Black Velvet Bow

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on January 4, 2007, 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 : )

This tutorial may not be suitable for a beginner

 

- I've included samples of 2 alternative bows at the end of this tutorial -

Supply Download: BowLoopShape   Filters Used:    MuRa's Filter 1 - Clouds, download from HERE (Xenofex 2/ little fluffy clouds is a good substitute for MuRa's) Tools Used: Ellipse Tool:      Pen Tool:       Object Selection Tool

  Step 1:
Download and unzip the bow loop shape into your PSP Preset Shapes folder.


Step 2:
Open a new file, 300x300, Transparent background.


Step 3:
Select your Preset Shapes tool, or click the letter 'q' to activate it.
Locate FranniesBowLoop shape and set it up as shown below:

Retain style, Create as vector, Anti-alias:  All checked



Draw out your shape similar to mine below:

I changed my background to white for tutorial purposes.


Step 4:
Right click on your bow layer > convert to raster.
Set your Foreground color to #cococo, Background color to #808080.

Selections > Select all  /  Selections > Float  /  Selections > Defloat.
Effects > Plugins > MuRa's Meister > Clouds, use the below settings: 

MuRa's Cloud Setting: 34, 100, 3, Light: White, FG: #cococo, BG: #808080

We're going for a pretty subtle effect as you can see by my image below:
You'll also notice the edges are a little ragged, we'll fix that later : )



Step 5:
Selections > Float.

Effects > 3D effects > Cutout:
Vertical/Horizontal 1, Opacity 62,  Blur 12, Shadow Color #808080, hit OK.

Now we'll fix those jagged edges........
Selections > Select all  /  Selections > Float  /  Selections > Defloat.
Selections > Modify > Contract, contract 1 pixel, hit OK.
Selections > Modify > Feather, feather 1 pixel, hit OK.
Selections > Invert.
Hit the delete key once.

Select none.

Set your Foreground color to null, change the Background color to #333333. 


Step 6:
Grab your Ellipse tool, or hit the letter 'q' on your keyboard to activate it.
  Draw out a small oval shape - name this layer Inside Loop.

Go up to Objects > Convert to path.
Use your pen tool to reshape the oval so that it comes to a point on the right side.
Go up to Image > Rotate and rotate it 25 degrees to the right.
Convert the layer to raster and place the oval shape on top of the bow loop as shown below:

Sample:

Draw small oval

Reshape right side to a point and rotate right 25 degrees

Place oval on top of the bow loop. (I added a black stroke on my oval to make it easier for you to see).

Step 7:
Still on your inside loop layer......

Selections > Select all  /  Selections > Float.

Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout: Vertical/Horizontal 2, Opacity 55, Blur 10, Shadow color: Black.
Repeat cutout at -2.

Select none.

Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow: 1, 1, 100, 2, Black.

Layers > Merge > Merge Visible, rename this layer 'Left loop'


Step 8:
Duplicate the left loop layer.
Image > Flip.

Rename this layer 'Bottom left loop', hide it by clicking on the eye next to the layer: (see below)




You may want to increase the size of your canvas at this point so that you have a larger working area. 
To do this, go to Image > Canvas size.  I resized mine to 500X500, see below:




Step 9:
Go back to your 'Left loop' layer, duplicate it.
Image > Mirror and place the loops as shown below.



Right click on this layer and Merge visible.  Rename this layer 'Middle Bow'.


Step 10:
Go back to your 'Bottom left loop' layer, unhide it, click Image > Rotate and rotate it Left 40 degrees. 

Selections > Select all / Selections > Float.

Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout; Vertical/Horizontal 4, Opacity 65, Blur 6, Shadow Color 404040.

Select none.   

Move this loop closer to the middle of the bow as shown below:

Duplicate this layer.  Go up to Image > Mirror, then place it as shown here:

Step 12:
Duplicate the 'Bottom bow' layer.  Go up to Image > Flip. 
Rename this duplicate layer 'Top bow' and place this layer under your middle bow layer as shown below.

 

Go to the canvas & arrange it the way you like, this is how mine looked at this point:

Whew, we're almost done!


Step 13:

Time to make the knot.

Change your foreground color to null, background color to #333333.  Select your Rounded Rectangle from
your Preset shapes list and draw out a rectangle large enough to cover the bow loops, here's mine:




Step 14:

Zoom in, select your pen tool, and edit the nodes until you have a shape you like.
Once you are happy with the shape of your knot, duplicate the layer.
Rename the duplicate layer 'Top knot', and hide it (click the eye next to your layer).


Step 15:
Go back to the original knot, right click on the layer, convert to raster.

Selections > Select all / Selections > Float.

Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout: Vertical/Horizontal 3, Opacity 65, Blur 17, Shadow color Black.

Select none, and rename this layer 'Bottom knot'.


Step 16:
Unhide your 'Top knot' layer.  Image > Mirror /  Image > Rotate, rotate it Right 10 degrees.
  Place it on top of your 'bottom knot'.

Using your Object Selection Tool, double click anywhere inside the knot to
bring up the Vector Property Dialog box  - change the fill color to black.

Convert this layer to raster.

Selections > Select all / Selections > Float / Selections > Defloat.

  Apply the MM Cloud filter, same settings as above, except change the top 2 settings to 30, 73.

Select none.

You are done!  If you like, you can use your retouch tools to add more detail to your bow.

You can also use the warp brush to alter the shape of your knots, after you convert them to raster.
You may only want one knot, not two, it's your choice.

This is how my final knots turned out.



Dark colors work best with the above technique.  Here's one I did in brown.




Using the same shape, I painted these last 2 bows instead of using the above technique. 
I then reshaped each loop with the warp brush.




I hope you have fun experimenting with this technique.

Thanks for stopping by and trying my tutorial; I would love to see your results!