#tutorial fanart

Ok let’s begin. I used this screencap.

Open the screencap on Photoshop and also make a new document with the size 1920 x 1200px or whichever size you prefer.

First I select the screencap and move it over to the blank new canvas.

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (Feather 0px) to outline the image, click around the edges of your character until it's completely selected. There's really no secret to this. Remember to use the anti-alias on the tool options bar, and using the "add to selection" and "subtract from selection" options makes your life easier since you can select different spots at a time. Don't forget the hair strands and little details. You can zoom in to take care of the smaller details. This is my result

When everything is selected, draw up a mask (by clicking on "add vector mask", on the bottom of your layer toolbox). Layer masks allows you to make changes in your selection, and that is very helpful.

Click on the layer mask thumbnail, and using a small brush smooth the edges of the picture, specially the hair part (remember that the color black conceals, and white revels). I'll call this layer Image 1.

Now work on the background, you can add textures, brushes, solid colors. For this one I picked a gradient. Beneath your "Arya layer 1" layer, create a new gradient layer and pick the colors you want for the background (I used #444769 and #FFFFFF). Put Style in Radial, work the angle in a way that looks appealing to you.

Now work on the coloring. I like to add adjustment layers on top of all layers so everything (the "Arya layer 1" and gradient layers) get adjusted at the same time. I've added a curves layer and color balance (now this is more of a trial and error, so just mess around with those to see what works for you).

Now add a text in the background (layer beneath "Arya layer 1"), I used the font Photograph Signature.

 To me it feels like something is still missing, so I picked some grunge geometric brushes from HERE to add in the background, and it's done.

Ok let’s begin. First of all you need the screencaps, I used this and this (preferably from the same photoshoot or that match in colors/background/texture) 

Open photoshop, and open both screencaps/pictures and also make a new document with the size 1280 x 720px or whichever size you prefer.

Use the Lasso Tool (Feather around 20px) on both pictures to outline the image. I usually drag the selected part to the "new document".

Arrange the images how you like. And using Layer Mask (my choice) or the Eraser Tool (round brush in a big size, hardness at 0%) erase the harsh edges on both images so they can blend well together.

Now work on the curves/coloring/brightness of each picture so they can match and work well together and add textures if you want (I used this with Opacity in 40%). Finish up with a text and it's done.