*Adding Color to Our Celebrity Portraits

Today’s essential question: How does color affect the mood of an artwork?

Today we will finish smoothing out our celebrity portraits. You will show your finished design to Ms. Lawson, and once she approves it, you will post a JPG of your smoothed out portrait to our blogs.

Then you will begin adding color to your celebrity portrait, following the steps in this post. You will save each color scheme as a different file name. (ex. arianna_grande_blue, arianna_grande_purple_orange, etc).

A Monochromatic Color Scheme is comprised of different tints and shades of one color.

Review complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes with this blog post. The design seeds website is a great resource for color schemes. I used several of their color schemes for my Drake prints:      

How to Add Color to your Photoshop Portrait

1. Open Photoshop (Go to the windows icon at the bottom left of the screen -> All Programs -> Adobe Master Collection CS5 -> Adobe Photoshop).
2. Open the Photoshop file of your monochromatic celebrity portrait (File -> Open).
3. Convert the Image to CMYK. This will allow you to add color. (Image -> Mode -> CMYK). If will ask if you want to flatten the image by merging the layers. Say yes.
4. Open the image of the color scheme you want to use. Select the move tool.  Use it to drag your color scheme into your photoshop file. Double click on the layer with the color scheme, and name it “color scheme.”
5. Save a version of this file that recognizes that you can add color (File -> Save as -> filename_red_monochromatic.psd)
6. Select the eyedropper tool.  Use it to select your first color. (It is easiest to start with the darkest or lightest color, and get progressively darker or lighter.)
7. Click on the layer with your image.
8. Select the magic wand tool.  Use it to select your first color.
9. At the top of the screen, click Select -> Select Similar. This will select all the areas of that color.
10. Make a new layer.
11. Select the brush tool.  Make sure it is set to 100% hardness. Make the brush size huge by clicking holding down on the right bracket (}) key. Color over your entire image. Only the selected areas should change color.
12. Select -> Deselect
13. Repeat steps for your next color.
14. Repeat steps until you have added all the colors.
15. Save your photoshop file. File -> Save).
16. Save your file as a jpg file. File -> Save As -> filename_red_monochomatic.jpg (or some other name that identifies your color scheme).
17. Close your file.
18. Repeat these steps to create more prints in different color schemes.

Today we will:

• demonstrate how to add color in photoshop and save different versions for each color scheme
• create several variations of our portrait using different color schemes
• create a new blog post with the following:
  • our black and white celebrity print
  • each digital version and the color scheme it was inspired by

Smoothing Our Images

Today’s essential question: Why is it important to smooth and refine what the Photoshop cut paper filter has created for us?

Cut Paper Filter

Image Smoothed out by Hand

Today we will continue smoothing our portraits in Photoshop. Use the eyedropper tool to select a color, then use the brush tool (with hardness set to 100%) to color over the image and smooth out any awkward spot. The { key will make your brush smaller, and the } key will make your brush larger. You can use the magnifying glass to zoom in on the image.

Today we will:

• Continue smoothing our portraits in Photoshop
• Post a PNG of our work to our blogs, and upload our Photoshop files and PNGs to our Google Drive

*Pop Art Celebrity Portraits

Today we are starting a new unit on Pop Art. You will create two projects (one painting and one set of Photoshop prints) featuring a celebrity of your choice.

Today’s essential question: What celebrity will you use for your portrait project? Why?

Project requirements:

• one black and white high contrast portrait with 4-6 shades
  
• a set of four coordinating Photoshop portraits of that celebrity featuring a range of different color schemes
  
• an 11×14 monochromatic acrylic portrait painting of that celebrity using 4-6 shades
  
• a 4-6 shade value scale (using the same paint colors you mixed for your monochromatic painting)

How to Create your cropped, monochromatic high-contrast celebrity portrait

1. Download your celebrity image
   1. Go to images.google.com and search for an image of your celebrity that is larger than 4MP
   2. Click on the image of your choice until you can view it full size. Then right click -> save image as and REMEMBER WHERE YOU SAVED THE IMAGE
2. Open your celebrity photo in Photoshop
   1. Open Photoshop (Click on the Windows icon at the bottom of the screen -> All Programs -> Adobe Master Collection CS5 -> Adobe Photoshop)
3. File -> Open (Select the image you downloaded. You will need to remember where you saved it!)
   
4. Turn the image black & white. (Image -> Mode -> Grayscale).
5. Crop your image.
   1. Select the crop tool. Set the crop tool to 5.5×7 inches. Click and drag the crop tool until the area you want to crop is selected.
   2. Hit enter to crop your image.
      
6. Intensify your shadows & highlights.
   1. Image -> Adjustments -> Levels
      
7. Simplify your image to 4-6 shades.
   1. Layer -> Duplicate Layer
   2. Filter -> Artistic -> Cutout
      
8. Touch up your image so it looks smooth and has a solid color background.
   1. Layer -> Duplicate Layer.
   2. Use the eyedropper tool to select a color, then use the brush tool (with hardness set to 100%) to color over the image and smooth out any awkward spot. The { key will make your brush smaller, and the } key will make your brush larger. You can use the magnifying glass to zoom in on the image.
      
9. Save your file as both a Photoshop (.psd) and a jpg (.jpg).
10. Upload your original image and your cutout image to your blog.
11. Upload your Photoshop (.psd) file to your Google Drive

Today we will:

• Download a high-res celebrity image to work with
• Crop the image so it is 5.5×7 inches
• Alter the image so it is a black and white image with 4-6 shades
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • The original celebrity image
  • Your cropped, monochromatic high-contrast celebrity portrait
  • A paragraph describing why you picked the celebrity, and which colors you plan to you for each part of the project.

Multiple Mes: Last Day

Today we will finish our Multiple Mes project. We will  upload our final Photoshop (.psd) and PNG files to our Foundations 1 Google Drive Folders. We will then make a blog post with a PNG of our final image and an artist statement (minimum of 150 words and written in paragraph form) about our project.

Today we will:

• Finish our Multiple Mes Photoshop Collage
• upload both the Photoshop (.psd) and PNG files of our final projects to our Foundations 1 Google Drive Folders
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • A PNG of our finished project
  • A 150 word artist statement about our project.
    Not sure what to write? Start by answering the following questions:
    • Describe your artwork
      • What does your artwork look like?
      • What is the subject matter?
      • What art elements or principles are most obvious in your work?
    • How did you create your art?
      • What media is your artwork made from?
      • Describe the process or steps you took to create your artwork.
    • What is the big idea behind your artwork?
      • Who or what inspired your artwork?
      • What is your artwork about?
      • How do you want people to feel when they view your artwork?
    • Overall thoughts
      • What did you learn from creating this artwork?
      • Is the final piece what you imagined? How so?
      • What did you do well? What could you have done better?

Multiple Mes Progress

I have featured some of the best in-progress student work below.
What are some things that are working well in these images?
What could still be improved?

Image Credit: Aleesa

Image Credit: Mercedes

Image Credit: Cris

Image Credit: Claire

Image Credit: Olecia

Today we will:

• Continue building our scenes in Photoshop
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • An image of your progress so far
  • A few sentences describing what you still need to do to finish your project

Matching Lighting with Filters, Dodge, and Burn

Today’s essential question: How can I use filters and the dodge and burn tools to match the lighting throughout my Photoshop collage?

By this point, you should have started combining your images in Photoshop to create a scene. The lighting likely differs throughout, making it obvious that the scene was created from several different images. Today we will learn how to create the illusion of cohesive lighting through filters and the dodge and burn tools.

Adjusting Color with Photo Filters

For an image to look cohesive, the lighting needs to be consistent throughout. The image below was clearly Photoshopped because Mckenzie is not as blue as the background:

We can change that by using Photo filters.

1. First, select the layer with Mckenzie on it in the layers palette on the bottom right hand side of the screen. At the top of the screen, go to Image -> Adjustments -> Photo Filter
   
2. We can then select different photo filters from the drop down menu, and preview them to see which one is the best fit. Similarly, we can also preview the intensity of the filter by adjusting the slider. For this particular image, the Cyan filter at 40% seems to create the most realistic effect:
   
   

Now let’s see if we can create a similarly realistic effect with a warmer background. Once again, notice how the original photo looks awkward when first placed in the scene:

1. Once again, we will select the layer with Mckenzie on it in the layers palette on the bottom right hand side of the screen. At the top of the screen, go to Image -> Adjustments -> Photo Filter. This time, the Warming Filter (85) at 60% seems to create the most realistic effect:
   
   

Establishing a Clear Light Source with the Dodge and Burn Tools

Photo filters match the colors of each piece of the photo collage, but for a truly unified image, we will need to establish a clear light source. This is where the dodge and burn tools come in. They will allow us to add highlights (dodge tool) and shadows (burn tool) in a similar manner to traditional drawing.

In the image with Mckenzie, the fire is a natural light source. Therefore, we will want to darken the left side of Mckenzie, the bottom portion of Mckenzie, the ground area around Mckenzie and the fire, and the bottom portion of the logs.

1. First, we will select the burn tool  from the tool bar on the left side of the screen.
2. Next we will adjust the settings at the top of the screen. It works best if you set the exposure of the burn tool low, and darken your desired area slowly. This is how I have set my burn tool:
   
3. Now select your desired layer in the layers palette on the lower right side of the screen. I always duplicate the layer (Layer -> duplicate layer) before dodging or burning it, so I can go back to the original layer if I mess up.
4. Paint your desired area with the burn tool. You can adjust the size of the brush at the top of the screen, or by using the right and left brackets. Slowly shade the areas you want to darken just as you would with a pencil. You will have to select each layer in the layers palette on the lower right side of the screen before you can use the burn tool on any objects in that layer. Notice how we have now created a clear light source by painting shadows with the burn tool:
   
5. If you would like to highlight any parts of the image, click and hold on the burn tool in the tool bar on the left side of the screen. The dodge tool  should appear in a drop down menu below it. Select the dodge tool, adjust the setting at the top of the screen so the exposure is set to 15-25%, and paint as needed to create highlights.

Here is a side by side comparison of the original collage, as well as the collage after we have applied photo filters and the burn tool:

Before

After (photo filter + burn tool)

Be careful not to go overboard with the dodge and burn tools:

Today we will:

• Continue building our scenes in Photoshop
• Create cohesive lighting using photo filters, dodge, and burn
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • An image of your progress so far
  • A few sentences describing any challenges you faced today, how you worked through those challenges, and what you would like help with

Using layers to create a realistic scene

The following people still need to post their green screen photos to their blogs: Chan, Olecia, Talia, Hayaleira.

Today’s essential question: How can I use layers to create a realistic scene with a foreground, middle ground, and background in Photoshop?

I created this photo of puppies on vacation with many layers in Photoshop:

Here is what the layers palette looks like:

Here is a step by step process for building the scene with layers:

Using foreground, middle ground, and background will help your characters look like they are actually in the scene, versus on top of an existing image. How will you use layers in Photoshop to create a realistic environment? What are some things you could add to your foreground?

Today we will:

• Continue building our scenes in Photoshop
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • PNG images of anything you worked on today
  • a few sentences describing what you found easy, as well as any challenges or things you would like extra help with

Removing the background from an image in Photoshop

Today’s essential question: How can I combine images to build a unique setting for my story?

Today we will remove backgrounds from images we will use in our digital collage. If you have taken your green screen photos, you may wish to use them. Otherwise, you will download pieces of your scene and remove the backgrounds from the various pieces that will comprise your setting.

Creating a setting

You must photoshop at least 3 different images together for your background or setting.  (So, for example, you cannot just put the images you photographed in front of the green screen into an existing photograph – you must add at least 2, preferably more, other items to customize your scene.) The emptier the scene you start with, the better. For example, the image below is terrible for the purposes of the project, because it is already full of cars and people, so we have no room to add our own:

The next image is much better, because it has space to add whatever cars or people we would like, giving us complete control over the mood we establish:

Here is another example. These wooded scenes are all a great place to start because they have ample space in the foreground to add other imagery:

Here are some extra images that might make the scene more interesting:

Removing the background from an image

Today we will learn how to use the pen tool to path out part of a photo and copy and paste it on a new layer. You can then drag the layer with the isolated object into the Photoshop file where you are building your scene.

How to create a composite image:

1. Go to the “paths” window on the lower right side of the screen. It is likely tabbed next to the layers palette.
   Click the “new path” button.
2. Go to the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Select the pen tool. 
   Outline the part of the photograph you want to modify. When you click on the middle point to remove a tangent line, you will need to hold down on the “Alt” key or it will not work.
3. Once you have closed your shape by clicking on the first point, go back to the paths window.
   Right click on the path you have created, and click “make selection.”
   
   Feather the selection by 1pixel (this will soften the edges of your selection).
   It should look like ants are marching around the part of the photo you have selected.
   
4. Control + C to copy your selection. Control + V to paste your selection. Hide the original image by clicking on the eye icon.
   
5. Save your file as both a Photoshop file and a PNG. (You will be able to post the PNG to your blog and maintain the transparent background.)
6. Drag the isolated layers into the Photoshop file where you are building your scene.
   

Today we will:

• Finish shooting any needed photos in front of the green screen
• Remove backgrounds from images we will use in our digital collage
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • any photos taken today
  • before and after photos of any images where you removed the background
  • a few sentences describing any challenges you faced today, as well as how you worked through those challenges

Common Green Screen Photography Mistakes

Today’s essential question: What are some common issue that arise when taking photos in front of a green screen? How can we prevent them?

Today we will begin photographing ourselves in front of a green screen, trying to prevent common green screen photography mistakes.

Common Green Screen Photography Mistakes

Missing Body Parts

 

 

Why it happens: The subject’s clothing or accessories are too close in color to the green screen.

How to prevent it: Avoid green clothing, accessories, and subjects. When that is not possible, create a screen in a color that contrasts with the colors you are photographing.

Camera angles do not match

Why it happens: Different photos are taken from different camera angles. These photos then will not work together if composited into the same image in Photoshop.

How to prevent it: Set up a tripod to your desired height and camera angle, and keep it consistent as you photograph all of your subjects. Make sure the angle of the camera matches the angle of your background scene.

Awkward Lighting

 

 

Why it happens: Studio lighting is too dark, too light, or inconsistent.

How to prevent it: Take test photos and adjust the lighting as necessary. Start with even ambient lighting from overhead lights and windows, and experiment with the distance, strength, and angles of any auxiliary lights.

Motion Blur

Why it happens: The subject moves before the camera finishes taking the photo.

How to prevent it: Use a quick shutter speed (if you have a DSLR). If you can’t control the shutter speed manually, force the camera to use a quick shutter speed by providing sufficient light and using a tripod to steady the camera. Remind your model to remain as still as possible.

Subject Extends beyond the Green Screen

 

 

Why it happens: The model and photographer do not take the camera angle and subject’s position into account before taking the photo.

How to prevent it: Take test photos and adjust the position of the model and camera/tripod as necessary.

Subject is not Realistically Posed

Why it happens: The model awkwardly acts out a pose without the necessary props, and consequently, poses themselves incorrectly. When the scene and props are later added in Photoshop, they do not fit or look strange.

How to prevent it: Provide the model with placeholder props and scenery that mimic the size and shape of whatever will be added in Photoshop. It’s amazing how much simple objects such as boxes, paper towel rolls, rope, and stuffed animals can help the model pose properly.

Bonus Tip: Place Green Screen on Ground to Easily Capture Action Shots

Today we will:

• Take photos in front of the green screen
• Begin building our scene in Photoshop
• Create a new  blog post with the following:
  • images of any work created today
  • a brief reflection of any challenges you faced, how you worked through those challenges, and what you would like help with

More Vector Practice

Today we will finish our vector practice assignment from last class. If you have time, you will continue to improve your skills with the pen tool by tracing over a 2-3 color image. We will once again post our progress to our blogs.

How to create a multicolor vector image:

1. Download one of the images pictured below (Right-click on the image of your choice -> Save Image As -> Save to your student number)

   

2. Create a new file in Adobe Illustrator and place the downloaded photo in that file. (File -> place) (DO NOT try to open your downloaded image in Illustrator! This will cause strange things to happen.)
3. Create a new layer by clicking on the “new layer” button at the bottom of the layers palette on the right side of the screen.
4. Trace over your first shape. (You may need to decrease the opacity of this layer so you can see what you are tracing. You can do this by clicking on the transparency icon on the right side of the screen and decreasing the opacity so it is below 100. )
5. Bring the opacity back 100% and adjust the color if necessary.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you are happy with your vector illustration.
7. Save your Illustrator file, and then save a version as a .pdf
8. Create a new blog post with the following:
   1. your source photo and the .pdf of your vector illustration
   2. a brief paragraph describing your image, any difficulties you had creating the image, and how you worked through them.

Make sure you finish your Multiple Mes project proposals and bring props and costumes next class, as we will be taking our photos!

Today we will:

• Finish our Pen Tool Practice Assignment
• Finish our Multiple Mes Project Proposal
• Use the pen tool to trace over a multi-color image in Adobe Illustrator
• Post the work we did today to our class blogs. No blog post = 0 participation!