funkadactyl | number seven, better late than never (i hope)

Going from

Right, so. First thing we do is start with our base.

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Next, we want to lighten it up a bit. Duplicate your base, and set it to Screen at 54% opacity. (The opacity will depend on your image, so play around with it if need be.)

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It's definitely lighter, but now it's washed out. Let's fix that by creating a new layer, and filling it with #C0BFD3. Set it to Burn.

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Better! But let's add some more contrast. Create a new Levels adjustment layer. The settings will, again, depend on your image but here's what mine looked like.

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Next we're going to add a gradient. I like doing this because it often helps skintones from becoming too washed out in the end. So paste as a new layer, and set it to Soft Light at 50% opacity.

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Now, let's use a Color Balance adjustment layer to add in some reds and more contrast. My settings are here, but yet again the specifics will depend on your image.

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Here's a little confession: I still like those little blob of doom textures. So we're going to use one! Take this (or don't, your choice) and paste it as a new layer. Set it to Screen at 36% opacity.

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Now since we don't want the finished icon to be blinding, let's create a new layer and fill it with #E9E9E9. Set it to Multiply.

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Great, except now it's dark and lost its color. Let's fix that by duplicating the base layer, dragging it to the top, and setting it to Soft Light.

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Since I like vibrant icons I decided to add a Hue/Saturation/Lightness adjustment layer as a finishing touch. Up the Saturation to 30, leaving the other settings alone, and then set the layer to Color (L).

And voilà!

I know this is super late, but hopefully it'll still be helpful! I've never actually written a tutorial before, so please let me know if I need to clarify something or add in any other information.

number seven, better late than never (i hope)

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