Introduction

Hello again! For this tutorial, we'll create a design similar to those used for posters in the 60's, I'm sure you've seen them somewhere before.

I'll be using a font called Ouroboros. You can find it in Font Library, it has an Open Font License. I'll also be using 2 pictures: Spring, by Alphonse Mucha (1896), and a photography of Maud Stevens Wagner (circa 1907). Both pictures are on the public domain.

All right. Let's begin!

Masking the pictures

First, we'll need to erase the background of each picture. We'll use a layer mask, because it's less disruptive. There are two ways to go at it:

[1] Using the [Auto select tool]:

[1.1] With the auto select tool, try and select all the background elements. You'll probably need to do this several times.

[1.2] When you have a portion that pleases you, right click in the layer and go to [Layer Mask] > [Mask selection]. If it is the subject you have selected, and not the background, choose [Mask Outside selection]

 

This will create a mask in the layer. Everything you erase in the layer's mask will be made transparent, and if you draw on a transparent section, the area will be made visible.

Depending on the image, you may find it more useful to use the pen tool.

[2] Using the [Pen tool]:

[2.1] Create a mask following step [1.2]

[2.2] Press (C) to switch between drawing color and transparent color.

 

You'll probably use both methods at different points through the picture. At the end, only the elements you want in the poster should remain.

Creating the outlines

Now that you have your subject. Let's give it an outline.

[3] Using the [Auto select tool]:

[3.1] Choose [Refer to all layers] to include the layer's mask, and scale the area up by 1 to avoid getting little particles you may have missed.

[3.2] Click on the area outside of the subject. You should have all of the canvas except the space you're subject occupies. Invert the selection. Now you should have only the area you're subject occupies selected.

[3.3] Fill the selected area in another layer below. We will work on this new layer.

[3.4] Give the layer an outline on the [Layer property panel]. You can give it any color, we'll change it later on.

[3.5] Rasterize the layer and create a duplicate. We'll now do the same on the duplicate. And in it's duplicate. And in it's duplicate. And in it's duplicate. And in it's duplicate...

 

It's a very repetitive and boring task, we'll waste so much time! If only there was a way to make this automatic... BUT WAIT, THERE IS ;) CSP's got your back. Whenever there is a task like this, it's always good to create an Auto Action.

 

[4] To create an Auto action:

[4.1] Go to the [Auto Action] panel. It should be next to your Layer panel. If it isn't click on the three lines on the upper left corner and select [Show Auto Action palette]

[4.2] Create a new action by clicking on [Add new action] on the lowest border. (*) If you prefer to organize your Auto Action separately, you could also create a new Action set by clicking on the [Create new auto action set] icon. It will automatically have an empty Auto Action you can use.

[4.3] Click on the red circle to start recording the auto action. Now just do what you wanted to be repeated. When you're done, click on the now red square to stop the recording.

This is how my Auto action looked like:

Now you should have several layers, each slightly bigger than the other.

Lock the layers' transparency and we'll change the colors by clicking on the Bucket icon on the [Command bar]. Your outlines should look something like this:

Merge the layers for easier handling.

Border

[5] With the [Figure] tool:

[5.1] Create a square with rounded borders to go around the poster.

[5.2] Fill the outside with the [Bucket] tool in [Refer only to editing layer].

Voilà!

Typography

[6] With the [Text] tool:

[6.1] Write your header (and sub-header if you choose).

[6.2] Give it an outline on the [Layer property panel]. The color should be different than the one of the type.

[6.3] Rasterize the text layer.

[6.4] Go to [Edit] > [Transform] > [Mesh Transformation] and bend your words as you see fit.

Gradient map layer

To change the subject's color, we'll use a gradient with two of the colors we've used on the poster.

[7] On the [Layer panel]

[7.1] Click on the three lines in the upper left corner of the panel.

[7.2] Select [New Correction layer] > [Gradient map]

[7.3] Pick the colors you want and play with the gradient to see what effects it achieves.

[7.4] When you're satisfied, click OK. Remember to clip it to the picture layer or the gradient will affect the entire poster.

I didn't know which one to choose, je, je, je.

This is how it looked after I added texture:

And here's the one with Maud Wagner. I used Mesh Transformation on the outline layer to create a different effect:

Closing thoughts

I hope you liked this tutorial, and all the other one's I've made through the month! As I said previously, my biggest advice if you enjoy design is to look around and try to imitate the things you enjoy seeing. Clip Studio Paint is a very versatile program, and I hope that maybe, with these tutorials, you were inspired to try something new.

 

If you have any questions, you can write them as a comment I’d love to help. And if it was useful, I’d love to see what you did! You can tag me on Instagram at @apey.art or Twitter at @apey_art.