How to Create a Stylized Portrait Made From Newspapers

How to Create a Stylized Portrait Made From Newspapers

Transform an ordinary portrait into striking artwork where newspaper clippings define every shadow and highlight. This technique combines precise selections with creative layering to create a unique collage effect that maintains the subject's recognizable features.

The process involves separating a stylized portrait into distinct tonal levels, then replacing each level with newspaper imagery that matches the original lighting structure.

Watch the Video

Video by PHLEARN. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips for Newspaper Portrait Effects

Master this collage technique with these focused workflow strategies.

  • Choose portraits with strong contrast and interesting facial features - subjects that naturally complement the newspaper aesthetic work best for this effect
  • Apply the Cutout filter after desaturating to create distinct tonal levels, adjusting the number of levels and edge simplicity based on your portrait's complexity
  • Uncheck Contiguous in the Magic Wand tool settings to select all matching tones throughout the image, not just connected areas
  • Create separate layer groups for each tonal level, then add layer masks based on your Magic Wand selections to control newspaper visibility
  • Use Command/Ctrl + I to invert newspaper layers for darker areas, and adjust levels to match the original tonal values of each selection

More Tutorials about Portrait Effects

Explore additional techniques for transforming portraits into artistic compositions.

Create a Newspaper Photo Effect and Custom Headline in Photoshop
This tutorial explores how to give any digital photograph the distinctive appearance of a newspaper image within Adobe Photoshop. It delves into the specific techniques required to transform a standard photo into a vintage-style print, complete with a custom headline. Viewers will learn the step-by-step process for converting a color or black-and-white photo into a halftone pattern, complete with a custom, editable headline, emphasizing non-destructive editing techniques for quick modifications
How to make a text poster of a portrait in Photoshop
One surprising technique in creating a text portrait poster involves generating a specific displacement map. The process requires saving a composite snapshot of the subject's head and shoulders as a separate file, then intentionally darkening its levels between 110 and 120. This approach allows for the dynamic integration of lyrics, prose, or poetry, transforming a simple portrait into a visually rich and thematic artwork. Watch the Full Tutorial Practical Tips for Text Portrait Design *
Create a cool text portrait in Photoshop
Learn how to create a striking typographic portrait poster in Adobe Photoshop, transforming a standard photo into an artwork where text defines the contours of the subject's face. You'll practice essential techniques: precise subject selection, background preparation, thoughtful text integration, and subtle refinements to enhance legibility and visual impact. Watch the Video Practical Tips for Text Portrait Posters in Photoshop * Desaturate your base image to black and white early in the p
Create a Striking Text Portrait Poster in Photoshop
Transforming an ordinary portrait into a captivating text-based artwork presents a unique creative challenge in Photoshop. Often, the frustration lies in making text appear to organically wrap around a subject's contours rather than just sitting flat over the image. Achieving this seamless integration, especially when dealing with complex shapes, can feel like navigating an intricate technical puzzle. This tutorial offers a clear pathway to mastering text portrait effects using advanced masking

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

How to Create Circle Cropped Photos with Transparent Backgrounds in Photoshop

Circular cropping transforms standard photographs into clean, professional profile images perfect for websites, social media, and presentations. The frame tool method creates non-destructive crops with transparent backgrounds that export seamlessly across different platforms. This streamlined workflow eliminates the need for complex selections or masks while maintaining full control over image...

How to Use Generative Upscale to Restore and Enhance Low-Resolution Images in Photoshop

Low-resolution images often limit your creative projects, especially when you need sharp prints or high-quality displays. Photoshop's Generative Upscale feature transforms small, pixelated photos into crisp, detailed images using AI-powered enhancement. This tool offers three distinct AI models, each designed for specific image types—from landscapes and portraits...

How to Use Harmonize to Automatically Match Lighting in Photoshop Composites

Creating seamless composites traditionally requires hours of manual color correction and lighting adjustments. The new Harmonize tool changes this by automatically analyzing your background and matching your subject's lighting, shadows, and color tones with a single click. This AI-powered feature eliminates the need for complex adjustment layers and...

How to Use Adobe Photoshop in ChatGPT for Photo Editing

Adobe Photoshop is now integrated directly into ChatGPT, allowing you to edit photos using simple text descriptions. This new feature lets you enhance images, apply creative effects, and make targeted adjustments without needing a Photoshop subscription. You can describe what you want to change and fine-tune adjustments using familiar Photoshop...

How to Fix Skin Tones in Photoshop - Complete Guide

Skin tones can make or break a portrait, yet color casts and uneven lighting often leave subjects looking unnatural or flat. Whether dealing with mixed lighting conditions, camera white balance issues, or post-processing mishaps, getting skin colors right requires a systematic approach that works consistently across different scenarios. This comprehensive...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.