
By Hazel Meredith, APSA, MNEC, Meredith Images
This tutorial uses several Topaz products – Impression; Lens Effects; Simplify; and Texture Effects. We will modify two texture images before applying them to our subject image. You can follow along using the same images by downloading them from this link.
1. Duplicate Background Layer
OPEN IMAGE 1A – BLUE-GREEN STONE ORIGINAL IN PHOTOSHOP
We’re going to use two Topaz products on this image… Impression + Lens Effects.
STEP #1 – DUPLICATE BACKGROUND LAYER (Control + J or drag layer to the new layer icon) in your host program
GO TO: FILTER > TOPAZ LABS > IMPRESSION 2
Select: Impressionistic Collection
Effect: Impasto I
Settings:
Brush 07
Brush Size .82
Stroke Rot. 0
Stroke Length .41
Smudge .28
Adjust Colors
Red -.20
Orange -.24
Yellow -.24
Aqua +.20
Vignette .14
Light Direction – Center
Vig. Trans. .56
Texture
Canvas III Size +.33
Here is the result of the Impression application:
Save your file at this point as a TIFF or PSD so it is available for future use.
2. Duplicate the Impression Layer
STEP #2 – DUPLICATE THE IMPRESSION LAYER
GO TO: FILTER > TOPAZ LABS > LENS EFFECTS
Filter – Diffusion
Softness .80
Diffusion .80
Edge Trans. .43
Click “OK” and Apply.
Back in Photoshop, use the Dodge Tool to lighten some of the darker areas if desired.
Here is the result of the Lens Effects application:
SAVE AS YOUR FILE AS A TIFF OR PSD, AND THEN SAVE AS AGAIN AS A JPG. Close the file.
3. Open Image 2A - Blue-Tan Rock
OPEN IMAGE 2A – BLUE-TAN ROCK
We’re also going to use two Topaz products on this image… Impression + Simplify.
STEP #1 – DUPLICATE BACKGROUND LAYER (Control + J or drag layer to the new layer icon) in your host program.
GO TO: FILTER > TOPAZ LABS > IMPRESSION 2
Select: Pictorial Collection
Obscurity II
Brush #15
Brush Size .61
Stroke Rot. .32
Spill .32
Smudge .12
Lighting
Brightness -.18
Vignette .05 (Light Position = Center)
Texture
Concrete Smooth
Strength .16
Size .29
“OK” to Apply. Rename layer if desired.
Here is the result of the Impression application:
Save your file at this point as a TIFF or PSD so it is available for future use.
4. Duplicate Impression Layer
STEP #2 – DUPLICATE IMPRESSION LAYER
GO TO: FILTER > TOPAZ LABS > SIMPLIFY 4
Select: Painting Collection – Watercolor II
Simplify Size 1.0
Adjust:
Brightness -.01
Contrast 1.05
Saturation .87
Sat. Boost 1.09
Structure .43
Struct.Boost .83
“OK” to Apply. Rename layer if desired.
Here is the result of the Impression application:
SAVE AS YOUR FILE AS A TIFF OR PSD, AND THEN SAVE AS AGAIN AS A JPG. Close the file.
NOW WE’LL APPLY THESE 2 TEXTURES TO OUR IMAGE IN TOPAZ TEXTURE EFFECTS.
5. Open Texture Effects
OPEN IMAGE 3-2 cranes original – DUPLICATE BACKGROUND LAYER
GO TO: FILTER > TOPAZ LABS > TEXTURE EFFECTS 2
Instead of using a preset, we will be using the two textures that we just created. First we will import our textures.
How to Import Textures:
1. Click the New button in the upper right
2. Click + to Add an Asset
3. Choose Texture
4. Add your texture (Next to the ALL dropdown click on the square with the arrow)
5. You can add the new textures to any category or create a new one. In Texture Effects 2 there is a category already for Hazel Meredith as I contributed textures to this version of the program!).
6. Click on Import and locate the textures you just created. You will see the message below after the texture is imported hit OK. After importing both textures, hit Close.
So now you can select the folder from the drop down that you saved the 2 textures in (they will be added to the end of the selections in that folder).
Click on the Blue-Tan texture
1. Keep Aspect Ratio > click on Yes
2. Change the opacity to 61% and next to that where it says Normal click for the drop-down list and choose Hard Light (this is the blending mode of the layer which changes how the texture interacts with the image or layer below).
3. To add the 2nd texture, select the “+” at the bottom that says Add Adjustment and choose Texture.
4. Again, select the folder where the imported textures are, and select the Blue-Green Stone texture.
5. Keep Aspect Ratio > click on Yes
6. Change the opacity to 88% and make the blending mode Overlay.
7. Say “OK” to apply and return to Photoshop.
And here is our finished image:
NOTE: If you wanted each of the textures to be on a separate layer in Photoshop, you could apply the first texture, say OK, duplicate that layer, then open Texture Effects 2 again and apply the 2nd texture.
NOTE 2: In this instance I like the textures over the birds, but if you did not want the texture on your main subject, you could either use the masking feature in Texture Effects 2 to mask one or both of the textures off of the birds, or you could add a layer mask back in Photoshop and do the same.
If you are interested in an in depth tutorial and information from Hazel, please join us for webinar!
labro
hallo,
i was interesting with your tuto but there was “no resource”.
i didn’t see the link in the text
i have just discovered it downloaded the three images and also a nice printable pdf tuto
i tried your tuto and results are nice on my own pictures too
Thanks sharing these infos with us
next time perhaps good to write “resouces available”
marc
Jodi Robbins
Hi Marc!
You can follow along using the same images by downloading them here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rjgzvl8aybbv82p/AAA7w36Lnh619cPDyHNeCG5ga?dl=0
Have a great day!
Jodi
Roberta
Very helpful. thank you
Dave meredith
Good Job Hazel, I watched you set this up, nicely done. Dave in the kitchen.