Animation Source Forums

So people have asked me how I make my graphics, things like this ---> /balto/en/view_fanimage/Ionday_Miracle_in_Me/246.html&numart=12847&display=30

I finally decided to make an image so here is the process of making my latest image.

Step 1



First off, you need inspiration. Never start something out without having an idea of what you want the outcome to be, what moods and themes are meant to come across. I tend to use songs for inspiration.
Saying that don't feel too restricted either. Give yourself a starting point but never be afraid to experiment.


Step 2



Here's a little bit of personal advice, for all my graphics I start out with a landscape background. I normally tone down the saturation and brightness but I feel at the end it's a quick way to get an even and simple looking background.


Step 3




So now you should start adding the screenshots that you want. I used to use pixel select to drag the part of the image I want over, but I find it too fidly now so I would suggest bringing the whole image over and erasing what you don't want. When erasing there's no specific brush to use, if you want a gradual, soft and subtle effect use a blurred edge one. For an image to stand out more go along the edges with a simple pen tool. Never use the pencil erase tool.
(If going for a feathery subtle look I suggest blowing out the borders so the size of the image makes no difference.


Step 4





Now you should start editing. Try to keep what you do to a mimimum unless you are deliberately going for that sort of look. Contrast tool is your friend. If you want to change colour I wouldn't change the hue unless it's only slightly, otherwise it seems out of balance.
Changing the oppacity of the image makes a huge difference to the overall feel of a graphic.
Resize to what you want it to be and play around with composition.
(To make it appear more original why not mirror the image.)

Step 5




Things are fairly repetitive from here on. Repeat steps 3 & 4 with other images you wish to feature.

Step 6




Make some things more visible than others and DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE! Don't feel anything is set in stone, this is the joy of digital editing.

Step 7




Persevere

Step 8



Once you're happy save what you have as a jpg and continue editing using this.

Step 9



Add texture effects and play around with your layers.
(I highly suggest dupplicating layers so you can try out more things on them and then tone down the oppacity)

Step 10



Finishing touches!

And Voila![/balto/en/view_fanimage/Ionday_Diamonds/257.html&numart=12847

Hope you enjoyed this little guide. I'm no expert in this art Im 100% self taught but that just shows you don't be daunted, be patient. Also don't feel like your software is a disadvantage, my photoshop is 10 years old and I wouldn't want rid of it anytime soon. Good Luck and happy editing!

I absolutely love your images<3 It's very interesting to know how you create them! Thanks for taking the time to show us this! YOu're certainly right about the inspiration.

Lawl, I agree with everything Hunt said. Specially the inspiration bit. Often time I open up photoshop cause I wanna make a graphic, but then find myself sitting and staring at a blank screen cause I don't know what I'm going to do. Music has always been the biggest inspiration that's for sure. My graphics may surround movies or tv shows, but music most likely insipred the idea.

Also gotta say I admire how you use such an old photoshop without thought of getting a new one. Mine's only 3 or 4 years old and I already feel out dated. But I wouldn't give it up anytime soon either. Took too long to learn and I don't feel I need anything different.

But I probably digress... Your graphics are lovely, your style and technique are excellent. Keep it up. 8]

I love your images so darn much, Ionday, every single one of them is beautiful and you're a real expert at graphics. So glad that you could post this, because I'd always wanted to know how you did your work <3