In Lesson 2,  we will work with a few things, first we will do layers... we will try to blend more than image in with backgrounds. Then we will apply some frames to the image. IMPORTANT NOTE As we go ahead in this and future lessons, things cover in previous lessons are assumed and will not be explain again. On top of the page are links to previous lessons. First off , once you saved the images pick two or more to work with, open them in your PSP program.       Locate the Toggle Layer Palette, and make sure you know how to activate it, since we will be working with more than one image in the same document.    This what you will see.. is the red and blue boxes.

When working with more than one image is good idea to have a background that is not any of the images. So to achieve that we open a new document. Go to File then New then you will see;       I pick this particular size because I have an idea of what the size of the final product should be since I will be merging more than one image.  To know what you image size is, so you can estimate what size you might need, you can click on your image and look in the right hand bottom of your screen and you will see the size of the image.

Ok now let's start adding images to the blank document. Activate one of your images by clicking on it, you will know is activated by the light on the top border. Once is activated go to Edit and click on Copy. (Notice the difference between an activated image and one that is not, one has the bright border while the other is not. It is important that you know this, since we will going back and forth between layer (images).

Now, activate the blank document, then go to Edit and then Paste as New Layer.

The result will be like this,

  In the same manner add the rest of the images you will be using.  Mine looks like this;

You may notice that all images are one on top of the other one, to move images around you could use the cross of four arrows that is located on the right hand side tool bar.  Is called the MOVER, is the fifth one from the top. Click on it, your mouse cursor will change to the four arrows and then press the mouse and while leaving it press move and you will see the image move.

Now, since we have more than one image to work with we have make sure that before we do anything we got the right image selected.  To select the image we want to go to the Layer Palette, in there you will more than one layer, for now on, all images will be consider layers.  In mine, I have 4 layers, the 3 images and the background. To know which layer you are, look for the bright blue one, that is the activate one. To see what layer corresponds to what image, just position the mouse over and it will show the image as shown below. 

.

If you picked a background color apply it now. If not you use the Dropper to aid you.

  Ok, now we have to resize some of the images. For that we use, the DEFORMATION tool, that is located in the right hand size toolbar. Is the third one from top. Of course before doing anything you have to go and activate the right layer.  Once the right layer is activated and the deformation tool is also activated you will notice that the layer will get a border (like shown in the image below) If you position the mouse over the corner (best done in corners to keep the image in proportion) press the mouse and leave it press as you make the image smaller. Once you made all layers needed smaller then un-click the distortion tool by clicking on the mouse pointer. 

Mine looks like this...

Now, we start working with personalizing the fan art. For example I'm going to use the Eraser (click on it), and will erase around the main image, to try to leave RH alone.

In the Eraser Tool Option set your parameters the higher the number the bigger the space that it covers, when erasing away from the image is better to use a higher number when close to the image use a smaller number. The edges do not need to be perfect, once you finish erasing you could use the RETOUCH tool (is a hand) and is located on the right hand side toolbar. Click on it and go to Tool Options Retouch, it has 3 options on top first pick the middle one, and pick SOFTEN, then go to the first one and pick the parameters shown or the ones that work better for your art. After that go over the image and around the edges press the hand while leaving the mouse button press and you will see the image sort of blend to the background. 

 

 Now locate the Layer Palette, and lets play with transparency. See where is says 100, well if you press there, you will see a level, one you could move up and down, as  the number decreases the image gets more transparent, as the number increases to 100 is looks normal. Choose the layer you like and make it as transparent as you like.

Like this;

 

Let's write something on it. Once you picked what you want then click ok. If you do not like what it looks like just undo it.

Once the  text in on the image, use the mouse to make it bigger by clicking and keeping the mouse press on the corners of the textbox.  If you want to write more than one text, you must convert the first one to a Raster Layer, go to Layers, convert to Raster layer. The add the next text. 

If you are happy with the result then is time to merge all the layers. To merge the layers go to Layers and Merge pick Merge all Flatten.

Now let's add a Picture Frame or a border. Go to Image, (located on the menu bar at the top of the page) and click on Picture Frame, pick one of the choices. Follow the instructions and the you will see.

 

Finish!!!!!!

Give yourself a pad in the back... you did a great job!!