Ronin, a rain tutorial

In this tutorial I will show you some simple but efficient techniques. We will use levels to create a great black and white image, we will add a convincing rain effect through a few old and well known techniques that when put together create a convincing rain effect and finally some blending effects. Before We [...]

In this tutorial I will show you some simple but efficient techniques. We will use levels to create a great black and white image, we will add a convincing rain effect through a few old and well known techniques that when put together create a convincing rain effect and finally some blending effects.

Before We Get Started

For this tutorial you are going to need 1 Image:

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/595050

Step 1 Extracting the Samurai

a)   Open the samurai image as is and double-click on the “Background” layer to make it editable.

b)   Then use the pen Tool to select the samurai, then go to Select> Modify > inverse

c)   Next Select > Modify > Feather and in the dialog box apply .5px.

d)   Delete the background

Step 2 Adjusting the levels

a) We paint black the background to properly adjust the levels

b) If your subject is in  colors we have to desaturate it: image> adjustments> desaturate. In this case our image is already in gray

c) Now increase the contrast of the image in black and white to give it a Sin City-like effect. Apply Image> adjustments> levels.

Step 3 Creating the reflection

a) Now create a reflection of the samurai. Duplicate the image and flip it vertical. Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical

b) We have to deform the reflection to fit the samurai and to be more realistic. We used edit> transform> warp. Adjust the grid so that the reflection fir the samurai.

c) We add a layer mask to the reflection.

d) Select a gradient tool and paint the mask from white to black with a linear gradient to diffuse the reflection. We apply a transparency of 60%.

e) To achieve the effect of raindrops we apply ocean ripples. Filter> Distort> Ocean ripple.

Step 4 first rain layer

a) Now apply a red light as background for a more dramatic contrast. Create a gradient from red to black and paint a new layer behind the samurai with a circular gradient.

b) For the rain create a new layer and paint it with white.

c) Apply:  filter > Render > clouds.Then apply filter> Noise> add noise. A percentage of 70%, Standard and monochrome.

The third filter we will apply to create the first layer of rain is the motion blur. In this case, use an angle of 70 and an intensity of 40.

d) We set the blending mode: linear dodge add to 28%

e) Since we want the image of the samurai as clean as possible erase areas from the rain in front of the face and body.

Step 5 second and third rain layers

Now for the rain layers create a special brush.

a) Create a new document 400 x 400 pixels in white

b) Create a new layer over that.

c) Go to brushes and make sure it is on airbrush (has soft edges)

d) Change the pen weight to 9.

e) Paint a single dot towards the left of the image

f) Go to Filter> Stylized> Wind and repeat this six times last filter

g). Go to Filter> Blur> Motion blur. September Angle to 0 and Distance to 10 pixels.

h) Now rotate the raindrop to match the angle of our first layer, in this case 70 degrees

i) Invert the image:  image> adjustments> invert

j) Press Ctrl + A to select the entire image.

k) Go to Edit> Define Brush Preset. Name it raindrops.

Add the second layer of rain

a) Create a new layer

b) Go to the Brush Tool and look for the brush rain created  in the Brush Palette. Select Shape Dynamics in the Brush Palette.

c) Under the Brush Presets Tab, change the Master Diameter of the brush to 90.

d) In the Shape Dynamics tab, change the Size Jitter to 50% and Angle Jitter to 1%

e) In the Scattering tab, change the Scatter: 1000%

f) Now painted in the new layer with white. Paint throughout the image. Apply a 40% transparency

g) For the foreground drops change the master diameter of the brush to 190. Painted in a new layer. We apply a 60% transparency

Step 6 splashing water

We now apply splashing water around the samurai

a) Select a 1px brush with a white color

b) Go to the Brush Palette

c) Change these settings:

Scattering 1000%, Space: 600%, 64% hardness

d) Create a new layer and paint around the figure

Step 7 shades

a) To give a more dramatic effect obscure the corners of the image. Create a new layer and painted it with a circular gradient from white to black

b) Set the blending mode to 80% transparency.

Step 8 Kanji

As a last detail Kanji apply the word Ronin. In this case, trace the kanji in illustrator and export vectors. The kanji you can download it here.

Step 9 lights

As a last effect if you want you can apply additional lights.

a) Create a new layer

b) Create a rectangular mask and paint with a linear gradient from white to black

c) Rotate with the same degrees as the rain, in this case 70 degrees

d) Apply color overlay layer style. A red, multiply

e) set the blending mode to screen 15%

f) Erase the borders  to soften the corners.

g) Now duplicate the layer and put it in different areas. In this case, place one before the samurai and the other close to the name to generate more dynamism and tension.

Done, hope you like these techniques. They are very fast to implement. The full image does not take more than an hour and a half.

Tags: photoshop tutorial, rain tutorial

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13 Comments to Ronin, a rain tutorial

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