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Friday, March 2, 2012

Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect

On this tutorial you will learn how to create watercolor effect on a photo. This is a quick tutorial but very useful for beginner and advanced Photoshop users.

Final Image Preview

Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect

Resources

Step 1

We have an option Watercolor on Filter > Artistic but i choose to go other way so i can create a more realistic watercolor effect. Start by downloading stock photo that i selected for this tutorial. Open up the photo and use Image > Image size to reduce photo size to 1000px width and 669px height.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 1

Step 2

I will start by stylizing photo. Double click current layer thumbnail on layers palette to unlock the layer and after that duplicate layer with Ctrl+J. Apply Filter > Artistic > Cutout with similar settings to these for copied layer.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 2
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 3

Step 3

Change layer mode to Lighten for this layer.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 4

Step 4

Duplicate current layer again (Ctrl+J) and apply Filter > Artistic > Underpainting with following presets:
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 5
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 6

Step 5

Change layer mode on current layer to Screen.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 7

Step 6

It´s time to make watercolor effect on the photo. Go to the lower layer with original picture and press Ctrl+J again to make one more copy of it. Move this copy above all the layers, then apply Filter > Artistic > Dry Brush:
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 8
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 9

Step 7

Now we are going to align the gradient levels and contrasts in the photo. Use the Eraser Tool and a soft round brush about 150 px (from time to time we have to change the brush size) and make clear some areas with a sharp transition of colors.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 10

Step 8

Reduce Eraser Tool opacity to 30% and edit too saturated color areas.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 11

Step 9

Go back to original layer and duplicate it one more time (Ctrl+J). Move this copy above all the layers and apply Filter > Noise > Median for this layer.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 12
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect 13

Final Image

To finish this tutorial just change layer mode to Lighten for current layer.
Learn How to Create Watercolor Effect
We have now a very interesting watercolor effect that can be created in less than 5 minutes.

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