Creating a skateboard

I'm going to show how I create skateboard designs, hopefully with some of the techniques you learn here, you will feel inspired to make your own.

The great thing about skateboard designs is that you can make one about anything you want, there are no standards and no rules, just like in skateboarding, there is no limit to imagation.

You should know I am a Graphic/Web designer and Illustrator who enjoys skateboarding as much as possible. I try to be active in the community and run a skateblog that showcases art, design, illustration, videos and photos related to skateboarding.

This tutorial was made for PoleStar Distribution

Step 1

First thing we're gonna do is open our PSD template file from Polar Star Distribution. Go to Image > Rotate 90 CW. Also make sure your file resolution is set to at least 150 pixels/inch.

Step 2

Lets start with the background, using the Gradient Tool (G) make a gradiend from light gray (#4d4d4d) to dark gray (#1a1a1a).

Step 3

It's time to add some texture, I'm trying to give it a grunge look so I went ahead and downloaded several paper textures. I downloaded 4 paper textures in total I'm gonna number them 1 - 4. 1.http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1224942 - 2.http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1201951 - 3.http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1249179 - 4. http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1071345 -- Now using Edit > Free Transform, resize all of them to make them fit the size of the canvas, don't worry about deforming the images, all we're trying to achieve is some grungy texture. Rename each one of the layers properly.

Step 4

Now desature all the texture layers, Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. Lets change the blending of each one of the texture layers. Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options. For "texture1" choose Overlay, "texture2" Overlay with Opacity set to 50%, "texture3" Overlay, "texture4" Overlay with Opacity set to 50%. Make a duplicate of layer "texture3" Layer > Duplicate Layer, name this layer "texture3a" and set the Blending to Multiply with Opacity set to 50%.

Step 5

At this point lets add a city view. I took a picture of where I live (Boston) and using the Pen Tool (P) I made a selection of the buildings and part of the water. Make sure that whatever picture you use it has a high resolution, I would suggest everyone to make their own city like skateboard. Once you have the selection made, drag it to your PSD file and Desaturate. Now using the Brush Tool (B) make a white line across the top of the skateboard, make sure the brush Hardness is set on 0%.

Step 6

Set the Blending of the Brush Stroke to Overlay with an Opacity of 80%. Duplicate the "city" layer four times and set the following values for the Blending. "City" Multiply with Opacity of 70%, "City2" and "City3" Overlay, "City4" Overlay with Opacity of 50%. Add a layer style to "City4" Layer > Layer Style > Color Overlay, choose white as the color and the Blend Mode to Overlay.

Step 7

I want to add some ink spots and ink lines to the background, to do this I made ink spots with a thick brush on a piece of paper, once it's dry I scan and clean up in Photoshop, all we do is increase the contrast and brightness, to eliminate all greys. Once you have a black and white image change the color of the ink spots to white and add them to the background and change their Blending. For the "brush_dots" I set it to Overlay, I also duplicated this layer "brush_dots2" and set the opacity to 70%. As for the "brush_lines" I duplicated the layer and set both Blending to Overlay with an opacity of 90%.

Step 8

On a piece of paper I wrote "Skate to Live" several different ways, after scanning and cleaning up the image I placed it on the PSD file and set the Blending to Multiply. I then duplicated this layer in order to make it stronger and set the Opacity 70%. It's time to add some color. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map. Name this layer "Color" and set the Mode to Color. Select the colors of the gradient from a Green (#516c1b) to a Yellow-Green (#8ab12d). Last thing to do is add a Black & White character on top. I made this chill looking character on a piece of paper with a marker, and the scan the image and adjusted the contrast and brightness in order to eliminate all greys. Using the Pen Tool (P) I cut the background. I then placed this guy on top of every layer. That's it, save your PSD file and send it to Polar Star Distribution to get your skateboard printed.

Step 9

In order to make the skateboard look real I downloaded a template done by Nunosk8, you can go ahead and download over here, http://nunosk8.deviantart.com/art/NEW-skateboard-template-79021200.