How could I do a retro styled cartoon ...

[Rhaonoa]

Hello!

Well, I've been a Paint.net user for few years, and I've never decided to use the forums as I never needed to; since most of my questions were already answered on other threads, anyways, I need help with something;

I want to make/edit some sort of pictures to get them to look retro-ish with certain color scales, certain effects, and I want it to give the retro/80's/old vibe.

Something like this, for example:

http://images5.alphacoders.com/475/475189.jpg

http://www.overkillsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PAYDAY2_HotlineMiami.jpg

With basic pictures, or to just recolour them, like, my avatar;

and or simple pictures like;

https://secure.defenders.org/ac/img/animals/Wolf/Wolf.jpg

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/340/f/4/wolf_in_the_winter_by_sky_x_wolf-d6wycmj.jpg

I already know how to do a lot with Paint.net, but only this thing. Could anybody explain me how I could do it, with what plugins, and what actions would be required for me to take?

Thanks a lot!

-Rhaonoa

Edited September 11, 2014 by Ego Eram Reputo
Linked to overlarge images

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Hey there Rhaonoa.

I've changed some of your images to links. We have a maximum size limit of 800pixels in forum posts.

I've also changed the thread title to something more descriptive. This helps classify and catalog this thread when others are searching the forum.

[MikeRobe]

Welcome to the forums Rhaonoa

 

Well, you could try getting the awesomely handy Threshold plugin - http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/18811-ed-harvey-effects-v-35-2012-02-13/ (But you'd have to download the whole plugin pack, since I don't think they come seperately)

 

Then you could make a new layer with a different blend mode and colour in the image.

 

Just ideas, you'd have to see what other people reply. I don't do that sort of style very often so I'm not 100% sure what I'm talking about

[Rhaonoa]

Welcome to the forums Rhaonoa

 

Well, you could try getting the awesomely handy Threshold plugin - http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/18811-ed-harvey-effects-v-35-2012-02-13/ (But you'd have to download the whole plugin pack, since I don't think they come seperately)

 

Then you could make a new layer with a different blend mode and colour in the image.

 

Just ideas, you'd have to see what other people reply. I don't do that sort of style very often so I'm not 100% sure what I'm talking about

Okay, thanks you. Though I would need some sort of tutorial for doing so, anyways, appreciate the help.

 

 

Hey there Rhaonoa.

I've changed some of your images to links. We have a maximum size limit of 800pixels in forum posts.

I've also changed the thread title to something more descriptive. This helps classify and catalog this thread when others are searching the forum.

Alright, sorry; and thanks you aswell.

[MikeRobe]

There's a lot of variation in your image styles, so I'll help with the first one

 

Now, let me think...if you're using Windows, navigate to your Paint.Net folder in Program Files. Go into the effects folder and drag all of the .dll's into that folder from that plugin pack. If you want, you could just drag the threshold one across.

 

I was trying out the threshold plugin the other day to see what I could do, and I found a good way to make a heavily shaded image, similar to some things you've wanted.

 

First, get a base image or a photo or a good quality drawing with colour and shading, or something similar. Duplicate the layer 2-4 times, higher if you want more detailed shading, lower if you want more cartoony shading. Then on the top layer, apply threshold to what looks good for a really dark shading. It'll be black and white, but you should be able to colour it in later if you want. Set the opacity of that layer to about halfway. On the next layer down, apply threshold again, but set the sliders to a different setting. If you have more layers underneath, set the opacity to halfway again. Repeat for the amount of layers you have, but make sure your last layer before the background is not translucent. Make a new layer underneath all of this and paste in your background there. You can colour in the image  with any method you like, this was just to achieve the shading (hopefully... )

[Rhaonoa]

There's a lot of variation in your image styles, so I'll help with the first one

 

Now, let me think...if you're using Windows, navigate to your Paint.Net folder in Program Files. Go into the effects folder and drag all of the .dll's into that folder from that plugin pack. If you want, you could just drag the threshold one across.

 

I was trying out the threshold plugin the other day to see what I could do, and I found a good way to make a heavily shaded image, similar to some things you've wanted.

 

First, get a base image or a photo or a good quality drawing with colour and shading, or something similar. Duplicate the layer 2-4 times, higher if you want more detailed shading, lower if you want more cartoony shading. Then on the top layer, apply threshold to what looks good for a really dark shading. It'll be black and white, but you should be able to colour it in later if you want. Set the opacity of that layer to about halfway. On the next layer down, apply threshold again, but set the sliders to a different setting. If you have more layers underneath, set the opacity to halfway again. Repeat for the amount of layers you have, but make sure your last layer before the background is not translucent. Make a new layer underneath all of this and paste in your background there. You can colour in the image  with any method you like, this was just to achieve the shading (hopefully... )

Thanks you, that's quite useful! I think it'll work for now, just got some problems colouring but, I'll get used to it.

Thanks.

Good luck!