Shephard Fairey

We the People Inspired Poster

 “Art is not always meant to be decorative or soothing, in fact it can create uncomfortable conversations and emotions”.

                                    

Project Inspired by exture Labs

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Section 1

Picking Images

  Step 1a:

  • Pick an Image that shows a clear and close up portrait
    • This can be a photo you have taken yourself of someone
      • or one you find online
  • No FULL body images
  • The image must be high resolution (1000pixels or more)
    • This project will NOT work with low resolution photos
      • The photo has to have LOTS of light on the face
        • Hard dark shadows will NOT work on this project

                                                 NO                                                               

           

YES Photos

       

Step 1b:

  • Refer to the symbols Shepard Fairey uses in his art work
      • Stars
      • Simple shapes such as arrows
      • Doves
      • Peace signs
      • Flags of countries
      • Religious symbols
      • Roses
      • Money
      • Chevrons or angled lines
      • WWII Bombs and warplanes
      • Eyes
      • Torch
      • Mandalas
      • Lighters
      • Government Buildings
      • News papers
  • Download 3-5 images that Shephard Fairy would use in his artwork
    • You MUST do at least 3 but using more always looks great
      • Search online for images or
        • Use my files on canvas under Shephard Fairy Symbols

Examples

 

   

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Section 2

Download Editing Files

Step 1: (If not in my class g0 to the website to download a file Gradiant Presets

  • If you are in my class you will be downloading 2 files from Canvas
    • Canvas- Files
      • Shephard Fairy Folder
        • Editing files
          • Texture Lab 40/60 Vectortones   
          • Texturelabs_Vector_125

Step 2:

  • Open Photoshop
  • Go to the Downloads on your computer
    • Locate the file that says
      • fx Gradient
        • Douple click on the file to load it
          • You will not see anything happen but it will load into Photoshop

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Section 3

Editing the Symbols

Step 1: 

  • Open the image in Photoshop
  • Go to Filter
    • Filter Gallery

     

Step 2: 

  • Pick Cutout
    • Number of Levels:  8
    • Edge Simplicity:  0
    • Edge Fidility: 1
  • Ok

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: 

  • Pick the Quick Selection Tool
    • Select your object

Step 4: 

  • Click the Mask Box at bottom of layers pallet
    • It will delete the background

Step 5a: 

  • Click the adjustments (black/white circle) at bottom of Layers Pallet
    • Pick Black and White

Step 5b: 

  • Click the adjustments (black/white circle) at bottom of Layers Pallet
    • Pick Gradient Map
      • When the Gradient Map bar opens
        • Click anywhere on it

   

Step 6: 

  • Open the Texturelabs_4060_Vectortones folder
    • I recommend using  the first box (red/yellow) or the box right below it  but you are free to pick any of the other boxes.  This is your project!

Step 7: 

  • Right Click on your bottom layer
    • Merge Visable
      • (DO NOT FLATTEN)

Step 8: 

  • You will be saving the image as a PNG
    • Save the file into downloads
      • Name it something you can find easily
        • Save as PNG

Step 9: 

  • Repeat steps 1-8 for all of your symbols/images
  • Pick different colors Texturelabs_4060_Vectortones folder or keep them all the same.  It’s up to you

 

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Section 4

Putting the project together

Step 1: 

  • Open the image of the person you picked
    • Go to
      • Image – Image Size
        • Change Height:  15
          • Width size does not matter. It will change automatically.
            • Resolution: 150

 

Step 2: 

  • Using the Quick Selections Tool
    • Select around the person

Step 3:

  • Click the Mask at the bottom of the Layers Pallet (box with circle in it)
    • Your background will now be gone

Step 5:

  • Go to Filter
    • Filter Gallery
      • Cut Out
        • Levels 8
          • Edge Simplicy 0
            • Edge Fidely 1

   

Step 6:

  • Right click on Layer 0
    • Duplicate Layer

Step 7:

  • (If you are in my class you can download this file from Canvas under Shepard Fairy)
      • If not in my class
  • Go to website and download  file  Vector 125
    • Download
      • TextureLabs_vector_125    

Step 8:

  • Make sure you are on the Bottom Layer
    • Go to File
      • Place Embedded
        • Choice
          • Texturelabs_Vectir_125.eps
            • Click Place

Step 9:

  • The file should now be between the layers
    • Click Control T and drag the file until the lines go off the page

Step 10:

  • Right Click on the Layer
    • Merge Visable

Step 11:

  • Click on the Adjustments circle (bottom layers pallet)
    • Gradient Map

Step 12:

  • Click anywhere in the middle of the graph.  It doesn’t matter what color it is

Step 13:

  • Open Texturelabs_4060_Vectortones
    • Pick the second box (blue/yellow)
      • (If you do not like the blue/yellow you can try another one of the colors except the reds)
        • Click ok

Step 14:

  • Right click on Background Layer
    • Flatten Image

Step 15a:

  • Go to File- Place Embedded
    • Choice one of the objects you edited for the poster.  (I will be picking the Arrow)

   

 

Step 15b:

  • Move the object where you’d like it on the photo
    • Click Control T to change the size
  • Do NOT make the object to small or to big!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                      No

                                              Yes

Step 15c:

  • If you want to make the image transparent (see arrow below)
    • Change the Opacity to 60%-80%
      • Each symbol will be different
        • You do not have to do this to every symbol

   

Step 15d:

  • You can also change the overlays:
    • Go to normal on layers pallet and change to your choice
      • You may want to use this on one just one image and not the others
        • It is up to you how to design this step

 

Step 16:

  • Go to File- Place Embedded
    • Choice another objects you edited for the poster.  (I will be picking the rose)
      • Move the object where you’d like it on the photo.
        • Click Control T to make bigger or smaller
          • Decide if you want to change the overlay

   

Step 17:

  • Continue until you have at least 3 objects on your image.  You may do more if you’d like
    • Flatten your image when you are done with this section

       

 

****If you do NOT want the person to have colored lips you may add Red to another small section of your image*****

Step 18:

  • Right Click on Background Layer
    • Duplicate Layer

Step 19:

  • Make sure you are on the duplicated layer
    • Quick Select the area you will be turning red

Step 20:

  • Select the Eye Dropper Tool
    • Click over any red area on you image

Step 21:

  • Select the Brush Tool
    • Paint over the area

Step 22:

  • Change the Opacity to 8% – 50%
    • The lower the opacity the less red the lips will be
      • Click Select at the top
        • Deselect to remove lines around lips
          • Right click and Merge Visible when done

 

 

Step 23:

  • Select the Eye Dropper Tool
      • Click anywhere in the light yellow area
        • This will select this color

Step 24:

  • File
    • Canvas Size

Step 25:

  • You will be adding 2 inches to both the height and the width
    • Everyone’s height will start at 15
      • You will be changing it to 17
  • Everyone’s Width will start at a different size
        • Add 2 inches to your width
  • DONT click OK yet

Step 26:

  • Click on Canvans extension color:  Other
    • A box of colors will open
      • Click on the Yellow colored box at the bottom of the tools panel
        • Click Ok

Step 27:

  • You will now have a 2 inch yellow boarder around your image
    • NOTE……You want to make sure the added yellow area is the SAME color yellow as the rest of your project.  If it’s not see me.
  • Flatten image

Step 28:

  • Pick the Eye Dropper Tool
  • Click on a dark blue area from your project

Step 29:

  • Select the Rectangle Tool
    • Fill:  White box with red line through it
      • Stroke: The blue color you just picked
        • 6.4 pt

 

Step 30:

  • With the Rectangel Tool
    • Draw a box around the project
      • Should just touch the tips of the lines

Step 31:

  • Rectangle 1 Layer
    • Change Opacity between 50-70%

Step 32:

  • Flatten Image

Section 5

Optional Extra Step

Adding the Article is not required but adds to the project

Step 1:

  • Go to
    •  Google Images
      • Name of your person + Black and White Article
        • Ex: Drew Barrymore black and white article
  • Find an article about the person and save it
    • It doesn’t matter if there are black/white photos with it.
      • You are looking for images with lots of Text

Step 2:

  • Return to your project on Photoshop
  • Go to
    • File
      • Place Embedded
        • Pick the article you saved

Step 3:

  • Go to Layers Pallet
    • Change Normal to Multiply

Step 4:

  • Lower the Opacity so the article becomes more transparent:
    • 25% –  50%.
      • Every image will be different

Step 5:

  • Add a Mask to the Article Layer
    • Select a Black Paint Brush

Step 6:

  • Paint off the words and objects off
    • Person’s face and other parts of the photo the you would like removed
      • Each project will be different!

Step 7:

  • Flatten Image and Save