Tutorial: Pen and Ink (Lynda Logan)

[DannyRaphael]

Here's a technique posted by Lynda Logan, another of our regulars. This method makes use of Photoshop's History Brush.

The original image is attached to this post; the "after" in the next.

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This is the view from our apartment [in Korea]. This is more a pen and ink [technique], than a watercolor, but the process is so easy.

These are the steps used to create this effect.

1. Duplicate the Background

2. On the duplicate layer, Blur > Smart blur: edge only, 51 radius, 85 threshold. These settings will vary with each image.

3. Image > Adjustments > Invert

4. From the tool palette choose the History brush tool.

5. Brushwise you'll need a large, soft-edged brush. Blend = Normal, Opacity ~ 20%, Opacity ~ 40%.

6. Brush back detail and color until you achieve the desired effect.

7. Add a Hue / Saturation adjustment layer and adjust saturation (+30 for a little color boost.

8. Finally add a Levels adjustment layer; move Left slider toward right to further enhance colors.

~Smiles~
Lynda

[DannyRaphael]

Pen and Ink-like result.

Remember...
* Results will vary depending on variables such as Smart Blur settings, image resolution, how much is restored from using the History Brush.

Keep experimenting!

[davyjonesfd]

I think without pen effect it looks nice because after the effect it looks like artificial animation thing. So the better thing is keep it as it is and after that it looks nice. So basically original image is nice.

[gholmes1936]

I finally caught up with this one but am not sure of my resulting image. Whatever here it is.

[terence00]

This is new technique.Amazing

[ghealy]

Gunner: Really like your rendition. (Actually much more than the other, but we won't tell Danny, okay? <grin>)

[lkroll]

I agree with you Gene; that's a wonderful conversion Gunner.

[gholmes1936]

Thank you. I appreciate any kind words.

[holybovine]

Thanks, your tutorial helped me out alot.