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Technique

Photoshop and Illustrator


CS or later

Creative
collages and
mixed-media
effects

Eric Carl shows you


how to create striking illos
from found imagery


Everything old is new again, as the saying goes, and
this is certainly true in the current climate. The really interesting
work arrives when designers can successfully borrow elements
from the past and distort and rework them to create their own
unique vision.

In this tutorial Ill walk you through how I use found
imagery and illustration to create an engaging image something
that hints at a mysterious narrative, leaving enough holes that the
viewer is free to complete the story themselves. In this image I play
with themes of power and dictatorship in a futuristic age, but
understand that the narrative can evolve as you create an image
and continue to find new inspiration. Keep in mind that collage is all
about creative interpretation take what you learn from this
tutorial and apply it with your own unique voice.

Eric Carl
Eric is a LA-based
artist and designer
who is currently
employed as a
designer and
instructor at the
Gnomon School of
Visual Effects in
Hollywood. See more
of his work at www.
sans-concept.com.

On the disc
Erics base shapes
and the tutorial
images in TIF format
can be found in Disc
Contents\
Resources\Collage

Time needed
6-8 hours
Skills

Vector and
raster tool
integration

Masking
techniques

Lighting
techniques

Compositional
skills

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01

I start with a rough sketch for the


composition and then create the base shapes for a
oating fortress in Illustrator (youll find these on
the Computer Arts disc). Use ellipses to build your
required shapes and guides to make sure
everything stays centred and lined up.

03

I make a new elliptical selection the same


size as the original circle and fill it with 50% grey. I
draw a black-to-transparent Linear Gradient from
bottom right to top left, and a white-to-transparent
Radial Gradient from top left to bottom right.

05

Now I split the sphere into two pieces and


use the rim shapes pasted from Illustrator to create
the inside. I convert the shape layers to selections
and airbrush (hit b, click the arrow on the top right
of the Brush dropdown menu, then select your
brush) inside to create shade. Add some subtle
noise to get a more airbrushed look.

02

I copy these shapes into a Photoshop file


and lower their opacity for use as a visual guide. I
then copy and paste each individual shape in
separately, and line them up. This way I can use the
shapes as masks later on.

04

To make the sphere more believable and


give it a slight 1970s or 1980s airbrushed are I add
reected light on the bottom right. Do this by
creating a crescent shape along this side, blurring it
and then adjusting its Opacity.

06

I duplicate the bottom half of the sphere


and Free Transform (Edit>Free Transform) it to
create additional spheres on the sides. Pay
attention to how things overlap avoid tangents
and allow the shapes to read clearly.

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07

Ive used a vintage water


image to fill the insides of the spheres.
The real fun is in going out and finding
your own images to use in your work.
Check out second-hand bookstores or
charity shops for material.

08

Paste in a section of your


chosen image and add a Layer Mask to
the layer. Paint in the mask around the
edges with a brush to create a shape.
Use Free Transform, copy and paste to
compose the image as desired.

10

I continue working with these elements to build this


ambiguous column of rock and architecture. Copy, paste and
clone the items as desired. Using literal subjects but combining
them creatively can produce interesting results.

09

I then paste in a section of a found futuristic dwelling


image. To outline mechanical shapes such as this, use the Pen
tool. Convert the created path to a selection and use that
selection as a mask on the layer.

11

12

Now, well add some


decoration, giving us an opportunity to
explore the narrative. I have a character
riding an escalator into the structure
perhaps hes an uninvited guest?

Its time to introduce the


dictator. I paste the character in, and
again add a mask to the layer. I paint out
the edges with a brush, and fix the dark
elbow on the left with the Dodge tool.

14

The final image has even


more decoration and Ive made various
adjustments to the contrast and general
composition. Note how Ive used light
and dark areas to create contrast and
help the grouped elements sit together.

15

13

The dictators size doesnt have to be literal I let


him be large and in charge. I create a shape in Illustrator thatll
act as a seating area, then paste it into Photoshop and shade it
with the Airbrush (see Step 5) so it recesses.

Computer Arts February 2009

ART158.tut_pshop2 88

Continue adding decoration


and ensure that the important elements
read clearly. Prioritise certain parts of
the image my dictator is most
important so he has the most contrast.
Less important elements have less
contrast, so they arent seen as easily.

www.computerarts.co.uk

15/12/08 12:42:32 pm

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