I don’t own a graphics program, not even Photoshop, and investing in one isn’t in the budget this year. Instead I’m really enjoying learning to use free online programs to their utmost.
PicMonkey is one of my very favorites. You may know of PicMonkey as a photo editing program, which it is, but it’s also an incredibly powerful tool for creativity. I thought I’d share some of what I’ve learned to do on PicMonkey with you and maybe inspire you to play with it, too.
Okay, let’s get started!
Have you ever seen a black and white photo in which just one part was left colored?
This technique is called selective coloration and it’s a great way to make a focal point in a composition. Guess what? You can easily to do it with PicMonkey.
Here’s how:
First, choose a photo and import it into PicMonkey.
Under “Effects” (the bubbly test tube on the left side) select “Black and White.” The whole photo will now turn black and white.
You’re going to use the Paint menu that pops up automatically, and you’re also going to use the paintbrush.
Click on the paintbrush and begin painting back in the object you want to selectively color. Change the brush size and strength in the Paint menu.
You’re going to want to zoom in pretty close, especially when you’re painting the edges.
Looking good! If you live in my house, though, a toddler is pulling at your leg while you’re attempting to color in your giraffe causing you to accidentally color outside the lines.
Have no fear! In the Paint menu click “effect.” Now your brush is working in reverse. Paint over the mess up to return it to black and white. If you want to change or remove the background of the subject, I recommend this online bg remover.
Click back over to “original” in the Paint menu to continue selectively coloring your image. When you’re all finished click “apply.” All done!
Look how eyecatching Jeremy Giraffe is when he’s the only thing in color!
You did it! Now go to town coloring in bits of your black and white photos!
Selective coloration is a great way to draw attention to your handmade goods. A colorful bunting strung across your black and white mantel or a rainbow mobile in a black and white nursery would look amazing!
I can’t wait to see what you make!
Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by PicMonkey. I just love it with all my heart.
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Great tip, Abby! I use PicMonkey for photo collages but haven’t tried this trick yet Thanks!
Wow great tutorial Abby…thanks!
I used PicMonkey for collages only for a long while, and then I started experimenting with what else it could do. It's actually a really powerful program! I love it and I hope you enjoy this technique.
You're welcome! Enjoy!
How do you produce your patterns if you don’t use photo shop? That is the next hurdle for me, to find a way of making my embroidery pattens. It all seems a bit of a learning curve which I can’t even find out how to get on. I don’t have any graphic art skills at all and photo shop is hugely expensive. PicMonkey seems like fun, I’m going to look at that. Thanks Abby.
Hi Sara,
I do it the simple way! To me what's most important in a sewing pattern is that it works. It helps you create a beautifully designed toy simply and efficiently, and teaches you some useful skills along the way. If that pattern is simply designed, and the templates are hand-drawn, that's perfectly fine. Well-delivered content can come in a simple package! Here' s a link to a series I did on my blog about how I design my sewing patterns: http://whileshenaps.typepad.com/whileshenaps/2012/12/choosing-a-project-to-turn-into-a-sewing-pattern-.html
I can’t believe I missed that great series of posts. Brilliantly helpful thank you 🙂 All kinds of useful info there. Some patterns would be strong on photos and simple pattern pieces but others like embroidery patterns I think, need some kind of programme. I was wondering how the text and photos all came together as one. I feel safe using Word so am glad that is an option!
You mention gimp which I have heard off but it kind of makes me grimace a bit because it does sound hard! A bit of a steep learning curve. Ink scape is something new to me so I think I will look at that. Apparently PowerPoint can do wonders, things that I would never have thought of – I’ll probably have a go with making a shop banner using that. I am just so daunted though, because finding the info on how to do things is so hard when you are not technology minded – you don’t even have the words to ask what it is you want to do. Took me months to discover I need to ‘digitise’ an image! Many people are not so generous as you and are not telling their secrets. (I hope karma is good to you, you deserve it!)
Photo shop is hugely expensive and I will only need it to do a fraction of what it can do and I have no pennies anyway. So that really is out for me. I adore your little critters by the way, they are just too cute!
A huge big thank you as ever.
Hi Sara,
I'm so glad you found it helpful! Lots of trial and error is required, for sure. Best of luck to you and keep in touch!
Abby
Haven’t tried this but love pickmonkey so much, and esp their feature to make a quick collage from several images. 🙂
I like making collages on PicMonkey, too. I have a few more tutorials up my sleeve for doing other neat stuff. I hope you'll enjoy those as well!
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’d heard of Photoscape for collages, but not PicMonkey. I’m so thrilled to find out how to achieve selective coloration. I was going to buy a more expensive camera because it included this little gadget but decided it wasn’t worth the extra expense. I now I have no regrets whatsoever!
No expensive (or complicated) equipment needed! Yay! I hope you really enjoy playing with this technique.
You’re welcome to have a peek at my first attempts: http://isitatoy.blogspot.fr/2013/04/fun-with-photos.html
I love it! I just posted a link to your bunny image on the Abby Glassenberg Design Facebook page!
I use Photoscape for alot of my photoshopping it is free. I haven’t tried this other program..
Hi Trayne,
So the difference here is that PicMonkey operates entirely online. There isn't any software to download. Since they're both free, maybe give it a try and see what you think. I'd love to hear your comparison of the two.
Abby
I’ve got a great tutorial on making a blog header/banner on my blog: http://www.blogguidebook.com/2012/08/how-to-make-header-for-your-blogger.html
Hope it helps!
Hi Sarah,
This is a great PicMonkey tutorial! Thank you so much for linking it here and I hope people find it helpful for designing a great custom blog banner!
This is so helpful thank you so much for this post Abby 🙂 I’ve been using PicMonkey for a while but just to do the usual stuff. This has really inspired me to sit down and have a play with it to get a good idea of everything it can do, much appreciated
You’re welcome! Yes, PicMonkey is so much fun once you start to see all the creative possibilities beyond photo editing. Enjoy!
Thanks, Abby!