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Source: PS Alliance Author: Sener
Cyan blue is a more commonly used color, but when coloring, the character parts can easily turn cyan blue, which may not look good. When processing, it is best to color the characters and background separately, so that the colors are easier to control.
1. Open the original image material, press Ctrl + J to copy the background layer to get "Layer 1". Enter the Channels panel and select the green channel, press Ctrl + A to select all, press Ctrl + C to copy, select the blue channel, and press Ctrl + V to paste. Click on the RGB channel, then return to the Layers panel. This step removes the noise in the image, leaving only red and cyan.
2. Create a Curves adjustment layer and adjust the red, green, and blue. This step adds blue to the dark parts of the picture and light cyan to the highlights.
3. Create an optional color adjustment layer and adjust the red, cyan, blue, magenta, and white. This step adds cyan and blue to the image.
4. Press Ctrl + J to copy the currently selected color adjustment layer and change the opacity to: 20% to enhance the color of the picture.
5. Create a color balance adjustment layer and adjust the highlights. In this step, add light cyan to the highlights.
6. Duplicate the background layer, press Ctrl + Shift + ] to bring it to the top, press Ctrl + Shift + U to remove the color, change the blending mode to "Multiply", and change the opacity to: 45%. Add a layer mask and erase the parts other than the character. This step adds details to the character's clothes.
7. Duplicate "Layer 1", press Ctrl + Shift + ] to put it on top, hold down the Alt key to add a layer mask, and use a white brush to erase the face and skin color of the character.
8. Call up the current layer mask selection and the character’s face and skin color selection. Create a Curves adjustment layer and adjust the RGB and blue. In this step, the character's skin color will be brightened and slightly bluish.
9. Call up the current layer mask selection, create an optional color adjustment layer, and adjust the red and magenta. This step adds magenta to the skin tone.
10. Call up the current layer mask selection, create a color balance adjustment layer, and adjust the highlights. This step increases the cyan color of the highlights of the skin tone.
11. Create a new layer and press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E to stamp the layer. Press Ctrl + Shift + U to remove the color, change the blending mode to "Multiply", and change the opacity to: 50%. Add a layer mask and use a black brush to erase the middle part.
12. Create a new layer, change the blending mode to "Screen", use the Elliptical Marquee Tool to pull out the elliptical selection shown in the picture below, feather it by 50 pixels and fill it with dark blue. This step adds complementary color to the highlights.
13. Create a color balance adjustment layer, adjust the highlights, and after confirmation, change the layer opacity to: 50%
14. Create a new layer, stamp the layer, and darken the dark parts appropriately.
Finally, fine-tune the overall color to complete the final effect.