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Post by Sepiana on Jun 25, 2016 6:43:25 GMT
NOTE: Click on image for larger size.
 
Hi everyone,
I created an action (.atn file) to apply a hand-coloring effect to an image. Feel free to download it and give it a try. I tested this action in PSE 7, 10, 11 and above. It worked just fine. I believe the same will hold true for PSE 8 and 9.
If you have PSE 11 and above, load the .atn file via either the Actions panel or the Effects panel.
 
If you have PSE7 through 10, you need to install this action so that it can be accessed via the Action Player (Guided Edit>Automated Actions>Action Player).
Windows: C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\x.x\Locale\en_us (or your locale)\Workflow Panels\actions
Mac: Hard Drive>Library>Application Support>Adobe>Photoshop Elements>x.x>Locale>en_us (or your locale)>Workflow Panels>actions
NOTE:
After you have run this action, you can create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and tweak the colors. If you want bolder and brighter colors, you can also duplicate the background layer, change the blending mode to Multiply, and reduce the opacity (if needed).
Sepianas Hand-Coloring.zip (432 B)
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Post by ritage on Jun 25, 2016 17:07:56 GMT
Wow, this one does amazing things with the right images. Thank you, Sepiana. For the second one I reduced the Pin Light Layer to 80% to bring out a little stronger color. Both were my entries to EP Challenges.   |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 25, 2016 17:42:39 GMT
Rita,
And I say WOW! You nailed your hand-coloring. Both of your images are great but I favor the first one. I just love the results.
Yes, indeed, the kind of image you start with plays a major role here because what this action is doing is replacing the original image colors with pastel colors. I found out that the more colorful the original image the more pastel colors and the fewer grayscale areas you will end up with.
There is another tweaking you can do which includes Select>Color Range. I didn't record it as a step in my action because Elements wouldn't understand it. I know you have Photoshop. So, you could try this.
- After you have run this action, add a H/S adjustment layer and boost the Saturation. - Do Select>Color Range targeting the grayscale areas in your image. - Add a tone (such as Sepia) over the mask which you created.
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Post by ritage on Jun 25, 2016 18:53:31 GMT
Thanks, Sepiana, I will try that out.
The first image had very sharply defined black edges from one of the Topaz Cartoon Filters and very vivid colors to start with. I too liked it best from the 7 or 8 images I tried. Large undifferentiated areas came out the least attractive. It seems the busier the starter, the better it works out.
Rita
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Post by Lillias on Jun 25, 2016 20:02:44 GMT
Yes the right image is important for this one. Thanks for the action Sepiana. One image from morguefile and the other from pixabay.   |
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Post by cats4jan on Jun 25, 2016 21:29:52 GMT
I gotta try this. The results you are all getting are so very interesting. Great action, Sepiana.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 25, 2016 23:08:03 GMT
Thanks, Sepiana, I will try that out. The first image had very sharply defined black edges from one of the Topaz Cartoon Filters and very vivid colors to start with. I too liked it best from the 7 or 8 images I tried. Large undifferentiated areas came out the least attractive. It seems the busier the starter, the better it works out. Rita Rita,
I found out the same thing when I was taking this action for a test drive. The busier the original image (and the more colors it had) the better the hand-coloring effect.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 25, 2016 23:16:11 GMT
BillieJean,
You were absolutely right when you said -- "Yes the right image is important for this one." I believe you found the right images, especially the second one. The hand-coloring effect is simply beautiful!
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 25, 2016 23:17:02 GMT
I gotta try this. The results you are all getting are so very interesting. Great action, Sepiana. Janice, yes, you should try this action. I would love to see what you come up with. |
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Post by blackmutt on Jun 25, 2016 23:30:50 GMT
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Moto
Established Forum Member
Posts: 662 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Moto on Jun 26, 2016 6:20:08 GMT
 2 Hue adjustment layers. One global, the other on a selection / green color only. Levels. |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 26, 2016 20:25:33 GMT
J - I really like the effect you achieved with this action. I envision this image on the wall. Great job!
Moto - Very colorful! Great idea to create a second H/S adjustment layer targeting the Greens channel. I love your creativity! |
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Post by Tpgettys on Jun 26, 2016 21:42:09 GMT
It really would be helpful to state the usage requirements so users know how to use it correctly.
I applied a change on a new layer. When I ran the action it crashes with the error message "The object layer "Layer 1" is not currently available".
I tried it again, renaming the new layer as layer 1; it ran to completion, but the result was a mess.
Apparently there can be only one layer, and it must be named "background", is that correct?
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 26, 2016 22:22:46 GMT
I applied a change on a new layer. When I ran the action it crashes with the error message "The object layer "Layer 1" is not currently available". I tried it again, renaming the new layer as layer 1; it ran to completion, but the result was a mess. Apparently there can be only one layer, and it must be named "background", is that correct?
I have to admit; I don't really understand the problem you are having. I guess I am just on the dense side.
As my screen shot shows . . .
I duplicated the background layer (Layer 1) and ran the action. The action ran its course and did what was supposed to do. No error messages whatsoever!!!
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Post by Tpgettys on Jun 26, 2016 22:48:39 GMT
Here is the result when I run the action without attempting any modifications:  Here is the layer stack after doing some processing and before running the action:  Here is the result after running the action on it:  Finally, here is the result after making the changes, flattening the image, then running the action:  |
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