Unleash a Vibrant Retro Art Style with Vexel Art
The digital art community has innumerable styles, but one of the more distinctive and eye-catching is vexel art. Originating from a fusion of the words “vector” and “pixel,” vexel art blends the precise edges of vector graphics with the pixel-based nature of raster imagery. If you’ve ever wanted to make your photos pop with striking lines, bold colors, and a vintage flair, vexel art might be for you. Let’s dive into the intriguing world of vexel art and how you can transform your favorite photos into this nostalgic art style using Photoshop.
The Foundations of Making Vexel Art
To kick off your vexel artwork journey, find an image that you’d like to transform. We recommend high-resolution photos to maintain image quality during the artistic process. Start by duplicating your image layer. This protects your original photo should you decide to revert back or try different styles.
Preparing Your Image
- Step 1: Separating the Subject
To achieve the bold lines and clear divisions of vexel art, you must first cut out your subject from its background. In Photoshop, create a new layer for your selection. This isolates your subject, ensuring crisp and sharp edges essential for a vibrant and clean vexel look. - Step 2: Elegant Edge Selection
If your photo has a straightforward background, use tools like the Magic Wand or the Color Range. However, if the background is complex, the Pen Tool is your best bet. With a 100% hardness setting, create your selection with precision to maintain those all-important sharp line edges.
Bringing Colors to Life
Fill your background layer with a solid color that complements your subject. A harmonious color palette will ensure your vexel art piece remains visually appealing. You can even add a radial pattern using the Custom Shape Tool in Photoshop. Opt for symbols or registration targets to add depth and interest to your background.
Adding Impact with Filters
- Poster and Blur Effects
Use the Poster Edges filter and adjust attributes to zero. This softens the edges slightly, preparing the base for the next layers. Follow with a Smart Blur, setting the mode to edges only. This technique identifies and exaggerates high-contrast lines, a quintessential effect in vexel art that provides that contrasting linework characteristic of retro poster designs.
Finalizing with Bold Outlines and Color Gradients
- Creating Bold Outlines
To emphasize the contours of your subject, utilize the Smart Blur technique and the Paint Bucket Tool to fill and accentuate the outline in white against a black backdrop. Convert these outlines into a separate layer called outlines and fill it with black for striking emphasis. - Enhancing with Gradient Overlays
Apply a gradient overlay to your outline layer to blend colors from a spectrum, enhancing the vibrancy and depth. Experiment with different presets, like the Spectrum setting, to find one that resonates with your artistic vision.
Conclusion: Your Beginnings in Vexel Art
Vexel art is a fun and creative way to reinterpret your photos. With its unique combination of clean lines and rich colors, it brings an instant retro aesthetic to any digital piece. Whether you’re a Photoshop novice or a seasoned designer, creating vexel art is a rewarding endeavor that adds a new dimension to your digital creations. Equip yourself with these techniques and start transforming everyday photos into extraordinary works of art that they’ll want to print and hang on the wall for all to see.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and with each vexel piece you create, you refine your artistic skills. So pick a photo, fire up Photoshop, and start crafting your own vexel masterpiece today!
