PhotoShop technique question

nicoleshilliday · January 23, 2012

I had a friend ask me if i knew how to convert a photograph into something like this, so she can paint it on canvas. Anyone have any ideas? I did a quick search for some actions, but really don't know what to call this style of art? Suggestions?

senorjax · January 23, 2012

Threshold may work pretty well for you. Here's an example. I opened this file:

Then navigate to Image>Adjustments>Threshold and you will get only black and white values...use the slider to adjust the amount of each, and you have something like this:

Now add a curves adjustment layer and raise the black point straight up to lighten the blacks to taste;

Is that about what you were looking for?

BinaryFx · January 23, 2012

Perhaps look into the posterize command, as having a larger amount of limited shades (8 or so) may help more than a true bi-level effect.

You could even try threshold after reducing complexity via posterize. You may also wish to look into small gaussian blur combined with median, smart blur or surface blur to further reduce complexity of the original.

If you have Adobe Illustrator, I would also look into the LiveTrace command (or perhaps the vector tracing of other apps). One can even make Photoshop create a vector tracing from a simplified original, which can help with smoothing out lines and creating a certain look.

Stephen Marsh

Cornflake · January 23, 2012

This reminds me of all those effects I played with when I was first learning but seldom touch now. That's probably my loss. There are probably good uses for a number of them.

Overfocused · January 23, 2012

Posterize generally makes it the easiest with being able to choose the depth of shading you want

Dan7312 · January 23, 2012

You might want to look at Deke McClelland techniques for converting an image into line art. With some mod's it might work for you. http://www.lynda.com/home/Player.aspx?lpk4=96854&playChapter=False You will have to sign up with Lynda to view it though.

nicoleshilliday wrote: »

I had a friend ask me if i knew how to convert a photograph into something like this, so she can paint it on canvas. Anyone have any ideas? I did a quick search for some actions, but really don't know what to call this style of art? Suggestions?

nicoleshilliday · January 31, 2012

Thanks everyone. I will see what i can do!

PhotoShop technique question

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