grunge brushes and paint in WHITE. You can do this until you achieve some nice lighting.
You will end up with something like...










17. Create a new CURVE layer, using the option below,



Play around with the curves (there will be a box above the layers with the title Adjustment Curves) until you get a result you want.
I got :


18. Create yet ANOTHER new layer, and paste a character onto it of your choice. I’m going for Samus.
Now duplicate that layer once.
Gaussian blur one layer… Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, do it enough so that the blur is seen behind the character.
[OPTIONAL :
Duplicate again, Motion Blur this layer… Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, do this if your character appears to be moving]

You should now have something that looks like…



19. OPTIONAL STEP.
If you feel that you’re image lacks a busy background etc, then just add more renders and experiment with different blurs and change them to overlay layers. Move these behind your character etc.

If you do this step, you may end up with something like…



20. Now add text to your image, chose your font, and play around with different layer modes, OVERLAY etc.
I used OVERLAY,
Here is my finished result.

[Dragonshadow]

Hmm, thats actually a pretty good tut for noobs.
gj

[Scarecr0w]

Awesoooooooooooooooooooooooome!

[y2kss66]

very nice guide now I can try. too bad reflection made me such a nice one.

[Krip]

Looks cool until step 16, sorry I am just not digging the outcome.

[pwong101]

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy time to create a new sig

//edit: btw where do you get those nice clean cut character pictures.

[Abstraction]

Nice contrib mate.(:

[Distanced]

You can get these at Planet Renders // Renders - Home