WSJ artists have been producing thesestipple portraitsby hand since the publication first started using them in 1979.
It’s a neat effect, and you might want to re-create it using a computer.
But you could get close with a few different methods using both software and free online tools.
These instructions apply to Photoshop CS5 and later.
Some menu items and commands may be different between versions.
It even hasiOSandAndroid appsso that you’re able to use these tools to the pictures on your phone.
Go to PhotoMania and clickStart Creating Effects.
To upload a picture from your box, clickUpload a Photo.
To use one from your Facebook profile, clickFacebook Photos.
You’ll have to sign in to your Facebook profile to use images from it.
pick the image on your rig and clickChoose.
The closest ones areMaster Sketch,Black Pen, andWoven Sketch.
When you have the photo looking the way you want, click theDownloadbutton.
The updated photo will download to your setup.
Here’s what to do.
kick off the image you want to modify in Photoshop.
Select theCroptool either by clicking it in the toolbar or using the keyboard shortcutC.
Drag to pick the head and shoulders of your image and then click thecheckmarkor pressEnteron your keyboard.
Using theMagic Wandtool (keyboard shortcutW), grab the background.
These instructions work best on photos with uniform, contrasting backgrounds.
If your image doesn’t have one, you may want toremove the backgroundfirst.
With the selection still in place, create a new layer by clicking theNew Layerbutton in theLayerswindow.
Under theSelectmenu, clickInverse.
This command moves the selection from the background to your subject.
This step isn’t completely necessary, but it will save you some cleanup later.
Under theEditmenu, clickStroke.
Thewidthyou select depends on the size of your image.
Set theColorto black, and set theLocationtoOutside.
ClickOKto create the stroke.
Deselect the image by selectingDeselectunder theSelectmenu.
With that layer still selected, go toFilter>Artistic>Poster Edges.
The Poster Edges filter applies strokes to the “edges” it detects in an image.
Play with the sliders to get the effect you want (and none you don’t).
Generally, you’ll want the Edge Thickness and Edge Intensity controls low and the Posterization relatively high.
ClickOKto apply the filter.
PressDto reset yourForeground and Background Colorsto the default black and white.
Under theFiltersmenu, selectSketchand click onHalftone Pattern.
The Halftone Pattern filter places a patterned overlay on an image based on the foreground and background colors.
This filter is how you’ll simulate the dots in the hedcut.
Finally, adjust the contrast until you get the look you want.
You want to keep the dots visible without losing too much detail in the image.
ClickOKwhen the picture looks how you want.
To remove it, use theMagic Wandto select it and pressDelete.
If a dialogue window appears, set theContenttoWhiteand clickOK.
If the picture still looks too realistic, it’s possible for you to apply one more filter.
Open theFiltersmenu, mouse overDistort, and click onDiffuse Glow.
Once again, adjust the sliders until the picture looks good.
A higherGraininesswill break up larger blocks so that they look like even more dots.
TheClear Amountadjusts the dark parts of the picture.
PressOKto apply the filter.
Go to theblog post at Spoon Graphics.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post and clickDownload the Engraved Effect Photoshop Action.
Find the files in your Downloads folder (or wherever your downloads end up).
You have two components: the patterns and the actions.
Drag thePatternsfile into Photoshop, and then drag theAction(atnfile throw in) in.
In Photoshop, go under theWindowmenu and clickActionsto make the Actions window appear.
In theActionswindow, you’ll have a folder calledEngraved Effect.
pop crack open the photo you want to modify in Photoshop.
It should end up as theBackgroundlayer.
This engraved effect works better with larger photos (i.e., bigger than 500 x 500 pixels).
Crop the photo if you want to, using theCroptool (keyboard shortcut:C).
go for the area you want to use and click thecheckmarkto make the changes.
pick the engraving effect you want to use (of the three) and click thePlaybutton.
The action will run automatically and produce a black-and-white image with the effect applied.
The action may take longer to process larger images.
you might also adjust the effect.
Start by clicking the arrow next to the layer labeledEngraved Effect.
This folder contains all of the patterns and masks that Photoshop has laid over the original image.
To make a change, click a layer and choose theFree Transformcommand under theEditmenu.
poke the layer (the box on the left), not the mask.
Drag the handles to make the layer smaller.
For simplicity, you’re free to just resize it to be the same size as the canvas.
Click thecheckmarkto stash your changes.
Repeat these steps until you’ve resized all of the layers to your liking.
For a final bit of detail, you’re able to add a stroke around the image.
Start by selecting theBackgroundlayer and selecting the space behind it with theMagic Wand.
Under theSelectmenu, clickInverseto swap the selection between the background and the subject.
With the selection still active, create a new layer by pressing theNew Layerbutton.
With the new layer selected, open theEditmenu and selectStroke.
The best size for the stroke depends on how large your image is.
The color should be black, and the location should beOutside.
Photoshop will draw a line around the selection, but you won’t be able to see it yet.
Drag the new layer (containing the stroke) above theBackground Copylayer to make it visible.
With this action in Photoshop, you could get good effects from almost any picture.
But instead of using a pen and ink, you’ll use the Paint tool.
This method is similar to the way hedcut artist Kevin Sproulsdescribes the analog version.
bring up the image you want to use in Photoshop.
Using theCroptool, drag a selection around what you want to use in the portrait.
Click thecheckmarkto finalize the changes.
Go to theImagemenu, open theAdjustmentsheading, and clickDesaturateto make your image greyscale.
Create aNew Layeron top of the existing one.
PressDto set your foreground and background colors to the default (black and white).
Select theBrushtool (keyboard shortcut:B).
Set theHardnessto 100 percent.
On the new layer, carefully outline the image using your brush.
Make a new layer.
This layer will end up looking strange, but it will be a guide for the next steps.
Create a new layer.
Use the contour lines you drew as guides.
Put dots closer together to suggest darker lines, and pay attention to lighter parts of the photo.
You’ll put fewer dots there to preserve the lighting effects from the original photo.
Hedcut artists do this step with fine pens and ink, one point at a time.
The more dots you place, the more detail will be in your final drawing.
To check to see if you’ve missed any areas, hide thecontourlayer by clicking theEyebutton next to it.
When you’re happy with what you have, open theLayermenu, selectNew Fill Layer, and clickSolid Color.
Name your new layer if you want and clickOK.
Select a color from the color picker and then clickOK.
Drag the new fill layer so that it sits between the background and outline layers.
Click theeyeicon on thecontourlayer to see what your piece looks like.
If you want to make changes, switch between theBrushandErasertools on theinkinglayer until you’re happy with your work.
