PaintShop Pro - Color eyes (color change), using masking
Goal:
Change an eye-color using PSP's Mask feature.
In the photograph, anything's color can be changed with this technique. For example, a bridge or a river.
This can be better than PSP's "Color Changing Tool". Instead of "repainting", this adjusts the hue and saturation, without losing details in the object
Documenting the steps in a more succinct place than a lightning-fast AI-generated found on YouTube video. I must have watched that video 47 times to slow it down. The steps here are easier to follow, with better details. Eye-model art work from that video.
Using PaintShop Pro 2023
These steps should work with any version and these rough steps will probably work in any photo editor.
Steps:
1. In the layers pallet, duplicate the background layer
Rename the new layer to something like "myMaskedLayer" by right-clicking the new layer's name in the Layers Pallet.
2. Highlight the new (duplicated) layer
In the Layers pallet, click the Mask icon
Choose "Show All"
A new group forms
Note the new White Mask sublayer
3. Add an HSL Adjustment Layer
In the new Mask Group, select the inner full-color photograph (illustrated below, in Blue)
(For now, ignore the white Mask layer)
On the bottom, click the Layer's "Adjustment Layer" icon (bottom of pallet)
Select menu "Hue/Saturation/Lightness" (HSL)
A new gray-scale image displays
Check [x] Colorize
Note: All sliders move to zero
Click OK
5. Select the White Mask Layer
In the Color Pallet's menu:
- Set the Fore-Color to Black (click the black/white diagonal button)
- Set the Back-Color to White
6. Paint the eyes
While still on the "White" layer
Select the PaintBrush tool
Set Hardness = 0
Opacity = 100
Size = (Any comfortable, but smaller brush size)
7. On the gray-scale "white" layer, paint the eyes with a relatively small brush.
- Use the mouse's roller-wheel to zoom
- Zoom in 1000% is common
You are essentially painting the eyes with a black brush, but since this is on a masked layer; the background color bleeds through
When done, note the white-layer's eyes, showing as two dark eyes on a snowy-white background:
8. Invert the layer
While still highlighting the "white" layer
Select top-menu: Layers, "Invert/Mask Adjustment"
The photo returns to normal colors
(The "white" layer, with its two little eyes is now a "black" layer with two white eyes (not illustrated))
9. Select the HSL layer
Right-click, "Properties"
Adjust the slider-bars until happy
At the group's level, toggle the layer's "Visibility" icon off/and on to see the effect:
10. Optional: Adjust the effect's lightness
While highlighting the HSL Layer
Select the Pallet's bottom button "New Adjustment Layer"
Choose "Curves" from the sub-menu (not illustrated)
Slide ("scootch") the two sliders inland a "smidge"
-end
