In image 1 there has been a light application of Buzz Simplifier 2.

Image 2 takes the simplified layer and applies a gradient map-- in this case one of Photoshop's default gradients, "Yellow-Violet-Orange-Blue"

Image 3 combines the first gradient mapped layer with a second, this one mapped with the "Red-Blue-Yellow" gradient. The blend mode is adjusted to create this particular combination of colors.

After the desired colors have been established and assigned a History State, the layers are flattened and the resulting layer is desaturated. It is then run through a sketching preset in the Xaos Tools plugin "Paint Alchemy." (Image 4)

The grayscale sketch layer (Image 4) is blended with the first gradient mapped layer (Image 2) to produce a soft color sketch (Image 5).

The soft color sketch (Image 5) is blended with the two combined gradient mapped layers (Image 3, and the opacity layer is adjusted to create the final picture (Image 6).

Many, many variations can be created through the use of differing gradients, combinations of gradients, and the texturing and paint effects applied in Paint Alchemy, but the results can be wonderfully surprising and are usually exceptionally satisfying.

Enjoy!

Shoshanna
12:01 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003