Girl with Cat

1) Learn how to picture a funny cartoon illustration and also we'll see how is it possible to clear out the already scanned contours.
Open in a new window the already scanned contours of the picture you have: File - Open (ctrl+o).

2) Make a copy of this layer to make possible working with it: Layer - Duplicate - Layer (ctrl+j). The previous layer must be erased, using the corresponding icon in the Layers window. Decolorize after that the layer: Image - Adjustments - Desaturate (shift+ctrl+u) and make it a little lighter, selecting the next options: Image - Adjustments - Curves (ctrl+m).

3) Make the necessary number of copies of the previous layer (ctrl+j), changing the Blending Mode of the layer on Overlay:

4) We've got the desired result: black contours and a white background. Now we have to merge down the layers: Layer - Merge Visible (shift+ctrl+e). We need to take now the Brush Tool of white color (used for erasing operation) and of black color (for the stripes) to correct the picture we have:

5) Mark out now the white background, entering in the menu Select - Color Range and click on the background with the pipette it is shown there:

6) Delete it, selecting the necessary button on the keyboard. Change now the layer's Blending Mode on Multiply:

7) We have to create a new layer, for an appropriate painting: Layer - New - Layer. The new layer should be placed lower than the contours' layer and paint it in a neutral color, selecting the Paint Bucket Tool.

8)  We have to color now the picture with the basic colors, selecting the Brush Tool of Hard Round type. To make the work easier, it's necessary to place each of the new colors on a new layer (under the contours' layer, of course).

9) Usually I start painting the eyes, so we have to create a special marking firstly that will have the eye's pupil shape. Paint it, applying the Gradient Tool.

10) Erase the marking: Select - Deselect (ctrl+d) and select the Burn Tool to dark out that part of the eye situated near the contours:

11) Insert the gleam after that, making use of the Gradient Tool with the same adjustments, of white color:

12) Take the Brush Tool and add to the laces and to the ear-ring more details (taking into account that each color is placed on a new layer). For more details and for creating the shadows we have to create a new layer with the necessary color and group out these layers just not to get outside the edges: Layer - Create Clipping Mask.

13) a. Inserting the shadow on the skin, means representing a kind of marking with the Pen Tool and Make Selection command and then paint it with the Gradient Tool.

 b. Paint the girl's fingers situated in the shadow with the same color (Brush Tool). Then apply the same tool to add more shadows on the girl's hair. Now represent several white stripes near the contours situated on the lighter part.

14)  The Gradient Tool will help us to separate more the shadows and the lights on the girl's hair.

15)  Select the same Brush Tool to insert the shadows and white stripes on the girl's boots. The Gradient Tool will be helpful in darkening out a little the boots sole.

16)  Add the shadow on the girl's scarf too (Brush Tool):

17)  Put several gleams on the scarf, selecting the long extension of the Gradient Tool on the grouped layer also.

18)  Take the Pen Tool and Fill Path command to represent a clearer flare on the hair:

19)  Start working with the sweater, choosing the Brush Tool and the Gradient Tool.

20)  We have to create the background now. Apply a special filter firstly on the background's layer: Filter - Sketch - Halftone Pattern, selecting preliminary the necessary colors from the palette.

21)  Take the Elliptical Marquee Tool to create a special marking with oval shapes and paint it with the Gradient Tool.

 22) Decolorize a little the corner situated on the lighter zone, coloring it in white (Gradient Tool).

23)  Now we have to draw the snowflakes on a new layer with the Ellipse Tool, keeping pressed in the same time the shift button.

24) Make a copy of the layer (ctrl+j) and blur out the copy with next combinations: Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur.

25)  The last step includes creating a frame with the Crop Tool and the Gradient Tool (painting the straight surface):

Check RESULTS: