Setting the Mood

I'm going to share some coloring "secrets" today to help you make a color cohesive layout. So strap your seat belts on, hang on tight and awayyyy we go! Heh

~ DreamCatcher ~

If you are anything like me, you are probably using a variety of kits to create one layout. The major drawback to using various elements in different kits, is that sometimes the colors don’t match up as well as one would like.

No matter how good and sound your design is, if the colors are off, it will look somewhat disjointed and not cohesive.

Pre-Operative Un-Colored

As you can see, the design is sound but it just doesn’t look right. We have blue skies, green shrubbery, neutral grass, red berries … it just doesn’t “match”.

I’m going to show you how to bring it all together so that everything in the layout looks cohesive and like it all belongs together instead of a hodge-podge, mix & match mess.

Once I have everything where I want it and am happy with the design, I first save the image and then duplicate it just in case I don’t like where it’s going, that way I don’t lose all of the hard work. Oy! Once I’m sure it’s safe, I merge all of the layers and flatten the image.

Go to the bottom right hand corner of your work space and click on the “Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer” button.

Create a New Fill/Adjustment

Choose Black and White

Black & White Adjustment Layer

This will bring up the Black and White dialog box.

I chose the default, “None”.

Default Settings

Change the Blending mode to “Color” and the Fill to 60%.

Color @ 60%

I want to darken it now with some drama. Repeat the B/W steps.

Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer button.

Create a New Fill/Adjustment

Choose Black & White

Black & White Adjustment Layer

Default “None”.

Default Settings

However, this time … change the Blending Mode to “Overlay” and the Fill to 50%.

“Overlay” and Fill @ 50%

Already, it’s looking much better.

Post B/W Adjustment Layers

Now it’s time to start working on color cohesiveness.

Click on the “Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer” button.

Create a New Fill/Adjustment

This time, choose the Hue/Saturation option.

Hue/Saturation Option

This will bring up the Hue/Saturation Dialog box. I chose a saturation of -72.

Negativity ... not always bad

I left the settings as is. (Blending Mode “Normal” @ 100%).

Look at the changes already … Muy Dramtico!

ADORO!

I really like the changes so far, but I want to add some dramatic blue night time ambience.

Time for another Adjustment layer.

Click on the “Create a New Fill or Adjustment Layer” button ... A G A I N.

Create a New Fill/Adjustment

This time choose “Solid Color”

Solid Color Adjustment Layer

This will bring up the Color dialog box.

I’ve chosen a the blue color #0592dd

Color #0592dd

I’ve changed the Blending mode to “Color” & lowered the Opacity to 50%.

Color @ 50%

Oooh La La!

J'Adore!

I want to make it just a wee bit darker. So I duplicated the layer by hitting “Ctrl + J” for the PC users. “Cmd” + J” for the Macs.

Then set the Blending Mode to “Multiply” with an Opacity of 20%.

"Multiply" @ 20%

What a difference, huh?!?

ORIGINAL

Pre-Operative Un-Colored

FINAL RESULTS

Happy Creating!