Icons, Simplified - Using the Smudge Tool Correctly(Mouse)

[a7xpwns3]

Icons, Simplified - A Simple Way of Making Decent Icons

By A7xpwns3

Introduction

Hello there, and welcome to my simple tutorial for making decent icons.
Now, before you start, you're going to have to do this.

Since I'm using GIMP and not Photoshop, you may have to do this differently.

First, let's go over what you need.

• What You Need
• Gimp/Photoshop/Other Decent Digital Image Software
• Any Border Tool or a Folder Full of Borders
• A Mouse (No tablets here!)

Now let's go over the windows you need out.
To keep it simple, just stick with these. You can make good icons with them.

• Windows
• Toolbox
• Tool Options
• Foreground Color
• Brushes (OPTIONAL)

Yep, that's right. We're not going to use layers.
You don't need them in real life, you don't need them in digital art.
Personally (and contraversally) I find them to be quite a drag.

Remember - Smudge can be your friend if you use it right.
Use it wrong, and it looks bad.

So let's get started.

Step 1

First off, draw the main part of your object using only one color and the brush tool with 100% opacity. As you can see, I like to smudge the edges.

Step 2

Draw your handle. Use the burn & dodge tool to make an extremely rough shading.

Step 3

Remember - Small amounts of smudge = Good, so smudge the shadings to get a smooth look.

Step 4

Use the burn & dodge tool to add shading to the blade. I recommend darkening the back and lightening the front.

Step 5

Draw on a few dots of varying lightness (Dark in the back, light in the front) beneath the swordguard. This will be the handle.

Step 6

Smudge it into the shape of a handle.

Step 7

Smoothen up the shadings using a bit of smudge and the burn & dodge tool.

And voila! Your done!
I hope I have taught you to keep it simple and to be friends with the smudge tool. It is NOT your enemy unless you overuse it. And trust me, you'll know when you overuse it.

So what have we learned?

• Smudge is not bad
• Keep it simple
• Don't use layers unless for backgrounds

This is a7xpwns3, signing out.

 

[Misha]

...... and we get a blurry shape of a dagger.

Layers, layers, layers, and more layers. that's the key to good photoshoping.

of course use of smudge tool is nice sometimes, but gives a bit blurry look

Smudge is best if you use a very thin brush, then you can create wild lookin' flames on a sword.

Rating: 2.35/5 Not bad.

~Misha~

 

[a7xpwns3]

I personally like that look in certain applications

And about the fire, hellz yeahs!

 

[ap0calypse]

Well, actually I always use lots of layers xD
It keeps it simple for me, for example:
If I want to adjust the handle, the blade can be in the way, but if I put them both aon a different layer, I can adjust it all I want, without the blade changing.

It looks a bit blurry indeed, but at the end you need to resize it to 64x64 anyway, that will make a difference (the blur will be less noticable)

You just need a finishing touch, though (redo the edges and make the shape a little bit more detailed).
Of course, this is a decent icon (I might create an icon myself someday... in fact, I'm going to make one right now xD)

 

[Xezko]

the layers are the key.
and, the smudge tool isnt bad. If Crazyrussian uses it, that cant be bad! you listen me? CRAZYRUSSIAN!!! x3

 

[D a w n]

the layers are the key.
and, the smudge tool isnt bad. If Crazyrussian uses it, that cant be bad! you listen me? CRAZYRUSSIAN!!! x3

but he knows how to use it right....

 

[Xezko]

Xezko 0 - 1 DonDustin

a7xpwns3: you need to use Layers. Layers are layers. if you dont use it, when you want to edit the icon will we really fucked up :S

 

[Devine]

colorblending is a retarded purpose of smudge.. there I said it.

 

[Pyritie]

Ew, dodge/burn. Smudge can be useful sometimes, sure, but dodge/burn when doing icons? Never.

 

[a7xpwns3]

And why is that?

 

[Pyritie]

It teaches you bad habits. Using the brush tool and picking colors manually is much better so you learn more about lighting and stuff instead of just relying on photoshop to do that for you. Ask any experienced artist.

 

[Devine]

I made icons with only 1 layer before and came out decent...
dodge and burn is one of the most useless tools it photoshop.

 

[a7xpwns3]

To me, I like to just use one layer, as you cannot use multiple layers in real life (As I have stated) If I don't like something, I erase it and redo it until it's perfect. Then I move on to the next part. (Mostly in real life )

 

[ap0calypse]

To me, I like to just use one layer, as you cannot use multiple layers in real life (As I have stated) If I don't like something, I erase it and redo it until it's perfect. Then I move on to the next part. (Mostly in real life )

That's deep... *waits a few minutes to let these words sink*
Reflecting real life on your icons makes them come alive

 

[Xezko]

you cant use layers in real life? i used various layers of tracing paper for an art class one day! xD
anyway, that you said is a bit... stupid.
You cant kill an orc in real life. You can cast an ability in the real life! xD
This isnt about the real life, is about to make a good tutorial, and sorry, but you fail.

 

[a7xpwns3]

Don't worry, this tutorial was made when I was a noob. You may delete it, mods.

HERE'S MY NEW ICON WHICH I SHALL BASE A TUTORIAL OFF OF WHOO!

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/icons-541/btnwhirlpool-132859/

By the way, most of it is using CR's tutorial, while other parts I put my own spin on

 

[Xezko]

well, i didnt want to use that word, but its the reallity.
Doesnt make a tut until yu get something better than a n00b.
See ya!

 

[Pyritie]

You may delete it, mods.

Graveyarded.