7 Replies Latest reply: Dec 31, 2010 10:32 AM by c.pfaffenbichler RSS

    Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects

    sheana2002 Community Member

      Hi, I have Photoshop CS. I scanned in a hand-drawn image in black & white and am trying to color it in in PS. I made a gradient/adjustment layer in blue fading to white as the sky. However, when I put the layer behind the scanned in picture, the blue colors everything in the picture. What am I doint wrong? Don't the scanned in objects have opacity, especially in the white sections? Kindly help. Thanks in advance.

        • 1. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
          c.pfaffenbichler Community Member
          Don't the scanned in objects have opacity, especially in the white sections?

          Usually scanned images are solid; have you set the Layer to Blending Mode Multiply?

          If so you could create a white Solid Color Layer between the Gradient- and scan-Layers and use painting and Selection Tools to mask it.

           

          Would you mind posting a screenshot (with the camera-icon)?

          • 2. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
            sheana2002 Community Member

            I hope the snapshot I took with SnagIt is acceptable....I couldn't get the .psd file to load....too big I guess. I set the Owl layer to multiply, added a white fill layer in between, then added the gradient layer. It still shows through the Owl's face and etc. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

            OWL W GRADIENT PROBLEM.jpg

            • 3. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
              c.pfaffenbichler Community Member
              I set the Owl layer to multiply, added a white fill layer in between, then added the gradient layer.

              I don’t see that in the Layers Panel.

              I meant the Scan atop, then the white Solid Color Layer with Layer Mask (I didn’t know there were more colors, so just a normal Layer to paint on would do) and lowermost the Gradient Layer.

               

              It still shows through the Owl's face and etc.

              Just paint on a Layer between the line-work and the background.

               

              Anyway, how did you originally remove the »white« parts from the scan?

              Did you select and delete or use a Blend If-setting?

              • 4. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
                Reynolds (Mark) Community Member

                Ok so you got three layers - your owl layer, your gradient layer, and your white background.

                 

                If you use Multiply on the owl, it will tint everything with whatever is underneath, in this case blue. If you use Normal it should leave the owl's face white. For this to work the owl needs to be completely opaque (no transparency in the layer).

                 

                You can boost the opacity of the Owl layer in the following way: Duplicate the layer multiple times by pressing Command J. Highlight all the owl layers you just created in the layers panel, and then merge them (command E).

                • 5. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
                  sheana2002 Community Member

                  This is not the original scanned image. I selected and moved the owl onto a new transparent layer/document, so all the white background of the paper is missing. However, the owl's face was white(paper) and I couldn't understand why the blue should show through an opaque object. I'm a little confused as to what you want me to do, and I understand if you don't have the time to give anymore input. However, if you do, I'll appreciate it. In the meantime, I'll re-scan the image and try the gradient again.

                  • 6. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
                    PECourtejoie CommunityMVP

                    Looks like you partially erased the owl face when trying to remove the background. Hence the color showing through.

                    • 7. Re: Blue sky gradient layer shows through objects
                      c.pfaffenbichler Community Member
                      In the meantime, I'll re-scan the image and try the gradient again.

                      Have you not kept the original scan?

                       

                      Anyway, what I meant may get clearer with a screenshot:

                      colorizeLinework.jpg