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Basic Gloss Tutorial
By xShuriken
This tutorial will show how to create a basic gloss effect in Photoshop that can be used on nearly any image. It is a very useful tool when you need to add a special smooth touch.
Step 1: Image selection.
Find an image you want to use. For this tutorial, I'll just use a random render of L from Death Note.
Step 2: Layer duplication.
You will need to duplicate the layer of the image you want to use the effect on. Just right click on the layer in your layer menu, and click 'Duplicate Layer'. Click the thumbnail below for a visual example.
Step 3: Gaussian blur.
This is where you'll add your Gaussian blur to the duplicated layer. Make sure you have the duplicate layer selected, then click 'Filters' in the top menu bar. A drop down menu should appear. Find 'Blur', then select 'Gaussian Blur' from there. A new window will appear, showing your image and the level of blur. I usually use 3.0, but you can use whatever you think works best for you. Click OK. Once again, click the thumbnails below for a visual walkthrough.
Your duplicated layer should now be blurred, and your image should look something like this...
Step 4: Overlay.
This is where we exploit that blur to our advantage. Right click on your blurred layer, and click 'Blending Options'.
You should now see the following window appear.
In that window, find the area that says 'Blend Mode'. By default, this mode is set to 'Normal'. However, we are going to want to change it. Click on 'Normal', and select between one of the options that appear. 'Overlay' usually works best. I recommend choosing either Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, or Vivid Light. Again, just do what suits your project best. Best of all, you can see how each option affects your image differently as you go through them. For this tutorial, I will select Overlay.
Now, just play around with the Fill Opacity bar until you find a level that suits you best. For this, I just have it at 100%, and here is my final outcome...
And that's it. You can play around with the Blend Modes or opacity levels if your gloss effect is too strong. You can also play around with various other options such as the Burn tool as see how those affect your gloss. There are many different options you can use with this technique, this tutorial just shows the basics. If you use it correctly, you can add more depth, realism, and smoothness to your images or layers.
I hope someone finds this useful.
By xShuriken
This tutorial will show how to create a basic gloss effect in Photoshop that can be used on nearly any image. It is a very useful tool when you need to add a special smooth touch.
Step 1: Image selection.
Find an image you want to use. For this tutorial, I'll just use a random render of L from Death Note.
Step 2: Layer duplication.
You will need to duplicate the layer of the image you want to use the effect on. Just right click on the layer in your layer menu, and click 'Duplicate Layer'. Click the thumbnail below for a visual example.
Step 3: Gaussian blur.
This is where you'll add your Gaussian blur to the duplicated layer. Make sure you have the duplicate layer selected, then click 'Filters' in the top menu bar. A drop down menu should appear. Find 'Blur', then select 'Gaussian Blur' from there. A new window will appear, showing your image and the level of blur. I usually use 3.0, but you can use whatever you think works best for you. Click OK. Once again, click the thumbnails below for a visual walkthrough.
Your duplicated layer should now be blurred, and your image should look something like this...
Step 4: Overlay.
This is where we exploit that blur to our advantage. Right click on your blurred layer, and click 'Blending Options'.
You should now see the following window appear.
In that window, find the area that says 'Blend Mode'. By default, this mode is set to 'Normal'. However, we are going to want to change it. Click on 'Normal', and select between one of the options that appear. 'Overlay' usually works best. I recommend choosing either Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, or Vivid Light. Again, just do what suits your project best. Best of all, you can see how each option affects your image differently as you go through them. For this tutorial, I will select Overlay.
Now, just play around with the Fill Opacity bar until you find a level that suits you best. For this, I just have it at 100%, and here is my final outcome...
And that's it. You can play around with the Blend Modes or opacity levels if your gloss effect is too strong. You can also play around with various other options such as the Burn tool as see how those affect your gloss. There are many different options you can use with this technique, this tutorial just shows the basics. If you use it correctly, you can add more depth, realism, and smoothness to your images or layers.
I hope someone finds this useful.
Last edited:
