How To Add Realistic Tattoo On The Body In Photoshop

Open the image which it follows to be modified, in this case, we ‘ll be adding a tattoo.

Duplicate the layer (= CTRL+J/CMD+J), to make a copy, from the original image, and this copy layer will be used as the Displacement Map.

Desaturate the copy of the original image, for that, you need to go at Image menu — Adjustments — Desaturate (= SHIFT+CTRL+U/SHIFT+CMD+J).

Add blur on the desaturated image, for that you need to go at Filter menu — Blur — Gaussian Blur — Set the Radius — 3 Pixels — OK

Save the file, and name it as Displacement Map, for that you need to go at File menu — Save As — Rename the file, and choose *.PSD extension.

Now, you can delete the layer, because we don’t require it anymore.

Add any image with tattoos, for that you need to go at File menu — Place Embedded — Choose the file — Place

The tattoo must have blend mode change it from Normal — Multiply.

Resize the tattoo with the Free Transform (= CTRL+T/CMD+T), and put in any parts of the body.

It’s time to use the Displacement Map, for that you need to go at Filter menu — Distort — Displace — Set the Horizontal Scale/Vertical Scale –Set to 5 — In the Displacement Map — Check Stretch To Fit -In the Undefined Areas — Check Repeat Edge Pixels — OK — Choose the *.PSD file, Displacement Map — Open

Add another blur filter, now for the tattoo, for that, you need to go at Filter menu — Blur — Gaussian Blur — Set the Radius — 0.5 Pixels — OK

Also, select the tattoo image, and add Layer Mask and hold ATL/OPTION key, click on the Layer Mask Icon to apply the inverted mask, Black color.

it’s time to paint, and I’ll use Brush Tool (B) — Choose a soft brush and paint on the Layer Mask with Withe color, too bring back the tattoo.

Add Noise to the image, for that you need to make a new copy of the primary image, and name it — Noise

Bring the Layer to the front and will be used as the lighting effect.

Desaturate, again the layer, named Noise, for that you need to go at Image menu — Adjustments — Desaturate (= SHIFT+CTRL+U/SHIFT+CMD+J).

The layer Noise must have blend mode change it from Normal — Screen — Convert to Smart Object.

Add realistic Noise, for that you need to go at Filter menu — Noise — Add Noise — Set the Amount — 6 % — Distribution must be Uniform — And Check the Monochromatic — OK

Reduce the opacity of the layer at your discretion.

You should create a clipping mask, so the adjustment affects to the tattoo layer below it.

To boost the effect of the lighting add levels adjustment and adjusts the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights to your preference.

That’s it! We’re Done. Adding a Realistic Tattoo the Easy Way with Photoshop.