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Mercury Graphics Tutorial: Abstract Background
by: Crystal Shards
Level: Beginner
Filters only
Abstract is a really hard thing to master. Hopefully, though, this tutorial
shows you one of several ways of making a cool abstract.
First, you need a document. It really doesn't matter what size it is. For this
example, I'm going to use a 200x200 transparent 72 resolution document.
Make sure your colors are set to default (press d) and go to
Filter>Render>Clouds. You should have something like this.
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab1.png
If you're picky, now's the time to rename layers. Go to Filter>Sketch>Chrome. I
usually put everything up to the max, but you can do what you want for this.
Okay, that looks cool, doesn't it? No, not really. So duplicate the layer, and
set it on lighten or soft light. Okay, so duplicate that layer one more time.
You should have three layers, like so:
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab2.png
Now, go to your second layer from the bottom and to do Filter>Distort>Wave.
Fiddle around with the settings until you get something you think looks kinda
cool. It helps to randomize. It might look something like this:
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab3.png
Go to your top layer and go to Filter>Distort>Shear. Go crazy with it, or don't.
Again, this is all up to you. When you're done, you should have something that
looks something like this:
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab4.png
Now, see what you like better, the shear layer on top or the wave layer. In most
cases it looks the same, but if you've fiddled with layer settings, it might be
different. After you've done that, pick the color you want your image to be on
your foreground palette and merge all layers by clicking the top layer and
pressing ctrl shift and e. Your screen should look like this:
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab5.png
Press v to get the move tool (just in case you click anywhere), and press ctrl
and u. Check the colorize button and set it to what you like. I usually do about
25-50 saturation. In this case, I did 30.
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab6.png
Okay yay. This might not be that impressive. Maybe it's a bit lopsided or
something. Well, then duplicate the layer and flip it horizontally and/or
vertically so it's a little more even. You might even want to do this a couple
of times. Then pick different layer settings. Here's what I got by duplicating
once, flipping the image horizontally and vertically, and sticking it on color
burn:
[Example] -
http://www.mercury.theicy.net/tutorials/ab7.png
Experiment... Sometimes the best backgrounds can be made this way!
About The Author
Crystal Shards is the webmaster of
http://www.mercury.theicy.net
If you liked this tutorial, please take the time to register at our forums.
politik@mercury.theicy.net
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