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Enhancing Color With ScrapSimple Paper Templates
Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS4 with Windows XP.
When I think of digital scrapbooking, I think of options. There are many processes to accomplish the same tasks and a variety of ways to alter finished products to suit the current conditions. In this case, there are a couple of digital scrapbooking elements that I would like to enhance the color of - not change - but make the hue bolder. I want to make this adjustment in a style that will mimic the strokes and washes of paint. ScrapSimple Paper Templates offer the perfect solution.
To begin, open ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Oil Spill - 2 and Digital Stickers: Blooms 7201 - Rose1, with both windows floating and overlapping.
The first step in our transformation is to color the paper template. With the ScrapSimple paper file active, click on the Hue/Saturation icon on the Adjustments panel. On the Layers panel, a new adjustment layer will be added to the file and the Hue/Saturation menu will be visible on the Adjustments panel.
Click the Colorize box and instantly you will be able to add color to the black and white image. Using the sliders, adjust the color as needed. For this sample, the settings of Hue 328, Saturation 25, and Lightness 0 (default) are used.
Now, you need to combine the layers to make it useable in another file and on your layout. (Otherwise, the Hue/Saturation layer will change the color to every layer below it.) On the Layer panel, use Shift+Click to select the background layer. Both layers will now be highlighted. Use Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on Mac) to merge the two layers.
If you wish to permanently save the changes, use Shift+Ctrl+S (Shift+Cmd+S on Mac) to "Save As" and rename the file.
The next step is to add the template to the digital sticker. Click+Shift+Drag the colored paper template onto the rose file. The paper layer will be active or highlighted on the Layer panel. Use Ctrl+T (Cmd+T on Mac) to transform the paper. On the Options Bar, click the link icon to maintain aspect ratio (resize evenly). Highlight the width and adjust the percentage as needed. For this sample, the percentage is lowered to 50%. To apply the transformation, double-click in the middle of the object being resized. (In this case, the paper.)
To continue, you need to make the paper conform to the shape of the sticker. On the Layer panel, with the paper layer still active, Ctrl+Click (Cmd+Click) in the thumbnail of the rose layer. Marching ants will now be visible in the shape of the rose layer.
Click on the Layer Mask icon.
On the Layer panel, the paper layer now shows a Layer Mask thumbnail linked to the layer. The selection was automatically deselected by adding the layer mask and now the paper is cut into the shape of the rose.
To complete the transformation, on the Layer panel choose a Blending Mode from the drop-down menu to apply the color to the sticker. For this sample, "Color Burn" is used. Note that different color backgrounds require the use of different Blending Modes. Experiment to see which works best for your project. You can also adjust the opacity of the paper layer to play with the effect on the sticker layer.
To finish, on the Layer panel, Shift+Click to select the bottom layer and make both layers active (as shown in Screenshot 3). Use Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on Mac) to merge the two layers. If you wish to permanently save the changes, use Shift+Ctrl+S (Shift+Cmd+S on Mac) to "Save As" and rename the file.
Your digital sticker is now ready to use on your layout! Notice how the color has been enhanced with graduations and swirls similar to brush strokes - one more trick for your digital scrapbooking toolbox.
Layout by Marnie Adams
larger view
Tutorial written by Marnie Adams
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