We create a magical effect. The magic of lighting effects in Photoshop

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 of different sizes using a regular brush.

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.

From the author: This lesson is proof that I have a passion for color. lighting effects, and the more there are, the better. I'll show you how you can create strong lighting using layer styles, for example. You won't need special brushes for this; we'll do everything using a few images.

This tutorial is not only for the advanced, beginners can try their hand too, but you should know how to use adjustment layers, how to create custom brushes and how to apply layer styles. Despite all this, I think this is not a very difficult lesson.

I wanted to create something like a wizard that throws colored balls with energy. Therefore, I selected several images and now I invite you to start this work.

This is actually the Master Wizard who this whole lesson is about.

Lesson materials:

Step 1. Open in Photoshop photo, which depicts your future Master. You won't need to separate it from the background if you only want to add effects like in the tutorial. First, let's add a couple of adjustment layers to generally adjust the image. The first one will be Gradient map(Gradient Map) with default gradient ( purple-orange), set its blending mode to (Linear Dodge (Add) and opacity(Opacity) 10%. Second adjustment layer Hue/Saturation(Hue\Saturation). In the settings of this layer, raise Saturation(Saturation) up to 25.

Step 2. Let's start with the light ball. Open the image powerball.jpg , reduce its size and increase its saturation. Change the blending mode to Lightening(Screen), this will hide the black background. Now take a large, soft brush and on a new layer and paint two big dots. The author used yellow and blue to match the colors of the ball that is layered below. Change the blending mode of the dots layer to Overlap(Overlay).

Step 3. On this moment Our energy ball looks good, but we can make it better by adding some details. Create a glow on the ball using a large soft brush orange color. Change the blending mode of this layer to Spot light(Pin Light) and lower the opacity to 50%. This is very important, because without this layer it will be difficult to see External glow(Outer glow)small dots-sparks shown in the following screenshot.

Keep in mind that depending on the color of your model image, you may have to use different blend modes. Blend modes work differently depending on color and lighting.
Now you need to create a brush for sparks, with scattering, also turn on the noise option in the brush settings. In layer styles add External glow(Outer glow) and set the blending mode in the glow settings to Lightening the base(Color Dodge).

Note translator: Settings for a similar brush are in this tutorial in step 5.

As you can see, the sparks are now very visible on the layer, this is because we previously created a layer below with an orange glow.
In order to better define this ball, the author made some lines using the tool Feather (Pen Tool). Pre-set a 2 px hard brush. and with the Pen tool active, select the option Stroke the outline(Stroke Path). In the settings window, select Brush(Brush). Check the box Simulate pressure(Simulate Pressure option). You can create 5 or 6 curved lines. They can be duplicated and rotated as you please.

Once the lines are ready, merge them all into one layer if you made them on separate layers and apply External glow(Outer glow). Please be aware that the size and colors of your image may affect final result, and you may need to use different settings than those suggested in the tutorial.

Step 5. After we've made the first energy ball, we'll add some color to the model's body using brushes and a stock image. Open color-waves.jpg and paste it into your document. Scale it if necessary and change the blending mode to Lightening(Screen). Create a layer mask and hide top part. See image below.

Using a large soft Brush(Brush), add more color shades and set the blending mode for this layer Overlap(Overlay) or Lightening(Screen).

Step 6. Now I will show you how you can make 3D squares and circles.
Take a square brush and in the brush settings window, activate the option Diffusion(Scattering), but don't add too much scattering. IN Dynamics of shape(Shape dynamics) needs to be increased Angle fluctuation(Angle Jitter). Also set the setting Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) to maximum and if you are not working with a tablet, then Management(Control) enable setting Transition(Fade). With this setting, your brush stroke will taper at the end.
Move the brush from your left leg to right hand. If there are too many squares, then add scattering.

Set the blending mode of the squares layer to Overlap(Overlay) and add the following layer styles. Try different colors and blending modes to get interesting results.

3D circles are made in the same way. Create several circles of different sizes and reduce Filling(Fill) up to 16%. Copy the layer styles from the squares layer and, if desired, change some blending modes and colors in the settings External glow(Outer Glow). You can hide these 3D circles in the next steps and prepare other effects.

Note translator: Layer styles can be copied by holding down the keyAltand simply drag the styles icon to the desired layer.

Step 7 Open the image color-lines.jpg and place it on your left foot. Set the blending mode to Lightening(Screen). Change the color if you like and increase the saturation of the image.

Let's create several contours using the tool Feather(Pen Tool), first set up a 2 px hard brush. and then, let's outline the outline. Below is the screenshot of the layer styles that need to be applied to the created lines.

Let's add lighting on the left leg. To do this, take a soft Brush(Brush) and make it smaller opacity(Opacity) up to 43%. Draw two spots using colors c2839f And bac93c. Change this layer's blending mode to Bright light (Vivid Light).

Step 8 Create two or three selections using the Straight-line lasso(Polygonal Lasso Tool). Holding down the key Shift, you will make it at an angle of 45º. Next, use a large soft brush and paint along the edge of the selection. You should end up with something similar to the screenshot below. After all these steps, change the layer blending mode to Overlap(Overlay) or Soft light(Soft Light).

Step 9 Open the image fractals.jpg and place it in your document and then go to menu Filter - Appearance - Mosaic(Filter-Pixelate-Mosaic). The author used 30 pixels as the cell size in the settings window because it works with high resolution images, but you can use the size that suits your image. After that, increase the saturation and change the blending mode to Lightening the base(Color Dodge). You can also try changing the shade of the resulting mosaic to see which color combinations you like best.

Step 10 As you can see, right part Our image looks a bit empty, and we'll change that. Use a square brush and draw a few random squares not far from each other, and also apply a filter to them Motion blur 45º (Motion Blur). To add color to the drawn squares, use layer styles. Screenshots below. To enhance this effect, duplicate this layer.

Let’s also add sparkles, scattered with a brush, to the layer with blurry squares, as in step 3, and thereby enhance the color and light effects. For these sparks you also need to adjust the layer styles External glow(Outer Glow) set the blending mode for the glow Lightening the base(Color Dodge). As you can see in the screenshot below, the blending mode for this layer is Overlap(Overlay)

Use a large soft brush of blue color and add a flash of light on right leg. Set the blending mode for this layer to Linear brightener (add)(Linear Dodge (Add).

Step 11 The turn has come to create the second energy ball and we will make it using this image - supernova.jpg . Move it into your document, scale it, add saturation and place it on your hand. Set the blending mode for this layer to Lightening(Screen). To add a light emission effect, take a large soft brush with a reddish-orange tint and paint the ball on a new layer. Blend mode for this layer Linear brightener (add)(Linear Dodge (Add)).

Use the scatter brush to add sparkle to the ball as you did a few steps back on the right hand. Add in layer styles External glow(Outer Glow) with default color and blending mode set Lightening the base(Color Dodge).

Now let’s create a trail for this energy ball using an image - trail.jpg . Place it in your document and change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening(Screen).

For the volume of the ball we use another image - shatters.jpg.

Conclusion: That's all! Of course, you can add more images for effects, but don't overdo it. Keep in mind when selecting images that they may be subject to different modes mixing, it depends on their color and contrast. Also remember that the author used images from high resolution and if you are using low-resolution images, you may have to change the settings suggested in the lesson.

Lesson result:

Note translator: do not forget to turn on the layer with circles, if you turned it off, the author seems to have forgotten to do this in the final image).

Note translator: if you follow the link to the source of the lesson, you can downloadPSDauthor file. But, don’t get too carried away by other people’s work, and learn to do such things yourself). Good luck with this lesson!

From the author: This tutorial is proof that I am passionate about colored lighting effects, and the more of them, the better. I'll show you how you can create strong lighting using layer styles, for example. You won't need special brushes for this; we'll do everything using a few images.

I wanted to create something like a wizard that throws colored balls with energy. Therefore, I selected several images and now I invite you to start this work.

This is actually the Master Wizard who this whole lesson is about.

Here is a list of all the necessary materials:

Note translator: The photo is stock and not free, but I think everyone will want to create all this with their hero.

Step 1. Open a photo in Photoshop that depicts your future Master. You won't need to separate it from the background if you only want to add effects like in the tutorial. First, let's add a couple of adjustment layers to generally adjust the image. The first one will be Gradient map(Gradient Map) with default gradient ( purple-orange), set its blending mode to (Linear Dodge (Add) and opacity(Opacity) 10%. Second adjustment layer Hue/Saturation(Hue\Saturation). In the settings of this layer, raise Saturation(Saturation) up to 25.

Step 2. Let's start with the light ball. Open the image powerball.jpg , reduce its size and increase its saturation. Change the blending mode to Lightening(Screen), this will hide the black background. Now take a large, soft brush and on a new layer paint two large dots. The author used yellow and blue to match the colors of the ball that is layered below. Change the blending mode of the dots layer to Overlap(Overlay).

Step 3. At the moment our energy ball looks good, but we can make it better by adding some details. Let's create a glow on the ball using a large soft orange brush. Change the blending mode of this layer to Spot light(Pin Light) and lower the opacity to 50%. This is very important, because without this layer it will be difficult to see External glow(Outer glow)small dots-sparks shown in the following screenshot.

Note translator: Settings for such a brush are in step 5.

As you can see, the sparks are now very visible on the layer, this is because we previously created a layer below with an orange glow.
In order to better define this ball, the author made some lines using the tool Feather(Pen Tool). Pre-set a 2 px hard brush. and with the Pen tool active, select the option Stroke the outline(Stroke Path). In the settings window, select Brush(Brush). Check the box Simulate pressure(Simulate Pressure option). You can create 5 or 6 curved lines. They can be duplicated and rotated as you please.

Once the lines are ready, merge them all into one layer if you made them on separate layers and apply External glow(Outer glow). Keep in mind, the size and colors of your image may affect the final result, and you may need to use different settings than those suggested in the tutorial.

Using a large soft Brush(Brush), add more color shades and set the blending mode for this layer Overlap(Overlay) or Lightening(Screen).

Step 6. Now I will show you how you can make 3D squares and circles.
Take a square brush and in the brush settings window, activate the option Diffusion(Scattering), but don't add too much scattering. IN Dynamics of shape(Shape dynamics) needs to be increased Angle fluctuation(Angle Jitter). Also set the setting Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) to maximum and if you are not working with a tablet, then Management(Control) enable setting Transition(Fade). With this setting, your brush stroke will taper at the end.
Move the brush from your left leg to your right arm. If there are too many squares, then add scattering.

Set the blending mode of the squares layer to Overlap(Overlay) and add the following layer styles. Try different colors and blending modes to get interesting results.

Note translator: Layer styles can be copied by holding down the keyAltand simply drag the styles icon to the desired layer.

Step 7 Open the image color-lines.jpg and place it on your left foot. Set the blending mode to Lightening(Screen). Change the color if you like and increase the saturation of the image.

Step 9 Open the image fractals.jpg and place it in your document and then go to menu Filter – Appearance – Mosaic(Filter-Pixelate-Mosaic). The author used 30 pixels as the cell size in the settings window because it works with high resolution images, but you can use the size that suits your image. After that, increase the saturation and change the blending mode to Lightening the base(Color Dodge). You can also try changing the shade of the resulting mosaic to see which color combinations you like best.

Step 10 As you can see, the right side of our image looks a bit empty, and we'll change that. Use a square brush and draw several random squares not far from each other, and also apply a filter to them Motion blur 45º (Motion Blur). To add color to the drawn squares, use layer styles. Screenshots below. To enhance this effect, duplicate this layer.

Use a large soft blue brush and add a flash of light to the right leg. Set the blending mode for this layer to Linear brightener (add)(Linear Dodge (Add).

Now let’s create a trail for this energy ball using an image - trail.jpg . Place it in your document and change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening(Screen).

For the volume of the ball we use another image - shatters.jpg.

Conclusion: That's all! Of course, you can add more images for effects, but don't overdo it. Keep in mind when selecting images that they may have different blending modes depending on their color and contrast. Also remember that the author used high-resolution images and if you use low-resolution images, you may have to change the settings suggested in the lesson.

Lesson result:

Note translator: do not forget to turn on the layer with circles, if you turned it off, the author seems to have forgotten to do this in the final image).

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 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