Level: Easy to Intermediate
Translatable: One optional step uses Selective Color.
Steps: 7
Details can more easily be seen in the tutorial below.
Step 1. Duplicate the picture three times.
Step 2. For the first duplicate go to Filter -> Artistic -> Cutout. Use Settings Number of Levels: 6, Edge Simplicity: 1, and Edge Fidelity 3. Leave the layer set to Normal. This is the most important step.
Step 3. For the second duplicate go to Filer -> Artistic -> Poster Edges. Use Settings Edge Thickness: 2, Edge Intensity: 1, Posterization: 2. Set this layer to soft light. This step helps accent the edges. (Picture below is before it is set to soft light.)
Step 4. For the third duplicate go to Filter -> Sketch -> Halftone. Use Settings Size: 3, Contrast 1, Pattern Type: Dot. Set this layer to soft light. This step is subtle, but adds to the effect. To make the comic effect stronger increase the size of the dots. (Picture below is before it is set to soft light.)
Step 5. (Optional) Go to Layer -> Adjustment Layer -> Selective Color. Under Black decrease the amount of black by 10 and increase the amount of Maroon by 5. There was enough black background that I felt it was a little harsh. This step will not be necessary for some pictures.
Step 6. Go to Custom Shape and choose a thought bubble (or a talk bubble if you prefer) with the forground set to White. Adjust the bubble’s height and width if necessary. In this case I also flipped it horizontally by using Right-Click and then Flip Horizontal.
Step 7. Choose an appropriate font and type what you want your character to say or think. I recommend not using Comic Sans as the hatred of that font is rather strong. I chose Komika Axis.
Notes:
- The screencaps for this tutorial have been resized.
- This tutorial works best with large clear pictures. It is a good use for photographs that have been overly airbrushed.
- The smaller your picture, the lower your settings should be.
- This picture had good contrast. If the contrast is not strong enough consider adding a curves layer before you start the steps listed above. (Layer -> Adjustment Layer -> Curves)
- Dafont has many comic fonts.
- Photo credit: Dreamstimes free image.
