What You'll Be Creating
Create this stunning layered paper cutout illustration using Adobe
Photoshop! This unique style is fun and can be used in a variety of
ways.
This tutorial will teach you how to do paper cutout Photoshop
illustrations in Adobe Photoshop from scratch. However, if you're
short on time or need something right now, check out this Paper Cutout Photoshop Action from Envato Elements!
What You'll Learn in This Paper Cutout Effect Tutorial
In this tutorial, I'll teach you how to make this decorative and
intricate construction paper texture Photoshop image from scratch and
what things you need to consider when creating it. Topics we cover will
include:
- How to create a paper cutout illustration from scratch using Adobe Photoshop
- How to do paper cutout Photoshop effects and digitally cut out the shapes that you'll be using for your image
- How to create a paper cut Photoshop action to apply the cutout paper effect
- How to add a construction paper texture in Photoshop using blend modes
What You'll Need
To follow along with this tutorial, you'll need your own version of
Adobe Photoshop. We'll also be using stock images from Envato Elements
to help us create the tropical island shapes. Click on the links below
to download them.
1. How to Create a Composition
for the Paper Cutout Illustration
Step 1
Let's start by creating a new document. In this tutorial, we will be
using the dimensions below. Once you're happy with the size of your
document, click the create button.
- Width: 1920 pixels
- Height: 1080 pixels
- Resolution: 72 dpi
Step 2
Create a new layer in the Layers panel and rename it
"window 01".
Step 3
Now let's create our composition by first determining the shape of our
top layer. This layer is the most important as it will affect the
shapes and sizes of all the layers below. At this stage, we will work
in greyscale for simplicity.
Begin by creating the initial window shape using the Pen Tool (P). Click and drag using the mouse to create a curved outline.
Step 4
Once you are happy with your shape, right-click on the
outline you've created and choose Fill Path. Use
the Contents dropdown menu and
choose Color.
Step 5
Using the Color Picker, choose black #000000 and then click OK to continue. This will fill
the outside area of the shape you have created, leaving a window in
the middle.
Step 6
Next, just grab the tropical vector shapes from your stock images and
place them on top of the window layer to create an interesting
composition. You can also create your own tropical shapes using the
brush tool if you want.
Fill the shape layers with the same colour as the window layer so that
they match.
Step 7
Once you are happy with the composition, go to
the Layers panel and select all the layers. Once they
are selected, right-click and select Merge Layers. This will create your first window layer.
Step 8
Create a new layer in the Layers panel and rename it
"window 02". Make sure that this layer is below the window
01 layer.
Step 9
From there, just repeat the steps above, using the Pen Tool (P) and then choosing Fill Path to create the
initial window. Use the tropical shapes for each layer to make your
image look more interesting.
You can also try using other shapes as well, such as a beach chair,
clouds, or boats sailing in the background.
Step 10
Make sure to use a lighter shade of grey when choosing the colours for
each window layer (going from darker colours at the top to lighter
colours towards the bottom). This will allow you to see the composition
of your construction paper background more clearly.
2. How to Create a Seamless
Craft Paper Texture Pattern
Step 1
To create your seamless craft paper textures, first we need to create
a new document in Photoshop with a 200 x 200 px canvas.
Step 2
Select Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. You can name the layer "Paper
Color" and then click OK.
Step 3
The Color Picker window should now appear. Set the
colour to #f5f5f5 and click OK.
Step 4
Select Layer > New > Layer and
name the layer "Texture", and then click OK.
Step 5
Use the Fill Tool (G), set the colour to #f8f8f8, and then fill the "Texture" layer.
Step 6
With the "Texture" layer selected, go
to Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object to convert the
layer into a Smart Object.
Step 7
Select Filter > Filter Gallery and
in the new window that appears, under Texture,
select Texturizer. Apply the following settings:
- Texture: Sandstone
- Scaling: 100%
- Relief: 4
Step 8
In the Layers panel, double-click on
the Filter Blending Options icon. In the Blending Options window, set
the Opacity to 50%.
Step 9
Select Filter > Filter Gallery, and
under Brush Strokes, select Spatter. Apply the
following settings:
- Spray Radius: 10
- Smoothness: 5
Step 10
In the Layers panel, double-click on
the top filter blending options icon. In the Blending Options window, set
the Opacity to 50%.
Step 11
Select Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Apply the following settings:
- Amount: 2%
- Distribution: Gaussian
- Monochromatic: Checked
Step 12
In the Layers panel, double-click on
the new top filter blending options icon. In the Blending Options window, set the mode to Linear Burn and lower
the Opacity to 30%.
Step 13
Set the blending mode for the "Texture" layer
to Multiply.
Step 14
Select all the layers and
then right-click > Merge Layers.
Step 15
Go to Select > Select All to make
a selection of the entire texture image.
Step 16
Go to Edit > Define Pattern to
open the Pattern Name dialogue box. Name the pattern
"Paper Texture" and then click OK.
3. How to Create a Paper Cutout Effect Photoshop Action
Step 1
Now we will learn how to add a construction paper texture in
Photoshop by creating an action. Once the action has been created, it
will allow you to change the look of any shape that you create in
Adobe Photoshop quickly and easily, with just the click of a
button.
Return to the Paper Cutout Composition file and navigate to
the Actions panel or go
to Window > Actions. Make sure that
the "window 01" layer is selected, and click on the Create New Action button in the Actions panel.
Step 2
Once you've clicked on the Create New Action button,
you'll be prompted to fill in a few options first. These settings can be
useful when creating your new Photoshop action and can help you identify
it more quickly.
- Name: Paper Cutout Effect
- Set: Default Actions
- Function Key: None
- Color: None
Step 3
Once you're happy with the initial action settings, you can click on
the Record button. After you click on this button,
everything that you do in Photoshop will be recorded as part of the
action. The small button on the Actions panel will also
change to a red dot to let you know that you are recording.
Step 4
Now that we are recording and our Photoshop action is set up, it's time
to start editing our Blending Options to change the look of our
shapes.
Select the top layer "window 01" and then click on the Add Layer Style button at the bottom of the Layers panel. From
the menu, select Blending Options.
Step 5
In the Layer Style window, select Bevel & Emboss and choose the following options:
- Style: Inner Bevel
- Technique: Smooth
- Depth: 100%
- Direction: Up
- Size: 1 px
- Soften: 2 px
- Angle: 90°
- Use Global Light: Checked
- Altitude: 30°
- Gloss Contour: Linear
- Highlight Mode: Linear Light #ffffff
- Opacity: 40%
- Shadow Mode: Linear Light #ffffff
- Opacity: 40%
Step 6
Select Inner Shadow and choose the following:
- Blend Mode: Overlay #ffffff
- Opacity: 45%
- Angle: 90°
- Use Global Light: Checked
- Distance: 3 px
- Choke: 0%
- Size: 3 px
Step 7
Select Inner Glow and choose the following:
- Blend Mode: Linear Light
- Opacity: 10%
- Noise: 0%
- Technique: Softer
- Source: Edge
- Choke: 0%
- Size: 144 px
- Contour: Linear
- Range: 50%
- Jitter: 0%
Step 8
Select Pattern Overlay and choose the following:
- Blend Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 75%
- Pattern: Paper Texture
- Angle: 0°
- Scale: 100%
- Link with Layer: Checked
Step 9
Select Drop Shadow and choose the following:
- Blend Mode: Multiply
- Opacity: 70%
- Angle: 90°
- Use Global Light: Checked
- Distance: 4 px
- Spread: 0%
- Size: 10 px
- Contour: Linear
- Noise: 3%
- Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow: Checked
Step 10
To finish your Photoshop action, simply go to
the Actions panel again and click on
the Stop button to finalize your paper texture
action.
Step 11
With the paper cutout effect Photoshop action completed, it's really
easy to change the texture of all the layers that we have created.
Simply select the layer you want to change, choose the "Paper Texture"
action that you created, and press
the Play button.
4. How to Change the Colour of the Paper Cutout Effect
Step 1
Once you have finished using the paper cut Photoshop action on your
whole illustration, it is time to colour it in. Select the layer whose
colour you want to change in the Layers panel. From
there, click on the Add Layer Style button at the
bottom and select Blending Options.
Step 2
Choose Color Overlay and set the Blend Mode to Linear Burn with 100% Opacity.
Step 3
Click on the colour box and then choose the colour you want to use with
the Color Picker. Once you click OK, the colour
will be applied.
Step 4
Repeat the steps above to colour the other layers in your composition
to complete the illustration. You can use all sorts of combinations and
colours to create, for example, a red or green construction paper
texture. Check out some of the examples below for some
inspiration.
Awesome! You're Finished!
Congratulations! And that's how you can create a paper
texture cutout effect using Adobe Photoshop.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you've learned some new
tips and tricks that you can use for your own projects. See you next
time!
.jpg "How to Create a Paper Cutout Effect in Photoshop GraphicsMarket.net")
>