Photoshop CS4 tutorial: How to create a silhouette
by Natasa Shepherd
Creating a silhouette in Photoshop CS4 is super easy and these Vector type of models can be saved and then easily come in handy later on with various other projects you might have lined up. First thing you will need, other than Photoshop of course, is an image. Make sure its an image where not too much is going on in the background as that will make your job a lot harder.
You can use a photo of your own or you can browse the web to find a suitable one. Deviantart is a wonderful website that has a lot of work done by artists as well as a ton of resources for artist, its safe to say this is the best place for you to find your "model".
By the way, you do not need to have strictly Photoshop CS4 to complete this tutorial, as both previous and latter versions will do the job just as well.
How to create a silhouette, or a vector model, in Photoshop CS4:
- Start up Photoshop CS4 Extended (CS3 or the other various versions of Photoshop will do as well, you might have to thinker with minor adjustments however).
- Open up a photo you wish to turn into line art.
- Go to File> Open.
- Create a new layer on top of the "background" layer, that being the layer which contains your image.
- Make sure the new layer is selected.
- On the left hand side select the pen tool.
- Trace with the pen tool over the picture (Click here to see the image).
- Once you have traced your selection right click and select "Make Selection".
- Now go to "Select" and click on "Inverse", what this does is select everything except your model.
- Select the Eraser and erase everything around your model, you don't need to be careful or precise as the selection will protect it (Click here to see the image).
- Once all has been erased and only your model is left standing go to "Select" and click on "Inverse" once again, now your model is selected.
- Select any solid Brush and set the color to black, color over your model, make sure you fill in the selection completely (Click here to see the image).
- When your model is completely colored in with black right click and select "Deselect" (Click here to see the image).
Your Vector model, or silhouette is now done, from here you can adjust the colors of the vector model or the background. You can also delete the background so its transparent and save the model for future use in different Photoshop projects, there are many many options for you.
Tips:
- Try playing with different colors, you can always undo the actions!
- If you need more help with using the pen tool or any of the components of Photoshop, or maybe you just simply want some other tutorials, don't be afraid to look it up on the Internet. There are vast amounts of free information just waiting for you to find them
Credits:
- Photo used: Cops - 1 by *mjranum-stock