A -NEW- Tutorial about Shadowing

[Kiana]

Well you all asked.....
Thank you for all the feedback and I hope this is just the first in a long line of new tutorials you want to see from us. Hopefully after the new year Angie and I (and other Babes that want to help us) will start brainstorming some more to bring your way.

But - here is one I was able to do this week while I was off from work :hugs: :wub:

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2021/12/shadowing-savvy-its-all-subjective/

[eve11ne]

That's awesome Kiana!
Thank you :thumbup:

[rach3975]

That's so informative, Kiana--thank you!

[SeattleSheri]

Awesome Kiana! I love it. :wub:

P.s. just for fun I just went back through some of my old shadowing tutorials (I can’t believe I wrote them almost 10 years ago?!). I use completely different settings now!

[Kiana]

Awesome Kiana! I love it. :wub:

P.s. just for fun I just went back through some of my old shadowing tutorials (I can’t believe I wrote them almost 10 years ago?!). I use completely different settings now!

RIGHT!? I use totally different shadows now than even a year or 2 ago. I loved your older tutorials and think they are still VERY VALID for everyone!:wub:

[Kiana]

That's awesome Kiana!
Thank you :thumbup:

:thumbup: Thanks!

[Kiana]

That's so informative, Kiana--thank you!

I'm glad it was informative! I hope that it helps lots of you all!!!:wub:

[mywisecrafts]

This is awesome!!!! Thank you!!!

[jaye]

Great tips Kiana!

[knittingbec]

Thank you! SO fantastic!!

[joelsgirl]

Very cool! Thank you !

[bienejen]

Oooh, these are the details I've been looking for. Now to see how I can work this into the program I use! Thank you!!!!!

[Dalis]

It is excellent!

[Kiana]

It is excellent!

:wub::D Thanks

[Kiana]

This is awesome!!!! Thank you!!!

:thumbup: Thanks

[Kiana]

Great tips Kiana!

:thumbup: Thanks Jaye

[Kiana]

Thank you! SO fantastic!!

:wub::thumbup: Yay hope it helps

[Kiana]

Very cool! Thank you !

:thumbup: You're welcome

[Kiana]

Oooh, these are the details I've been looking for. Now to see how I can work this into the program I use! Thank you!!!!!

So glad ... I really hope they help you guys out.


And please, if there's something not explained in enough detail, or something you want to see differently, let me know

[Scrap-therapy]

This is a really great tutorial Kiana, Thank you so much! I learn lots of things I didn't especially know (for the colors you can use for the shadow, I always go with grays but never think of complimentary colors).
My only big problem is I use a software called Studio Scrap 8 and the possibilities are not a lot.
I did a screenshot with my little shadow program, I'm not sure with what to play. I usually play with the transparency now but not sure with the shadow shift and the attenuation as the angle, I usually do it simply but I'm not really happy.
Just in case you have some suggestion in my case!lol!
But Thank you for the tutorial it's a lot of help!:)
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/27//21122709253424803017726367.jpg

[Leablahblah]

Thank you so much!
Off to read it!

[Kiana]

This is a really great tutorial Kiana, Thank you so much! I learn lots of things I didn't especially know (for the colors you can use for the shadow, I always go with grays but never think of complimentary colors).
My only big problem is I use a software called Studio Scrap 8 and the possibilities are not a lot.
I did a screenshot with my little shadow program, I'm not sure with what to play. I usually play with the transparency now but not sure with the shadow shift and the attenuation as the angle, I usually do it simply but I'm not really happy.
Just in case you have some suggestion in my case!lol!
But Thank you for the tutorial it's a lot of help!:)
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/27//21122709253424803017726367.jpg


As far as color? I see you have tabs at the top of your color panel. Can you select the tab that says RGB? That would be where you could put in the dark brown (or complementary color) 6-digit #hex code. Can you do that? Also can you type in the angle you want where it says 315? You could change that to 120° or 45° if you wanted?

[bienejen]

This is a really great tutorial Kiana, Thank you so much! I learn lots of things I didn't especially know (for the colors you can use for the shadow, I always go with grays but never think of complimentary colors).
My only big problem is I use a software called Studio Scrap 8 and the possibilities are not a lot.
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/27//21122709253424803017726367.jpg

I use a different program as well. I tried to do some translating and comparing your settings to mine. This may be way off, but see if this gets you any closer to something you like.

Increase your decalage setting to 10 (maybe try 15 as well).
Decrease your attenuation to 1 or 2
Increase your transparency to 40 or 50
If you're using the red, bottom right, corner arrow for your orientation angle, leave that as it is.
This is mostly an educated guess comparing your settings to what I see in my Artisan Forever program and some of Kiana's settings.

[HeideC]

Thank you so much! I think I am going to have to play with this now …

[Kiana]

I use a different program as well. I tried to do some translating and comparing your settings to mine. This may be way off, but see if this gets you any closer to something you like.

Increase your decalage setting to 10 (maybe try 15 as well).
Decrease your attenuation to 1 or 2
Increase your transparency to 40 or 50
If you're using the red, bottom right, corner arrow for your orientation angle, leave that as it is.
This is mostly an educated guess comparing your settings to what I see in my Artisan Forever program and some of Kiana's settings.


Thanks....hopefully this helps her!!! :thumbup:

[Kiana]

Thank you so much! I think I am going to have to play with this now …

Hope you like it and it can help enlighten some ways I approach my shadows. :thumbup:

[bienejen]

Hope you like it and it can help enlighten some ways I approach my shadows. :thumbup:

Even though the settings are quite different between our two programs, if nothing else, it's a great reminder that not every item should get the same depth of shadowing. Wayyyyyyyy back in the beginning I played with shadowing my text. No, just no. :D Glad I figured that out quickly!

[Lidia G]

Your tutorial is awesome! Getting the right shadowing can sometimes be so frustrating! There are limitations as to what you can do in PSE but I got the Elements+ plugin and now I have a lot more options available to me if I know where to look, lol. One other shadowing that I'd like to know a little more about is how to "lift" a paper off the page so it looks more dimensional. Thank you for your tutorial Kiana, I now have a better understanding of shadowing :)

[Scrap-therapy]

Kiana and Jennifer, wow Thank you so much! You both are so lovely to take time to read (and translate) and help me with your great advices and ideas!
I'm really grateful!
Kiana, I'm going to try the color part and Jennifer, glad to know I'm not the only one with another software. This is really nice to you to take time to compare with yours, I'm going to try what you suggest. Normally I can do all you told me, the thing is to find the right way to apply it.
So again Thank you, I was really looking for other tips from another scrappers because I try a lot of things but turn around! lol!
Someone is going to give some try with shadow tonight!:D
It's really great to share with another scrappers and again Kiana your tutorial is really great, can't wait to see the next!
One thing I also enjoy is you open it without closed rules!:)
https://c.tenor.com/5Sh0zb2KULIAAAAC/thank-you-cute-wolf.gif

[Scrap-therapy]

Even though the settings are quite different between our two programs, if nothing else, it's a great reminder that not every item should get the same depth of shadowing. Wayyyyyyyy back in the beginning I played with shadowing my text. No, just no. :D Glad I figured that out quickly!

Ah I did this too... A long time ago...:p

[Scrap-therapy]

Thanks....hopefully this helps her!!! :thumbup:

Oh yeah it helps me a lot! Thank you so much ladies again and again! I'm truly grateful!:wub:

[HavaDrPepper]

Thank you for the tutorial. A few things were things I could apply to my scrapping but most of it wasn't as my program does not handle shadowing this way at all.

I will say though that because of the way my program does shadowing, I do shadow my text but you wouldn't know it... it just makes my bold text look even more bold.

[Kiana]

Thank you for the tutorial. A few things were things I could apply to my scrapping but most of it wasn't as my program does not handle shadowing this way at all.

I will say though that because of the way my program does shadowing, I do shadow my text but you wouldn't know it... it just makes my bold text look even more bold.

Gotcha. Yeah it's tough sometimes when your programs don't match, but I'm glad even some of the tips could help!

[Kiana]

Even though the settings are quite different between our two programs, if nothing else, it's a great reminder that not every item should get the same depth of shadowing. Wayyyyyyyy back in the beginning I played with shadowing my text. No, just no. :D Glad I figured that out quickly!

Ha, I've tried shadowing text before....and you're right, no, just no!

[Kiana]

Your tutorial is awesome! Getting the right shadowing can sometimes be so frustrating! There are limitations as to what you can do in PSE but I got the Elements+ plugin and now I have a lot more options available to me if I know where to look, lol. One other shadowing that I'd like to know a little more about is how to "lift" a paper off the page so it looks more dimensional. Thank you for your tutorial Kiana, I now have a better understanding of shadowing :)

Ohhhh I love lifted papers. Maybe I can do a special shadowing next!! :D

[Kiana]

Kiana and Jennifer, wow Thank you so much! You both are so lovely to take time to read (and translate) and help me with your great advices and ideas!
I'm really grateful!
Kiana, I'm going to try the color part and Jennifer, glad to know I'm not the only one with another software. This is really nice to you to take time to compare with yours, I'm going to try what you suggest. Normally I can do all you told me, the thing is to find the right way to apply it.
So again Thank you, I was really looking for other tips from another scrappers because I try a lot of things but turn around! lol!
Someone is going to give some try with shadow tonight!:D
It's really great to share with another scrappers and again Kiana your tutorial is really great, can't wait to see the next!
One thing I also enjoy is you open it without closed rules!:)
https://c.tenor.com/5Sh0zb2KULIAAAAC/thank-you-cute-wolf.gif


So glad that this has helped you so much!!!!!:wub:

[Scrap-therapy]

Ladies, I give a try, I manage to use your brown color Kiana and I try to use some tips especially the decalage setting I usually keep at 3 and use 10 or more for this layout. I decrease for some elements and increase for other like I do usually.
I love the relief it gives but wonder if the shadows are not too sharpen? What do you think?
Sorry to ask again but it's great to have other opinion!:)
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/698/medium/Oh_holy_night_gallery_opt.jpg?8873 (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=658331&nocache=1)

[craftytam]

So awesome! Thank you, Kiana!!

[Kiana]

Ladies, I give a try, I manage to use your brown color Kiana and I try to use some tips especially the decalage setting I usually keep at 3 and use 10 or more for this layout. I decrease for some elements and increase for other like I do usually.
I love the relief it gives but wonder if the shadows are not too sharpen? What do you think?
Sorry to ask again but it's great to have other opinion!:)
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/698/medium/Oh_holy_night_gallery_opt.jpg?8873 (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=658331&nocache=1)

I really like this!!! you did really well!!! I would to have liked to see them all at 10 and then at your 3 for comparison :thumbup:

[Kiana]

So awesome! Thank you, Kiana!!

:thumbup::thumbup: You're welcome!

[bienejen]

Ladies, I give a try, I manage to use your brown color Kiana and I try to use some tips especially the decalage setting I usually keep at 3 and use 10 or more for this layout. I decrease for some elements and increase for other like I do usually.
I love the relief it gives but wonder if the shadows are not too sharpen? What do you think?
Sorry to ask again but it's great to have other opinion!:)
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/698/medium/Oh_holy_night_gallery_opt.jpg?8873 (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=658331&nocache=1)

I agree it looks great! Ultimately, it will come down to your personal preference. If you're not sure if you like the new settings, maybe try something in between, let the 2 pages sit a few days and come back to them and see what you like better.

[Scrap-therapy]

Again Thank you so much Kiana and Jennifer for your help!
I did a new layout and used the same shadows mixing 10 more and less and increase transparency.
So this time I try to show you the one with all at 10 and all at 3 (but with the same angle because I had to take it one by one elements lol) and I add a clear background for a better view.
I think I have to find what are my personal preferences as you said Jennifer but I'm truly grateful for sharing your helps and tips with me ladies and the time you took to see, I truly appreciate it and I'm so grateful!:wub:

So here's my latest layout with the same shadows you help me to find:
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/698/medium/Old_Fashioned_Christmas_gallery_opt.jpg?109 (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=658423&nocache=1)

One with 10 and clear background
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502624803017729297.jpg

One with 3 and clear background:
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502624803017729298.jpg

And finally the same with wood background but 3:
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502724803017729299.jpg

What do you think?

[bienejen]

Again Thank you so much Kiana and Jennifer for your help!
I did a new layout and used the same shadows mixing 10 more and less and increase transparency.
So this time I try to show you the one with all at 10 and all at 3 (but with the same angle because I had to take it one by one elements lol) and I add a clear background for a better view.
I think I have to find what are my personal preferences as you said Jennifer but I'm truly grateful for sharing your helps and tips with me ladies and the time you took to see, I truly appreciate it and I'm so grateful!:wub:

And finally the same with wood background but 3:
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502724803017729299.jpg

What do you think?

I like parts of both pages but lean more towards the page tha you used the 3 setting. The elements closer to the page look great at 3. Maybe try increasing that number a bit for the more stacked elements - maybe to a 5 or 6? The 10 might have ended up being a bit high but it will depend again on your preference and how it looks as you're doing it. We're so lucky to be able to make adjustments like this but sometimes it's hard to get that final result just the way we like it. I think you're definitely on the right track and will get the results you want really soon if you haven't already!!!

[Lidia G]

Can anyone tell me if there's a way to save a shadowing style so that we can re-use them in another layout without having to start from scratch or do you have to have a special program for that?

[SeattleSheri]

Can anyone tell me if there's a way to save a shadowing style so that we can re-use them in another layout without having to start from scratch or do you have to have a special program for that?
What program do you use? In any version of Photoshop, double click on the layer style of the layer that has the shadow/style you want to duplicate, and on the right side of the pop up there is an option to save a "New Style". That adds it to your Styles palette. HTH! (option 10 from my really old tutorial (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2012/02/basic-shadowing-techniques-layer-styles/))

[Scrap-therapy]

I like parts of both pages but lean more towards the page tha you used the 3 setting. The elements closer to the page look great at 3. Maybe try increasing that number a bit for the more stacked elements - maybe to a 5 or 6? The 10 might have ended up being a bit high but it will depend again on your preference and how it looks as you're doing it. We're so lucky to be able to make adjustments like this but sometimes it's hard to get that final result just the way we like it. I think you're definitely on the right track and will get the results you want really soon if you haven't already!!!

Thank you so much Jennifer! I tend to prefer the 3 setting too but it was great to try the 10 settings too because finally it could be interesting for some elements. I try to adjust with the 3 settings and increasing some elements, you're right! Thank you so much for your help! I totally agree with you, we are lucky to be able to make adjustment but sometimes it's just so frustrating to not reach the result we want!:)
Thank you again so much for your great help and your kind words and taking time to look and share with me your ideas! I'm truly grateful Jennifer!:wub:

[Lidia G]

I have Photoshop Elements which doesn't give me the option to save a style however I did purchase Elements+ and found that I could do it from there following your instructions in the tutorial. It took a bit of searching where to find the style after saving it but I eventually did find it. I have to activate the custom shape tool and in the style picker drop down menu choose styles and there it was! Yes!!! I'm on my way to customizing my drop shadows :) Thank you for your help Sheri, it's much appreciated!What program do you use? In any version of Photoshop, double click on the layer style of the layer that has the shadow/style you want to duplicate, and on the right side of the pop up there is an option to save a "New Style". That adds it to your Styles palette. HTH! (option 10 from my really old tutorial (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2012/02/basic-shadowing-techniques-layer-styles/))

[Karen_]

What a great tutorial! I love all the sample/comparison pictures!

[LSlycord]

Wow! That tutorial was fantastic. You did such a great job with your instructions, screen shots, and comparisons. I'll be back to review again when I am doing a layout.

[Kiana]

Wow! That tutorial was fantastic. You did such a great job with your instructions, screen shots, and comparisons. I'll be back to review again when I am doing a layout.

So glad you liked it and I truly hope it helps!

[Kiana]

Again Thank you so much Kiana and Jennifer for your help!
I did a new layout and used the same shadows mixing 10 more and less and increase transparency.
So this time I try to show you the one with all at 10 and all at 3 (but with the same angle because I had to take it one by one elements lol) and I add a clear background for a better view.
I think I have to find what are my personal preferences as you said Jennifer but I'm truly grateful for sharing your helps and tips with me ladies and the time you took to see, I truly appreciate it and I'm so grateful!:wub:

So here's my latest layout with the same shadows you help me to find:
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/698/medium/Old_Fashioned_Christmas_gallery_opt.jpg?109 (https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=658423&nocache=1)

One with 10 and clear background
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502624803017729297.jpg

One with 3 and clear background:
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502624803017729298.jpg

And finally the same with wood background but 3:
https://nsm09.casimages.com/img/2021/12/30//21123002502724803017729299.jpg

What do you think?


On the light background I love #3 but I think maybe on the dark background 10 or somewhere inbetween 3-10?

All of them are lovely though!

[Scrap-therapy]

On the light background I love #3 but I think maybe on the dark background 10 or somewhere inbetween 3-10?

All of them are lovely though!

I agree with you Kiana, thank you so much for you help, I'm so grateful and it really helps me a lot, have your tuto in my fave links and used it nearly each time I scrap!:)
You are really nice and it touched me a lot!:wub:

[Kiana]

I agree with you Kiana, thank you so much for you help, I'm so grateful and it really helps me a lot, have your tuto in my fave links and used it nearly each time I scrap!:)
You are really nice and it touched me a lot!:wub:

:hugs::wub: awww that makes me happy to hear. I am so glad it is helpful!!! And thank you, I try to be nice. We've got enough going on in our lives and the world. Funny: I write quotes on my email signatures at work and the current one for this month is: “KINDNESS is a gift everyone can afford to give.” —Unknown

[DivaMom96]

Oh! Just saw this post - FABULOUS tutorial! I love shadowing, and I learn something new every time I see a new tutorial. Thanks so much for this!!

[Kiana]

Oh! Just saw this post - FABULOUS tutorial! I love shadowing, and I learn something new every time I see a new tutorial. Thanks so much for this!!

So glad you saw it and like it. :hugs:

[cherrygutz]

Kiana, your tutorial was so thorough and very detailed, so amazing!!

[Kiana]

Kiana, your tutorial was so thorough and very detailed, so amazing!!

Awww man that means a lot from you Cherry!!!! :wub: :hugs:

[marijke]

Thank your or this great tutorial Kiana!

[Kiana]

Thank your or this great tutorial Kiana!

Thanks for reading it. I am glad you liked it:thumbup:

[carrie1977]

Great tutorial, Kiana!!

[Kiana]

Great tutorial, Kiana!!

Thanks Carrie!!! :wub:

[Scrap-therapy]

:hugs::wub: awww that makes me happy to hear. I am so glad it is helpful!!! And thank you, I try to be nice. We've got enough going on in our lives and the world. Funny: I write quotes on my email signatures at work and the current one for this month is: “KINDNESS is a gift everyone can afford to give.” —Unknown

Oh for me you're not trying, you ARE nice that's all!:D
But I totally get what you mean and feel the same, your quote is just so true and went perfectly with this mood!:wub:
The World needs more people like you!;)

[Kiana]

Oh for me you're not trying, you ARE nice that's all!:D
But I totally get what you mean and feel the same, your quote is just so true and went perfectly with this mood!:wub:
The World needs more people like you!;)

:wub: :wub:

[Kiana]

So glad so many of you have found this helpful!

[Kiana]

BUMPING

[Scrap-therapy]

Believe me or not but still using it for each layout I do! It was so helpful for me!:wub:

[Kiana]

Believe me or not but still using it for each layout I do! It was so helpful for me!:wub:

:hugs::hugs: that's so sweet

[Kiana]

:thumbup::w00t::wub: