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How to Create a Somber Composition in Photoshop

Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:08 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psdtuts/~3/6c_-he5VHp0/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email


This ones another collaboration with my good friend Toma Alin Gabriel. In
this tutorial you will learn how to manipulate stock images and turn them
into your puppets to express your desired feelings.
Final Image Preview
Take a look at the final result first. Want access to the full PSD files
and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join PSDTUTS
PLUS for just $9/month. You can view the final image preview below or view
a larger version here.Tutorial Details Program: Photoshop CS4 Difficulty:
Intermediate Estimated Completion Time: 7 hoursResources
First of all I would like to thank the authors of these great stock images:
Julia Starr, MouritsaDA-Stock, mjranum-stock, mjranum-stock, mjranum-stock,
SXC and the brush zigabooooo.Step 1
Create a new document size 19001200 and fill the background with black.
Then take 3 of those scratch textures that Julia Star has created, and
apply these effect to them. Leave the first texture sets Layer Style to
Normal, then set the other two to Multiply. This will darken the background
and apply some nice color gradients.Step 2
Import the woman stock image. Cut her out using the Pen Tool (P). You will
have to play with the Color Balance to give the model a reddish color. Play
with Red and Magenta, as this should work just fine. Then double-click the
layer to enter the Blending Options and add an Outer Glow set to black,
Normal, Opacity 50%, Spread 0 and Size 50 px. And the final move on this
step is to use the Brush Tool (B) with the brush you have imported from the
link above, and use it to erase parts of the models body.Step 3
Create a new layer and place it below the model. Now make a selection of
the model and set the brush to a blue color #295956 and 2px then stroke the
selection. As soon as you have created the stroke just move the stroke
slightly to the left and up then apply a wave effect to it.Step 4
Next, create a pyramid using the Pen Tool (P) and place it onto a new
layer. You can fill the layer with black but eventually you will have to
use the Brush Tool (B) and apply different colors on the pyramid. Also you
will lower the Opacity of the layer so that the background is a bit visible.
Next you will need to Merge the pyramid layers strokes and brush work. Then
apply the settings from the image below.Step 5
Bring in the document with another mannequin image and cut out the lower
part of the mannequin, then place it in position.
Using the same technique as you have done with the previous image you need
to create some break apart effects. This time you will use the Lasso Tool
(L) to erase some bigger portions of the layer.Step 6
Create a new layer above the mannequin, and while using the Pen Tool (P),
brush a few white strokes set to 1px. This will give the impression of the
mannequin being under construction.Step 7
Using the brush that zigabooooo provided, you need to create a few break
apart effects using the colors you will pick from the models using the Eye
Picker Tool (I).Step 8
Use the Pen Tool (P) again to create a line along the first mannequin. Set
the brush to 3px or 2px then set the Blending Options of this stroke like
below. Color does not matter because you will add an effect over it.Step 9
Again same as you did in step 6 you need to create some more white strokes
but this time create them above the second mannequin. Make sure you place
this layer in such a manner that the hand of the second mannequin looks
like it reaches in there.Step 10
Now using the Lasso Tool (L) you need to select parts of the original
second mannequin and place those pieces over the strokes you have created
in step 9. This will give the impression that parts of the statue has been
constructed. Also, the hand of the first mannequin looks like it is
actually constructing the pieces, or putting them together.Step 11
Just like you did in step 8 you need to repeat the step and create another
stroke. This time make the brush bigger, set the Shape Dynamics of the
Brush to Pen Pressure to obtain that nice look and also this time apply a
different color to the stroke but the same settings like the first
stroke.Step 12
Use the Pen Tool (P) and create really small strips of strokes using the
same color as on the big stroke.Step 13
Open up the other mannequin image and using the Pen Tool (P) you need to
cut out the hand from that image. Then as you did with the legs you need to
create the break apart effect over the hand.Step 14
Next you need to create those small strokes where the arrow point then
create the break apart effect around the hand.Step 15
Go back at the leg of the second mannequin and create another yellow stroke
around his leg using the Pen Tool (P).Step 16
Another yellow stroke that will go from the arm to the legs of the
mannequin.Step 17
What you need to do next is to add the next mannequin in the document. Cut
it out using the Pen Tool (P) and place it into the document. You will have
to repeat the same steps as you did with the first mannequin. Add same
color and play with the levels to darken some areas a little.
To make it a bit different, apply the settings shown below.
Next same as you did before create those nice looking waves around the
mannequin. Then, while using the Pen Tool (P), set the brush to white and 1
px then create soft strokes on the edges and other areas to bring in some
details.Step 18
Create another pyramid shape under the third mannequin layer. This time use
different colors, then use the Burn and Dodge Tools (O) to give a bit of
depth to the shape.
Final result so far.Step 19
Going back to the hand you will create some more strokes. This time you
will not use only the Pen Tool (P) with the stroke effect but this time you
will use your tablet too and create some more thin strokes and create that
nice looking swirl. For the color use the Eye Picker Tool (I) and chose a
color from the white mannequin.Step 20
Create some more swirls around the mannequins using the same techniques and
from time to time use your tablet to create those skinny strokes.Step 21
Use the Pen Tool (P) and, in a new layer, create a white shape like in the
image below. You will then use the Eraser Tool (E) in some locations to
make them transparent and erase some areas to make the leg of the mannequin
go over the shape.Step 22
Use the Pen Tool (P) again and create a soft white gradient into a new
layer like below. This will give the impression like the pyramid has a
bottom for the mannequin to sit on.Step 23
The result so far must look like this. Also, the next few steps should
prove to be fairly easy.Step 24
In this step you will notice that there are some more new elements added to
the document. These are just some simple triangles created again with the
Pen Tool (P) and just a text SAVE US. In all these elements you need to use
this brush from Ryoku15 or other clouds you can find for free and place
them inside these elements. You do this simply by creating a new layer
above the element, apply the cloud and set the layer to Soft Overlay or
just lower the Opacity. You can play with the setting and chose the one
that suits your work best.Step 25
Now you need to add the color effects. First you need to add a color fill.
Do this by going at the bottom of the layer palette and chose Create New
Fill or Adjustment Layer and from that tab choose Solid Color and use the
settings below. In the end, set the layer to Screen and Opacity to 30%.Step
26
Again go to the Create new fill or adjustment layer and from that tab chose
Levels and use the settings below.Step 27
Now you need to add the color effects. First select everything by pressing
Command + A (Ctrl + A on Windows) then go to Edit > Copy Merged. This
copies every layer that is active. Then, go back to Edit and Choose Paste
and this copies every layer that was visible into a single layer, like a
jpg file.Step 28
Duplicate the layer and make it Black White by pressing Command + Shift +
Option + B (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + B on Windows). Then set the layer to Hard
Light and Opacity 50%.Step 29
The final result should look like the image below. The image looks pretty
good as it is. The colors are very nice but if you want to change them you
can play with the image in Lightroom or simply in Photoshop by applying
some Curves effects.Conclusion
You can view the final image below or view a larger version here.









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Best of the Web - January 2010

Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:07 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psdtuts/~3/6EAuqggp0o8/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email


The first month of the new year has wrapped up and there was a ton of great
content for all the Photoshop Fans. This month was bursting with tons of
freebies that the readers could check out and download, for example this
month we are featuring some great free font packs, as well as some great
2010 wallpaper packs. On top of that we have some great high quality
tutorials that deal with some very interesting 3D techniques. So lets get
into this wrap up of January 2010.
Tutorial Wrap Creating a Surreal Desert Scene
Our first tutorial of the new year is already an amazing photo manipulation
tutorial. This one will teach you how to blend a very cool scene using some
interesting stocks you can find on DeviantArt. The artist does a good job
of showing the readers how to perfectly blend different stocks into one
cohesive whole. So this is a must check out for everyone interested in
manips.
Visit Tutorial Creating High Impact Light Effects
Lighting is a very important part of creating an illustration, and this
tutorial will stress that fact. The author shows you how to create an
abstract piece using various stocks and other basic photoshop tools and
filters. The final result is very attractive and these techniques could be
applied to a lot of different things, so take some time and try this one
out.
Visit Tutorial Simple HDR Technique
HDR Photography has seen is popularity grow tremendously over the past
couple of years, and this tutorial will show you how to take a normal photo
and using Photoshop turn it into a very cool looking HDR photo. At the
start of the tutorial the reader will be introduced to a new Beta Program
for free from Photoshop, so check it out and try to create some HDR effects
on your photos.
Visit Tutorial Creating A Stunning 3D liquid Explosion Illustration
This is a very unique tutorial that i recommend to every artist that is
interested in creating 3D art and mixing it with Photoshop. The author of
this tutorial will introduce you to a new program named Poser which creates
and poses 3D humans. The tutorial will then shift to photoshop where you
will mix your 3D figure with various stocks to give it the look of an
explosion. Once again a highly recommended tutorial for all the designers.
Visit Tutorial Creating an Abstract Fan Poster
Triangles as well as the Omega Code were big in 09. This tutorial will
show you how one of those Omega Code posters was made, the tutorial uses
some very simple photoshop techniques mixing the Omega Code logo with
various background elements. This is a simple tutorial with a very nice
final result so this is another one to check out and try.
Visit Tutorial Creating a Torn Photo Effect
This is a very simple tutorial for the people who are just starting up with
Photoshop. The final result has a great realistic look and that is why it
is featured here. The tutorial will show you how to take various stock
photos of paper and apply them to a single photo to give it a torn photo
effect. So if this effect is something you like then please check it out.
Visit Tutorial(FREE!) Download Picks Vector Icon Pack
The first freebie of the year is a very good one, this pack has 15 very
realistic glass icons. This pack contains icons like a magnifying glass,
and an RSS icon. This is a very clean icon pack that everyone should
download.
Visit Download Site Fresh Free Fonts
For those of you looking to improve your typographic skills then this is
your tutorial. This freebie pack contains a set of 4 very clean fonts that
are definitely going to be added to your collection once you see them. The
4 fonts range from various styles whether your looking for a thick font or
a skinny one, you are covered.
Visit Download Site Concrete Textures
Texture Tuesdays from Bittbox brings us another great texture pack. This
week we are given another high quality pack that features different types
of concrete textures. Not much else to say about this aside from them being
very useful to all designers to give their work a nice rough look, so check
it out.
Visit Download Site Cool 2010 Wallpaper
Our next featured freebie is a great wallpaper created by designer Elena
Savitskaya. This wallpapers features some interesting visuals with some
great colors that will be perfect for anyones desktop. So make sure to
check it out and if you like it download it and set it as your new
wallpaper.
Visit Download Site 25 Design Freebies From Various Blogs
This is a great freebie roundup. This roundup features tons of great things
like brushes, fonts, and wallpapers from blogs that everyone should be
reading. So make sure to go through all these freebies and check out all
the great blogs features as well.
Visit Download Site Fabric Social Media Icons
Our last freebie is a great unique font pack. This pack features 25 fabric
made social media icons. The pack features icons from popular sites like
Facebook, YouTube, as well as Digg, and Yahoo. All of the important
websites are covered in this pack, so give this a download if this is
something you like.
Visit Download SiteArticle Wrap 10 Tips Designers on Twitter
Twitter was another thing that took off in 2009, and a lot of designers as
well as everyone else took to it. So this first article we are featuring
will show designers how to take advantage of Twitter and find work as well
as sharing techniques and more.
Visit Article 60 Essential Web Apps for Freelance Web Designers
This article states that freelance artists have a tendency to use a lot of
web apps. So the author gives us a massive amount of helpful web apps.
These apps are broken down into 13 different categories ranging from
Invoicing, Payment, and Social Networking. So if you are a freelancing
designer who uses web apps then this is a must read for you.
Visit Article 5 Simple tips for Improving the Designer Client Relationship
The designer client relationship isnt always going to be smooth. Any
designer is bound to eventually get someone who is hard to work with, so
this article shows you how to get out of a difficult situation with a
client by using some very simple techniques. Talking things out as well as
putting your ego to the side might save your relationship and help you
continue your job with this difficult client.
Visit Article The Simplicity of Helvetica
Helvetica will always be a timeless font that can be used in almost all
types of situations. This article gives a nice look into the creation of
the font as well as its uses all around us. From movies, to popular stores,
to even tattoos. If you are interested in typography then this is a great
read.
Visit Article How to Organize and Manage your Freelance Business
The last article we will feature this month will focus on organizing and
managing your freelance business. The author gives 12 very interesting
points on how to make your business run a lot smoother. So if you are a
freelance designer make sure to read this very informative article because
there will be something you can learn from this article.
Visit Article







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