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Add depth to mixed-media collages
Ciara Phelan shows you how to mix vector imagery with papercraft photography to create a textured collage with real depth
01 This image is all about experimentation, mixing a variety of elements with lots of different techniques to create depth and layering. Before you even open Photoshop, dig out your scalpel and card for a spot of good old-fashioned papercrafting. Cut out lots of different swirly blobs and layer them using mountboard to create shadow.
02 To make the illustration feel less digital, we’re going to add organic textures by creating some interesting marks on paper. I decided to experiment with black and white acrylic paint, as I wanted the imagery to feel quite fluid. However, you can use whatever you have to hand – felt tips, pencils, spray paints and so on. Photograph everything.
03 Open a new square Photoshop document; mine is set to 210mm at 300dpi in RGB. It’s best to start with the photographic elements and build digital ones on top, so open one of your paper blob images, select the Pen tool and trace around the edge of the top blob. Make sure you stay inside the edge, not outside.
04 When the path is completed, Ctrl/right-click and select Make Selection… from the pop-up menu. Set the feather radius to 0.3, and hit OK. At the bottom of the Layers panel select a new folder, then at the bottom of the same window select Add Layer Mask. This will create a folder with a mask that you can put the blob photograph layer and other textures into.
05 To enhance the shadows and highlights in the image it’s best to use an adjustment layer. This way you have greater flexibility and can remove a filter if you change your mind later. To do this, go to Window>Adjustments and, in this case, Curves. I’ve added lots of shadow to make it feel like a deep pit.
06 Now it’s time to start introducing some fluid vector shapes. Open up Illustrator and create a new A4 document. Select the Pencil tool, and draw some big round blobs. If you have a tablet it will be slightly easier, but a mouse is fine. Fill the blob with black, then copy the shape, move back to Photoshop and paste it in. Using the Magic Wand tool, select the shape and create a group mask as in step 04. Drop a photograph of the paper blobs into this group to create a large swirly mass.
07 Repeat the above steps to create layers of photographic elements and textures. Don’t forget to add adjustment masks to enhance the shadows and incorporate even more depth and shade.
08 In addition to the layers of texture, I’ve made some vector blobs with shaded edges that create a gradient effect. This was done with a bespoke brush. To do this, open a new document and use the Radial Gradient tool to create a simple black-to-white gradient. Go to Filter>Add Noise and set this to about 100%, then hit OK. Select the Brush tool then go to Window>Brush Presets. From the drop-down menu at the top-right of the Brush Presets panel, select New Brush Preset.
09 Go back to your main illustration and, using a new vector blob, create a new group mask. Fill this layer with light grey by going to Edit>Fill. Then, using your new bespoke brush, start adding shaded areas in black.
10 To make the composition more interesting you can add small areas of texture using the paint marks you created earlier. To do this, open the texture you want and drag the layer into the desired group. In the bottom of the Layers panel select Add Layer Mask. A small box will appear next to the image box in the Layers panel. Select this, and then select Brushes. Select black in the palette options, and mask out any of the texture you want to hide. Play around with the opacity to get a good gradient.
11 Keep experimenting with these techniques to layer up your collage. Try adding in vectors with gradient areas, and playing around with the opacity settings to make them feel translucent.
12 I decided to add some collaged imagery to the illustration to make it feel more interesting. I did this by scanning and cutting out imagery using the Pen tool. I then copied and pasted it in. To make the flowers feel like they are emerging from the depths of the pit, I added a new layer and, using the Brush tool, blended some black over the top.
13 To give the illustration a final touch of depth, add some small wispy vector shapes and cover them with a gradient so that they feel smoky. Create the small wisps in Illustrator and paste them into Photoshop. Add a layer mask, as in step 10. Instead of using the Brush tool, select the Gradient tool and gradient out the mask.
14 Now the ‘hair’ is completed, I’m going to add a face. Cut out your desired image using the Pen tool and paste it into position, being careful to create smooth edges. If needed, add a new layer and use the Brush tool to smooth out some of the tones.
15 The final touch is to add a slightly textured background. I created mine by photocopying a printed gradient several times so that it degraded. I then pasted this in place and used the Multiply tool to add a layer of colour.
Ciara Phelan
A freelance illustrator working from Open Studio in London, Ciara Phelan studied graphic design at the University of Brighton and has gone on to build up an exciting portfolio and client list. She particularly enjoys vintage ephemera and cutting things out of paper.
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