Create A Medallion from Fairy Dust
Photoshop Project, Beyond Basics
Following these steps will produce an interesting background. It will also
begin to familiarize you with following project directions, and with two
interesting filters. Gaussian Noise is often used to add pixels that you
can use for different effects. The Wave filter is usually ignored. Use
your own settings, as you wish. Mine are provided only for convenience.
Creating a Background
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Open a new canvas, 5 x 5, 72 ppi, background white.
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Add noise: Filter > Noise > Add Noise > Gaussian > 100.
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Filter > Distort > Wave: Generations, 1, Sine. Min and max 1 and 300, Amplitude
10 and 300, scale 40 and 40. Repeat edge pixels. Randomize. OK.
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Press Ctrl-F four times.
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Add a new layer. Fill with black. (D, Alt-del.)
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Repeat the Gaussian Noise and then the Wave filter 5 times.
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Run Levels on each layer, to increase the contrast.
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Choose the Eraser (E). Erase a random, snaky line on the top (black) layer.
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Put the top layer into various blending modes - Multiply, Color Burn.
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Apply several more filters, to individualize your background, while keeping
some sort of pattern.
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Try Image > Adjust > Replace Color. I replaced reds with lavenders.
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When you have an effect you like, flatten the image.

Using the Freeform Pen to Make Shapes
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After you have created your background, choose the freeform pen tool.
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Draw the shape you want. I created a rounded form of the word Fairy.
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With the Freeform pen tool selected, you can click on a path to add a point.
Click on a node to delete the point. Press the Ctrl key to move points
and paths. Hold the Alt key to change a point from a corner to a curve.
Using these keys, you can edit the shape of your path until it is perfect.
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Change the path to a selection: On the Paths palette, Ctrl-click the Path
thumbnail.
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Save the selection: On the Channels palette, click the icon at the bottom.
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You should have the word selected. Your background pattern layer is active.
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Press Ctrl-J. This "jumps" the selection up to a new layer.
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Apply Layer ? Effects. I used pillow emboss. I also added a new layer at
the bottom and cut a circle to hold the word, then ctrl-Jumped it to a
new layer and used the Outer Bevel layer effect. You can work with these
features to create your own emblem.