Vector Silly Pup Free PSP Tutorial by Carla Polston

Silly Pup
BY...doing this tutorial you are agreeing to the Terms of Use

Please make sure you have read them.

Since I am not providing selections or images with this tutorial, your final results are yours to do with as you please. However the tutorial itself still follows my Terms of Use.

You could do this in PSP 6, 7, or 8.
(Be ready to spend some time on this one!)

Images displayed are not original size.
Make sure Layer Palette is visible.

New Transparent Image 400 X 400 or line background guide below.

I usually leave Layer1 for a background or you may use the following as a line guide for your background.
Click on the image to open in a new window. You can copy and paste from there or drag over to your PSP workspace.

Save As your choice. (You may want to use the Option button at bottom right and select PSP 6 or 7. This way you can open in that version and work with if needed.)

• Here are the settings I used in PSP 7.
• I like to create images on their own Vector Layer.
• Each time you begin a new shape, right click in the little icon at the upper left corner of the Layer Palette to select Vector Layer

On the second tab, set Miter Limit and Curve Tracking to 10.

Background Pattern Pup fur-cp or color/fill of your choice – Null Foreground
• Scale 100
• Angle 0 Click on the image to open in a new window. You can copy and paste from there or drag over to your PSP workspace.

You can minimize.

You may want to magnify. I ususally find this easier for drawing out images.

FIRST VECTOR LAYER
Green line on the line guide above
• Right click in the little icon at the upper left corner of the Layer Palette to select Vector Layer
• Using the above settings, draw out the pup’s front back leg. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out. Click on the Node Edit tool to move nodes around (White Arrow)
• If you would like to learn more about how to work with nodes, you can go to my Introduction to Node Editing tutorial HERE
• Later we will duplicate this for the front leg.

SAVE

SECOND VECTOR LAYER
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s hind back leg. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out.
Green line on the line guide above
SAVE

The next layers are worked in the same manner. Here is an example of what mine looks like over the line art after the next three layers.

THIRD VECTOR LAYER
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s tail. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out.
SAVE

FOURTH VECTOR LAYER
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s right ear. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out.
SAVE

FIFTH VECTOR LAYER
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s right ear. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out.

FIFTH VECTOR LAYER
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s body. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out.
SAVE

Fifth Vector Layer
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s head. Don’t worry about it being exactly even. You can grab the nodes and move around a little after drawing out.
SAVE

You can go back to any Vector Layer and adjust nodes by clicking on the + in front of the layer then click on the freehand layer under it.

If you are satisfied with your shapes for each layer, right click on each vector layer and convert to raster layer. (Right click on layer and hit C key on the keyboard)

SIXTH AND SEVENTH LAYER
Right click on front and hind back legs – Duplicate – Drag layers to the top of the Layer Palette – Use Mover tool to place.
SAVE
Here’s what you should have now:

FACE
If you are using the line guide, you will probably want to click on the glasses on the head and body layers to hide.

TONGUE
Change background to color you want to use for the tongue – Null Foreground.
I used #FF0000
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s tongue.
SAVE

MOUTH
Change Foreground to color to Black - Null Background
Line Width 2
• Create a new Vector Layer.
• Draw out the pup’s mouth. I did each curve of the mouth separately on the same Vector layer with the freehand. You may also use the Bezier Curve.
• Click the glasses on the line guide layer to hide so you can see what you have drawn.
• Click back on the tongue layer and adjust if necessary.

If you are satisfied with your shapes for each layer, right click on each Vector layer and convert to Raster layer. (Right click on layer and hit C key on the keyboard)
Click glasses on line layer to make visible again.
SAVE

BROWS
Use the same method as mouth for the brows.

EYES AND NOSE
Background Black – Null Foreground
I used the heart and tear drop preset shapes. Keep Create as Vector checked so you can grab the handle in the center to rotate. I did these on the same Vector layer. You can create a new Vector layer of each if you prefer.
You may want to hide line guide and check your placement before converting to Raster layer.
Right click in any Vector layers and convert to Raster layers.
SAVE

The basic shape is finished. You may delete line guide (Right click on Layer Palette)

We will brush out the fur a little on each layer using Retouch tool at the following settings: 2ND tab - Smudge

Way over on the Right side of the Layer Palette you’ll find a lock
You want to click the red X off on all the fur layers
Then click on each fur layer and brush over in the direction the fur would go.
Then move to the next layer and repeat.
Don’t forget to SAVE as you go!
I went in the direction of lines for head.

When you’re satisfied, click on all the locks again. You want the red X showing.

Click back on the copy of front and hind leg.
Smudge up a little.

When satisfied, empty Command History (Edit – Empty – Command History)

Change the Retouch tool to Darken RGB on the 2ND Tab
Use the following settings: You may need to adjust for color or fill you used.
Change size or opacity for different areas when you feel necessary.

Experiment a little.
You may want to try Lighten RGB or some of the other Retouch tools and settings.
Here’s what I have so far.

Click on the layer with nose and eyes
Effects – 3D – Inner Bevel – Jasc Round setting changing:
• Depth 9
• Angle 350
Effects – 3D – Drop Shadow
• Vertical & Horizontal 2
• Opacity 100
• Blur 10
• Color (I picked the darkest shade of brown I had on the pup - #4B280B)
SAVE

Repeat same Drop Shadow on mouth and eye layers. (Click on layer and use Ctrl Y to repeat).

Final Layer
Paintbrush
• Size 5
• Hardness 0
• Opacity 100
• Step 20
• Density 100
Paint in dot on muzzle.
Change size to 2 and draw line from top of mouth to nose. (Click on top of mouth – hold down Shift key – click at bottom of nose for a straight line.)
Apply same Drop Shadow.

Make any final changes you would like before merging.
I darkened more of the facial features.

I hope you have learned some new ideas, techniques, or shortcuts with this tutorial.

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