MW Photoshop Actions Blog

Free Christmas Frame Templates

2011-12-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

(Click on image to view large version)

Example of my 8" X 10" Christmas Frame Template and Illustration Action.

MikeW-Actions Website

Weave Templates

2011-11-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

(Click on images to view large version)

This was created using the Spherize Filter.

New Weave Templates (Also works in Elements)

Free Downloads Page

Free Halloween Frame Template Set

2011-10-30T02:44:00.000-07:00

Frame Set includes 8" X 10" X 300 ppi Horizontal and Vertical Frame Templates.

Year can be changed each year by using the Find and Replace Text feature in Photoshop.

Load the included font into your system before opening the templates.

Free Downloads

10" X 20" Poster Print / Collage Mat Templates

2011-08-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

10" X 20" Hi-Res Photoshop Poster Print / Collage Mat Templates

with optional Hi-Res Frame Layer.

MikeW Photoshop Actions Product Listings

5" X 7" Photoshop Collage Mat Templates

2011-08-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

15 Hi-Res 5" X 7" Photoshop Collage Mat Templates

with optional Hi-Res Frame Layer.

MikeW Photoshop Actions Product Listings

12" X 12" Photoshop Collage Mat Templates

2011-08-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

25 Hi-Res 12" X 12" Photoshop Collage Mat Templates

with optional Hi-Res Frame Action.

MikeW Photoshop Actions Product Listings

Flower Girl Illustration

2011-06-23T03:32:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

Original Photo by Ray Connolly

Result after using my Photoshop Illustration Action

Boy with Great Grand Dad Illustration

2011-06-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

Original Photo by seemerollin

Result after using my Photoshop Illustration Action

Eric Clapton Out of Frame Tutorial / Video

2011-06-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to view large version)

Out of Frame result after adding Mat and Frame to original image.

Download Quicktime Video (.mov)

http://www.mikedubu.com/clapton_oof_tutorial.mov.zip

Steps used in Video:

Open Image

Select All-Copy (for pasting later)

Set guidelines for mat opening

Use marquee tool to make selection

Image-Crop

Edit-Fill with Black

Increase Canvas Size

Clear Guides

Use magic wand to make selection of the mat

Layer-New Layer Via Cut

Change background layer to a working layer

Select All-Delete

Adjust Opacity of top layer to around 65%

Paste image into transparent bottom layer

Position image under mat

Select top mat layer-add layer mask

Select layer mask-Paint black in layer mask to show part of image that is to appear outside the mat opening

Set layer opacity back to 100%

Clean up mask selection using white or black in layer mask

(Note how I used the magic wand on the image to help clean up the mask)

Optional steps to add a second top mat and text:

Duplicate Layer

Make a selection of the mat opening with magic wand

Expand selection for top mat

Set guides-Marquee Selection-Delete

Fill top mat with Black (bottom mat remains white for a look of a bottom mat or white inside border)

Clear Guides

Add Text above top layer

At this point you are done. Save the image.

Optionally, run my frame action to add a frame.

Download Frame Action from here:

http://www.mikedubu.com/mw_frame_web_4_2010.atn.zip

Angelina Jolie - Illustration / Pop-Art Illustration

2011-06-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

Original Photo

Result after using my Photoshop Illustration Action

Result after using my Photoshop Pop-Art Illustration Action

Result after using my Pop-Art Color Variation Frame Action

30 Rock - Illustration

2011-06-05T01:17:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

Original Photo

Result after using my Photoshop Illustration Action

Enlargement to show Illustration detail

Oprah Tribute - Photoshop Sketch Action

2011-06-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to view large version)

Original Photo

Pen and Ink Sketch

using my Sketch Action and Pen and Ink Finisher Action

Blend of Pen and Ink Sketch over Original Photo

Set to 85% Luminocity, then flattened

Increased Color Saturation using Hue/Saturation

Adding Contrast with an S-Curve

We'll miss you Oprah!

Free Photoshop Actions and Templates

2011-05-31T00:52:00.000-07:00

FREE Photoshop Actions

Example of my Free Polaroid SX-70 Action

Example of my Free Polaroid Out-of-Bounds Template

Example of my Free Triptych Mat and Frame Action

24" X 30" Memorial Collage Template Mat

2011-03-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

My new 24" X 30" Memorial Collage Mat Template has one large 10-1/2" X 15-1/4" opening in the center with 86 small outside openings in popular ratios (4 x 5, 4 x 6, 6 x 4 and square) to accommodate images of friends and family to create a special tribute of a loved one for a Memorial Service, Special Birthday or Anniversary.

Add color, texture or an image to the face of the mat to tie in with the main image. The openings have layer effects to simulate mat bevels with drop shadows to give it a realistic custom collage mat look. The template can be downsized to print 16" X 20" or 8" X 10" keepsakes of the occasion.

Watercolor Rendition of Amanda

2011-01-04T04:21:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by Fred James Photography

Hand-Painted Watercolor of Amanda Illustration

Illustration of Granny with Grandsons

2011-01-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

Illustration Action with Vignette

Illustration Action

Watercolor Rendition of Jordana Brewster

2011-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Hand-Painted Watercolor of Jordana Brewster Illustration

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-15T02:54:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday and Prosperous New Year!

(Click on image to see animation)

Frame Edge Mask Set

2010-12-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

8" X 10" Frame Edge Mask Set

Download from here

Original Photo by Ray Connolly

Vintage Sketches and Illustrations

2010-12-12T02:37:00.000-08:00

Color Sketch

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Black and White Sketch

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Colorized Sketch Blended with Original

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Illustration

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Illustration

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Illustration

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Pop-Art Illustration

Original Photo by Oxana Kiryashoff

Triptych Christmas Frame Template

2010-11-30T13:27:00.000-08:00

Paste one or three images above the background layer. Use edit-transform (while holding shift to constrain proportions) to size the image under one of the openings. Delete the excess image that may show in another opening. Use the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to change the color of the Triptych Mat. You may choose to not use the Triptych Mat layer and just paste a 3" X 5" image in the template. You can change the date each year using the find and replace text tool. The finished piece will print 4" X 6". If you want to get real creative you can use this template to make an Out-of-Frame by showing part of the image over the frame border. Flatten then print at home, order prints or email to friends and family.

The mat can be easily modified to create different collage compositions.

Download the Template from Here

Jessica Alba Pop-Art Color Variations

2010-11-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

Pop-Art Color Variations Action creates this nine image set

then optionally adds the mat and frame for web presentation.

Jessica Alba Pop-Art Illustration

2010-11-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

Original Photo

Pop-Art Illustration Action

Lith Print Landscape

2010-11-23T03:52:00.000-08:00

Original Image

Image after running Black and White Lith Print Action

Image after running Lith Print Toning Action

Lisa Lutz by JW Atherton Photography

2010-11-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

Original Photo and Post-Processing by John Atherton

using my Vintage Toning Action and Glass Mat Action.

Great job John! Check out more of John's work here:

JW Atherton's Digital Portfolio

Illustration of Boy with Spoon

2010-09-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by Ray Gerrard

Illustration Action

Grace Park Illustration

2010-09-25T05:22:00.000-07:00

Original

Illustration Action

Watercolor Rendition

2010-09-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by David Perry

Removed the Halter and Replaced the Background then used my

Illustration and Hand Painted Watercolor Actions.

2010-05-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by Alex Dylikowski

Black and White

Half-Sepia Look

New Black and White Photoshop Action Set

Converts images to Black and White with options for adding Sepia-Tone,

Half-Sepia, Sharpening, Blurring & Darkening of the Background.

Watercolor Renditions by Janet Nix

2010-05-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by Janet Nix

Watercolor Painter Action by Janet Nix

Thanks for sharing Janet-Beautiful work!

Pen & Ink Sketch of Cat

2010-04-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by Kiz

Pen & Ink Sketch Action

Orianthi and Michael Lith Print

2010-03-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by Kevin Mazur

Black and White Lith Print Action

Lith Print with Toner Action

Original Photo layered over Toned Lith Print set to Softlight

Orianthi and Michael Sketch

2010-03-21T04:26:00.000-07:00

Original Photo by Kevin Mazur

Orianthi's Website

Pen and Ink Sketch Action

Sketch and Illustration Actions Compared

2010-03-03T22:51:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by Thomas H. Hahn

Pen and Ink Sketch Action

Illustration Action

Sarah Palin Illustration

2010-03-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a before and after take of Sarah Palin using my Illustration Action.

After running the image through the Illustration Action, I Sharpened it then

ran the image through the Final Blur with Texture Finisher. I stop the action

after the Blur part to paint back important details using the History Brush,

then I continue the Action to add a touch of texture.

Watercolor Renditions by Janet Nix

2010-03-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

Janet Nix did a great job with these two rose images using my

Watercolor Painter Action! She uses many different brush tips as

she applies the image back on. I like how she leaves the pencil

lines in and feathers the edges like a real watercolor painting.

Thanks Janet!

Michael Jackson Tribute

2010-03-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

Original photo composite

Pen and Ink Sketch Action

Add Rain Technique

2010-03-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

Original photo by Anna Yu.

Image with Rain.

Duplicate Layer, Add Layer Mask, Paint out umbrella and couple.

Adjust Gamma in Levels from 1.0 to 0.8

Gaussian Blur 1.8 Pixels

Duplicate Layer with Mask

Fill with 50% Gray.

Set Layer to Screen Mode.

Uniform Noise 12% Monochromatic

Auto Levels

Motion Blur 19 pixels -82 degrees

Adjust Screen Layer to 23% Opacity

Levels: Brought in left and right sliders to base of hill

Gaussian Blur .2 Pixels

Colored Pen and Ink Sketch on Parchment

2010-03-02T23:37:00.000-08:00

Original ship photo.

Colored Pen and Ink Sketch on Parchment background.

Watch Sketch Video

Hand Colored Litho / Etching Look

2010-03-02T23:31:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by Hully Exile

Result from Sketch Action

Blended original image over Sketch in Darken Mode at 55%.

Flattened, then adjusted the color, saturation, curves, levels, gaussian blur.

Blended fill layer set to Color at 20% to subdue color.

Added border, grain and texture. Added plate shadow and acid

burn around the edges of the print using layer styles.

This image was created using the same technique.

Comic Strip Pen & Ink Technique

2010-03-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

Original Image by Martin Surovcek

Comic Strip Look

Technique using my Sketch Action to achieve a Comic Strip Pen and Ink look.

Open original Image

Run Sketch Action.

Save Layered PSD.

Run Pen and Ink Finisher Action.

When Action Finishes, double click Top Color Burn Layer.

Adjust Blend If Underlying Layer from 255 to 200 (Lower Right Slider).

Paste Original image on top at 85% Vivid Light to bring back 100% Blacks.

Create new transparent layer at the very top.

Use History Brush at 40% to paint in lost details in the shadow areas.

Triptych Template

2010-02-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

New Triptych Template available for Free download. Mat and Frame

colors can be changed. Drop Shadow layer effects can be changed as well.

Add a title and/or signature to the mat.

Lith Print Photoshop Action

2010-02-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by Brandon Warren

Black and White Lith Print

Toned Lith Print

This image was created with my Lith Print Action which makes images

look like they were taken with Hi-Speed Black and White Film enlarged

with High-Contrast Paper. The result is a very high contrast image with very

interesting grain. There is a toning action included with the action set to

change the color of the paper and ink to emulate a Lith Print.

Gallery Mat Action

2010-02-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

This is an example of a framed image created with my new and

improved Gallery Mat and Frame Action. The action adds a mat and

frame with Golden Mean Proportions and now has adjustable layers

enabling you to can change the color of the mat and frame as well as

control the drop shadows and look of the frame.

Emboss Glow / Pop-Art Color Variations

2010-02-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by David Cole

I used my Emboss-Glow Action to create the single rose image,

then used my Pop-Art Color Variation Action which steps out the

images and shifts the color for each image. The mat and frame was

then added using my frame action that comes with the action set.

Vintage Pin-Up Toning Action

2010-02-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

Original Photo found Googling Vintage Wedding Gown.

This is my result after running my Vintage
Pin-Up Toning Action w/ Illustration.

I used my Antique Photo Mat and Frame

Template to add a final touch to the image.

Contrast-Mask / Illustration Action

2010-02-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

Original Photo found Googling Wedding Couple.

This is the result after running my Contrast Mask - Curves

Action to enhance shadows and highlights.

(Part of my Photoshop Basic Retouching Action Set)

This is the final result after running my Illustration Action,

Sharpening, running the Surface Blur Action, restoring facial

details with the History Brush, then adding a Watercolor
Texture at the end.

Pen & Ink Sketch Action

2010-02-08T00:24:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by Mike Warren

Result using my Pen and Ink Sketch Action

Blended Sketch over the Original Image in Luminosity Mode at 80%.

Flattened image. Increased Color Saturation using Hue/Saturation.

Applied an S-Curve to increase contrast. Ran Surface Blur to remove
surface details. Added my Watercolor Texture as a final touch.

Pop-Art Illustration Action

2010-02-07T22:39:00.000-08:00

Original Photo by Brandon Warren

Brandon Warren Photography

First I ran my Pop-Art Illustration Action on this image, then ran

my Illustration/Watercolor Action on it. I followed the Illustration

Action with the Sharpening Action, Surface Blur Action then added

a Watercolor Texture at the end. Nice grungy urban setting.

I like the Rotoscope look this ended up with.