Preparing the Canvas

Open your picture in photoshop that is going to become pop art and duplicate the layer called “Background”. (Just click the layer called “Background” and drag it to this icon at the bottom of the layer palette to duplicate the layer.)

Rename this new layer “dots”. (To rename a layer right-click on the name in the Layer Palette and select Layer Properties).
Create another new layer and fill it bright blue using the Paint Bucket tool .

Drag this layer between the two existing layers and rename it something meaningful i.e “blue”. The image below shows what your Layer Palette should look like. This is the basic set up to begin.

Now working on the “dots” layer we need to clear out all the unwanted parts of the photograph. In this case I want to isolate Scarlett and delete the rest i.e lilac background and bit of text.
To cut out Scarlett I use the Pen Tool. Now to sum up how to use Photoshop’s pen tool in a few sentences isn’t easy…if you have never used the pen tool before, do the PEN TOOL TUTORIAL first.
Remember to make sure the pen tool is set to create a Work Path. See below.

*NOTE: You could use the eraser tool but the results won’t be as professional.

Take the pen tool create a path around the person (or thing) and then make it into selection.
Invert the selection (CTRL + Shft + i) and hit delete.
Deselect (Ctrl + D)