Tutorial: Photoshop Actions/Colouring (Request)

I get asked a lot how I do the colouring in my graphics, because it probably looks like I put a lot of hue/saturation and colour balance layers on, just to get effects.

Well, I don't. =]

It's so simple to achieve the effects I get on my backgrounds, with a free to use set of Photoshop Actions from DeviantArt.

I will be showing you how to apply actions to photos, and create quick and easy effects that look great on any artwork.

First, you need to download the pack. You can click on the photo above or click here. Simple, it should already be an .atn file so you don't even need to unzip.

Then you have to find the actions toolbar in your Photoshop. [I use Photoshop CS4 Portable] Of course, I already use mine, so mine is on the right hand side:

If you can't find it, it's probably not opened. You need to select Window and then Actions, or press Alt + F9.

Now you have the actions toolbar, you can click this button and select Load Actions, find the downloaded file and bam, you have 50 actions!

To actually use an action, you have to select it from the list, and click the small play button at the bottom:

And that's it! As an example, I'll use this picture of Ashley Tisdale from her Crank It Up video.

Before - original photo, just sharpened

After - Action Smart Mix - Fashion Mag 1 used

And there you have it! Photoshop Colouring, very simple, takes seconds after you load the file. And after you import the actions in, you'll never have to do that again! Just as easy as clicking the play button.

Here are just a few more examples of how you can colour a photo!

Awesome, right? Have fun!

(Requested by @SelenaJustSmile)