Take a photo of a person or animal and turn them into a graphic or cartoon image.

When you're done, just reply to this thread. Attach your before and after images to your post (no URLs, please). Don't forget to include a description of your steps.

As always, this challenge doesn't expire, ever.

-T

Hi T. Paul,
I have been following your posting for awhile now and would like to join in on one of your threads, but i don't think i'm ready. Maybe soon. But i do follow what everyone is doing on them.
Wayne

Wayne, glad that you are following the threads, but don't be afraid to get your feet wet and jump right in! These challenges are open to all levels of expertise. Don't worry if you are a beginner, this is a great way to get pointers and learn from others!

~T

Okay I'll get this started.

1. Duplicated Image

2. Image>Adjust>Posterize to lower the number of colors
Try starting with a value of 3 with and keep increasing it until you like the results. A value of 4 or 5 typically works.

3. Simplified the image more Filter>Artistic>Cutout. To start with try 4 for the number of Levels, 4 for Edge Simplicity and 2 for Edge Fidelity. Again adjust the numbers to your tastes. Note, This is the layer I used as my tracing source.

4. Create a new layer. Use the lasso tool to select an area (for eaxmple the main skin color). Then with the selection still active and while on the new layer choose a color and fill your results. Do this will each band of color, creating a new layer each time until you have your graphic built.

Note you will have to turn these layers on and off in order to still see your tracing layer below.

For a smoother results and more control create clipping paths.

5. Once done. Turn off your tracing layer and create a new layer under all your traced layers and fill with a solid color to create a new background.

In short you use the filters to create a layer to trace and the final image is created by hand.

Photo by wag66 on stockxchng.com (http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=61021)

Wow T Paul, this is really good-i have to try it too!
Seems a rather simple pic is best to start hé!


gina

Thanks Gina and a great rule of thumb is to keep it simple.

I am going to have to try a version using clipping paths. I haven't experimented with them yet, but I know they can give you a lot of editing control.

but i don't quite understand the lasso and clipping steps. this is just steps 1-2-3

SJM nicely done!

As for your question, I basically used the first 3 steps to create a template that I could trace....

Once I simplified the colors through posterize and cutout, there were distinct sections of colors. However, these sections had rough edges and still perhaps too many colors. I wanted crisper lines so I used the lasso tool to outline the shapes of colors I wanted using the posterized/cutout layer as a template. Once I traced an area I placed it on a new layer and filled with a solid color. This way I could create crisp lines and fill with any color I chose. Also it gave me the artistic license to change the shapes as I saw fit. Basically the lasso/clipping path step is an extra step but it gives you a lot of creative control over your results.

I’ve included an animated gif showing how I made the image.


~T

i guess i'm pretty dense, but I still don't get it.

what do you suggest i do to make my portrait more 'cartoony'? :confused:

First off you are not dense. It’s not always easy to communicate a technique. Also note that there are lots of different ways to accomplish the same thing. That's the purpose of this thread...to have people try to achieve the same effect and share how they did it. I think your cartoon image looks fine.

Applying the fourth step to your image…
All I did was take your finished image and use it as a template. I used the lasso tool to outline each color area. Once I had an area selected, I created a new layer and filled the selection. I did this for each color. So I had serveral layers for the hair, eyes, nose, mouth, skin and so on. You can fill the areas with whatever color you want...it's your graphic. I did add a few more color streaks to liven up the hair.

Note, for crisp edges make sure you have 0 px selected for the feather option when you use the lasso tool.

OK, I realized AFTER I did this cartoon and began to post it that we were supposed to have a person or an animal. All I remembered was the word cartoon. So I apologize (with tongue in cheek since I'm posting this anyway).

Danny Raphael has this violin in an art forum; but it was too good to pass up for the cartoon.

I didn't do anything fancy. In fact, what I did was a happy accident while trying to do the art thing for the other forum.

The screen shot gives the steps in a much clearer fashion than I'm able to write them. I will say that I like using several threshold layers rather than posterize. I find they are much more forgiving when it comes to really manipulating shades in a photo.

Enjoy--Even though it is an inanimate object.

Janet :ditsy:

Nicely done Janet! I will have to give thresholds a try. As for being illegal...nah, objects are welcomed too. Also thanks for including your layers, they explain your steps wonderfully.

Thanks for the new technique. Hopefully we will see other ways to make a cartoon image posted to this thread.


~T

Here's my first attempt at any art challenge, so please be kind. :) I didn't divert from the original directions at all. I had a hard time with the nose and eyes; my husband actually helped me with the nose because I had it looking a little clownish.

ETA these links; I made the pictures too small in photoshop.

Original (http://www.luckeyfamily.com/mandacartoonoriginal.jpg)
Cartoon-ed (http://www.luckeyfamily.com/mandacartoon.jpg)

keepemcomin,

Welcome to your first art challenge and what an excellent job! I can’t wait to see more entries form you. You should be thrilled with the results. You have created a lovely graphic! I especially like the eyes and kudos on your husband for helping you with the nose. The nose is usually the most difficult feature to make look natural. Excellent job! :D

Had to give this one a try. All the posts are great. I started off with the steps T gave, but my image was B&W so I painted in each color on a seprate layer, color mode. When I was done flattened the image and duplicated and added poster edges, brought down the opacity and fill.

I used a photo I took of my daughter.

Jill,

Nicely done…I love the B&W too! The color adds a bit of vibrancy to the image and I really like the subtle soft blush on the cheeks. I’m glad you gave this challenge a try!

What a surprise, I got a result of sorts!

I duped the original/Mode-Screen to lighten.
Merged both layers.
Selected horse and repasted into a new blank image.
Spent ages smudging the horses hair and coat.
Smudge enlarged the ears and mouth.
Deformed and widened the whole horse.

Experimented with …..
Flaming Pear – Chroma Solarize
Photo Wizz – RGB TO YCC
Blend Mode – Soft Light.
This turned the horse shades of pink.
Merged all visible

I then had a look at your instructions T. Paul –
thank you and did posterize.
Then made selections and started filling in
with the main colour of the horse (i.e. pink).
I discovered something new with PSP8.01 –
that I then did NOT have to keep making selections
of other colours to fill …. that when I used the
Fill Tool and placed on top of the other colours
they filled automatically???

The first result was after I filled in the bg etc.
The second one was after applying Photo Wizz
Filter again – HSL 2 RGB which changed all
the colours.

Thank you – I learned quite a bit with this exercise.

p.s. Yes...I did add extra graphics (i.e. Paint Shop Pro tubes - diamond and used
a brush to add the boa)

Thought I'd give this one a quick try using a tutorial from Photoshop User Magazine on a pic I took at the circus earlier this year:

1. Duplicate original, and get rid of distracting background elements
2. Make a copy of your "fixed" original and name it "dodge/burn"
3. Create a high contrast black and white using a channel mixer AL set to monotone (check channels for most contrasty and go from there)
4. Use a threshold AL to get just black and white tone, play around until you can see the major element but don't worry about the details yet
5. On the "dodge/burn" layer use a soft wide brush and the burn tool to bring out details. You can lower the opacity of the Threshold layer so you can see where details belong.
6. On the "dodge/burn" layer use a small hard brush and the dodge tool to bring back some white areas where you want to add color.
7. Create a new layer for each color you want to add, set blending mode to multiply, and just paint in the colors you want!

I was in a hurry so I didn't paint as carefully as I should have, but you get the idea. Plus, I figure if it was a cartoon it might be kind of, shall we say, freestyle? LOL!

Very, very nice. I shall be using this technique soon I'm sure. I have just the photo for it.

Not all of us take those magazines, yet there is a lot to be learned. Thanks for sharing.

Janet

Excellent Franny Mae, thank you for the details also which I'm keen to try out in the morning. You started with just the right image too. Well done. :bigthmb: :bigthmb:

Thank you – I learned quite a bit with this exercise.


Always love to hear it when people learn from an exercise!

Neve I like your results. By widening the image, you changed the look from a horse to a pony. In fact, the graphics remind me of the children’s toy “My Little Pony.” I’d have to say that the pink one is my favorite of the two. I also like the touch of the added sparkle to the eye. Nicely done!

FrannyMae,

Thanks for sharing your technique! It's always fun to learn a new one.

Your image has a very nice arty look to it. In fact, it reminds me of one of those paint-by-numbers kit you get from a craft store. I especially like the bright colors! Nicely done!

~T

Thanks for the nice feedback everyone! T Paul, I had to laugh when you said it looked like a paint-by-numbers kits! It reminds me a lot of the kits where the background is black velvet and you fill in the white spaces with markers-my son loves those things. I've never tried it on a picture with more subtle coloring, but would like to see the result. I love all the different approaches everyone has taken! Cheers!

Thank you for kind comments T Paul. I thought perhaps this was a bit childish for this particular thread with so many wonderful more adult results but with 5 granchildren...I just couldn't resist my wee ponies! Franny Mae, I'm still sitting here with your notes for your result and determined to find time tomorrow to try it out! Thanks again and to everyone else for sharing so much. Excellent thread and looking forward to seeing even more wonderful results.

I thought I would post an image of my husband that I turned into a cartoon...after some alterations! He needed a new head, for one thing! LOL! I also ditched the Christmas tree. I love doing this kind of picture!

Franny

It's raining, tv sucks, what better thing to do than messing with Photoshop. My amateurish way:
1. duplicate layer
2. create new layer/lasso face/edit>fill color (red)
3. create new layer/lasso eyes/edit>fill color (black)
4. merged layers
5. edit>stroke>8 pix
6. create new layer for base>gradient
7. Got Pig1
8. Accidentally set face layer blend to "difference", got pig2. Like this one better for its haunting effect. It is coming back to get you! :lol:

Note: the original pig head foto was taken from a supermarket.

Thanks for the technique TPaul. I had fun with this one. Will have to work some more with it. Decided to try it on my kitty Grizzle. I had trouble with the eyes though. Any ideas to improve the look? I used clipping paths to select the different colored areas. I used the freeform pen tool which was a bit difficult. I think next time I might try the lasso tool instead. I also think it's time to hook up my old tablet. This stuff sure is hard with a mouse!!

This is a fun thread! :) I have a pic I've been wanting to do this kind of effect on, but wasn't sure of where to begin...and now thanks to all the tips & techniques shared here, I know!

I'm definitely going to have to install my tablet on my home computer, I'm far too shaky to do a good outline with a mouse!

I'll post results when I get to try it...

Franny,
Excellent results and the dot fill further emphasized the cartoon appearance! Now you just need to print it on some transfer paper and apply it to a t-shirt!

Thomasfoo,
Rainy days are great for playing! Nice use of the gradient and stroke.

Amanda,
Nice results especially by using a mouse! The problem with the eyes is that you didn’t fully define them. Try completing the outline of the eye and don’t forget the pupil. Also try adding a line to help define the neck from the body. Then add a few whiskers for the finishing touch!

Malia01us,
Looking forward to seeing your results!

Amanda,

Hear is an example of what I mean by outling the eyes more and defining the chin area....

This is a rough example done with the lasso tool and the mouse

Thanks for the guidance TPaul. It's back to the drawing board for me! :D

Don't forget to post your results! :)

~T

T Paul, I never even thought about putting that pic on a Tshirt...what a great idea! Every New Year's I get everyone in the family a funny Tshirt to wear with our balloon hats while we play games and just act silly. I know what my husband is getting this year. Maybe I'll do one for every member of the family...that would be too funny!

Thanks for the inspiration!

Franny

Happy to help out! Sounds like a great time!!

~T

Hi all

New here...
It was this very thread that has lured me to this site. I have been looking for a way to change a photo to a cartoon style image, this is a perfect technique!
I just have zero photoshop skills, so I hope to pull it off..

Thanks for a great start!

Barb

Welcome to RetouchPro and don't forget to post your results! I'd love to see how the graphic turns out. :)

~T

Thanks for the welcome.

I haven't got beyond step #3, but I am liking the way it is going so far. I will struggle with the rest, as like I said before, I do not know photoshop that well.

Hope to have something soon
:)

Barb

I am still new at this, but here is my first attempt. The first steps are easy, its the fine tuning I still need work on.

Enric, before and after:

http://www.xerraire.com/compare%20enrics.jpg

Thanks all for a start on some wonderful techniques on cartooning.

Another, perhaps getting a little more to what I wish for...
http://www.xerraire.com/laurabeforeandafter.jpg

Xerraire,

You are getting the hang of it! For future posts try to attach the actual image vs a link. This way your pictures will remain if the links get broken.

I am not sure I know how to do what you tell me to do.

I actually found this forum (and I really like it) looking for a way to do this effect, but I will definately stick around to learn more. It's just that I lack a lot of photoshop basics, and so while I oooooooh and ahhhhhhhh at all that I see here, I know that I really need to get to the basics. However, I must say, this forum has been quite an incentive to finally LEARN them!

Just a small background, I wanted to make a shopping page, and I wanted to have a cartoon image of myself (and my children will have their own corner) and that is why I wanted to do the cartoon. Here is the page, a work in progress, but the cartoon is close to what I was looking for. » HERE (http://www.xerraire.com/shop/shop.htm)

So thanks to everyone for giving me the know how!

If you are asking about how to attach an image...check out this thread:

Attaching Files or Images to Threads or Posts (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7933&highlight=attaching)

These are a couple of cartoonish stuff I did of myself... Took the pic myself at arms length... u'll notice the fisheye effect ... this was a long time ago i dont even remember the program i used to do it :depressed . But I'll keep looking. Dont confuse urselves with the last one... aint no cartoon its really me!! :D

testing......
:)

The before and after images are amazing! I would never have known how to do this. I will definitely have to give this a try.

Nice work!

Tracy

This is one I did of my Grandaughter.
http://glasscat.smugmug.com/photos/32161428-L.jpg

milla jovovich

Sorry I have no image to post but I do have a quick tip.

Often times, especially in political cartoons, prominent features are often exaggerated in order to make the cartoon stand out and make the faces recognizable. This is important especially since a move from a photograph to a cartoon by it's very nature most often involves loss of detail and definition in the subject. By exaggerating the features this loss of definition is compensated.

Photoshop's liquify tool is an excellent way of making prominent features even more so before "converting" the image to a cartoon. Obviously this doesn't apply to all types of cartoons and need not be done if it's not the desired effect but it's a nice way emphasize the character of the person in the image while reducing the details of the photo.

Simply take the photo into the liquify mode and strech the prominent features until they look cartoonish. Remember to take your cues from the person's actual features. For esample, if the person has big eyes make them even bigger. If they have a small nose make it even smaller. It's like enhacing the lighting of a photo by following the existing shadows/highlights.

After "converting" the photo into a cartoon you'll be surprised at how much "pop" your image will have.

Just my 2 cents.

Sukku,
Nice cartoon effect! I believe this can also be achieved in Photoshop by using the liquify filter.

Cyber Cat,
Wonderful Results! You’ve captured just the right amount of detail. The clothing folds and the detail in the eyes and hair really make the image work. You may want to add just a bit of a line to help define the right arm from the right leg though –now it just blends in.

Goose443,
Nice tip for creating caricatures.

Dbuckle,

Nice results! You may want to experiment with the Cutout Filter settings to capture more detail in your image. I believe you need a bit more detail in the face to help it read clearer. This was done quickly using only the Cutout Filter in Photoshop (Filters>Artistic>Cutout).

First I duplicated the original image twice. Named one “Simplify” and the other “Detail”.

On the Simplify Layer I ran Cutout at:
Number of Levels 8
Edge Simplicity 5
Edge Fidelity 3

On the Detail layer (place under Simplify Layer) I ran Cutout at:
Number of Levels 7
Edge Simplicity 3
Edge Fidelity 3

Next I created a Layer Mask on the Simplify layer and painted back in some detail in the face, hair and zipper. You could also use the eraser, but the Layer Mask gives you more flexibility as you can always paint in or out detail.

Also you don’t have to apply the Cutout Filter to your entire image. You can always use the lasso tool to select sections and apply the filter at different levels to different areas of an image. This way you can keep more detail in some areas, while simplifying others.

I've attached your image to show the difference...

T Paul thank you very much. you right about adding the line. i didnt notice that. :bow: *off to fix*

Our puppy, Kaycee (Yellow lab mix)

#1, original
#2, Live Trace version
#3, PhotoShop straight posterization at 6 colors

I wanted to play with Illustrator CS2's auto trace feature so I fixed her "dog eyes" in PhotoShop to make them brown again (camera reflects blue or green for animals ya know). Used the pen tool to select her outline and saved as a native PSD file.

Opened this PSD file in Illustrator CS2 and chose the Live Trace function and set it for "Color 16" (I tried Color 8, but it lost details in her eyes).

Copy and Pasted the trace back into Photoshop as pixels. Added a shadow and background.

I think the result is acceptable as a fun illustration and the Live Trace makes for more realistic colorization of the shades of fur.

Thanks T Paul for the tip. Nice job.

CyberCat was that done in Photoshop or illustrator?

creeduk first -photoshop, then illustrator.

I thought so :D, nice job by the way. Do you have CS2 illustrator if not have you tried the new trace feature (with the trial) it works very well.

thanx :) no , i dont have illustrator CS2. (just CS) and i prefer pen tool to any auto trace fanction.
oh btw you can use flash instead of illustrator (works quiet well)

Yes I have done a lot of work with flash, I have cartoons of all my coleagues done in flash, started about 3 or 4 years ago. There I use the pen tool also. I have done some recent ones with illustrator and just recentley I tried out the trace tool n a phot that I turned into a sketch in Photoshop then I was able to scale with no loss for a card I built in flash and it came out GREAT.

i think you should share your creations!!!

Well the guys at work did not really want to end up on the web, so rather than not post I found some guy on free stock photo web site and cartooned him up, this is the same process (using flash) that I used on my team. Only difference is in any animations I use different lips (animated lips/mouths, more cartoonish as attached image)

sometimes I might add more eye detail but really I just like to keep it simple, 50% of time I use gradient in flash for hair as seen here other times just one color. This is an export to png then taken to photoshop to add the original image. Of course in flash this is vector so loss-less.

awsome job!!! i wish too just keep it simple but unfortunatly just cant stop:)

Thanks :) once I found this method I have had a ton of fun. I photoshop people at work a lot to keep moral up (entertain the guys/gals) but once I put them in Flash I was able to animate and have some real fun..lol

niceeee. maybe one day when you have time you could post it here

Swampy,
Nice results with CS2’s Live Trace feature. I like how you posted examples of Live Trace vs. straight posterization. I agree that the fur looks more realistic using Live Trace. Also…what a cute puppy!


Creeduk,
Flash is actually a quite powerful drawing program. I’m sure your work cartoons are quite the hit, especially once you animate them!

~T :)

where do u download the software???

I'd completely forgotten this very fun thread. A bunch of us were goofing around with lighting. This one begged to be cartooned. The subject thought it was a hoot; and we all got a good laugh.

Now you may laugh too.

Janet

i'd forgotten this thread also. never had time to do it before either. decided to give it a shot. however, all those photoshop instructions were chinese to me, being a Paint Shop Pro user, so i had to find another tutorial on the web. probably a bit longer to do it this way, but seemed to work :)

btw, janet, love yours!

I hope it's okay to show one done the lazy way. This was done with Xero filters. I'm not sure what to say it is. Maybe a graphic more than a cartoon.
I just like it. Looks kind of nostalgic to me.
Nan

Nice thread!

I used one of photoshop mama's chores and added a lineart layer of my own.

Original from StockXchange -- free use.

A quick one from me.
Cutout Filter, Halftone pattern Levels to give colours the comic look.
There was more but can't remember all of the steps.

Peter

Man in a white hat...........

Steve

I've always wanted to try this sort of thing, but was intimidated by my less than refined Illustrator/pen tool skills. Recently though, I've gotten much better at both, so when I saw this thread I ate it up!

This is my first attempt at vector art, so not my best...I need to work on skin tones/blending, but I am pleased with most of the rest. :)

I would like some feedback please, as I plan to continue practicing this skill.

Tried another. Getting better :)

(took forever!!!)

Attached is also a screenshot of the paths from Illustrator, and my layers.

Wanted to try this too. The original image is from a trip to the African Lion Safari in Canada. The giraffe was "holding up traffic".

Didn't spend too much time on this, adjusted original's color balance, cropped, posterized, cutout, added noise. Should have done more, but need to run.

In Photoshop:

Snap Art Comic filter;
Select and delete background;
New layer, fill with color, Comic filter again;
Touch-up image with Clone tool.

excellent, photomaster. love the texturing there.

Lines and fills done in Illustrator.

Lighting and texture done in Photoshop.

Regards,

Michael

What a great illustration! This image would make a great storybook graphic.

Excellent work Graphics23!!

Here's my style:

You are all doing a great job, I've got to give this a shot it looks like fun.

Graphics23, your pirate is very well done. I agree with TPaul. Go for the storybook.

Janet

Thank you, T Paul & Janet!

My wife keeps urging me to write an illustrated pirate book.

That's me in the original digital capture, so I could do all my own reference shots!

If only I had my own ship... :grin:

48398

Thanks again,

Michael

A vector of a friend.

www.myspace.com/kissofglamour - affordable photo retouching, enhancing, and art

A vector of a friend.

www.myspace.com/kissofglamour (http://www.myspace.com/kissofglamour) - affordable photo retouching, enhancing, and art

Very nicely done!

I especially like the shading in the face and ear.

The work on the hair is well done, too!

Regards,

Michael

ears are my favorite part, thank you.

Great work Emily!

People here have just an amazing work of art!whew!

Someone had me do this one of Jamie Eason.
www.myspace.com/kissofglamour

Very well done, Emily!

The shading is fantastic.

Regards,

Michael

Here's my latest.

Regards,

Michael

Emilylt87,
Excellent work! I agree the shading is quite lovely. Now to be nitpicky (smile). Two areas bother me. The dark shadow on her right leg looks more like the background is showing through, instead of a shadow. And the hard shadow for her left armpit, to me, is too hard and should be softer like the rest of the skin shading you did. Just a thought.

Graphics23,
Excellent job too! I like the skin shading, highlights and I really like the tie. I might use a thinner outline for the ears and nose though and add a few whispy hairs so that the haircut doesn’t look so clean.


~T

Thanks so much for your imput i thought the same thing after the fact. The leg shadow bothered me so I made a softer one and it just didn't work for me.

Thanks,

Emily
www.myspace.com/Kissofglamour

hi i thought i'd try this one.

Very nice work K_GiMiNi_M. It isn't too stylized and it isn't too detailed. Great job on a beautiful horse.

Janet

thank you Janet Petty.
your is cool too.:)

all done in illustrator using gradients on the piggy bank and roughen on the bunny :)

great job everyone.. fun as aways to see what people come up with!

now I hope the picture shows up hehe keep forgetting how to attach images to the note I am writing

:)

Great work! I love the fuzzy bunny (too cute). This would make a cute illustration for a children's book. Also nice use of shading on the piggy bank. :)

K_GiMiNi_M,

Lovely horse! I really like the sharp details of the horse graphic in contrast to the blurred background. It really makes the horse stand out and gives a sense of motion to the image. Great job!

~T

Thanks hun :) hey I know its the wrong place but..art tag..soon? hehehe