Note: Tutorial is demonstrated in Photoshop CS.

The ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Layered: Sketchbook easily give your layouts an artistic, sketchbook-like appearance with layers of rich pencil marks. Three important features to keep in mind when using the Sketchbook Templates (and brush set) are:

1. the Opacity of each layer

2. the Color Overlay of each layer

3. the Undo button

Successful use of the templates mean some "playing around" and adjusting layers as you go.

Instructions:

Decide which Sketchbook Template you want to work with. Here, I will be using Sketchbook Template 1 in the 12x12" size. It has a placeholder for one vertical photo. Open the first file with the photo placeholder, which is "TCS_SS_DLO_Sketchbook1a_12x12_Photo.png" in this case.

 

Then, open a photo of your choice and drag it on to the new document with the placeholder.

TIP: It's a good idea to choose a photo that's large enough to cover the placeholder. If it's only a little bit smaller, you should be able to stretch the photo bigger without altering the quality too much. You could also put all the layers on your template together, reduce the entire document size, and then place your photo on the document.

 

Next, position the photo directly on top of the placeholder, and make sure that the photo layer is right above the placeholder layer.

 

Now, when you have the photo where you want it, press Ctrl+Alt+G or right-click on the layer to get the drop-down menu. Choose "Create Clipping Mask."

 

This is the result. You can see the photo takes on the shape of the placeholder, with the distressed marks at the bottom.

Now, open the rest of the PNG files for Template 1. Drag each image onto the new document. (Sometimes the Clipping Mask will "release" if you try to put an image between the two layers. If this happens, just apply the clipping mask again.) Don't worry about placing the pencil marks in the exact places right now. After you fill in the background, everything will be easier to see in order to move.

 

Each image should be on its own layer, and this is a good time to name all your layers.

TIP: Some of the pencil images may be faint or white so it may be difficult to click on the image to move it. To move it from one document to another, select the layer in the Layers Palette, and drag onto the original document. To move the layer around in the same document, a good trick is to select the layer you want to move from the Layers Palette, and then click Edit> Transform (or Ctrl+T). A marquee with square anchors around the layer's image will appear. Click anywhere to move the image where you want it. Click Enter to apply the transform.

 

Now, with all your template images in place, here comes the fun part! Under the placeholder layer, either create a new layer and fill it with a solid color or place a paper there as your background. Here, I used a paper from the Earthen Vessel Collection Biggie.

TIP: Good picks would be patterns that are subtle in pattern or texture. Busy patterns will distract from the pencil marks in this template.

 

Next, we're going to play with the layers with the pencil marks to "blend" them into the paper to create a more natural look. Select the first pencil marks layer and double-click to open the Layer Styles. Check the box for "Color Overlay." Immediately, you will see that layer will become the default red.

 

Let's choose a color that's compatible with our paper. If you click on the red swatch, the Color Picker window will appear and you can use the Eyedropper to select a color from your paper. Here, I choose a light seafoam green color. You can move the picker around in the gradient box if you want to choose something a little lighter or darker than the selected color. Click "OK" to apply your choice. Click Edit> Undo if you don't like the results, and pick another color.

 

Do the same thing for the rest of your pencil marks layers. Choose colors that complement with your photo and background. This is what I have after applying a Color Overlay to all of my pencil marks layers.

The layout is looking better and has a lot of character already. I think the white marks on the right side of the photo are too harsh, so I'm going to adjust the Opacity of the layer. Choose that layer from the Palette and reduce the Opacity to about 60%. I also reduce the bottom layer to 80% to soften the sea foam green color.

 

The result is a softer look with the pencil marks that blend together better.

Now, the only thing left is to dress up the rest of the layout with embellishments and alphas. You can even use additional brushwork to give the layout even more depth and details. Have fun!

Layout by Thao Cosgrove
larger view

	Note: Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Layered: Sketchbook, Pen and Ink Brush Set and ScrapSimple Transparency Overlays: Pen and Ink are also available.

Tutorial written by Thao Cosgrove