Creative character portrait: create background easily

Removing a person in Photoshop is essential for the quality of a creative character portrait. A clean background is key to directing the viewer's attention entirely to the person. In this guide, you'll learn how to quickly and easily create a new, unobtrusive background to enhance your portrait using effective methods. We will utilize the quick selection tool and masking techniques to refine the details and ensure that your image looks professional.

Main Insights

• Using a white background can help with the removal process.
• The quick selection tool allows you to select areas accurately and efficiently.
• Combining masks with the ability to highlight and refine details is essential for a successful outcome.
• Use color ranges to ensure that fine details, like hair strands, are clearly identifiable.

Step-by-Step Guide

First, start by opening your image in Photoshop and adding a white background. This will help you better see the contours of the person and allow for optimal removal.

The contours of your subject are now visible. A sharp contrast with the background makes selection easier. The next step is to isolate the person in the image.

Use the quick selection tool to roughly trace the contours. If you have a clear, high-contrast background, the tool will help you work more precisely.

Be sure to select small sections rather than working through the entire image in one go. This reduces the risk of errors and allows for more detailed selection. If you make a mistake, you can easily work in selected areas by holding down the Alt key to subtract unwanted parts.

It is important to keep the contours clean. When isolating, pay special attention to the areas around the hair and work with greater detail. A sloppy edge could diminish the overall effect of your image.

Once you are satisfied with the selection, click on the masking icon. The selection is now applied as a mask, and you can disable the original image to see how well you have done.

When you are ready to work on the hair and fine details, right-click on the mask and select "Improve Mask". Here you can adjust the tool to restore hair and stubble.

Don’t forget to set the background to white. This not only helps you control the contours but also ensures that the texture applied later stands out clearly.

The final touches on the edges are crucial. Get a small brush and work with hardness and size to remove the last remnants and secure clean edges where needed.

Finally, group all the layers to keep your project organized. This gives you the ability to make changes at any time and overview your work.

Summary

In this guide, you learned the steps to remove a person in Photoshop to create a new, clean background. The process requires patience and a good eye but offers you the chance to achieve great results in image editing. Utilize the techniques to maintain detail fidelity and effectively direct the viewer's attention.