Lesson 8
Blending Images

by Maureen Williams

In this lesson we will be using the Freehand or Lasso Tool, 
 working with layers and the Deformation Tool
 and introducing colour adjustments and the   Clone Tool.

This tutorial is very image intensive and although I've reduced the size of the images
 to cut down on the download time, please be patient while the images load.

This lesson is a bit more advanced, but the individual steps are very easy. 
Just take each step at a time and don't become overwhelmed thinking about the end result.
 Although this particular composite picture may not necessarily be suitable for a background in an egg, what you learn from this lesson will allow you to move on and create your own images.

   Requirements: 
   Paint Shop Pro - download a free 30-day trial from Jasc Software
   (I am using PSP 7.04 but these instructions should also work with other versions)

   A selection of images of your choice or download the zip of these images.

   A scanner or digital camera if you wish to use your own images.

Remember to save frequently!

Blending images is a great way to create a unique background for a diorama or other egg designs.  With the use of layers, different size images can be resized and combined into a new image.

In this lesson the first image will be used as a background and portions of each of the 
other pictures will be blended into the background to create a completely new image.
 Unfortunately I don't know the artists of these images as they were passed down through 
various groups I have been involved with.  If you know the artist of any of the
 images please let me know so I can give proper credit for the artwork.

The images in the zip file are much larger than shown here and
you will need to unzip the file into a folder on your hard drive. 

 

Background - Laneway	House		Lady
Dogs		Cat

Step One

Unzip the images file and open all the images in PSP.

Tip - to open a number of images at once hold down the CTRL key and select each image

Minimise the Lady, Dogs & Cat images for the time being - 
we will be working with them in a little while.

Step Two

   Click on the house image to make it active.
Select the Freehand (Lasso) Tool with the following settings:
Selection Type - Point to Point
Feather - 10
Antialias checked

   Go around the outline of the house clicking to select each point.
When you have gone right around the image right click to set the selection.
 You should now have the "marching ants" around the house.

CTRL+C to copy the feathered selection to the clipboard.

Step Three

Click on the Background (Laneway) image to make it the active image.
CTRL+L to paste the feathered selection as a new layer. Right click on this layer and rename it House.
Save your image.

Step Four

We now need to rescale the size of the house to fit in as a background image.
Click on the Deformation Tool and select one of the corner handles. 

Push the handle inwards to resize the house image.

Step Five

Click on the central handle to move the resized image into the desired position.

When you are happy with the size and position of your image click on Apply to accept the adjustments.

Save your image.

Step Six

The colour of the house now needs to be adjusted to a warmer colour to blend in with the background.
Click on Colours, Colourize. Click on the Auto Proof arrow so you can see the adjustment 
on the picture as you make changes to the hue and saturation.

Hint - To choose a suitable colour for the hue and saturation values in the Colourise box,
use the Eye Dropper on your image to select a  colour from the surrounding area.
This will change the foreground colour in your Colour Palette.
Left click in the foreground colour box and then note the hue
and saturation values of the current colour. 

Step Seven

To make the house appear to be in behind the trees and bushes on the left hand side we'll copy a small
 rectangular feathered selection on the background layer and paste it in front of the house.

Click on the Selection Tool and choose the Rectangle with Feather set to 15.
Click on the Background layer in the Layer Palette, hold down the left mouse button
and select a small area to cover the left side of the house.
The feather setting will increase the selected area as shown here.

CTRL+C to copy the feathered selection

Step Eight

In the Layer Palette, click on the House layer to make it active.
CTRL+L to paste the feathered selection on a new layer above the house layer.

Hint - to check you have copied the right layer turn off the Background layer and 
you should see the house and the small section of bushes on the open layers.

If necessary move the bushes into position to cover the house.

Step Nine

Reduce the opacity of the bushes layer to allow glimpses of the house to show through.

Save your image.

Step Ten

Restore the picture of the lady and repeat the instructions in Steps Two
 & Three to outline the lady and the birdhouse.

Copy and paste the lady selection as a new layer on the Laneway image.
Right click and rename the layer "lady".

Step Eleven

As the lady is much larger than the background layer it will be necessary to resize the layer
 before using the Deformation Tool for the final sizing and placement of the image.

In the Layer Palette ensure you are on the lady layer.
Click on Image, Resize and check the "Percentage of Original" box.
Enter 75 in the width box and uncheck the "Resize all layers" box
 so that only the lady layer will be resized.

Click on Effects, Sharpen, Sharpen to restore the sharpness of the resized image.
Note: It is important to sharpen after you resize an image to restore the clarity of the image.

Step Twelve

Now click on the Deformation Tool and use a corner handle to resize the lady to fit the proportions of the
 background image. Use the centre handle to position the lady on the left hand side of the image.
As the flowers in front of the lady blend in with the other flowers in the
 background image it isn't necessary for any further adjustment.

Save your image.

Step Thirteen

Restore the picture of the dogs and repeat the instructions in
 Steps Two & Three to outline both dogs

Copy and paste the dogs selection as a new layer on the Laneway image.
Right click and rename the layer "dogs".

Step Fourteen

Use the Deformation Tool to resize and position the dogs as in the earlier steps.

Save your image.

Step Fifteen

Restore the picture of the cat and repeat the instructions in
 Steps Two & Three, reducing the feather setting to 5 to outline the cat, 

Copy and paste the cat selection as a new layer on the Laneway image foreground.
Right click and rename the layer "cat".
Use the Deformation Tool to resize and position the cat.

Step Sixteen

As the lighting source on the cat is coming from the opposite side
 we need to mirror the layer to correct the image.
Click on Image, Mirror.
Use the   Mover Tool to position the cat on the right hand side.

Save your image. Almost finished!

Step Seventeen

Use the Clone Tool to get rid of the "blue flower bow" on the cat.
Click on the  Zoom Tool and then click twice on the image to enlarge the cat
 so you can see what you are doing. 
Click on the Clone Tool and use the following settings on the first tab:

On the second tab select aligned clone mode
 and on the third tab select precise cursors and show brush outlines.

Step Eighteen

Position the cursor over the area you want to copy to cover the flowers.
Hold down the left mouse button and touch the image to select the 
reference point for the colour transfer. Release the mouse button.
 Position the cursor over the top of the blue flowers. 
Hold down the left mouse button and as you move the mouse you will notice the 
colour is copied from the reference point to replace the unwanted colour.

Continue until all the unwanted area is replaced.

Zoom out to return to normal size and save your image.

Congratulations!

You have now created a new collage from your original collection of images.
I'm sure you can see all the possibilities this technique presents 
for creating your own backgrounds for dioramas.

Homework

Choose some images of your own and create your own unique collage.
Be sure to share the results with the group.

If you have any problems following any portion of this tutorial don't hesitate to contact me.
 

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