Geisha Doll

Before and after processing with texture overlays …

A geisha doll and vintage kimono fabric

This beautiful geisha doll was a gift to Toby from her step-grandfather when he returned from a business trip to Japan. The original photo is simple and striking, but I wanted to break up the solid block of colour in the background. Placing the doll against a photo of this pretty pink kimono (given to me when I was a child) adds visual interest and brings together these two treasured gifts from Japan.

Photoshop Texture Recipe

I often use multiple layers of the same texture so I can apply different effects and remove different parts of the texture on each layer, and that’s what I did here. This recipe assumes a level of familiarity with applying and selectively removing textures in Photoshop. If you’re not familiar with the processes involved, please check out my tutorials.

Texture

Vintage Pink Kimono

Recipe

1. Over the original image of the geisha doll, place a layer of the Vintage Pink Kimono, Overlay: 100%.
2. On a layer mask, use a brush @ 100% to remove sections of the texture to taste.
3. To brighten the background, duplicate the layer of Vintage Pink Kimono, Screen: 50%.
4. On a layer mask, use a brush @ 100% to remove sections of the texture to taste.
5. To increase contrast, duplicate the layer of Vintage Pink Kimono, 
Overlay: 50%.
6. On a layer mask, use a brush @ 100% to remove sections of the texture to taste.