Create A Realistic Virtual Tattoo

Why waste your time on photo shop classes and photo shop courses when you can learn it all here.

Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to create a realistic virtual tattoo with Photoshop CS5, using easy to follow, simple steps.

Original Unedited Photo – Step 1

So first of all we need to get a photo ( or use one you already have, which is why you are probably reading this tutorial ). Ideally it would be one with a large section of skin, or it could even be an arm or leg, could be anything its your choice. Open it up in Photoshop.

Find a Tattoo Design – Step 2

Ok, this is where we choose our tattoo design , goto google and search for “Tattoo Design” .

Choose something you like, or even use a scan of your own design if you’d prefer.

Once you’ve found a image on google, right click on it and select “Copy”

Paste The Tattoo Design – Step 3

Now Paste this image onto your original image we chose in Step 1.

Goto Edit -> Paste or press “Ctrl + V”.

Tattoo Pasted On A New Layer – Step 4

Once you have followed Step 3 and pasted the image, it will automatically create a new layer on top of your original photo. As you can see below, it still doesn’t look quite right does it? But this is OK because we haven’t finished yet. Hopefully you are still with me at this point and have something like the image below. If so move onto the next step.

Multiply The Layer – Step 5

Ok, so click your top layer ( this should be Layer 2 ) and click on Multiply, like I have below from the drop down menu. Or you can double click it and change the properties that way. This changes the layer blending properties, and affects how this layer will be displayed against the adjacent layers.

Right Click Corner of Selection – Step 6

Now your Layer 2 should look similar to mine. If your happy with it you can leave it here and your done. But if you want to adjust your tattoo so it fits with the contours of the body then we need to make some more changes. So click on your image and then click on one of the corners.

Warp Tool – Step 7

Now Right Click on the corner you just clicked on, and select Warp Tool. You will get a grid like the one below, you now want to look at the body’s curves and contours and “Warp” the image to match this. It can be subtle or more drastic. Personal choice again. But one this is done we are finished.

Finished Photo – A Virtual Tattoo with Photoshop CS5 – Step 8