Tut - Into Darkness

Into Darkness

This tutorial is my own creation and based on my own ideas. Any and all similarities with any other tutorial is purely coincidental.

Please do not upload to or offer this tutorial on any other site without asking me first. Thank you.

Material you will need:

PaintshopPro – I’m using PSP X2, but you should be able to follow the tutorial in any version.

A scrap kit – I used the wicked kit Into Darkness by Broken Sky Dezine, which you can purchase here.

A font of your choice.

A tube of your choice.

No filters required.

Now, let’s get started. It might be helpful if you choose the elements you wish to use beforehand, and open them up in PSP prior to starting the tutorial. That way, you have them handy when following each step.

Also, you don’t have to slavishly follow each positioning nor setting – play and experiment a bit, especially if you use different elements.

If you are unsure how to position an element, refer back to my sample tag.

I do assume you have at least some to moderate experience and understanding of PSP.

The DropShadow throughout the tutorial remains the same: V/H 2/1 O/B 43/5.55.

Resizing throughout the tutorial is done with “Resize all Layers” NOT checked.

Open a new image, 600x600, transparent background.

Open BSD_string, copy&paste, Resize 85%.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_frame3, copy&paste, Resize 55%, place on top of string.

Open BSD_bloodyhearts, copy&paste, Resize 70%, position to the right side of the frame.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_barbwireframe, copy&paste, on top of the first frame.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_sinfulminds_poser2, copy&paste, position on top of the hearts layer.

Apply Dropshadow.

Optional: I have my tube ‘sticking out’ over the top part of the frames. Use the Selection Tool, Point-to-Point, to erase the bottom part of the tube. Otherwise, resize tube so it will fit into the frame.

Open BSD_pp15, copy.

Apply Dropshadow.

With your Magic Wand, click inside your first frame, Selections – Modify – Expand by 2.

New layer, underneath first frame layer, Paste into Selection, Selections – Select none.

Apply Dropshadow to the frame.

Open BSD_rose4, copy&paste, Resize 25%, position to the top left of the barbwireframe.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_bow4, copy&paste, Resize 30%, position on top of the rose.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_wordart, copy&paste, Resize 70%, place on top of the barbwireframe, a bit to the left.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_razorblade, copy&paste, resize 25%, place on top of the wordart, to the right and bottom.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_candle2, copy&paste, Resize 25%, place to the bottom right of the blade.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_tag, copy&paste, Resize 50%, place on top of barbwireframe, to the top and right.

Apply Dropshadow.

Optional: use the alpha to ‘write’ something on your tag, Resize and position to liking.

Open BSD_paper3, copy&paste, Resize 42%, Arrange – Send to Bottom, Free Rotate – Left – 3 degrees.

Apply Dropshadow.

Open BSD_paper6, copy&paste, Resize 40%, place on top of previous paper layer, Free Rotate – Right – 5 degrees.

Apply Dropshadow.

Now, the next step is to add any further text, copyright information and your watermark to the graphic.

Feel free to merge all layers visible and then resize to your liking or crop the image.

If you prefer a transparent background, save your tag in PNG format.

Otherwise, if you select the JPG, it will automatically add a white background.

Should you care for a different colored background:

New layer, arrange, send to bottom, and floodfill with your color of choice.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

XOXOXO,

Dani