The magic of lighting effects in Photoshop.
Hello friends! Want to try something new this week? I hope this tutorial is fun to test your Photoshop knowledge! In this tutorial I will show you how to create a magical scene with beautiful girl. You'll learn how to combine multiple images using adjustment layers, masks, and brushes, how to create depth of field for magical effects, and much more. So let's get started!
Finalresult
Step 1
Create a new document 1000x665 px in Photoshop program. Fill it with white. You can set the image dimensions at your discretion. Open the original forest image and use the tool Moving(Move Tool (V)), move this image with the forest to our working document. Zoom in on the forest to hide the bottom part with the ground and make the forest mysterious, as shown in the screenshot below:
Step 2
This step is intended to add depth to the scene.
Step 3
Curves(Curves) to darken the forest. Let's go Layer - New Adjustment Layer - Curves(Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves):
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft round brush of black color, hide the effect of the curves in the center of the image, because we are planning to add light to this area.
Step 4
Add a new adjustment layer Levels(Levels) to further darken the forest.
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft round brush of black color, hide the effect of the levels in the center of the image to save bright hues:
Step 5
Open the original image with the model. Using whatever selection tool you prefer to work with, separate the model's image from the background. Copy the selected model image to a new layer. Create a new layer between the selected model image layer and the original model image. Fill this layer light shade(I used #f3efe9):
Step 6
Create a new layer on top of all layers. Using a hard round brush, brush color #1e130c (this shade was taken from the model's head), add fragments of hair:
Step 7
Now turn off the visibility of the original layer with the model image, the background layer and the fill layer, then press the keys (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E) to merge all visible layers into one layer. Move the merged layer with the model onto our working document, placing the model image on the left side of the picture:
Color tone/ Saturation(Hue/Saturation) as a clipping mask to the model layer. Reduce the saturation of the model image:
Step 8
Create a new adjustment layer Color Balance(Color Balance) as a clipping mask to the model layer to change the color of the image:
Step 9
The image of the model is too bright compared to the background in this moment, so add an adjustment layer Curves(Curves) to reduce brightness:
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft round brush of black color, hide the shading effect along the contour of the face and shoulders, as well as on certain sections of the hair, to preserve the light tones in these areas:
Step 10
Add another adjustment layer Curves(Curves) to further darken the model image:
Translator's note: Don't forget to convert adjustment layers to clipping masks.
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft round brush of black color, paint around the model's head, face, shoulders and hair:
Step 11
Create a new layer and use a hard white brush to add a reflective highlight to the model's eye:
Step 12
Create a new layer as a clipping mask, change the blending mode for this layer to Overlap(Overlay) Opacity(Opacity) layer 100%, and also check the box Fill with 50% gray(fill with 50% gray):
Activate the tool Brightener / Darkener(Dodge and Burn Tool (O)), in the settings of this tool, set Mode(Range) on Midtones(Midtones), and the meaning Exhibitions(Exposure) approximately 10-15%. Using this tool, correct the light and shade on the model image. You can see my correction under the regime Normal(Normal), as well as the result in the mode Overlap(Overlay):
Step 13
Let's go Layer - New Fill Layer - Color(Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color). Set the fill color to #cfe5f1.
Reduce the opacity of this fill layer to 20%. Go to the mask of this fill layer and use a soft black brush to hide the fill effect over the main part of the model's image, except for the outer outline around the head, face and shoulders, to create a subtle haze effect in these areas:
Step 14
Create a new layer and use a soft white brush to paint around the model's head, face and shoulders to lighten these areas. Change the blending mode for this layer to Overlap(Overlay) opacity(Opacity) layer 100%:
Step 15
Open the original image with butterflies. Separate the butterflies from the background using the tool Magic wand(Magic Wand Tool (W)). Select the top right butterfly to position it next to the model's eye:
Let's go Filter - Plastic(Filter > Liquify Tool). Select a tool Deformation(Forward Warp Tool) to stretch the butterfly wings and give them a magical look:
Step 16
Using Free Transform (Ctrl+T), reduce the scale of the butterfly. Add a layer mask to the butterfly layer and use a soft black brush to blend the butterfly with the corner of the eye:
Step 17
Duplicate the butterfly layer, and then flip the duplicate layer horizontally, for this we go Edit - Transform - Flip Horizontal(Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal). Move the duplicate butterfly to the right, zoom in so that you can catch the direction the model is looking:
To the duplicate layer with the butterfly, add a layer mask and using a hard black brush, brush size (3-4 px), paint along the wings:
Translator's note: the author makes the butterfly's wings slightly translucent, try to vary the opacity of the brush.
Step 18
Select all the butterfly layers and then press Ctrl+G to group them into one group. Change the blending mode for the layer with the mode group Skip(Pass Through (default group mode)) to mode Normal(Normal), opacity 100%. Create a new adjustment layer Hue/Saturation(Hue/Saturation) inside the created group. Decrease the value Saturation(Saturation) to -90 to desaturate the butterflies:
Step 19
Step 20
Next, add an adjustment layer Curves(Curves) to increase the brightness. Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush, hide the effect of the curves on top of the butterfly near the eye, because it is hidden from the background light:
Step 21
It's time to add the strands of pearls. Create a new layer on top of all other layers. Select a tool Feather(Pen Tool), draw a few wavy lines on the model's hair:
Change the color foreground to white, and also select a hard round brush, brush size 3 px. Press the key (F5) to change the settings for this brush:
Select a tool Feather(Pen Tool), right-click on the drawn lines and in the window that appears, select the option Stroke the outline(Stroke Path), uncheck the box Simulate pressure(Simulate Pressure):
The result should be like the screenshot below:
Step 22
To the layer with the strings of pearls, add a layer mask and using a soft black brush, work on individual pearls in the hair (in particular those located next to the shading):
Step 23
Create a new layer. Increase the brush size to 6-7 px. Using a brush, paint some large white dots on the existing pearl strands.
Double-click on the created layer and in the window that appears, select the option External glow(Outer Glow). Set the glow color to white.
Step 24
Create a new layer and using a hard white brush, very small brush size (about 2-3 px), draw a few lines around the corner of the eye, as well as on the large butterfly. For this purpose, it is best to use a graphics tablet.
Translator's note: the author draws as if thin threads, giving a delicate texture to the butterflies.
Step 25
Create a new layer and use a soft white brush to paint over the large butterfly. Change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening(Screen) opacity Layer Opacity 30% to add a subtle glow effect to the butterfly.
Step 26
Create another new layer and use a hard brush white, draw a few dots around the large butterfly to create a scattering effect.
Press the keys (Ctrl+G) to create new group for this layer with a scattering effect. Change the blending mode for this group layer to Lightening the base(Color Dodge), set the layer opacity to 100% and the effect will look even better!
Step 27
Double-click on the layer with the scattering effect and in the window that appears, select the option External glow(Outer Glow). Set the glow color to white:
Step 28
Create a new fill layer Color(Color Fill) on top of all other layers. Fill color #353333. Reduce opacity(Opacity) of this layer to 60%, and then go to the mask of this layer with fill. Using a soft black brush, hide the fill effect in the background and also on top of the model's image. This step is intended to shade the bottom of the model image to better blend it with the background.
Step 29
Create another fill layer Color(Color Fill) on top of all other layers. Fill color #29011c. Change the blending mode for this fill layer to Exception(Exclusion), layer opacity 100%.
Step 30
Add an adjustment layer Curves(Curves) to slightly brighten the central part of the image.
Translator's note: The author is correcting the entire picture, therefore, adjustment layers will NOT be used as clipping masks.
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and use a soft black brush to hide the curve correction around the image except for the central part of the scene to preserve the lighter tones.
Step 31
Add an adjustment layer Levels(Levels) to darken the entire scene.
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush, hide the levels adjustment on certain sections of the hair so that they are not too dark, and also to preserve the details.
Step 32
Add an adjustment layer Photo filter(Photo Filter). Set the color to #eaa3d7:
Step 33
Add an adjustment layer Vibration(Vibrance). Increase the value Vibrations(Vibrance) to maximum:
Go to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush, weaken the effect of the adjustment layer in the area of the model's eye, as well as in the background area:
Step 34
Create a new layer and use a soft brush with brush color #6f938d to paint over the background and hair to correct the color cast in these areas. Change the blending mode for this layer to Soft light(Soft Light) opacity(Opacity) layer 100%:
Step 35
Create a new layer and use a hard brush with the color #b2fcef to paint the hair along the outline of the model's head to create a reflective background light:
And that is all! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Good luck, feel free to post your work! See you again!
Today I will share with you my knowledge of Photoshop as always, to be precise, I will tell you what layer styles are in Photoshop. This is a rather interesting function that gives us a lot of possibilities, but first things first.
Looking ahead a little, I want to say that in the next article I will use an example to tell you how to draw drops of water, create transparent watermarks, and show a couple of examples of use.
Well, let's get started, friends!
Photoshop styles- these are styles that give us the opportunity to create a lot of different effects that change appearance layers such as shadow, stroke, gradient fill, color overlay, emboss, burn and so on. The collection of these effects represents a layer style that can be applied to a layer or group of layers.
In Photoshop, when creating a layer style, there is a function for saving the settings of certain effects that were specified by the user.
This makes it possible, if necessary later, not to create a style again, but simply apply it to the layer we need with one click of the mouse button. And if necessary, we can edit it.
This way we can create an unlimited number various styles in Photoshop, load them into the styles window and use them. If you don’t have a styles window by default, you can add it by doing simple steps by going to the menu window > layers and check the box.
Layer styles can be copied and converted into separate layers (I use this function when I quickly need to create a falling shadow or a shadow with a shape reminiscent of the main object).
There are three ways to copy Photoshop styles:
- Copy from a layer that has effects using the pop-up menu. To do this, select the layer with the style, right-click and select copy layer style from the drop-down menu. Next, you need to select the layer where we want to copy it and also call up the pop-up menu and click paste layer style.
- Copying through the layers menu. First of all, as in the previous method, select the layer with the style, and then go Layer > Layer Style > Copy Layer Style. Select the layer to which we need to apply a layer style, then select the menu Layer > Layer Style > Paste Layer Style.
- Copy by drag and drop. To do this, we need to hold down the key ALT drag effects from one layer where they exist to another.
First option for copying and pasting a layer style
The second option is to copy and paste a layer style
Convert to separate layer.
To do this, you need to select the layer with the style, and in layers menu > layer style > create layer. Or right-click on the effects in the layer and also select create a layer. And then your style will become a layer or layers, depending on the number of effects that you can work with like regular layers, edit, transform, apply. You can read about how to work with layers in the article.
Below is a screenshot of the dialog box " Layer Styles" I think if you dig into it, you can basically figure it out without any problems.
In the styles window you can create the following effects:
- Blending Options – basic layer style overlay options.
- Shadow - adds a shadow from the layer.
- Inner shadow - adds a shadow inside the object depicted on the layer, thereby achieving an indentation effect.
- External glow - adds a glow to the outside of the layer object.
- Inner glow - adds a glow inside the layer object.
- Embossing – Due to different illumination and darkening, it gives the object on the layer an embossing effect, making it three-dimensional. Outline - adds an outline. Texture – Adds texture to the embossing.
- Gloss - adds internal darkening, thereby giving a glossy effect.
- Color Overlay - applies a solid color to the layer.
- Gradient overlay - applies a gradient to the layer.
- Pattern overlay - fills the layer with a pattern.
- Stroke – adds a stroke to the layer (gradient, color, pattern).
Remove a layer style.
You can remove individual effects (shadow, gradient overlay, glow, etc.) or the entire style. To remove individual effects, you need to expand the layer styles of the layer if they are collapsed, and drag the individual effect to the trash.
And to delete a style completely, you can right-click on the layer with the style and select from the drop-down menu clear layer style. Or drag the effects icon to the trash can to complete removal styles. You can also delete it in the menu layers > layer style > clear layer style.
You can load layer styles in the styles window.
To do this, click on the triangle on the right in the window and select load styles from the drop-down menu. Also in this menu you can select existing sets, save styles, etc.
Well, I think I briefly talked about what Photoshop styles and layer styles are. In the next article I will use an example to tell you how to use it.
In this lesson we will show one of the options for creating a beautiful magical glow pouring from an object. This is where the magician's head cylinder is used. The lesson is very short, which means it won’t bore the reader. Shall we get started?
1 Step
Create a radial gradient. In our case, from purple to very dark purple.
2 Step
3 Step
Add some text. I took some plain code from the text of a web page and applied the Distort > Wave filter to it.
Create two such stripes with text.
4 Step
Add a little glow - apply an Outer Glow style to the text. Use different settings for each strip. The secret to the glow here is the style mixing mode (Color Dodge!).
Set the Spread, Size and Range values.
5 Step
Merge these two lines into one layer and duplicate it again. Apply a mask to one layer of lines and dissolve them at the end.
6 Step
On another layer, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and also mask off parts of the text so that clear letters can show through.
7 Step
Create a new layer under the text layer and with a fairly large brush, about 100px in size, place a white spot of light.
8 Step
Add some more highlights. I used an eraser to remove unnecessary parts, you can also use Liquify.
9 Step
Create a cloud. To do this, select an arbitrary area for it using any of the selection tools, soften it by 20px (Feather parameter), and then on a new layer apply the Filter > Render > Clouds filter to this selection. In order for it to have an effect the right type- it also needs to be switched to the Color Dodge blending mode.
10 Step
Let's add glowing particles. To do this, create a new brush by playing with the Shape Dynamics, Scattering and other settings. After that, apply the Outer Glow and Inner Glow styles to the particles created with this brush to create a glow.
In the end, you will get an excellent result. Look at mine!
In this tutorial I will show you how to create a magic effect on a photo using brushes, different blending modes and layer styles. Let's start!
Here is the result of this lesson:
To begin, create New document (Ctrl + N), size 1920? 1200 pixels and extension 72 pixels/inch. Then take the tool Fill (Paint Bucket Tool (G)) and fill the background layer with color #0e0d15.
Take the tool Brush Tool (B) and in the tool settings panel, set Opacity brushes 20%.
Create and make several strokes with a brush, color #4e365a.
Create another one New Layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) and make a few strokes of color #704668 as shown below.
Lightening Basics (Color Dodge).
This is what you should get:
Now find a photo of the model and place it on your working document. I took the photo from DeviantArt.
Translator's note: The photo used by the author of the lesson has been removed. Choose any other image.
Separate the model from the background using any tool convenient for you: Pen Tool (P), Magic wand(Magic Wand Tool (W)), Magnetic Lasso (L).
Create New Layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) under the model layer and make a few points Brush (B), color #BA93B3. Change brush size using square bracket keys [ And ] .
Then add more white dots.
Take the tool Ellipse Tool (U) and make a circle while holding down the key Shift. Place this layer below the model layer.
Set this layer to Fill 0%.
In the palette Layers Layer Style select Gradient Overlay. Set the settings as shown below.
As a result, we got a translucent circle.
Copy (Ctrl +J) this layer several times and using the tool Move Tool (V), place the circles behind the girl in random order (all layers should be under the layer with the model).
Make more copies and add more circles of different sizes. Resize using the tool. While holding down the key Shift to maintain the proportions of the circle.
Create New Layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) under the model layer. Select a tool Brush (B) and reduce Opacity brushes up to 10%. Set up your brush as shown below and paint a sort of glow around the girl.
Now add an adjustment layer Curves and configure as below.
Thus, our work has become more contrasting and rich.
Select a tool Ellipse Tool (U) and make another circle. Install Fill this layer is 0%, and Opacity- 70%. Place this layer above the girl's layer.
Let's add some styles to this layer. In the palette Layers double-click on the layer with the circle with the left mouse button and in the window that appears Layer Style select Inner Shadow. Set the following settings:
Next style Inner Glow:
And in conclusion Gloss (Satin):
As a result, you should get a colored bubble like this.
Copy (Ctrl + J) bubble layer. Then call the tool Free Transform (Ctrl + T), right-click inside the transformation frame that appears and select the command Warp. Deform the bubble into free form and press Enter. Move the bubble.
Repeat this step several times to get a result similar to the following:
Make some lines in white as shown below.
Select a tool Finger (Smudge Tool (R)), in the settings panel set Strength about 50% and blur the lines.
Change the blending mode of this layer to Overlay.
Duplicate (Ctrl + J) layer to enhance the effect.
Create New Layer (Shift + Ctrl + N), select a tool Brush (B) with the following settings. Change Opacity brushes to about 10%:
Paint in white as shown below.
Change the blending mode of this layer to Overlay.
Create New Layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) and with the help Brushes (B) add some dots of color #EC008C as shown below.
Then create another new layer and add dots in white.
Make a copy (Ctrl + J) layer with white dots and apply Filter> Blur> Motion Blur (Filter> Blur> Motion Blur).
As a result, the white dots took on a dynamic appearance. That's it, our effect is ready:
Translator: Vladimir Nesterov
Today we will see step by step process creating an illustration. The author depicted his vision of the energy of fire. Lesson for advanced Photoshop users. It is assumed that you are familiar with the program, as well as the basics of drawing. The author also used a tablet, but this is optional. You can get by with a regular mouse.
Final result
The image was created for use on the website. Therefore its size 1264 x 550 px. The author worked without a sketch and spent about two hours creating the work.
To begin with, the background was created. To do this, the document was filled with a base color.
After this, the main colors were chosen. The author tried to use only warm shades, contrasting with each other.
For work, the author chose the tools Lightening/Dodge, Sharpening/Sharpen and Brush/Brush. Brushes from Natascha Roeoesli were also used to create some elements, but they can be replaced with any other similar ones. The main tools were ordinary round brushes - one with 100% opacity, and the second with opacity controlled by pressure (if you are using a tablet).
The light sources were marked in orange using the Dodge tool.
Using a round brush at 100% opacity, paint the elements of the composition.
Add more details and draw in the grass and leaves. If you haven't found any suitable brushes, take a little time and paint the shapes like in the picture below with a small diameter brush.
We continue drawing the grass and adding more leaves to the distant trees. Adding green details.
To make the fire smoother and more “flowing,” use the Smudge tool.
Magical things happen when you use the sharpen tool. Using it add details to the foliage, log and character.
Now draw colorful circles different sizes with a regular brush.
