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!
How to Mold Paint Splatter to a Face in Photoshop
Jun 19th in Effects, Illustration by Justin Van Genderen
Final Image Preview
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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!
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Sale June 19th
Cool
( )Simona June 19th
cool, I like it !
( )Gareth June 19th
I Like this a lot, only thing I would say is that maybe the shadow underneath the paint is just probably too sharp. Maybe adding a gausian blur to the shadow layer might make it look a little more realistic. Other than that this is very cool!
( )Chris June 19th
you sir are exactly right. a gaussian blur will make it appear more realistic and add depth.
( )Rômulo Haack July 2nd
I don’t know if I agree with that. I think you could take ink’s pictures and use with layers to help the realistic appareance.
Also, Idk if gaussian blur would help alot like you guys agree. I believe just a feel.
The problem, here, is the beard that appears too much in *MY* point of view. By the way, it is a great tutorial for enhancing techs.
Skart June 19th
excellent! really great effect
( )massafakka June 19th
lol i love it !!! i waited for one like this for so long omg… only the splatters behind the head look a little flat… but anyway. its a v nice tut and im happy to see it not as a PLUS tut aHAHAHah
love u all
( )aMs June 19th
you must be kidding, this? as plus? rotfl
btw. this outcome looks the best in step 8, the final one is flat. although the idea is nice
( )Craigsnedeker June 19th
Who said it was a plus?
kiziel June 20th
Idea is nice, but it was already in computerarts.
B. Malone June 19th
That is sick!
( )OktayOe. June 19th
Nice but the splatter just dont looks really realistic.
( )But really nice, i think ill use it.
Adrien "zik" June 19th
Nice tut but it should stop at step 6.
In my opinion, it requires a better management of light/shadow to make it look more consistent. Sorry but to me, the final picture looks to much “photoshop’ed”.
( )Jaap Lelie June 19th
haha nice one looks realy funny! But indeed your right. It could be more realistic by making the paint more smooth though i realy like your work.
Good Job!
( )Max Stanworth June 19th
Pretty cool
( )twenstudio June 19th
I like it !
( )chillyweed June 19th
wow so cool
( )Jason June 19th
Brilliant tutorial will practice on that asap. The only thing I’d change is actually adding more detail on the eyes and mouth whereas this one smooths them over…I think the paint would look more realistic if either the mouth were open or at least the outline of the lips were visible.
Thanks for posting!
( )snnaqvi June 19th
Good technique
( )priyanka dewatwal June 19th
wow very nice i like it….
( )Yousef June 19th
very nice
( )Mike June 19th
Sweets!
( )josh June 19th
cool effect!!
( )Xeos Creative June 19th
Some bright white glossy highlights on the face would really finish this effect well!
( )Rafael Braga June 19th
Just great … amazing
take a look at my version .. =)
http://www.rafaelbraga.com/outros/foto.jpg
( )Nisha June 29th
Hi… Rafael Braga… Very good great Job… I like it.. I am try creating…. Take care… Keep smiling
( )Ricardo June 19th
I love the idea, but it looks kinda zombie.
( )Kasper June 19th
Excellent inspiration. One of the best yet.
( )Diego SA June 19th
Your Message…This is incredible, but the eyes are weird. It’s like he has no eyes.
( )Diego SA June 19th
“Your Message…”? Crazy keyboard.
( )travis June 19th
Now that is a slick effect. Nice layering with the warp tool on the splatter.
( )mateo85 June 19th
nice result
( )Luneo June 19th
That is a perfect tutorial, not too easy , not to bad…
( )PERFECT and the result is pefect too
Thanx a lot !
Ignacio June 19th
Hehehe, I like this!
( )Arnold June 19th
it could be more funny if you put some bucket right there..^_^
( )this tutorial is nice
Hbiloo June 19th
Awesome!!!
( )marcos cerutti June 20th
Dude, this was just incredible easy and cool! congratulations!
( )Symon June 20th
oh, now that’s good. Thx.
( )MATT. June 20th
not convincing at all..
( )it looks flat
T-Law June 20th
Awesome! I have to try this, thanks!
( )lawrence77 June 20th
nice tutorial….
and your photo is also nice….
I love the outcome….
( )cLaK June 20th
wow, nice tut…!
( )ken June 20th
nice tutorial…… but the overall outcome not that good…
( )elinix June 20th
amazing, great tutorial
( )Melody June 21st
The first photo manipulations look slightly creepy lol..cool..
The only thing is though that those paint splatters are created because they are hitting a surface and becoming flattened, so if you’re throwing paint in the air it should have that more organic 3d-ish form to it..
( )kgdevil June 21st
nice, thanks for the tuts.
( )faraz ghori June 21st
Nice tut….. but i think there should have some detail of lips on the face, it looks quite flat….
( )minisite Design June 21st
Look great!
( )Gareth Hardy June 21st
awesome effect
( )Joe June 21st
Awsome tutorial man!
( )dakota June 21st
could any body give me a link to a picture of a face that i could use
( )ignacio June 21st
great job!!
( )venaketesh June 22nd
super……
( )Joe June 22nd
People still have eyelids when something gets splashed on their face…
( )Margaret June 22nd
agreed, and it would be really cool if you could make it so the paint stuck to the eyelashes and whatnot.
( )Grafpedia June 22nd
Excellent tutorial. Keep up the good work
( )Patrick Riley June 22nd
NICE!! Wow that is some legit PHOTOSHOPPING!!! If you guys don’t mind I’ve been working on a tutorial site of my own. hazystudio.com , the site is still in the baby phase but i could use some views and comments and support thanks!
( )Eric Shafer June 22nd
lmao, this result makes me laugh but it’s still a good tutorial
Featured here: http://www.presidiacreative.com/web-picks-26/
( )Ben June 22nd
wow! haha great stuff
definitely one of my favs
( )x June 23rd
totaly cool
( )Ron June 23rd
Getting trouble with step 5….when i select the extra skin layer and the paint layer…the add mask button cannot be used..why is that?
( )daisy July 13th
I’m having the same trouble. Somebody please help!! Why is it doing that?
( )Ramon June 23rd
Smth happend with eyes and lips. There are no eyes?
( )He ate his lips?)
ashlee June 23rd
i think the tutorial sucks, you leave out so many steps between 3 and 4, it made it impssible 4 me to finish
( )Bryan Le June 23rd
Now this, is a wonderful tutorial.
( )Felipe Ribeiro June 23rd
Does anyone has a good clean picture like that one used here so I can try this tutorial? Maybe with a white background…
( )Tony June 24th
I love it
( )esanstudio.net June 24th
GOOD JOB!!
how do you know this technique?
hehehe..
( )Alex heath June 25th
wow great tut cant wait to try it out…i never thought to blend and smudge the face to manipulate it
( )Piyush Shekhar June 25th
Dying to try this out
( )vijay June 25th
That is a perfect tutorial, not too easy , not to bad…
( )PERFECT and the result is pefect too
Thanx a lot !
Pixel Studio Works June 29th
Awesome Tut!
( )Thx for Share.
lokesh kumar June 29th
Awesome:-)
( )wowcss June 29th
wow! thats really great! nice tut!
( )Web Hosting June 29th
This is great! You are really talented artist…
( )Souljourn June 30th
Great tutorial!
… am I missing something? Wouldn’t it be considerably easier to simply create a displacement map of the face and bring the detail from the map into the splatter?
( )diada July 2nd
great tuts
( )I am just wondering if you can make a tut on how to draw a refreshing glass of water with some ice cube floatting on the surface
thx
Oscar July 4th
Wouldn’t it be faster to just get a camera and splash your friend’s face with real paint? LOL
( )It would save about an hour’s work
Vidiya July 6th
really creative and latest tutorial for learning more effects and tools.
thanks admin
( )Vidiya
battica July 8th
Cool stuff!!
I agree about the shadows behind the ink, but I’d suggest a combination – keep the hard-edged splodges and add or blend this with a blurred version.. They kind of look like they’re part strands of hair and part ink blotches.. Really cool!!
( )LALIT July 9th
TO GOOD BRO
( )Alexis July 12th
A little creepy and the steps were a bit hard to follow but overall it was an OK tutorial.
( )avtar singh deogan July 13th
it’s to guddd …
( )saurabh shah July 14th
pretty cool !
( )lady hamilton July 15th
help, how do you command click on a mac? I’ve tried apple click, doesn’t work.
( )James July 20th
Can someone please help? ..For some reason I cannot do step 6 (8:00mins into the video). I create a new layer under the “Paint map” layer, I then command-click the “Paint map”, add a Layer Mask, turn the visibility map off and then alt click within the extra skin layer and click to paint the skin splat and nothing happens. I’ve tried alt clicking different layers ect. and yet nothing happens. Any advice?
( )Rit July 22nd
Do u have click on the layer thumbnail…? try this
( )Asmae July 29th
Im havin the same problem!! i dont want to quit now either.. have you figured it out??
( )Rit July 22nd
I have highlighted the splatters edges with Dodge Tool…now it looks like actual paint
( )Robbie Stewart July 28th
IMO step 6 looks the most badass…
( )Shireen August 3rd
Thats a really cool effect, can’t wait to try it out
( )nael August 3rd
i like this..
( )u-gene August 3rd
Well it seems that I was the only one that had trouble with the volume. So low that I could not hear. Reading is good, but video is better.( for tuts)
The fx are nice.
Thanks for posting.
( )ej August 4th
i’d definitely take the beard out along with the eyes etc.. when clone brushing. there’s too much definition.
( )peter peterson August 4th
wow, thats so amazing and osome!!!
( )ipod nano August 8th
nice article man, so amazing and god
( )Free Wordpress Themes August 16th
I am in the painful process of learning Photoshop myself and I can only be amazed of what you guys can do. Hopefully I’ll get there too (in 5-10 years from now
)
( )Gregor August 17th
I found it easier using the patch tool to get rid of my eyes…
Patch around eyes..
( )Move it to my forehead
takes the same sample from forehead and patches it over the eyes.
jamil August 18th
like this……………………………………
( )Dave Kelly August 19th
You are my hero… I can’t believe there’s something of this value on the web that’s free… amazing! Thanks ALOT!
( )prakash August 24th
wow just fantastic! keep up the good work!
( )Zanna September 3rd
This is super cool
( )musc September 4th
very original art
cool
( )nelo September 11th
WOW! cool
( )bjd September 13th
nice tutorial but step 6 doesn seem to want to work with me, when cloneing it nothing happens. Any ideas?
( )CMYK September 14th
Nice Tutoooo Thankss!!!
( )Designrfix September 22nd
Seriously cool tut
FEATURED! will be putting it up on http://designrfix.com this week. cheers!
( )cgallagher September 30th
help! once you have downloaded the paint splatter. where do you find it to actually apply it to the photo.
( )delizade October 16th
thanx for this great work.
( )Raz01 November 6th
Could someone offer some advice please, in step 4 when i set the paint map to overlay it seems to rest behind the subject rather then over it.
( )the subject i am using is a simple black object with a transparent background. Could this be the cause?