It was suggested on my Gallery Page that I make a tutorial on how to create original artwork from Photos in Photoshop.  I would love to do that.  I will start with this thread.

Part One

1. Find a photo either you've taken or is royalty free that you really like and want to make into a drawing.   (I'm using a photo of my cat  Sunny Girlfriend.
2. In Photoshop (I use CS2) make your background photo a "Layer from background" by (win: right click dropdown) (MAC: Command/click) so that you can change the opacity of the image for more clerity on the drawing layer.
3. Make the transparency around 50% or to your preference based on how well you see your image through the drawing layer.
4. Add a transparent layer. 

Now we are almost ready to draw. :)

I've grayscaled the photo to make this a little easier as we are doing a line drawing for this tutorial.

Part Two

1.  Make sure your photo is inlarged to a fairly high resolution, that way the drawing lines can be finely detailed.  I'd say no smaller than 600 dpi ... you will make the image smaller when we are finished.

1. to make a graphic pen type drawing, pick your "brush" as 1 pixel and with your graphics pen (Wacom tablet is assumed here, but some people, brave souls have been known to use a mouse). (Warning: Be sure you are always drawing on the second layer ... not Layer 0.  We will discard layer 0 when we are finished)
2. First we start with an outline.  Get the basic shape of your piece.  This is where your individual style and technique takes precidence.  Outline the basic form, the patches, eyes, mouth ... general areas.
3. Start the details .... next.

Images for Part two next time.  :)  I must be off. :)

Cool, keep up with the tut. :)

Tihomir

Will do.  I'll have some more up tomorrow.  :)
Boni

Here is Part Two A.  The outline with the photo showing underneath.  (Note to Poser users.  You don't have to use a photograph ... you can draw from your Poser/Vue/Bryce ... well you get the idea ... images)  I used a 12 pixel brush to show up more clearly.  In My Jo, I used a 1 pixel to show fine detail. 

To give you and idea of what it looks like without the photo background.  Here is Part Two B

Part Three

1.  Here is where you go in and do details.  There are three different techniques I use for this.  Remember I'm using a much larger brush than normal for deminstating purposes.  First you zoom in on the area you want to detail.
    a. Stipple shadows that have even texture. (unlike fur)
    b. Stroke single lines to give an idea of a shape you don't want  to be too "busy"
    c. Stroke grouped lines to show hair, fur and such.  You can use "hair" brushes  available for Photoshop.  But ... it will take away the hand-drawn look of the piece.  I draw individual hairs in quick close strokes. 

Part Three B Showing a  zoom out of the detail I've just done showing the drawing alone.  Again if this were a finishing piece the brush would be 1 pixel and probably an airbrush as well to soften the edges of the strokes. 

Part Four
1.  Move Layer 0 to the trash so that you only have your drawing as your image.  Of course only do this with a backup and when you are sure you have your drawing done to your satisfaction.

1. Reduce the image slightly to  create finer lines in your drawing and save in what format you see best as well as a good jpeg for your on-line gallery.  Happy drawing!

You can imagine the finished piece.  If you wish me to finish to show the full effect please let me know. :)

Boni

Also, let me know if you want more of a detailed tutorial on hand drawn hair.  I'll be glad to post that.

Yes, I would like to see more of youre techniques. Its interesting to read and learn something new :)

Tihomir

Nice tute...happy to see it turn up...

Quote - Here is Part Two A.  The outline with the photo showing underneath.  (Note to Poser users.  You don't have to use a photograph ... you can draw from your Poser/Vue/Bryce ... well you get the idea ... images)  I used a 12 pixel brush to show up more clearly.  In My Jo, I used a 1 pixel to show fine detail. 

Hi Boni, re that part about using Poser - are you referring to the Poser Sketch function, which is actually a type of automatically-rendered sketch-style ?   That type of sketching is generated entirely using the algorithms from the input settings, and IMHO, not easy to control for the desired outcome / effect.  I don't think I know of any function inside of Poser which allows me to input an overlay by mouse or digital pen onto specific areas of the underlying image.  Or did I miss a trick or two ?

@Infinity10; I think Boni is just saying you can use a Poser/Vue/Bryce render as background pic (instead of a photograph) to draw on in Photoshop... @Boni; thanks for posting this tut, I would love to see a tutorial on hand drawn hair too, so if you find the time; give us more please!!!

Right you are Mikewave, I am talking about the rendered image as a background (Layer 0).  I'm so glad that this has been helpful.  I will work on a hair tutorial next and perhaps for the Poser people out there a drawing tut on bringing more realism to the eyes.  Expect the hair tutorial in the next few days.

Boni

Infinity 10:  As much as I love Poser and it's capabilities.  The scetch designer is ... pretty useless to me.  I find it very unreliable.  It doesn't do transparencies ... so hair, clothes ... and such just don't come out right.  I prefer the "hand drawn" look.  As a reference or a starting point for the tracings in Photoshop.  Some of the sketch designer tools can come in handy ... but as a stand alone art tool.  Not really.

Boni