step 1
Left to right in 13 steps.
step 2
Set the colors to yellow and ochre.
Use the gradient tool to fill the background. Use the mouse to make a diagonal line in the middle of the image.
Make a new layer.
layer>new>layer
Set the gradient line in a different direction. Erase part of the second background with a soft eraser to make a smooth background that doesn't go from light to dark, but one where all the colors mix.
step 3
Make a new layer.
1-Fill it with dark grey with the paint bucket tool.
2-Use the rectangular marquee tool to cut most of the dark grey layer, only leave a small border.
3-Make a slightly smaller rectangle with the rect. marquee tool, and fill that one with brown.
4-Cut most of the brown so only a small border is left.
Now you have a small dark grey and a small brown border.
step 4
1-2-with a soft eraser on low opacity, erase part of the borders.
select>all
edit>copy merge
edit>paste
Now you have a copy of the three layers together : layer 2
3-filter>noise>add noise
step 5
Now we are going to make a halo.
Make a new layer. (layer 3)
Use the elliptical marquee tool to make a circle.
Click on layer 2.
edit>copy
Make layer 2 invisible by clicking on the eye in the layer window.
Click on the new layer.
edit>paste
Now you have a circle (layer 3)
Make a new layer (layer 4)
Use the polygonal lasso tool to make very fine diagonals through the middle of the circle. Fill them with the brush tool in a brown color.
When you have a few, copy/paste layer 4 and rotate.
edit>transform>rotate
That way you don't have to make them all seperately.
Repeat this till your circle is filled with lines.
step 6
1-When you have enough diagonal lines, make layer 2 visible again by clicking on the white square in the layer window.
Click on layer 4. Erase part of the diagonals to fade them out a bit. Change the color and brightness till they are very soft.
layer>new adjustment layer>color
layer>new adjustment layer>brightness
2-Copy layer 2 (name it layer 5)
(click on layer 2, duplicate layer)
Make layer 5 smaller.
edit>transform>scale
Put layer 5 below layer 4 so it won't overlap the diagonals.
3-Now we are going to make a border around the diagonals.
Repeat everything you did in step 3, but instead of using the rectangular marquee tool, use the elliptical marquee too.
The halo is finished.
step 7
1-Remove the background from the portrait photo. Paste the girl on the new background.
2-Copy the "girl" layer.
Paint over the dress. I used red, because in the Byzantine icons, the main colors where gold, red and black. First paint over the whole dress in one tint of red, then use a soft brush on low opacity to make a few lighter and darker parts. If you click the red box in the tools window, a new window will open with all the red scales. Just move your mouse a bit to select a new red.
3-Copy the "girl" layer again. Change the levels.
layer>new adjustment layer>levels
Erase the hair and dress from this layer.
4-Copy the "girl level" layer.
filter>artistic>watercolor
If you use the portrait of someone with a lighter skin, you don't have to change the levels.
step 8
Copy the "girl" layer.
Background box in the tool window: pale pink
Foreground box: black
filter>sketch>stamp
Make sure the two sliding bars in the stamp window are set very low.
Erase the hair and dress.
Set the blending mode to soft light.
step 9
Copy layer 2 and place it on top.
Erase part of the face and of the halo with a soft eraser on low opacity.
Set the blending mode to "multiply"
Copy layer 2 again and place it on top.
Erase partly around the head, inside the smallest rectangle.
Set the blending mode to "multiply" and to 36%.
step 10
We need something to cover the image, to make the icon look more like old wood.
The easiest would be to look for something on the internet, but if you are game, we will try to create our own. You need lots of brushes and patience.
1-Make a new layer.
Use big soft brushes and lots of different tint of browns.
2-3-Also use the spatter and chalk brushes.
4-Fade out some spots with the blur tool.
5-Add spatter till you have enough noise. Make sure you have some dark parts and lighter parts.
step 11
Put the new "old wood" layer on top of the others. Set blending mode to "multiply".
Copy the layer, make sure it's also set to "multiply" and lower the opacity to 50%.
step 12
We need a yellow glow on the halo.
Go to layer 5.
Use the elliptical marquee tool to mark the circle. Copy/paste it.
Change the color and brightness.
layer>new adjustment layer>color
Set yellow to -100
layer>new adjustment layer>brightness
Set brightness to +50
step 13
Finished.
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