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Photoshop is considered the wizard master in the field of photo editing nowadays. By using Photoshop, you can transform your photo into unique and interesting ways. Follow the steps below to create Watercolor effects for photos using Photoshop.
If you perform the steps accurately and carefully, your photo will yield the following result.
Prepare the following components to create the Watercolor effect for photos using Photoshop
- Model (Stock)
- Paper 1
- Paper 2
- Watercolor 1
- Watercolor 2
- Watercolor 3
- Watercolor 4
- Watercolor 5
- Tree branch 1
- Tree branch 2
- Flower images
- Butterfly images
- Halftone images
- Wireframes
- Splatter brushes
Step 1: Create a new document and fill it with white color. In this guide, Free Download uses a document size of 1200x800, but you can use a custom size. Open Paper 1 Stock and move it onto the white canvas area and rotate it (select Edit =>Transform =>Rotate 90 CCW).
Right-click on this layer and choose Convert to Smart Objects. Then select Flip Horizontal:
Step 5: Utilize various layer adjustments (Hue/Saturation, Color Balance, Curves) combined with Clipping Mask to adjust brightness and saturation for the model.
Next, use a soft black brush with 100% opacity and 20-30% to erase some parts on the Curves layer mask. As you can see in the image below.
Step 6: Drag Watercolor 1 onto the top of the image, beneath the model layer. Convert it to a Smart Object, change the mode to Multiply 100%, and erase some harsh edges using a layer mask.
Duplicate this layer and move it to the right after flipping it horizontally. Use a layer mask to achieve the interface as shown below:
Step 7: Next, add Watercolor 2 and position it below the model layer. Use a layer mask to remove any unwanted parts.
Duplicate this layer and flip it horizontally. Utilize a layer mask to eliminate certain areas. Now, you'll have an intriguing shoulder effect.
Step 8: After converting branch 1 into Smart Objects and resizing it (smaller than the model layer), place it atop the model's head. Apply a layer mask to this layer and use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) to create a selection area at the edge of the branch. Utilize a black brush (avoid soft brushes) to erase the lower part and some other branches as depicted below:
Step 9: Add a Curves (Clipping Mask) layer to adjust the brightness of the branches:
Step 10: Open the image of branch 2. Select a portion from this image and place it above the right side of the model's head. Duplicate this portion, naming them from 1 to 3. Flip image 2 horizontally and position it around the model's head. Use a layer mask to erase the bottom part of image 3.
Step 11: The color of these branches is darker than the background, so you need to adjust the brightness of the branch color. First, select these layers and press Cmd/Ctrl+G to group them. Change the group mode from Pass Through (default group mode) to Normal 100%. On layer 3, access Layer =>New Adjustment Layer =>Curves.
As the mode has been changed to Normal 100%, this Curves layer only affects the layers within this group (branches 2).
Step 12: Create a new layer on top. Set the foreground and background colors to #a8ba81 and #012955 respectively. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to create a square on the image, then select Filter =>Render =>Clouds. After applying the Clouds filter, choose Filter =>Pixelate =>Mosaic.
Filter =>Distort =>Polar Coordinates.
Step 13: Convert this result into a Smart Object, reduce its size, and change the mode to Hard Light 100%.
Use the shortcut Cmd/Ctrl+T to rotate and move it towards the right cheek of the model, then erase unwanted parts with a layer mask:
Duplicate this layer and move it towards the left cheek, below the model's eye area, conceal the left parts of the layer using a black brush and layer mask.
Utilize the Color Balance layer (Clipping Mask) to alter the color of this effect:
Step 14: Create a new layer and use a hard brush with the color code #012955 to create some spots under the left eye. Before adding spots, press the F5 key to adjust the brush settings:
Double-click on this layer and apply Gradient Overlay to the spots:
Step 15: Create a new layer for the lips, fill this layer with the color code #779370, then change the mode to Hard Light 100%.
Name this layer Color Lips.
Step 16: Use a new layer, switch the brush to splatter, and set the foreground to #83192d.
Use brush number 681 with a size of about 100 px to sweep over the lips. Press and hold the Ctrl/Cmd key while clicking on the Color Lips layer, then click Add layer mask. After completion, change the mode to Overlay 100%.
Create a new layer and use Splatter Brush number 481 to create marks on the lips and chin, switch and set the mode to Overlay 100%:
Step 17: Take Watercolor 3 and paste it onto the right eye of the model after rotating and resizing. Change the mode to Multiply 100% and use a layer mask to create a blur effect:
Step 18: Use Curves and Color Balance layers (Clipping Mask) to alter the color of this Watercolor effect.
Step 19: Paste Watercolor 4 onto the image and change the mode to Multiply 100%.
Right-click on it, select Blending Options. Press and hold the Alt/Option key while dragging the white This Layer slider to reduce the effect. Then use a layer mask to erase the effects on the model's face and around it:
Step 20: Add a Curves layer to this layer (Clipping Mask):
Step 21: Open Watercolor 5 (package). Select a Watercolor 5 to work with and move it to the upper right side of the model's head.
Change the mode to Multiply 100% and use a layer mask to erase the part on the model's face:
Step 22: Use another watercolor image to add to the left side of the model's head, set the mode to Multiply 100% and erase unwanted parts:
Use the Hue/Saturation layer to alter the color of the effect:
Step 23: Add color to the watercolor texture on the left side of the model's head, lower position, change the mode to Multiply 100%, and hide unnecessary parts with a layer mask:
Duplicate this layer and move it to the middle of the model's forehead, using a layer mask:
Step 24: Create a group for this layer similar to the steps used for group branch 2 and change the group mode to Multiply 100%. Use the Hue/Saturation layer within the group to reduce saturation:
Step 25: Open an image of flowers. Use the Move Tool to drag the flowers onto the model's forehead. Then create a new layer below the flower layer, use a black brush set to Opacity 40-50% to paint the area under the flowers to create shadows:
Step 26: Change the color of the flowers using the Hue/Saturation layer.
Step 27: Open the halftone images package. Select a halftone image to place on the left side of the model's head, change the mode to Soft Light 100%, and hide some parts with a layer mask:
Select a multicolored halftone image to place in the middle of the flowers. Set the mode to Multiply 100% and erase the bottom part:
Step 28: Use the wire frames package placed on the right side of the model's head and set the mode to Soft Light 100%.
Step 29: Create a new layer on top. Use a soft brush with the color code #b4ad92 to brighten the top of the model's head and blend elements together. Change the mode to Overlay 100%.
Step 30: Open the package with butterfly images. Select 3 images and move them onto the picture, arrange them as follows:
Create a group for the butterflies and change the group mode to Normal 100%. Create a Curves layer within this group to adjust brightness and alter the color of the butterflies:
Step 31: Create several adjustment layers at the top in the Gradient Map window.
Set the Gradient Map layer to Soft Light mode 100% and adjust Color Balance and Levels as shown below:
And here is the final result after successfully applying the watercolor effect to the image in Photoshop.
After applying the Watercolor effect to your photo, you can add text or insert a logo to confirm image copyright. How to insert text into an image in Photoshop or type Vietnamese in Photoshop has been introduced in previous tutorials by Mytour. If interested, you can refer to how to insert text into an image in Photoshop.
Apart from the Watercolor effect, if you're into creating your name in a unique marble style, check out how to create a marble text effect in Photoshop to design this beautiful font style yourself.
During the design process in Photoshop, users may encounter one or more Photoshop errors that they cannot anticipate. If you encounter Photoshop errors, you need to identify the causes and find the best solution to avoid having to download and reinstall Photoshop.
