Fright Night

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on October 1, 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:
Coral Paint Sho Pro
My Supplies

Filters Used:
EyeCandy 4000 / Gradient Glow (optional).
(This filter was used to outline my witch so that she stood out from the tag.
You can easily substitute this effect with a solid drop shadow or leave the outline off entirely).


Step 1:
Download and unzip my supplies.

Open a new file; 800x800, white background.
We will resize it later – This will be your working canvas.

Open the pattern_dots.jpg file in PSP.
Hit Control ‘C’ on your keyboard to copy it to the clipboard. Close the file.
Back on your working canvas, hit Control ‘L’ to paste the pattern as a new layer.

Hit Control ‘R’ to bring up the Image rotate dialog box.
Plug in these settings:  Direction ‘left’, Degrees ‘20’, all other boxes ‘unchecked’.

Effects > 3D Effects > Drop shadow:  1, 1, 65, 5, black 
(I applied this shadow to all elements, but feel free to use one of your own)


Step 2:
Open the pattern_orange.jpg file in PSP.
Copy and paste it as a new layer on your working canvas (like we did in Step 1).

Move the pattern up just a bit; refer to my finished tag for placement.
Apply your drop shadow.


Step 3:
Open the black flower, copy and paste it as a new layer on your working canvas.
Close the original file.
Move the flower to the upper right of the canvas for now.

Over on the Layers Palette, right click on the flower layer and duplicate it.

Hit Shift ‘S’ on your keyboard to bring up the Resize dialog box.
Resize the duplicate flower 85%.
Resampling and Lock aspect ratio: both checked.
Resample using: Bicubic.
Maintain original print size and Resize all layers unchecked.

Move this flower to the upper right of the canvas also.

Back to the layers palette, move both flower layers down between the 2 pattern layers.
(We want the flowers under our orange pattern).

Place your flowers where you want them, or refer to my finished tag for my placement.
Apply your drop shadow.


Step 4:
Open the remaining elements in PSP.
Copy and paste each one onto your working canvas in the order listed below.
Place them as shown on my finished tag, adding your drop shadow to each one as you go.

1.  st_spiderweb
2.  st_pumpkins
3.  st_banner
4.  st_witch
5.  st_wordart
6.  st_bat (resize bat 85%, twice)
7.  st_ribbonlabel


Step 5:
Open the st_tag image.  Copy and paste it onto your working canvas.
(No drop shadow is needed on this tag)

Add your name to the tag, using a font of your choice. 
I used KR Batty font, you can find it here.


Step 6:
~ This step is optional ~

In the layers palette, click on the witch layer.
Effects > Plugins > Eye Candy 4000 > Gradient glow

Plug in the following settings:

Under the Basic Tab:
Glow width: 3,  Soft Corners: 25,  Overall Opacity: 100%
Draw only outside selection: Checked


Under the Color Tab:
Select 'Thin' from the list
Change the color on both ends to #dc9a66.
  Opacity: 100%



Step 7:
Hide your background layer by clicking on the eye next to it.
Right click on any other layer and select ‘Merge visible’.

Grab your Selection tool or type the letter ‘S’ to activate it.
In the Tool Options palette, under ‘Create selection from’, click the ‘Merged opaque’ button.

Hold your Shift key down and hit the letter ‘R’ to crop the image to your selection.

Selections > Select none.

Hold your Shift key down, hit the letter ‘S’ and resize your image.
I resized mine 75%, Bicubic, making sure ‘all layers’ was checked.

Save your file and you are done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I would love to see your results.

You can reach me via email at this address:
'admin at suntiques.com'

Thanks for stopping by!