Head blow off effect

This time we'll create Head blow off effect using several applications like Photoshop and alchemy. Moreover we'll use a Stock photo as a base for our design. I would like to start from the stock photo of course - it will be included in support set. You can also find it here:
http://katanaz-stock.deviantart.com/art/Male-Stock-24-81857365

So let's begin making this wallpaper.

First step.
Cut the object from the background and define "shape language". We now have to select all the area around the figure. So first tool we are going to use is - Magic Wand Tool. For the color constant areas this will do.







For areas like these we need to swap to Quick mask mode by tapping Q and paint the edges for good.











We now have a clean selection around the figure. We can cut the figure now. So just do so. Drop the figure to a separate layer or just select it inverse and tap Delete to delete all the background leaving us only the figure.



Second Step.
Stylistic and color gamma. First I'd like to affect my object so it can have less value and more like a Ink illustration. Note paper filter will work just fine. You can find it in Filter gallery - Sketch box.



So the dark areas are Grey, and I want them Black or much darker. Adjust the layer using Curves, Levels or any value adjustment tool. Just look at greys - stop when they become black. it's really easy.



Now it's just like I waned.



As for the background I want to use a texture as a base for the background.



Now set the layers like so - background then paper texture layer and then figure layer with blending mode set to Darken to eliminate white (highlighted) facial and hand areas .



Next pre-step will be painting of color swatches - well actually if you do not paint or something like this you can skip this step. The swatches describe the color variation I'm going to use. They stay on a new separate layer.



To paint through the figure as it is transparent you got 2 ways for this. To create a layer next to the figure layer and set its blending mode to Darken or create a layer underneath the figure layer. I recommend you to create a layer under the Figure layer. Here what I had in mind.







All the next color layer will be created underneath the Figure layer, just like so.



Defining the Shape 'language' will take some time and a lot of different brush tests. This is actually relative definition between the shapes - like shape proportions.







....also selecting the small area and fill it with opaque color. It will also be taken into consideration.











So, as a conclusion for this matter the Wings look not good so we'll get rid of them. The head shapes look not so solid, the straight geometry objects will do. The hands with floral brushes look good. So after my conclusion I did this: head shapes more solid, got rid of the wings and some shapes. For creating head shapes I used the Moon brush. With this Pop art fill brush I've created some texture to the effects - the effect was done in a Layer with blending mode set to Overlay.



Third StepAlchemy So we need additional shapes and I'm really don't want to design every single shape by selecting the areas and filling them with color and then making a layout to them. This is why I have a perfect tool for this and it's called alchemy. Alchemy is a Chaos generator.







I recommend you to download this application and test it. It is a lot of fun. You will have the shapes I've created in support files folder. So here you can already see the shapes on the Figure body. Generally were pasted chaotically too.



.....Some more shapes and little adjustments to the color.



Final step: Final cut. So we are almost ready here. Tap (E) to enter Eraser tool and choose floral brush. Cut to make the edge line less solid.



Some minimal tone adjustments and font line, that says Shape shifter edition. And we are ready here.



Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and see you on our next tutorial.

Download: Support files

Download: PSD file