Step by step Create a polygonal portrait

Exploit photoshop’s actions to automate the polygonal transformation process

01 Load the action

Open portrait_before.jpg then go to Window>actions to summon the Actions panel. Click the menu icon top right and choose Load Action, then load the supplied polygon_action file. We’ve assigned the shortcut to Shift+f10, but you can choose a different one.

02 Make a triangle

Zoom in to the face. Grab the Polygonal Lasso tool from the Tools panel. Click twice to begin a triangular selection, then double-click to close the selection. Use the shortcut (Shift+f10) to play the action. Make a second selection that lines up alongside the first.

03 Build it up

Continue plotting triangles and running the action to build up the polygon effect. Use larger triangles to cover areas of uniform tone, and smaller triangles over the finer details, like the lips and eyes. Continue until the entire face is complete. This takes some time.

04 open the Backdrop

Go to File>new. In the New Document dialog, click ‘Art & Illustration’ tab. Download ‘Vertigo Collection’ file. Then go to Layer>flatten. Select one of the frames with the Rectangular Marquee, then copy (Cmd/ Ctrl+c) and paste (Cmd/ctrl+v) in the main image.

05 Blend it in

Hide the pasted image. Grab Quick Selection tool and paint the background. Once selected, highlight and reveal the image then click the Add Layer Mask icon in the Layers panel. Copy and paste in a second piece of artwork. Set Blend Mode to Soft Light, Opacity 70%.

06 Bits and Pieces

Highlight top layer and press Cmd/ctrl+shift+alt+e to merge a copy of all layers. Grab the Polygonal Lasso tool and select a couple of triangles. Hit Cmd/ctrl+j to copy, then grab the Move tool, hold Alt and drag the area elsewhere to copy it. Repeat to build the pieces.