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CREATE A BASIC VEXEL IMAGE
A vexel is a style of digital art that uses block shapes of
color to create an image. Vexels can be created
in various methods but the overall process is to stack shapes of
a certain shape and color to create a
whole image. Vexels can be closely traced from a photograph,
drawn from scratch or based loosely on
another picture. They can also be of anything at all - most
commonly you will see vexels of people but
they are not limited to that at all. You can achieve very
different styles of vexels by the number of
shapes you use. Very few shapes will give you a simple stylized
look and using many shapes will give a
more realistic look. What is the difference between vector and
vexel? Vector is a type of art; it doesn't
have to look like anything in particular. Just like "painting"
doesn't have to look like anything in
particular, it is just a medium. Vexels on the other hand are a
style of art - as described above. For a
long time these images were always referred to as "vector art"
regardless of whether they were
actually vector or not. Vector uses mathematical equations to
create lines and shapes in images, it
allows the shapes to be resized as much as needed without losing
any quality. Raster on the other
hand works in pixels, when resized the image pixellizes and
loses quality as shown to the right. In all,
working in vector has its advantages but vexels can be created
in either vector or raster format since
the process and result is significantly similar. Remember, the
main defining factor of a vexel is the
clean block shapes of color. It is a mixture of "Vector" and
"Pixel" - meaning a pixel based image in the
style of a vector.
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INTRODUCTION
This time we'll create a simple vexel image from a picture.
Also, we'll use some pattern effects to give the image some
interesting texture. This is a basic way to create a vexel image
using predominately Photoshop's vector based tools. After
completing this tutorial, you'll become a master of the Pen Tool.
Before we get started, let's take a look at the image we'll be
creating.
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Step 1: Get started by creating a new document 768px by 1024px
and paste this image in. Delete the background layer. Then add a
new white Solid Color Fill Layer.
Step 2: Now the few things you'll need is the Pen Tool and a lot
of patience. Select the Pen Tool, and set this Foreground Color as
#FFE400. This is not really important because you'll change the
colors later. Create some points over the yellow stripes. After you
have created a shape, select Add To Shape Area in the Pen options.
Then continue drawing. This way you'll get a complex shape in one
layer. Name this layer "BGLines."
Hide the picture layer for a moment. You'll get something like
image 3 below. Finally, put the picture layer above the "BGLines"
layer, and show it. Remember this step, because you must put the
picture layer above the others as many times as you need.
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Step 3:
Now use a white foreground, and draw the shirt contour. Create a
new layer named "Shirt." Don't worry about the green stripes right
now. Once you have finish all the shirt shape, hide the picture
layer. View the result. Then put the "Shirt" layer above the
"BGLines," and remember to put the "picture" layer above all the
other layers every time you draw a shape.
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Step 4:
Draw the arms and the hands. I draw each one on a different
layer, but you can draw both arms in a single layer. Maybe the most
difficult object to draw is the human hand. Check the fingernails;
I used almost a 90 curved angle there. Finally place the "hands"
and "arms" layers above the "Shirt" layer.
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Step 5:
Draw the pants shape; use a blue foreground color (#002352).
Place the "Jeans" layer above the "BGLines" layer.
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Step 6:
Using the same foreground color as the hands, draw the face and
head shape, and place the "Head" layer below the "Shirt" layer.
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Step 7:
Now draw the brunette hair (#7e4a22). Then place the new "Hair"
layer above the "Head layer.
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Step 8:
Now, for the sun glasses use a dark gray foreground color
(#212121). Put the "Sunglasses" layer above both the "Head" and the
"Hair" layers.
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Step 9:
At this point, we get the basic shape of the girl. Now it's time
to add some details. First, add the green stripes. It's not
difficult, and should take only about ten to fifteen minutes.
Remember to select Add to Shape Area in the Pen Options. Then set a
green foreground (#03b72d). Place the "Shirt lines" layer above the
"Shirt" layer.
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Step 10:
Draw the lips (#E05328) and the upper lip (#A33B1E). Also, draw
a little black nose hole. Put these three layers above the "Head"
layer.
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Step 11:
Now we'll add the final details. Set the "picture" layer Opacity
to 50%. This will give it a better look than the previous drawn
shapes. Add the sunglasses crystal using a gray color (#404040),
place the "Sunglasses Crystal" layer above the "Sunglasses"
layer.
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Step 12:
This is an important step; we'll add some vector shadows to the
skin to create a lightening illusion. For this there's no shape to
follow. You must use your common sense. A good way to do it is
looking at the dark areas of the skin create a similar shape. Be
sure to always use the Pen Tool for this. I used a dark orange
color (#d29115). Place the "Skin Shadows" layer above the "Hands"
layers.
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Step 13:
Draw some shadow shapes using a dark blue foreground. Then place
the "Jeans shadow" layer above the "Jeans" layer.
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Step 14:
At this point you have a basic vexel of the girl's picture, you
can add more details if you want to.
Step 15: Now you can customize the shapes using your
imagination, I'll begin changing the colors as follows: Skin
(#F8C769), Skin Shadow (#E7B148), Shirt stripes (#C50505),
Background (#C50505), and Background stripes (#FFFFFF).
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Step 16:
Create a new Group of layers; name them "Girl." Add all the
layers to the group except "BGLines" and "BG." Select the group and
resize it.
Step 17:
Select the "Sunglasses Crystal" layer. Then add a Gradient
Overlay (#3D3D3D to #858585). First add Linear Light Overlay then a
Pattern Overlay. I used the "Optical Checkerboard" pattern. Ensure
that Link with Layer option is selected. Drag the pattern a little
to get the result shown below.
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Step 18:
Select the "Jeans" layer. Then add a Gradient Overlay (#00345E -
#025B87).
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Step 19:
Select the "BG" layer. Then add a Gradient Overlay that goes
from red to dark red (#C70704 - #6A0000).
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Step 20:
Add the same Overlay to the "Shirt lines" layer, but reverse the
colors this time (#6A0000 - #C70704 ).
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Step 21:
Now select the "BGLines" layer, and add a Gradient Stroke style
using these values.
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Step 22:
In "BGLines" layer add a Pattern Overlay using the same pattern
as the sunglasses, but this time deselect the Link with layer
option. Then click on Snap to Origin, this way you are fixing the
pattern to the origin of the document.
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Step 23:
Add the same pattern style to the "Shirt" layer. Remember to
deselect the Link to Layer option. As you can see below, it looks
like only one layer style.
CONCLUSION
This technique is one of the most flexible, as a vector graphic
can be resized without losing any quality. This can help you in
printing your designs as well. Remember that your imagination is
the only limit. Try vexeling other pictures and playing with the
style.
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Final Image