Avatar/LJ Icon Tutorial:
Written by Aly. Done in PS 7.0

LEVEL - EASY/MID-BEGINNER.

How to turn this:	Into This:

1: Open your image, crop it and resize it to 100x100px. I'm using a picture of Liv Tyler
 

2: Sharpen your image  (Filter >> Sharpen >> Sharpen)*

3: Floodfill your image with #01012D, set to Exculsion 100%
 

4: Floodfill again with #FAE5B6, set to Multiply 100%
 

5: Set this gradient over your icon and set the layer to Soft Light 100% (Gradient by me)
 

6: Next, this texture from Tre-Xture, set it to Overlay 100%

 

7: I used a brush from Could Not Ask For More.  You can add a brush,  text, or just leave it blank and you'll be finished!
 

*Please remember that sharpening always depends upon the image you are using.