How to Mold Paint Splatter to a Face in Photoshop
Download Source Files
In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to take splattered paint Photoshop brushes and apply them to the contours of a model’s face. This is a relatively simple technique, which yields excellent artistic results. Let’s get to it!
Final Image Preview
Take a look at the image we’ll be creating. Want access to the full PSD files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Psd Plus for just $19/month.
Video Tutorial
Our video editor Gavin Steele has created this video tutorial to compliment this text + image tutorial.
Preparation
First thing you will need to do to create this effect is find some nice paint splatter/spray brushes. For this particular piece I used brushes from Brusheezy: 842-Splatter. You’ll also need an image to apply this to. In this case, I shot this image myself.
Step 1
Copy the background and paste it onto a new layer. Rename the new layer Subject and turn the background layer to white.
Create a new layer labeled “Extra Skin.” Then using the Clone Tool, Alt-click on other parts of the face that best match the color of skin you want to copy. I suggest using a soft brush to blur out the edges.
For this I usually just play around with the Cloning Tool until I get close to something that looks right. This may take some experimentation, as you have to pay close attention to the light source in the photograph. To see a more in-depth tutorial on the cloning tool you can visit this page on Psdtuts+.
Step 2
Once we have covered all the facial features, select the “Extra Skin” layer and the "Subject" layer, then press Command + Alt + E on to merge the layers into a new layer. Rename this layer “Faceless Subject.”
Step 3
Now we can start building our paint splatter area. Create a new layer and call it “Paint map.” Select the Brush Tool and start to paint out the area you want the paint splat to appear in. This is where your paint splatter/spray brushes will come in handy.
It doesn’t matter what color you use; here I have chosen yellow (#ffc924). It also helps to lower the opacity of this layer so that you can better line up the splats over the subject’s face.
Make sure that you only paint where you want the splatter to occur, you may have to paint/mask/erase a bunch to get a nice paint splatter. Take your time with this Step; it may be the most important one of the process.
Step 4
Once completed you will want to get rid of any layer masks by right-clicking on the “Paint map” layer and selecting Convert To Smart Object. After that, change the layer style of the “Paint Map” layer to Overlay. You should now have something that looks similar to the picture below; keep in mind that no two paint splatters will be exactly the same.
Step 5
Next create a new layer under the “Paint map” layer, and name this layer “Extra Skin 2.” With this layer selected Command-click the "Paint map" layer to select the paint splat you have created. Next click on the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the layers palette.
Step 6
Turn the visibility of the “Paint map” layer off. With the “Extra Skin 2″ layer selected, grab your Cloning Tool again and start copying portions of skin into the area that has no skin.
Again try to match the lighting of the photo; you are basically creating an extra skin layer that will become paint once colored. I find it helpful to turn off the Aligned option for the cloning tool in the top tool bar.
Step 7
Once you’ve created a nice splatter area made from skin, turn the visibility of your “Paint map” layer back on. You should have something that looks like the image below.
Step 8
Create a new layer above the “Extra Skin 2″ layer and name it "shadow." While holding down the Alt key, click between the “Extra Skin 2″ layer and "shadow" layer to clip it.
Step 9
Grab a big, soft brush and paint some black to amp up the shadows needed for the “Extra Skin” layer.
Step 10
Turn the opacity of the "shadow" layer down to around 75%.
Step 11
Create a new layer above the “Faceless Subject” layer and name it “Paint Background.” With the foreground color set to black, start painting some paint splats with the splatter brushes.
Step 12
All we have to do now is add a little bit of shadow to create the illusion the paint is lifted off the face. First create a new layer and name it “Shadow 2,” then Command-click on the “Paint Map” layer to select it. Making sure you are still on the “Shadow 2″ layer, fill the selection with black.
Step 13
Making sure the selection is still active, click on the Create Layer Mask button on the the bottom of the layer’s palette.
Step 14
Select the mask for the "Shadow 2" layer and invert it by pressing Command + I, or going to Image > Adjustments > Invert. This should invert the mask and hide the black area we just filled.
Step 15
Disable the link between the mask and the shadow paint by clicking on the chain between the layer icon and the mask, as shown.
Step 16
Make sure the paint portion of the “Shadow 2″ layer is selected and go to Edit > Transform > Warp.
Slightly adjust the shadow so that it peeks out from behind the paint splat. Depending on how much you want the paint to appear lifted, you can adjust it a lot or a little. Once you have the shadow right where you want it, apply the change.
Step 17
You are bound to have some unwanted shadow from the "Shadow 2" layer; to clean it up, simply paint over what you don’t want in the layer mask.
Step 18
Lower the opacity of the shadow to around 72% and you should be all set!
Conclusion
The final image is below. Enjoy applying these techniques in your own work!
Subscribe to the Psdtuts+ RSS Feed for the best Photoshop tuts and articles on the web.
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Justin Van Genderen
Photoshop to HTML
Take your Photoshop skills to the next level by learning how to slice up a PSD into a working standards driven HTML website.
Join our newsletter!
U-Design WordPress Theme only $35.00 
Modernize - Flexibility of W ... only $35.00 
When the storm comes - More
Photoshop Basix
Just getting started? Start with our basix tutorials on the fundamentals. View All Basix Tutorials
Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Psdtuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
Awesome TUT, quite original!
this is stupid, why would anyone want to do this
the idea is nice but the final image must be more realistic dont you think?
hmm…good tuts bro..but that splatter kinda to 2D….i dont know is like just new layer above the face n not blend it with the face.this is paint is it?maybe the splatter be more realistic n more dept…i think so.anyway this is good tuts.thanks for sharing!i will try n post it to you….
Interesting tutorial. Thank you for this!
wow this makes me want to poke my eyes out with safety scissors
i hate my life. we gotta do this for class and imma about to rip my eyeballs out.
Interresting………
I will try to make it
Thank you for sharing very nice tutorials…
đéo xem đc. that’s shit
Best Tutorial EVER – Great
Sua mensagem … Bom demais, parabens!
Hello, I was trying this effect in Photoshop and is there a way that I am able to email you to ask you a question?
looks flat
Can i ask yOu sOmething!
hOw dO i use the clOne tOol and the layer mask tO make the splash have the skin cOlor!:S?
thats nOt wOrking!:S
help me plz
Trying to learn different techniques in Photoshop this is a great tutorial for me at least. thank you for sharing.
nice tuts ill try it i clearly understand
awesome work..
thanks to sahre this tutorial
Right, a guy who has no lips.
Not detailed enough.
i will try
awesome work..
thanks to sahre this tutorial booom
nice tut, thanks
awesome work..
thanks to sahre this tutorial booom
Luv the article. Thanks for sharing.
i get how this could be nice, but it’s very unrealistic because of the blurring over the mouth and eyes. If you actually splattered paint on someones face it would mold to the contours of your eyes and mouth also…this just looks a little creepy. It’s a very interesting idea though
This tutorial reminds me of the famous photographer Irving Penn that died last year.
Picture:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=7096711
Pretty fun tho!
Hi Gavin Steele, I am a 17 year old kid who is interested in graphic design. i have looked at your website and i am wondering about a few things.
1: i know where to get brushes but i dont know how to add them to my model or pictures of people, like of the ones you have done. for example how you add lights with the shapes. im intrigued into knowing how you do it.
2: ive been looking for pictures of people’s faces but the only place i can get them for free is on deviantart, do you know any other places without having to buy them.
3: with the molding of your faces on your website. are they almost the same as this molding face tutorial. ive tried a few and they came out well. but im interested in doing others like you have.
http://www.2046design.com/Sections.html
http://www.2046design.com/B-boy.html
i hope you will reply to this.
thank you very much
Nice tut & It sounds great. I really love it, where it contains lot of useful informations with the effective photo illustrations. The notes on this tut are easy to understand & must to be follow.
Will follow these steps from our upcoming projects. Thank you for sharing this useful tutorial through your post. Keep on doing great posting like this.
simply amazing. thank you
Very nice tutorial!!! thank you very much.
im really amazed on the techniques u have shown but whatever i do i cant do it well.,.. huhuhu
Cool ^^
Thanks
Hi
I was wandering if someone can tell me what is the name of this brush that has used at this tutorial. Which let you splash the color. I have a photo shop cs5 and I don’t know why Can’t find this brush in my photoshop.
please somebody help me. how can I find this.
thaaaaaanks
Tara
i wish the paint was more realistic. but good tut for learning the basics!
hello
this is very nice tutorial But i cant download source image
help me please !
thanks
These make good favicon pictures, too.
Does not work. Cannot use clone tool to copy the skin at paint pattern as the skin is not in the same layer.
And when switching paint to normal view, you still have a shadow on your nose and your facial hair is visible while when doing every step that you do, I get nothing but paint without the shadow.