Create Stencil with Shading from Photo

[Emily848]

I've been playing around with stenciling for a few days and can't find this posted anywhere else, so I thought I'd share. If anyone has tips on how to improve the process please let me know!

We all know that creating a stencil in ArtRage is pretty easy when you have a simple shape and contrasting background, but when you don't it can be more challenging, especially if you want to incorporate the object's shading into the stencil. See below for step-by-step instructions.

[Emily848]

http://www.mehdiplugins.com/index.htm

You'll need:
"Edges FX"
"Eraser Genuine"
possibly "Eraser Classic"

Save to the "filters" folder in your ArtRage "Resources" folder and they'll be available under Edit/Filters/Mehdi next time you start ArtRage

[Emily848]

IF the background is relatively monotone and contrasts with the main image, then you may be able to fill the background with a contrasting color and use the “Eraser Classic” preset my Mehdi to erase the background color; otherwise,

1. Open the photograph in ArtRage, set transparency to 50% or so
2. Create a new layer
3. Outline the image in the new layer

[Emily848]

After completing the outline:
1. Hide the photograph layer
2. Fill the outline solid black

[Emily848]

After filling in the outline:
1. Make stencil from layer
2. Unhide photograph layer
3. Invert stencil
4. Erase the photograph background around the stencil

[Emily848]

Apply Filter:

Edges FX
Colorize
Set color to: Red- 255; Green- 0; Blue- 0
Turn intensity to 100
Leave blurring at 1%

[Emily848]

Use this filter to bring out additional shading/contrast in your image. I didn't want this for the example because it made the image too dark. But if your image is relatively monotone, you'll want to do this.

Apply Filter:

Edges FX
Sat Boost
Turn both settings to 100

[Emily848]

Apply Filter:

Eraser Genuine
Preserve color: Red- 255; Green- 0; Blue- 0
Erase color: play around with settings to minimize all colors other than red

[Emily848]

You're almost done! Make a stencil out of the layer, and clear your reference image.

[Emily848]

Have fun!