#mytutorials1

Choose an HQ image and shrink it down to however small you want it. This was originally 1080p size, which I shrunk down to 1000px in width.

Duplicate the original layer and set it to COLOUR DODGE.

Invert the colour dodge layer and your image should disappear into almost all white (except for a few parts here and there). This is completely normal.

Now add a GRADIENT MAP layer in plain black to white (Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Gradient Map). Or you can also add a HUE/SATURATION adjustment layer and set the saturation to -100.

Click on the layer set to colour dodge and go to Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur. Adjust the amount of blur according to your image. With this particular photo, my radius was set to 30.0 pixels.

Now the line art portion is coming into place, but we have all this background that we need to get rid of.

Click on Layer -> New Fill Layer -> Solid Colour and set it to white. Click on the layer mask portion and inverse it so that it's black (you can use Ctrl+I if you're PC or Command+I if you're on a Mac).

Using the Eraser Tool, we are going to erase the background until it's only our subject.

Tada! We are finished! To place it on a coloured background, just COPY MERGE (Edit -> Copy Merged) all the layers, paste on a new document with a coloured background and set it to MULTIPLY. Lower the opacity for a softer & more vintage feel.

The Pen Tool (shortcut P) allows for easier adjustments and more specificity when it comes to curves. However, it can be a little tricky because it’s actually supposed to be for creating shapes. I suggest watching this tutorial for a quick overview of how to use the Pen Tool.

Now with the second option, I know a lot of people use the regular Lasso Tool, but I feel like it’s too free reigning (and you have to hold down the mouse button which is super lamesauce). The Polygonal Lasso Tool allows for easier control but it doesn’t allow you to curve. So the trick is to click in small increments. Watch this video for help (it’s low quality so beware).

A tip for having a cleaner cut is to zoom in closely and cut more than you need to.

As you can see above, my line cuts out a little of the shape. If you don’t do this, you’ll have a weird border.

Another tip is to use the Refine Edge tool (especially if you’re using Polygonal Lasso).

THIS HAS SAVED MY ASS SO MANY TIMES WHEN IT COMES TO HAIR.

First you start off with your selection, then you hit the Refine Edge button.

Okay, now what you do is you brush the edges so that it creates a gradient and fades out the background. Watch this video from 3:00 and on. This is the result.

It looks fuzzy right here, but you can put that on any colour background and it won’t have harsh or jagged edges. This tool is like the best fucking thing in the world.