Drawing the Skype Icon
Tutorial in Basics, Designing, Drawing, Web
We will learn to create the Skype icon. In order to do so we will use ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)), ((Pen Tool)), ((Polygonal Lasso Tool)), ((Rounded Rectangle Tool)), and ((Layer Styles)) such as: ((Gradient Overlay)), (Drop Shadow)), ((Stroke)), and ((Color Overlay)). We will also use ((Gradient Tool)) and layer modes.
Open a new document, 200×230px, and black background.
Create a ((New Layer)).
Select ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and, pressing and holding Alt + Shift, trace the following circular selection.
Fill it in with white.
Double click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).
((Drop Shadow)).
((Gradient Overlay)). Use these colors: #d9b66e and #e8d2a7.
Accept the changes.
Select ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)) and, pressing and holding Alt, draw the following selection.
Create a ((New Layer)).
Select ((Gradient Tool)) and trace a linear gradient from white to black, vertically.
Change the layer style to ((Screen)).
Create a ((New Layer)).
Choose white as the foreground color.
Now select ((Rounded Rectangle Tool)), ((Radio)): 8px to trace the following rectangle.
Do the following step in the same layer.
Now with ((Elliptical Marquee Tool)), draw a circular selection that fits with the rectangle width and exeeds the head area. Take a look at the following image.
Fill it in with white.
Place the layer underneath the head.
Double click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).
((Color Overlay)).
((Stroke)).
Accept the changes.
Ctrl + Click the layer to activate the selection.
Create a ((New Layer)).
Select ((Gradient Tool)), ((Radial Gradient)) and trace a gradient from #BCCFB3 to transparent. The line you have to trace is pointed with a red arrow.
Create a ((New Layer)).
Select ((Polygonal Lasso Tool)) and draw a selection as the one you see below.
Fill it in with white.
Double click the layer to apply ((Layer Styles)).
((Drop Shadow)).
((Stroke)).
Accept the changes.
Now select ((Pen Tool)) and create this following triangular trace.
Ctrl + Click to transform the trace into selection.
Create a ((New Layer)).
Fill it in with black.
Double click the layer to open ((Layer Styles)) and apply ((Gradient Overlay)). Use these colors: #d9b66e and #e8d2a7.
Accept the changes and you will see the final results.
