Custom Halftone Tutorial in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator | Graphic Design / OpArt

Learn how to use your own linework to create custom halftone patterns!
In this tutorial, we will break away from the restrictions of traditional halftone patterns and open up the possibility of using our own linework to create some truly unique halftone graphics.
We’ll cover the basic theory needed to understand the process, make a few simple line based patterns in Adobe Illustrator, and hop over to Photoshop and use a simple mix of Blur, Curves, and Threshold to generate this amazing effect.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:30 Theory - Linework and Layers
1:14 Theory - Threshold
2:49 Linework - Grid (Illustrator)
3:11 Linework - Horizontal Pattern
3:36 Linework - Wavy Pattern
4:21 Linework - Letterform
5:54 Linework - Type
7:53 Linework - Twist
9:32 Linework - Rasterizing
9:45 Procedure - Basic (Photoshop)
12:54 Procedure - Further Examples
15:36 Stylising
My goal is to create content that is of great value to the design community. If you have any suggestions of content you would like to see, just let me know in the comments.
My portfolio website:
anthonykirk.co.uk
Photo used in this tutorial:
Sam Burriss on Unsplash
unsplash.com/photos/uaq0y8pb6W4
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/prigida/adrift
License code: 8B9JNS9VLDSUJYZD
Big shout out to my Brother for kindly gifting me a microphone with which to make these tutorials.
#Photoshop #GraphicDesign #Tutorial

[@jacobsizer2748]

holy crap this was the single greatest youtube tutorial ive ever stumbled upon

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you so much!

[@BlazingPhoenixArcher]

FANTASTIC BREAKDOWN! Thank you this is genuinly very helpful. Not only do you show the tutorial but you describe how it works so that artists have the knowledge to play. Keep up the awesome work man!.

[@hadjsumagang3694]

Best tutorial i've ever watched. Well made and full of useful information! Kudos to you man

[@alexark1698]

Thank you so much Anthony! I wish all Ai/Ps tutorials was this in-depth & with varieties of examples. Hope you will make another one, subscribed.

[@vezirmertcan]

I adore your explanation. You do not toss around info. Your style is simply calm, precise and useful.

[@phantomch13f45]

that was amazing. a hidden gem I stumbled upon. I'll look at this video for references for as long as it remains here on youtube. thank you for uploading.

[@emmamaria8979]

This completely blew my mind. Best tutorial I've ever seen

[@SYLVAINDURAND77]

Thank you for this video, i've been obsessed with half tones lately, this is a great technique!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

It's a healthy obsession! Thanks mate.

[@PuxandoRodo]

Awesome!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks!

[@blackystrange2334]

Man, you don't know how grateful I am right now! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

It's a pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@hanami_patrick]

Wow! one of the best explanations about halftone.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you. Hope it was useful.

[@joaobottazzini9111]

The best tutorial I've ever seen in my whole life.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you so much!!

[@cobusprinsloo]

Wow - thanks for a brilliant tutorial!

[@psypad]

This is the best and in deep halftone explain with professional quality. Thank you for this wonderful tutorial.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You're very welcome!

[@michaelart.212]

i was up to tell exactly the same thing ... the best way to do halftone stuff ... crazy way to master every step of the process ! love it !

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

@@michaelart.212 Thank you.

[@AbhishekSharma-kb4nx]

This is by far the best tutorial I have seen.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

That's so kind, thanks.

[@eupatriota]

Um dos melhores tutoriais que já vi pelo youtube. Obg por compartilhar.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Muito obrigado

[@CielPhamtohivys]

Thank you so much, I was searching this effect tutorial everywhere

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Same - that's why I made one. Thanks for watching.

[@greenrhapsody9286]

yoo thankyou for the tutorial, i love how you explain and all the stamp time, hope you keep uploading!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You're welcome. Next one coming soon and the one after is already planned. Watch this space.

[@wildleafdesign9760]

Thank you so much for your amazing tutorial! I have searched everywhere for this kind of in-depth halftone tutorial for a long time, finally you uploaded! I really appreciate your clear illustration! Looking forward for more of your videos! That was so helpful!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Same - this tutorial only came about because I was searching for one on the subject and it just didn't seem to exist. Turns out that I really enjoyed making it and kind comments like yours really inspire me to keep creating them. In fact, I started work on my next one just this morning, so thank you!

[@SS-qg9jk]

THE BEST VIDEO FOR HALFTONE POSTERS THANK YOU!!!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you so much. Glad you liked it.

[@SSHK237]

Mind-blowing!!! Great in-depth software knowledge is blended with superb creativity!!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated.

[@iqrar]

wow, this was just really amazing, bravo! hope you have more tutorials in your kitty, please do share, a big thank you for this one.

[@Goloso333]

Wow!...I am impressed with your knowledge and fine work. Amazing!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers buddy. Thanks for watching.

[@a1551x]

Sick tutorial! Really appreciate it and can't wait for more!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks mate. More coming very soon.

[@DeLaRic]

Me too. Awesome technique. I want more. Thanks.

[@megabibimbabmega7028]

omg awesome!!!! thank you so much, i've been looking how to do this effect for a long time. appreciate it 👏🏻

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Happy to help! Enjoy.

[@barto.streetart]

Excellent tutorial! I've been following the halftone tren for a few years and I also do it myself. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I approach the problem in the same way you did! Looking forward for the upcoming tutorials, you're doing a great job.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Much appreciated! Thank you.

[@barto.streetart]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign hey there! any more tutorial coming??

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

@@barto.streetart yes, absolutely! Sorry it is taking so long - it has been a very full-on year!

[@barto.streetart]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign hehe, no need to apologise brother! thanks so much for doing this anyway!

[@realIKON]

High quality content ! Thanks !!!

[@thgthgthg]

Thank you! Very complete tutorial!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers!

[@mohammedshahidrahman8276]

Great technique! was looking for it for quite some time...thanks

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Same - I couldn't find it anywhere. Glad it was helpful!

[@ArifdaniNugraha]

Brilliant! Thank you, sir!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Very welcome!

[@DeltaUK_]

This is a very very good tutorial, please make more!

[@CassandraMac]

Exactly what I needed. Ty!!

[@marcoscarneiro6765]

Amazing tutorial! 👏👏👏

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers mate.

[@sunteem_design]

Good tutorial. Thank you very much for your work! 🔥🔥🔥

[@DanielSamulewiczXXI]

Wow! Amazingly cool content and narration! I dreamed of this tutorial for years! :D

[@shabanabader2948]

Thank you so much for this tutorial mate! ❤️ I love how you explained the process behind of how this effect works, it really helped me understand the thing and inspired me to experiment and create a few ideas. You're amazing and please, please, please keep on making more tutorials; I'm looking forward to learning a lot more from you. Thanks again!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You're very welcome - thanks for your kind words! It's definitely a technique to play with and see what comes out. I'm recording the next tutorial now, so watch this space.

[@krausewolffmann2617]

I agree, couldn't have put it better myself. The tutorial is amazing and very helpful

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

@@krausewolffmann2617 cheers.

[@AshishGajera]

it's really helpful for us!!! thank you so much lots of love!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you. Really glad it was useful.

[@ferryfiers2374]

NIce tutorial. A lot of information in a nice speed. And no beginners info like how to save a file or stuff like that

[@edclevel402]

This is a remarkable tutorial.

[@CatalinGulan]

Better seeing later than never Anthony 😃! Amazing tutorial! Big congrats! ❤

[@johnsmith1474]

I've watched endless professional training in Photoshop including most of the Lynda series by McClelland, the OG of Photoshop. What is nice with Kirk is the communication style that includes presentation of underlying PRINCIPLES at work in a process, not just some steps to accomplish one outcome. Instantly identifiable as a prospectively higher end training. So I'm subscribing hoping that there are more Photoshop-centric explanatory vids to come. Good luck AK, this should work out well for you.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you for such a kind and encouraging message and the sub - there will certainly be more Photoshop tutorials to come as well as others in supplementary software. Having done similar trainings to yourself over the years I know I have some big footsteps to follow, but I hope to make quality content that digs a little deeper into the 'why' we do things as well as the 'how'.

[@liammcmahon3893]

Dope can’t wait for more

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Really appreciate it. Working on more as soon as I can.

[@erikpaints5930]

Thank you so much for this tutorial !!!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You are so welcome!

[@machinegunlament]

ive been looking for this for years oh my god thank you

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You're so welcome!

[@richiethesee]

Excellent & professional- one of the best of any sort of video how-to I have seen

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Really appreciate it. Thanks for watching.

[@graphicsartiness7724]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign Please upload more.

[@cattuongngo4314]

that's so cool, thank you so much for this tutorial

[@jonathanrothstein847]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad you liked it. Thanks.

[@praddy9778]

incredible technique

[@sergio_motion]

cool techniques, thank you, man!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad you like them!

[@rkyo_]

This is brilliant!! i was looking this trick like for some years.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Me too! I had to share it once I figured it out.

[@chrisezamora]

i NEEDED this!!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Happy to have helped.

[@schaff909]

Amazing mate!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks a lot!

[@gavrilfortunato]

I was looking for this technique but couldnt fine anything! I gave up and quit searching, then all of a sudden this video pops on my feed, Huge thanks brother!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers. Glad I could help!

[@rogerpossatoo]

Amazing!

[@tareklarine5260]

Great one... thank you i ve leanred a lot from it

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DarthClam]

The fact that this is your only video is an insane tease

[@rakshitkhatiwada5446]

will be a fantastic journey!

[@MarkReategui]

fantastic technique thanks for sharing!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks for watching!

[@SERBIANseljak]

awesome!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks!

[@RabinArt]

thanks this is awesome .. I am really searching for the exact process and I stumbled upon this .. great

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@01version]

thank you! amazing

[@j3y3k70]

So NICE! THANKS!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@malomorgen555]

very cool tutorial!

[@kalleniemi6316]

Ten thumbs up. Excellent explanation.

[@AtomicWoodDesigns]

Brooooooo this is fantastic.

[@littlesweetpoison]

Very cool, thank you !

[@yeyan2539]

Really appreciate bro, keep moving... 🙏 you are special

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

That's so kind. Thank you so much. I will keep them coming, just the next one is taking longer than I had hoped.

[@assafkvashny8116]

Amazing tutorial

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad you liked it

[@mrkjsmt]

Thanks, thanks, thanks! Not easy to stay on track, but I finally managed. Learned an afwul lot on the way!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad that it was useful.

[@NeroBerdan]

It has been a very informative educational technique. We really need good teachers. ❤️ Please continue to teach us. 🙏 I watched the video many times, if I make good art like you, I will share it with you. 👏🙌

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you so much for your kind words - I am making the next tutorial now. Looking forward to see what you make!

[@NeroBerdan]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign i'm waiting impatiently 🙏

[@babelmache7599]

Perfect!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you.

[@rahulornob]

i really love it🤩

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Ace. Thanks for watching.

[@M4573Rpro]

Amazing tutorial, thank you very much y really enjoyed it :)

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@stephen_mcateer]

Excellent.

[@Quintopia1]

so good thank you

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@jonathanjones1607]

Thats was a great tutorial thank you.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samuelgr3101]

production. Thanks again!

[@gemapediaofficial9113]

BRO YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers.

[@MaseraSteve2]

Woow I'm baffled that the graphics style you're presenting are eerily similar to my last year vision of creating potrait of somebody with this style but the difference is the color and line in upper and the bottom part, right after waking up. Didn't know this were already achieved with similar styling. extra 👍👍👍👍

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers mate. I hope this technique helps make your vision a reality.

[@anasmallakh]

Man! I've never seen a video with 1.1k likes and 0 dislike Amazing work

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you! It's only a matter of time until I get some dislikes, but that's ok. I'm just happy to help people make some cool things.

[@studio-bw9en]

Thank you So much, i like how you explain the style... Clear, no noise... Simply Prefect , Expecting more videos from you man...

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers mate, much appreciated. Next one is on the way and I plan to start a schedule of future ones too. Watch this space.

[@monkimix4052]

Thank you SO MUCH

[@warrenmartin94]

this was an amazing tutorial and i appreciated the explanation of the process in the beginning

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you so much! I'm glad the explanation was useful - I think there's huge value in understanding why these things work, so it's my goal to continue sharing this type of knowledge.

[@warrenmartin94]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign loved the whole process, it gave me a ton more tools and tricks to work with , excited to see tutorials from you

[@sanjaynaredasadpura307]

444a1 bcz 4

[@brendonjones5774]

love this tutorial

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad you like it! Thank you.

[@dimitrifernando6455]

would love to see more tutorials from you! this was sweet

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Glad you liked it. More tutorials coming very soon.

[@tonickmoss]

brilliant...

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers!

[@suryateja6497]

Good topic, thanks

[@endlesscosmic]

very cool , thanks !

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@r3bel07]

I have never seen such mastery, all love and respect. ❤️

[@r3bel07]

Also thank us your brother ❤️

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you so much. That's really kind.

[@zeyarereare5865]

Thank you so much

[@Paul0404]

Wow. Your teaching style is amazing, I felt like I received a lot of worthy information and it left me without a single question. I'm amazed, thank you, subscribed.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

That's great to hear! Thank you, and cheers for the sub.

[@byandrewivanov5395]

Man.. that's what I exactly needed. Thanks a lot, wanna be as professional as you

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

It's great to hear it was helpful, so thanks for the comment. I've learned lots from KZbin creators over the years - it's a good place to boost professional skills.

[@byandrewivanov5395]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign I have a question, I'm making a poster A3 size. What grid size should I use and how to calculate all of the details ?

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

For the grid size you can head over to my website www.anthonykirk.co.uk/resources.html and check out my grid calculator. Put in your width and height and it will work out any perfectly square grids for you. A3 doesn't naturally have a good square grid, but if you allow a 10mm border and use dimensions 287 x 410 instead, you will find it can be neatly divided up into a 7 x 10 grid. Alternatively, the ‘rule of thirds’ can be useful, especially if your poster has a photo/image as its main element. This is just scratching the surface of the complex subject of grids, and I recommend checking out the book 'Making and Breaking the Grid' by Timothy Samara for more info. As for the other details, make sure you're using at least 300dpi for a printed poster, check that the point size of your fonts can be viewed from the correct distance (there's lots of great resources for this online if you Google 'point size viewing distances' or similar), and other than that it's just a case of using the graphic design principles as a guide while you get creative. Hope that helps.

[@byandrewivanov5395]

@@AnthonyKirkDesign I appreciate that, will try! Thank you

[@musicijssel]

Love it! Looking forward to your next tutorial!

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thanks mate. Next one coming soon.

[@Raw6laqMusic]

Supreme 🔥🔥🔥

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@anwerbilal836]

Great 🙏 Awesome Please upload more tutorials

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Thank you. I promise I will as soon as I can find the time between my client projects.

[@sergeylion6671]

wow! very detailed guide with a breakdown! my regards! ;0)

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers mate. Glad you liked it.

[@raulszabo7411]

I can feel how happy you are because of the update.

[@davidgonzalo9600]

mind blown

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Cheers buddy.

[@1zidajner]

This is GOLD! So many use cases for this technique. Thank you very much.

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

Very welcome! Cheers for watching.

[@thealexsel]

Amazing style and great explanation! Just a quick addition: For the letterform linework you can use the letter as a mask for the horizontal lines which 1. saves you time cropping the vertical lines and 2. lets the letter stay editable. Still good work for this tutorial, looking forward for more! 👏🙌

[@AnthonyKirkDesign]

I considered using a clipping mask but it leaves some slightly awkward shapes where the clipped lines land between gridlines. This only has a minor effect on the outcome though, so it's a great solution if you want to save time and/or try out different letterforms. Thanks for the addition.