How to Make a Pop Art Photo in Adobe Photoshop in 10 Steps

September 21, 2022

Tory Barber

Pop Art Photoshop Tutorial

Its Finally Time  to “Make It Pop”

Ok, I know, cheese headline, but common! It’s time at last where we designers can “make it pop” without silently cursing our life decision to join a field with such ambiguous feedback!

Learn how to add halftone filters, comic book levels of colour, and exaggerated expressions common to most pop art.

Make it Pop With AI?

Before you get too far, you can skip the hassle and create a perfect pop art image with Midjourney.

View My Pop Art Prompt Inspiration article →

An image of a hollywood generated in Midjourney

1. Isolate the Subject of your Image

Click on the “Select” drop-down menu, then click “Subject”.

Photoshop select subject

This should make a pretty good selection of your subject, but you may need to refine depending on the photo. Once you’re happy with the selection, add a layer mask.

Screenshot of Selected Subject in Photoshop

2. Add a Background Colour

Add a background colour or gradient behind the mask of your subject.

Remember, this is POP art! The brighter, the more in your face, the better.

Simply add a “solid color” or “gradient” adjustment layer, beneath the subject layer.

Add background gradient layer in photoshop

3. Add a Halftone Gradient Layer to the Background

Add a “Gradient” Adjustment Layer, with a radial black to white fill.

Click Filter > Pixelate > Color Halftone and fill the pop-up window with a 10-pixel max radius, and 45 for all 4 channels.

Add a “Screen” Blending Mode and adjust the halftone gradient layer’s opacity to your designed effect.

Add halftone gradient to background in photoshop

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4. Make the Subject Photo Black and White

Add a “Black & White” Adjustment Layer, and mask it using the subject’s mask.

Optional: Add a “Brightness/Contrast” Adjustment Layer for a more exaggerated look.

Add black and white adjustment layer photoshop

5. Add a Halftone Filter

Select your subject layer, and ensure your background and foreground colours are set to default (black & white).

Go to Filter > Filter Galler > Halftone Pattern and set the Size to 5, and Contrast to 8 then press OK.

Filter gallery Halftone Pattern Photoshop

6. Roughly Outline your Subject with the Pen Tool

Using your pen tool, make a purposefully jagged outline of your subject. Your section should be larger than the subject.

Remember, this is pop art! The more exaggerated, the better!

Add a white “Solid Color” Adjustment Layer to the Pen Tool selection.

Pen tool outline photoshop

7. Add A Linear Burn Blending Mode

Select your subject layer, and black & white adjustment layer (and brightness/contrast adjustment layer if you added it), and convert them into a smart object.

Add a “Linear Burn” Blending Mode to this smart object.

8. Paint Like CRAZY!

Create a new blank layer underneath the subject, and using a soft round brush, paint in parts of your subject with bright neon colours!

colour image with brushes Photoshop

9. Add extra Halftone Gradients for an extra flare!

Using the technique outlined in step 3, add extra halftone gradients to your image to complete the look.

Expert tip: black to white halftone gradients make excellent shadows if you’d like to add extra depth to your image.

Pop Art Photoshop Tutorial

10. Share Your Creation with the World!

Did you create something using this tutorial? I’d love to see it! Tag me using any of the social networks outlined below for a chance to get featured!

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About Me

Hi I’m Tory!I’m a Graphic Designer, Web Developer, and AI OBSESSED artist from good ol’ Canada, eh!I record all the things I learn as I dive deeper into the Generative AI rabbit hole so I can teach people like you!

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