Selections

Image:

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on November 12, 2008, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

Supplies needed:
A pattern and decorations of your choice.
(optional ) MuRa's Filter 1 - Clouds. Download this free filter from HERE.
My Supplies - HERE

Tools we will be using:
Flood Fill Tool:

The stocking_canvas file located in my supply download contains 3 alpha channel selections.
To load a selection, go up to Selections > Load/Save Selections > Load selection from alpha channel.

Step 1:
Unzip & open the stocking_canvas.pspimage file in PSP.
Hold down the Shift Key and hit the letter 'D' to duplicate the file.
Close the original.

In the Materials palette, set your Background/fill to a pattern of your choice.
Set the Foreground/stroke to a color that matches your pattern.

~ Remember to save your file often ~

Step 2:
Making sure you are on the Stocking layer, load the 'Stocking' alpha channel selection.

Selections > modify > Smooth
Smoothing amount: 15
Anti-alias: Checked
Preserve Corners: Unchecked

Grab your flood fill tool (or type the lower case letter 'F' to activate it)
On your canvas, right click on the stocking selection to fill it with your Background pattern.

Selections > Select none

Step 3:
Go up to the 'Hanger' layer and load the 'Hanger' selection.
Fill with your Background pattern like we did in step 2.

Go up to the 'Cuff' layer, load the 'Cuff' selection.
Left click on the cuff selection to fill it with your Foreground color.

Keep Selected.

Step 4:
Because I wanted a textured felt look to my cuff, I applied MuRa's cloud filter
before I applied my texture, but you can use any effect you would like on yours.

Here is how I did mine:
Change the Background/fill to a color just slightly lighter than your Foreground color.
Here is a sample of the colors I used:

Effects > Plugins > MuRa's Meister > Clouds.
Click on the 'reset colors' button until you get a cloud effect you like, hit OK.

Selections > Select none

Still on the Cuff layer, I then added a texture.
Effects > Texture Effects > Texture

Below are the settings I used:

(The 'Grain Fine Cloudy' texture was included with PSP9.
If you need it, you can download it from my Rope tut supplies, HERE)

Texture: Grain fine cloudy, Size: 25, 5, 2, -5, 0, white, 332, 50, 30

Step 5:
Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel.

Plug in the following settings:

Bevel #2, 18, 2, 2, 8, 15, white, 315, 40, 36

Click on the Hanger layer.
Edit > Repeat Inner Bevel

Click on the Stocking layer.
Edit > Repeat Inner Bevel

All 3 of your pieces should now be beveled.

Step 6:
Apply a slight Drop shadow to each of your pieces.

These are the settings I used:
Vertical & Horizontal: 1
Opacity: 50
Blur: 5
Color: Black

Hide the background layer by clicking on the 'eye' next to it.
Right click on any other layer and select 'merge visible'.
Rename this layer 'Stocking'.

Step 7:
Open the fluffy ball image from my supplies.
Control 'C' to copy it, then close the file.
On your stocking canvas, Control 'L' to paste it as a new layer.

Duplicate the ball layer 3 times, so that you have a total of 4.
(Layers > Duplicate)

Place them on the ends of each cuff point.
When you are happy with the placement, hide your stocking layer.
Right click on one of the ball layers and merge visible.

Apply the same drop shadow as above, but lower the 'Blur' to 3.

Right click on your merged layer and select 'View all'.

(I don't like to merge my stocking and ball layers together. This allows me to swap the balls for tassels,
or change the color of the stocking later. It much easier then redoing the whole darn thing).

Now just add your bow, or any type of decoration, and you are done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I would love to see your results.
Please send them to 'admin at suntiques.com'.

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