Face Slice Effect | Photoshop Tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will create a face slice effect in Photoshop, making a photo appear as if it's cut into circular pieces with colorful tops. This effect is visually striking and can be a fun way to enhance your graphic design projects. This tutorial is suited for those with some basic knowledge of Photoshop tools, including shape tools and layer management.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

• Open Photoshop: Launch the application on your device.
• Import Your Image: Drag and drop your chosen image into Photoshop or use File > Open to select it.
• Create a New Layer: Click on the ‘New Layer’ icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to avoid editing the original image directly.

Step 2: Create the Circular Slice Shapes

• Select the Ellipse Tool: Find the Ellipse Tool (U) in the toolbar. You may need to click and hold the Rectangle Tool to select it.
• Draw a Circle: Hold down the Shift key to draw a perfect circle over the part of the image you want to slice. Adjust the size as needed.
• Duplicate the Circle: Right-click the circle layer in the Layers panel and select ‘Duplicate Layer’. Position the duplicate circle over another section of the image. Repeat until you have multiple circles covering the face.

Step 3: Create Layer Masks

• Add Layer Masks: For each circle layer, right-click and select ‘Add Layer Mask’. This will allow you to hide parts of the image selectively.
• Select the Base Image Layer: Click on the original image layer.
• Paint on the Layer Masks:
  • Select the Brush Tool (B): Choose a soft brush with a low opacity.
  • Set Foreground Color to Black: This will hide parts of the image. Paint over the areas of the image that correspond to each circle.

Step 4: Color the Tops of the Slices

• Create a New Layer Above Each Circle: For each circle layer, create a new layer where you will apply color.
• Fill with Color:
  • Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) or the Brush Tool (B) to fill the new layer with a vibrant color of your choice.
• Group Layers: Select the circle layer and its corresponding color layer, then press Ctrl + G (or Cmd + G on Mac) to group them. This keeps your workspace organized.

Step 5: Adjust the Effects

• Add Shadows (Optional): To give depth, select the colored layer, then go to Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow. Adjust the settings to achieve the desired effect.
• Fine-Tune Masks: If necessary, switch back to the layer masks and refine the edges by painting with a white brush to reveal more or a black brush to hide more.

Conclusion

You have now created an eye-catching face slice effect in Photoshop! Key points include utilizing shape tools, managing layers effectively, and adding color to enhance the visual appeal. Experiment with different images and colors to refine your style. As a next step, consider exploring other graphic design effects in Photoshop to expand your skills further.