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This lesson demonstrates how to stroke objects with neon glows, utilising the Pen Tool. To work along exactly, you are welcome to download the start image Here. Unzip the file and open the image onto Photoshop’s workspace.
You will find my Pen Tool for beginners tutorial Here, and my Pen Tool for advanced students Here.
Note
This tutorial demonstrates a simple neon path; however, with Pen Tool experience, you will be able to stroke complex areas with neon - such as signs and buildings, for example.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards.
Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
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Open your start image onto Photoshop’s workspace, then extend its grey workspace by dragging out one of its corners.
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Now, create a new layer above the Background layer by left-clicking the following Create a new layer icon. Then rename the new layer Neon.
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Working on the Neon layer, from the toolbar, activate the Pen Tool, and set the following attributes into its Options bar.
Now, starting at the base of right-side Fencing Foil (blade), left-click to apply your first anchor point. Then left-click to apply the second anchor point at the Foil’s tip. Now,
left-click to apply an anchor point in the centre of the Foil; then press Ctrl, then left-click and gently tug the (centre) anchor point upwards, and to the right - this curves the path along the Foil.
Tip
For authenticity, don’t extend the path over the Foil’s tips.
4/
Now, change the following Pen Tool Option to Add to path area.
Important!
Press Ctrl then left-click anywhere on the document to break the path.
Then left-click to apply an anchor point on the left-side Fencing Foil, (next to the hand
shield), then click to apply two more anchor points - thereby creating a path along the
left-side Fencing Foil - exactly as you did with the right-side Foil.
5/
From the Layers palette, click the Paths tab. (If you cannot see Paths, from the top
menu, click Window then click a tick before Paths).
After clicking Paths, click open the Paths menu by left-clicking the following tiny black
triangle. Then from the drop-down list, click Save Path.
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In the subsequent Save Path dialogue box, either leave the name as it is, or type in your
own, then click OK.
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Neon Application Notes
It is worth noting, that the last colour you apply will be closest to the object you are applying colour to. For example, if you apply three colours; the last being White, then White will be closest to the object. With this in mind, think about your colour application. Additionally, if you want your neon application to be, for example, progressively smaller, you need to apply the largest brush size first, then reduce its size, incrementally.
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Now, to apply the first colour; click your Swatches tab. By default, Swatches share a palette with Colour and Styles. If you cannot see your Swatches palette, from the top menu, choose Window then click a tick before Swatches. From the Swatches palette,
double-left-click to activate your first colour - in this instance, it is Green.
Ensure the colour you have just clicked is active in the Foreground Colour swatch, before proceeding.
 
8/
Now, from the toolbar, activate the Brush Tool. And set the following attributes into its Options bar, ensuring the brush is soft, and round shaped - Soft Mechanical.
Apply Brushes Tutorial
Bear in mind: The neon application is determined by the Brush settings, and will be applied according to what is set in the Brush Tool’s Options palette. For personal results, always experiment with the Brush’s settings; for example, its Size (Master Diameter), Softness and Opacity.
Now you have set the brush attributes, you are ready for the next step.
9/
From the foot of the Paths palette, click the following Stroke path with brush icon.
This strokes the Path with your first colour - and you are ready for the second colour application.
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Activate the Swatches palette, and double-left-click to set your second colour.
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Then activate the Brush Tool, and set the attributes you would like your second colour to represent. For example, I am creating a thinner second colour; therefore, I am reducing the Master Diameter (size) to 4 - and I am reducing the Opacity to 90%. Experiment, and see what works best for you. Additionally, experiment with a Harder, or Softer Brush.
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Now, from the foot of the Paths palette, click the Stroke path with brush icon, as you did back in Chapter 9. And your second colour will be applied inside the first.
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If you are utilising a third colour, double-left-click the Swatch colour. Then alter the Brush Tool accordingly. Then click the Stroke path with brush icon to apply the neon stroke.
I am applying a final White stroke, with a Master Diameter of 1, and an Opacity of
100%.
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Now, click the Layers tab.
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Then from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Blur then choose Gaussian Blur. In the subsequent dialogue box, set a Radius of your choice - then click OK. Settings depend on your image’s resolution and the blur you are seeking. I set a Radius of 1 pixel.
16/ Notes
There are various filters and commands, and steps you can take to effect your glow’s appearance; for example, you can experiment with different Layer Opacities and Blend Modes - Hard Light will deepen the glow’s intensity. Additionally, the Brightness/Contrast command is a useful tool; top menu, then Image then Adjustments then Brightness/Contrast. Equally useful are Curves and Levels. Lessons.
For a brighter neon glow, right-click the glow’s layer, then click Duplicate Layer from the drop-down list.
To add colour, first Merge multiple (neon glow) layers together - (Ctrl click to highlight both layers, then right-click and choose Merge Layers). Then, press Ctrl then U. In the subsequent Hue/Saturation dialogue box, click a dot into the Colourise box, and experiment with the Hue and Saturation sliders to create a colour you like.
 
In addition, the Channel Mixer command is a very powerful colour changing tool, Edit then Adjustments then Channel Mixer.
 
Path Note
The Path will not print, it is just a guide; to view your work without the path, from the top menu, choose File then choose Save for web (and devices), after previewing your work, click Cancel.
When you are happy with your work, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image, and it is ready to save.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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