Street Dance Illustration

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Step 12 – Create the posterized effect

Now that we have the layers setup properly, we can apply the effect. Choose Image > Adjustments > Threshold. Adjust the settings to get the results that you like then click OK.

To smooth the edges, we’ll use the median filter. Choose Filter > Noise > Media and adjust the settings so that the edges are smoothed like the image below.

In the layers palette, change the blending mode of the current layer to multiply.

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Step 13 – Add a retro color effect

Start by creating a new layer (Layer > New Layer). Change the blending mode of the new layer to Color. Position the new layer as the top layer then choose Layer > Create Clipping Mask. Your layer should look like the image below.

If you do not already have the swatches palette in your workspace, choose Window > Swatches. In the swatches palette, click on the button at the top right corner and select any one of the PANTONE CMYK swatches (ex. PANTONE color bridge CMYK EC).

Click on either the cyan, magenta, or yellow color from the swatches palette. It is the first three colors in the swatches palette.

Select the brush tool then right click anywhere in the document window to bring up the brush settings. Set the hardness setting to 0%.

Using a brush size that is about one third the width or height of the dancer, paint a streak from the edge. Then, switch to another color (cyan, magenta, or yellow) and repeat the process until you get something like the image below. For a more detailed tutorial about this, read Surprisingly Easy Rainbow Light Painting Effect.

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Step 14 – Create a spotlight

For this effect, we will be using a gradient fill layer. Choose Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient. Set the gradient as a white to transparent gradient as shown below.

Apply the following settings:

• Style: Radial
• Scale: 150%

In the document window, click and drag the gradient to reposition it. Position it to the upper left side.

Here’s what the image looks like so far.

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Step 15 – Add a shadow to the spotlight

Grab the selection of the dancer. To do this, hold down the Ctrl key then click on the layer mask thumbnail of the dancer. You should now see a marquee around the dancer like the image below.

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