Etching in metal

For this project I wanted to create a widget for zodiac signs. The user would click on their sign and then be shown their horoscope for the day. While I've used fireworks, you can use photoshop or fireworks as the basic concepts apply to either. To use this guide you will need to understand how to use the clone tool, and how to apply text to a circular path and adjust the path as needed.

Step one: using the clone tool, remove the numerals from the face of the watch. A delicate touch is required if you want the end result to look natural. I suggest smaller brush, wider edge to keep the edge soft. Set the transparency low and try to select samples nearer to the section you want to clone over so that the colors will more closely match.
View original »

Step two: review the cloned surface for any repeating patterns that would "give away" the surface as being retouched.
View cloned surface »

Step three: Create two layers of text, one for the "engraved" text and one for the "highlight". Font: AstroSript, colors: #190500, and ffffff,

Use the ellipsis tool to create a circle path for each layer of text. Apply each layer of text to a path and adjust the size of the path and the spacing of the text so that the placement is similar to the original roman numerals.

The top layer (engraved text) should be set to multiply.

The second text layer, white, should be behind the darker text layer (engraved text) and offset just enough to give the appearance of being a highlighted area for the "engraved" sun sign.

Convert text to paths, for both layers, ungroup, and tweak the individual placement of both layers of each sign to get a more realistic look.
View final watch »

Avoid copyright infringement. If you want to recreate this lesson using the same assets please purchase your own copy of the image (as low as 2 dollars) and font. Both are very affordable (the font is free!).

Purchase image @ istockphotos.com | AstroScript font available @ dafont.com

Fixing Sara's mom

A friend had a photo of her mother as a child which was torn. She was hoping I could repair it and I said I would give it a try.
View larger original »

Step One: assess the image damage and what can be repaired and what can be trimmed off

Step two: I can repair the face of the little girl by using parts of her own face and parts cloned from her brother and sister to rebuild what is missing. It helps that the image is so soft focused as this will help hide any imperfections from the casual eye.

Step three: crop the image to center focus on the chidren and lessen the amount of background that needs repairing

Step four: use parts of the background to recreate the missing pieces

Step five: adjust the tint

Final image: Viola. I created two tint versions. One with an older sepia tint and one with a more modern black and white tint. Click on an image to view larger.

© All images copyright protected and are not available for personal or commercial use.

Coming soon...

This mini tutorial is being withheld for review.