Red Sketchy Header

* This layout tutorial was written in 2009
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In this tutorial I will show you how to make version five of Skylish. With this layout I just wanted to try something that I hadn't tried before, which explains the illustration. It was all fairly simple. I have split this tutorial into two sections; one being a tutorial on the main header image the other being a tutorial on how to make the basic illustration.

To begin, create a new header sized 702 x 266. Now take this background from Ego Box, and paste it as a new image onto Paint Shop Pro.

Now time for some colour editing! Follow these steps:

• Create a new raster layer, fill it with the colour #C65B4F.
  
• Set the layer to multiply at 100% opacity.
  
• Go to layers > merge > merge all.
  
• Got to adjust > sharpness > sharpen more.

Your background should now look like the image displayed on the right.

Now that we have succesfully coloured the header image, we will work on the things beneath the illustration that we'll make later. Go back to your orginal blank image, take the fill tool and select the top pallet. Change the settings to pattern and select the pattern we've just made; then fill in the header image. Next, take a sparkly brush (the one I'm using can actually be downloaded from this site) and make the colour of it #D9D1D1. Create a new raster layer, and on it add only a few spakles along the bottom of the header. What I do as I add my brush is just adjust the rotation of it each time so that it doesn't all look the same. My finishing image is on the left.

Now for some text. Create a new layer, then take a floral font (I'm using celine deon handwriting). Write a small quote in white across the bottom right. Then take the pen tool and match your settings to mine:
Top pallet colour: White
Bottom pallet colour: Bottom platter is crossed out
Line style: Solid
Width: 0.50
Anti-alias: Ticked
Tracking: 9
Mode: Freehand
Just simple make sure every letter is joined up, also do any sort of random shape at the beginning.

Convert the vector layer you've just created in a raster layer; then merge it down so that it's one with your text. Then go to effects > 3D effects > drop shadow, and match your settings to mine:
Vert. & Hor.: 1
Opacity: 30
Blur: 2.00
Colour: Black

After this create a new raster layer and type in your site URL. I've used Brush Tip Terrance as my font and I've made it white. I'd dropped shadowed it the same way I drop shadowed my subtitle.

Merge all of your layers together; then move onto part two of the tutorial.