Watercolor Effect
June 28th, 2007 in Photo Edit, Tutorials by kailoon
As my tutorial had been choose for the Top Ten in June by NI-LIMITS BLOG. Now I continue my job and share my photo edit tricks with all my fellow readers.
Step 1
Open an image, I will use this image because it suit to my tricks.
Step 2
CTRL + J, duplicate the image. Now you will have a layer which labeled as “layer 1â€. SHIFT + CTRL + U, desaturate the image and you will get something like this:
Step 3
CTRL + J again to duplicate layer 1 and you will get a new layer which labeled as “layer 1 copyâ€. CTRL + I to invert the layer and set the layer blend mode to Color Dodge. Go to filter > other > minimum > 1. Double click on layer 1 copy to bring out the blending option. ALT + left click on the triangle and set the underlying layer as below:
Step 4
CTRL + E to merge up both layers. CTRL + J, duplicate layer 1. Select layer 1 copy and go to filter > blur > Gaussian Blur > radius 6. Set the layer blend mode to linear burn. CTRL + J on layer background and put the layer background copy at the top of all layer and set the layer blend mode to color.
Step 5
Hope you are still with me. Select layer background copy and add a layer mask, fill it with black color.
Step 6
Still with the layer background copy, go to image > adjustment > curve and set as below.
Step 7
Create a new layer and put it top of all layer. Fill it with #ffecd1. Set layer blend option to linear burn.
Step 8
We are nearly there, now select layer 1 and set the opacity to 60% or whatever you think suitable. Select the background copy layer’s mask, with a 45px soft brush, opacity 65%, brush the face area. Here is it!
The difference:
Examples:
Hope you guys enjoy this! Thanks!
Good watercolor effect, PSD use very well, like this one!
wow beautiful :)
Really nice tutorial of watercolor effect thanks
thanks for the tutorial, I will apply this technique to edit the design of the tattoo
I love it! Thank you for the tutorial! Simple, nice and understandable. Although I got stuck a bit in the layer masking part but it went well after..
The information herein is so much helpful. Thank you and great blog by the way!
thanks, now i get one source to learn photoshop.
Really nice tutorial of watercolor effect thanks
Images are so important for websites, so it’s really nice to know what options are out there. Thanks for an informative article.
I love it! Thank you for the tutorial! Simple, nice and understandable. Although I got stuck a bit in the layer masking part but it went well after.
Really great tutorial! And very easy steps! I made mine & I love the result!
Thanks ,easy yet very good one ,you made my day thanks for sharing :D
Duuuuuuuudddeeeeee…….. awesome tutorial and after I worked it out well easy to follow hahahaha….
but O M to the freaking G what a pain in the ass to work out!!!
So anyway here are a few things that I struggled with and saw the same in the comments so…
First forget following the names of layers because this dude was talking about “go to layer 1” and mine was like “layer 1 copy 2” in the end I just renamed all my layers to match the tutorial in the end you should only have five!
The dude that ended up with just a nice sepia image… this happen to me first time round… I had missed the INVERT instruction in step three because I ovs can’t read properly… probably because I was still looking for the layer call layer 1 copy lol!
If you are using CS 6 and can’t add the layer mask – select the layer – go to Layer in the top menu – Go to Layer mask and select Revel All
If you can’t fill the layer mask with black – make sure there is a little white box around the Layer Mask thumbnail that is next to the thumbnail of the Layer in the Layer menu – phew and breath – then just go to Edit in the top menu and Fill!
If you can’t brush on the Layer Mask – Select the brush – Make sure the Layer Mask is selected (see above for over use of the word layer) and then make sure you have change the colour you are using to paint with is WHITE!!
Right thats all I can think of, I hope this helps somebody!
Peace ;D
This is really nice article… I am loving it…
Talking about NI-Limits, we noticed that you are a fellow Malaysian… Where are you based and what do you do for your day job…? We are hiring graphic designers and web developers at the moment, so am not sure what your plans are for the future, but we would love to have a chat with you
Thanks!!!!!!!
mine did not come out like that :(
Would have been better if you had mentioned the situations or the images for which we can use this watercolor effect…
i guess it is for the romantic scenes
Is there a lightroom plug in that does something similar to this?
thank’s for share..its wonderfull
This was so easy to follow, quick and fun! Thanks.
which version of photoshop is this
Great tutorial! Thanks
Amazing and easy tutorial..Thank you so much for your time.
I cant brush on layer mask can anyone explain to me a little bit? hehe! Then you will use the paint bucket tool and paint the layer with color #ffecd1. Then in the layer panel, above the list of layer you will see the word “normal”. Click “normal” and a drop down will appear and you will select linear burn.
Kailoon: Talking about NI-Limits, we noticed that you are a fellow Malaysian… Where are you based and what do you do for your day job…? We are hiring graphic designers and web developers at the moment, so am not sure what your plans are for the future, but we would love to have a chat with you
HIe , i am stuck at layers it doesnt come out the Layer copy 1 instead it amends from Index. clue less.. any pointers.
heh, now everyone can get a watercolor portrait
Okay, I figured out how where she put in the Background copy, but I can’t fill the layer mask with black. How do you do that? i got problem with step number 5. How to fill in colour to the layer mask?
worked out perfectly lol
Me encanto el tutorial, me salvaste de una :D, THNX 4 the tutorial!
Excellent technique. It looks very convincing, It is so beautiful, and I want to try.
Okay, I’ve tried this method step by step, word for word about 6 times. It doesn’t work on my darker photos, it doesn’t work on my lighter photos. Can you give us the REAL instructions for this, please? This is frustrating.
Kay, I feel your pain. I had the EXACT same comments and they went unanswered on here. I haven’t played with this in months, but I did make a bit of progress. I’m actually keen to look at it again and trade notes with you. I really liked the effect, so I tried. Are you interested in figuring it out with me? If so, I will sit at some point and will try to work through it again. :)
I went through every step about 5 times and I don’t get the effect you get. Mine is all black and beige.
It eluded me how all these posters kept writing “easy!” and “brilliant effect!” when it didn’t work for me as written.
Didn’t work out so well. I got a Beige and Black photograph from this tutorial. :-(
Okay, I figured out how where she put in the Background copy, but I can’t fill the layer mask with black. How do you do that?
had the same problem….. couldnt find how
Ctrl + J gives you a Background Copy, not a Layer.
In which step did you add “Background copy”? I don’t see it in your instructions, only in the picture.
Step 4 is the one that stops me in my tracks and I can’t go on any further. It’s confusing and doesn’t make sense because your instructions are different than the picture you have.
i dont undestand this {blending option. ALT + left click on the triangle and set the underlying layer as below:}
I don’t understand step7. “Fill it with #ffecd1.” What is #ffecd1? How to fill a layer with this? I am an absolute beginner.
This is the name of the colour. When you are in Photoshop, on the toolbar generally on the left, the one where the brushes are, at the bottom you’ll find two squares of colour. You can choose one of these colours to paint (you can switch by using the letter x). Double click on this little square of colour and the window of colours will pop up. Under RGB, quite in the middle of the window at the very bottom, you’ll see a # and at its right a serial of numbers and or letters, this is an international code for colours. Every colour has its own code. Enter the Kailoon’s code and you’ll get this tender pink he used. For instance if you enter fffff you’ll get a pure white. And good luck and wish you a great job!
wow its amazin and its very easy
Um..no it isn’t. I don’t understand WHEN or where she put in the Background Copy between Steps 3 and 4.
Thank you, loved it.
I tried to record it as an action, but the result looks overexposed, all blown out. Any guesses why that is? One of the commands isn’t recordable I guess.
And yes that is recordable but you must add a stop on your script (by adding a little grey window on the left of the actions window) to adjust -depending on your original photo- the black and white and the minimum. Well, I stop every action I use if it has hue, contrast, levels etc… Because the exposition is never the same. I recommand using the special black and white on CS5 instead of only desaturate, you can adjust exactly your effect to the wonderful job Kailoon did. Good luck now!
Great tutorial. thank you
Thanks for share. envy, I don’t know how to learn the PS, who can help me.
Excellent technique. It looks very convincing.
Hi there – thanks very much for posting. I’ve been trying to get this to work for a bit and am almost there. I’ve read through this whole blog but can’t find my answer – hoping you can help, please.
It looks to be just me and my tool settings because others have written that they’ve done this with no problem, but I’m stuck after Step 7. The only way I can get my image to show after adding that color layer is to set the opacity of that color layer to 60% – not Layer 1. Doing that to Layer 1 seems to do nothing.
Then, I select the background layer to do that last step, but keep getting an error -Could not use the history brush because the last history state does not contain a corresponding layer-.
Can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong!
Cheers from New Zealand
wow, why the lip colour..all the colours turn out to #ffecd1 colour?
very nice tutorial. detailed and easy to follow. thanks a lot man!
great.. i can complete it.. :)
I’m stuck on step 5. I select black, but it doesn’t go black! It just stays white!
i dont understand step 7 anyone can explain?
You need to add a new layer and make sure that it is on top of the other layers. Then you will use the paint bucket tool and paint the layer with color #ffecd1. Then in the layer panel, above the list of layer you will see the word “normal”. Click “normal” and a drop down will appear and you will select linear burn.
another things is…how come and the end when i finish everything how come my art work does not look like painting but looks more like pencil drawing and color…
another questions…is the colour #ffecd1 must be used for all picture editing for watercolour effect?must we use the exact value of curves,radius,etc…or depends on the picture?
A beautiful, easy-to-follow tutorial that produces an ethereal effect on a plain photograph… many, many thanks for offering your knowledge and skills
I love the way you can make an image look like its hand painted with digital tools. I am used to doing the fashioned way painting it stroke by stroke!!
Does it take long to learn?
I love the end effect…however, I am STUCk at the background copy layer with the layer mask…..the image will not show through as on your tutorial and when I get to the end of the tutorial to use the black layer mask, it will not allow me to do anything!
Love your work. Really enjoy your tutorials. Thanks
Dude you r the man (Y)
you tutorial help me a loooot
Step 7: the mask appears ALL and ALWAYS BLACK, with no preview as in Your picture, and then brushing has no results…
(I reply to myself…: you MUST use a color different from BLACK in order to brush it, otherwise doesn’t work. Nice if someone had told it soon…)
I’m new at this…can you PLEASE explain this step to me! Because it just won’t work.
excellent tutorial for photo shop effects…. ;-)
wow that was easy as abc.. great tutorial for designers..
Very nice tutorial and the steps are very clear and easy to understand, thanks you very much for this.
very useful… I like it and try it.
Thank you veri much…
Very nice
it’s realy easy to make
its good
Thank you to everyone who contributed was a really nice course. I’m sorry English is poor have
expecting more tutorials from you
expecting more tutorials from you
where can i find the filter??
You can see that in the top menu.
Excuse me can I ask you question? For step 7, how make to do ah? (one by one first ah?)
Then, step 8?
Dear Frirnd,
I could not make a picture as seen in step 7,
After adding layer mask in step 6, What U supposed to do?
Plz, help me.
Select your layer mask. GO to edit>fill>color>black
where can i found the PHOTOSHOP
A watermark that I inserted last year is appearing when I copy my pictures to photoshop. What do I need to do to stop it from showing in my new pictures.The pictures are in a folder in my hard drive. When I use automate command to load it into photoshop, it displays my old watermark.
Great tutorial. Thanks a lot. 2 things: First it would be great if in this on line tutorials we could know “why” we perform some actions like the parameters to filters. Usually we do it and don’t know how to adjust them to future different images which are not suitable for the same parameters. Second, I also had difficults with the 8th step. I selected the mask and when I brushed it nothing happened :( but I liked the result of my pic anyway. Should try again. Thanks a lot and if SOMEONE could me send a link with explanation about photoshop filters (about the parameters) I would be very thankful!!!!
I didn’t even know this could look so pretty!
almost done but still confuse on step number 8. I cant brush on layer mask can anyone explain to me a little bit? hehe!
You need to select the layer mask which you can find in your layers window it is the square on the right of the layer that you wish to work on. Usually looks black.
i cannot understand in step 6…
Oh my! Who is she? Can someone please tell me??
get a life…
…Why so rude?
She is a Chiniese movie star and her name is Liu Yifei (???),you know,she look so pretty!
She is a Chiniese movie star and her name is Liu Yifei (???),you know,she look so pretty!
koolz
first tutorial that i actually did right well successfully!!!!
thanxx!!!
Grat tutorial… just one thing: how do I fill the mask with a color? I can’t understand…
In step 3, how do u split the black spot of the underline layer? :S
Great tutorial, lovely end result…. Thank you very much for sharing :-)
Hi Kailoon,
I filled in the color black in step 5 but i don’t get a black/white image like u. Also for step 7, I am not sure how to fill the color in step. I am using photoshop 7, is that why? The rest works great and even without achieving steps 5 & 7, the effect turned out great.
Thanks,
bk
In step 5, you need to select the mask, then only fill it with black color.
In step 7, simply create a new layer and fill it with the color mentioned.
I never use PS7, so I don’t know :P
Hi Kailoon,
Thanks again! U are great!
hello , may i knw how to download all this ?
how to upload photo in ths first?
Very cool effect,extremely easy tutorial guide.You gave me a lot thanks.
Wow…….That was easy……And the end result simply awesome…I would certainly try out this effect it lends a classy look to the image….Good trick…Keep it up….
nice. .thanks! :)
What triangle are you talking about? I can’t find it.
at bottom there are two triangles which can be separately adjusted if pressed “ALT” simultaniously
nice..
ahaah..i follow the tutorial and i made it…
thank you for posting!
where i can’t edit my photo?
Mind to explain more?
hiii, im new here, nice tutorial!!
in the step 8, what color i have to set to fill the face with the brush?
thank you in advance
It doesn’t matter.
it DOES matter: if you use BLACK you don’t see anything (finally I understood it by myself…), so you HAVE to use any other color to brush, BUT NOT BLACK!
Cool!! =D
your tutorial is great, i can make photomanip with watercolor effect. thanx….
can it be use for other photos?
I think it should work :)
Very good tutorial!
– Not have this tutorial in Portuguese??? =/
You can try google translator ?
Hey thx for this post I love this effect!
Ok i got problem! On step 3 I’ve made the ALT + left click on the triangle, but I don’t know how to change the set the underlying layer to 10 / 70 255. Heeeeeelp pls, i really wat to learn this effect is so cool. Thanks
Click on the right corner of Triangle holding ALT. hope that helps.
Very nice
Thnx yar i do ths its great
good
photo design very good :) thank you bro…
how do i fill the layer mask with black??i don’t know..help..please
hello zam. to fill a layer mask with black, go to edit>fill.
contents:black
and then you have it. hope this tip was useful.
have a nice editing! :]
thank u
Nice water color effect.
great work, and even ur header image is so attrative, any tips to create character like this, because i have a n idea for my site but don know how make perfect, any tutorial
eh I think I did something wrong >.<!
Rainbow:
Hi, you need to press the ALT key and left click on the triangle.
Lee :
Index? Actually, the layer 1 copy is just a duplicated layer and name. If you are using a starting image name as “photo”, then the 1st duplicated layer will be “photo copy” and if you duplicate again it will became “photo copy 2” for the new layer.
HIe , i am stuck at layers it doesnt come out the Layer copy 1 instead it amends from Index. clue less.. any pointers.
thanks.
I love this effect! Actually I’m trying out your tutorial right now. But I have no idea how I can separate the little arrow at step 3 (left click on the triangle and set the underlying layer as below:) Could someone explaint how that works? :$
As pretty as this technique is, im going to have to critisise your tutorial. for a macintosh user, its easy to get lost and i never even understood step 3 with that underlying layer whatever. this tutorial for the most part easy, by not user-friendly at all. so much effort for a small watercolor effect.
Thanks
I will try this tutorial. Thanks.
http://ootyblog.blogspot.com
Carl :
You can start here :)
kevinc :
ohhh..so now you can make it already? Good :)
Opps…i solve liao…that day u say use white color to brush the face hor…hehe…sorry ya….thanz man.
hi, kai loon,
im having a problem again. i can do the water color effect already but yesterday somehow maybe i click some wrong button o i duno wat…i cant do the last part. brushing the face. atually i did it b4 but i duno y now cant ady? help me…..
tq.
cheers,
kevinc
im really excited to know how to use this program
Sorry, typo there. Fixed already. I am using cs2 now but I will upgrade to cs3 soon. Thanks :) like to have more interactive with my readers :)
Cheers!
hello kai loon,
By the way r u using cs2 o cs3? have difference?
cheers,
guy who love art!
im so sorry cause im really new to dis ps cs2 but after i saw the drawing u do, i quickly download the installer and do the watercolor one…hehe.
wat do u mean by the strong>white?
Hi kevinc, as long as you can get the layer mask into black color. After that, using the brush setting in step 8, with ,white color. Brush the face area. And you can see the different. make sure your are selecting the layer mask.
Hope this help :)
and brush the face are??? y me no effect?
hello,
i have problem doing the last part…can i fill the layer mask using the edit>fill??
and oso the last step where the black mask have become like the film negative(cause have black and a white figure) at ur example…i cant get it? all was black!!!
help me
Welcome mate :)
Pencil sketch tech… not sure about that…but the pic need to be colored for sure. Or, you can send me the original picture and the outcome?
i want to ask you…is this step also can be used for pencil sketch technique?if so,,,,why my picture result looks weird…the black colour supposed to be the pencil sketching the picture
however,,,my result is,,,the black colur becomes dominant…the white colour becomes the pencil…
is there any setting or is it anything to do with the RGB or etc?
sorry for asking..hehe
ok thanx!
Congrats! Really happy to see you keep trying and trying. This is the passion and patient we need in learning progress. Never give up! Hehehe…You can try other than this too. Simply click the photoshop or illustrator tab at the top of this page and find the other tutorials from this site. :)
i did it!i tried to set the opacity up the layer and it works!
if so,,,what setting should I use for example?
i’m really curious..hehe…
i’ve tried so many times…until I get the best result…i don’t want to stop..
because the top layer cover all the layers. You may try to une those setting sometimes. Practices make perfects:)
thanx…i’ve finished…but the result is not satisfied…
why the lip colour..all the colours turn out to #ffecd1 colour?
If u can do no.5 then no 7 will be no prob. same. sure is is depend on the picture, but for me, it is depend on me:P Actually, you can try to tune those setting high ans low to get your desired effects. Hmm..the color…maybe because I like this color:) you can try different color too. But for me, this give me the best result :)
Thanks for your comments, hope this will help :) Feel free to visit my other tutorial in this site.
another questions…is the colour #ffecd1 must be used for all picture editing for watercolour effect?must we use the exact value of curves,radius,etc…or depends on the picture?
the mask didn’t come out the same as yours that you circled
ok thanx!got it!but i got another problem with step num 7…
why the mask did’nt appear as you’ve highlighted in circle?
Hi cute_diva!Simply use the paint bucket to fill in the color when the mask is selected as shown in the picture. Hope you get it :)
help me please…I can’t do the number 5…
i got problem with step number 5.
how to fill in colour to the layer mask?
Kailoon: Talking about NI-Limits, we noticed that you are a fellow Malaysian… Where are you based and what do you do for your day job…? We are hiring graphic designers and web developers at the moment, so am not sure what your plans are for the future, but we would love to have a chat with you…
We are based in Kuala Lumpur, so please feel free to email us and get in touch that way…
All the best – again!
@>JP: the code is the color code.
@>Mike: In this part, you need to select the layer name background copy, then add layer mask which you can find it under the layers palette. The vector mask will be selected automatically. Now, use the paint bucket tool (G) and select black color as foreground color, left click on anywhere on the image.
*Let me know if there is any question. I will try my best to help and this also can help me write my tutorial in better way. :P
Thanks!
i got lost at this party > Hope you are still with me. Select layer background copy and add a layer mask, fill it with black color.
??????>>>>the blk didnt want 2 show up idk wat i did wrong grrr!!!
can someone please tell me wat “#ffecd1” is? like wat does it mean to “fill in with #ffecd1”
adi, welcome :) hope i may help you :P
thanks, now i get one source to learn photoshop.
great !! i will learn more from here.!!
Diana, welcome and thank you! Can you please explain more? or you can send me a sample? thanks :)
Can you please teach us how to make the button like tag or post it note…plsssssssss
Great work :) expecting more tutorials from you :P
hehe, u want?
I have dumped the PS off my computer cos it cannot tahan it la. my computer too old for it
now I only use gimp to edit photo
afterall, my graphic sux lol
OMG~~i tot all d while tis kind of arts r drawn by somebody…bt now on i jz getting to knw its modified thru PS….aiks…felt like kena cheated d…haha
haha..so u oso can make comic liao :)
Aiseh, now everyone can make self cartoon liao…… =p