Tutorials

Basic Blending

For beginners, the most important techinque to master is blending. This tutorial is a simple step by step guide to help you master the skill.

To begin, choose the images you would like to work with. If using a photoshoot, try and keep images to the same shoot. It helps in both continuity and helps in the blending process. For the purpose of this tutorial I chose some nice, simple Jared Padalecki photos.



Now, to create a new canvas in Photoshop. Simply go to File>New, or Ctrl + N. I always work on a 1024x768 canvas with 72 pixels of Resolution.



Now we need to get out images onto the new canvas. In your tools pallette select the Move Tool. Click on the image and drag it onto the new canvas. Repeat this step for the other image as well.



Now I have something like this.



Now, before we start bleding, it's time to meet the fanartist's best friend. Masks. What might you be asking is a mask? A mask is a tool that allows you to edit the image, in this case erase pieces of an image, without being committed to the changes. This is especially useful when using lots of layers where you might be rearranging the composition of the piece a few times, or if you are in fact just learning to blend. It is a common mistake to go overboard while removing edges, and this tool helps fix that mistake.

Now, to add a layer mask simply go you your Layers Pallette and select the little square with a cirlce, once it has been clicked you will see a box next to your current layer.



Now it's time to begin blending. Be sure to click on the white box next to the layer befor erasing. If your mask is selected you will see the same shaded square with a cicle next to your current layer. Select a large soft edged brush (my favorite masking brushes are from Zugma's Cloud set.), and I set the opacity to about 70%.



Then you are ready to begin lightly brushing around the image's borders. After this step I end up with something like this:





And now your image is ready to add other effects! There's really no end to what you can do with a simple blend and the more you practice the better you will become!