 Here comes the revelation. In the layer palette, duplicate the leaf layer and move it to the top.
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Set the layer blend mode of the copy to Overlay, and reduce the opacity until...
(You can also leave the blend at Normal, or try other modes...)
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Definitely "Voila!" this time. If you're happy with it, you're done except for the very last clean-up step below. If you want to experiment further, read on....
These are some more can't-stop-tweaking things you can try:
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| Copy the gradient layer, put it on top, change its blend mode and transparency. Load the leaf-outline selection again, invert it, fuss with the borders (keeps the top layer from being too thick). You can keep producing (subtle) changes.
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| NEXT-TO-LAST STEP
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| I found the outer edge of the leaf a bit too dark, so I used the Lighten / Darken tool; I set the round brush to a medium softness and increased the step value to 20 so I wouldn't have to undo any too-dramatic changes. You can see the already-lightened edge to the left of the brush shape.
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| THE LAST STEP
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| Finally! This last little step prevents embarrassing surprises when you print or use your leaf on a web page. Do File � Preferences � General Program Preferences � Transparency and Shading, and make your transparency-background dark. There will probably be some translucent pixels that are too light (I edited the screenshot to make them obvious). Fix the pixels one-by-one so you won't have to change the transparency-checkerboard to a very light color and repeat this process to fix over-corrections; these pixels are on the opaque-transparent border, and if they're too light or dark they will show. Erase each offending pixel and clone the satisfactorily-dark color of the adjoining pixel into its place.
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Now that you've finished, I must remind you that the three-lobed highlight-plus-dimension you made is a complex object, more difficult and exacting than most of what you can apply this process to (or: most other applications of it will be easy). Remember my first
"gumdrop leaf" navigation button? —Make something like that. Try out the opalescense on a little image of a VW bug or some other rounded, inanimate object. Having to make only one highlight (gumdrop gradient) layer simplifies things amazingly. Then you can give a cartoon character (duplicate) rosy gumdrop cheeks. Then you'll want to apply the process to a complex object, and you'll know that you can because you've done it! And you'll discover that doing it again, even with an irregular shape, takes a lot less time than you've spent fussing with this three-lobed leaf.
I'll be happy and gratified to see your results. Send me an email, or post your image(s) in the The Showcase at the PSPUG Forums.
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