Knowing how to create a visually eye-catching piece is an important concept to graphic design. As most of you know, with experimentation comes the possibility of designing a very original composition and artwork. In today’s tutorial I am going to show you how to take the basic elements found in Photoshop and create a dynamic composition with the use of stock images which will include 3D renders and textures. We will also use the blending options in Photoshop. Therefore, having some prior knowledge will be beneficial.
Hopefully you will learn some new tips and tricks and become inspired to create your own design, so let’s get started.
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Tutorial Resources
Step 1: Opening Your Image
If you haven’t already go ahead and open up Photoshop along with the image you wish to work on. In this case we will be using the “model” image. In order to download the image from photl.com you will need to become a member but don’t worry sign up is free.
Step 2: Auto Tone and Levels
Since we want our design to have a dynamic look and feel, we need to tweak the colors a bit. First start off by duplicating the original image (I do this as a precaution) and then go to Image>Auto Tone, you can also hotkey Shift+Ctrl+L.
Next pull up the Levels menu by going to Image>Adjustments>Levels or Ctrl+L and input the following numbers as shown in the image below.
This is what your image should now look like.
Step 3: Texture
For a textured background you will need to go to bashcorpo’s devinatart gallery and grab the texture provided in the link above. Once you have it paste it on a new layer above the rest of your layers and change the blend mode to Darken.
Step 4: Selecting
Since we will be adding lights and other designs around and behind our “model” we need to select her (use your favorite method), copy her and then paste her on a layer that is above the texture layer. Here is what your image will look like before.
This is how your image should now look like. As you can see you can no longer see the background through the model’s body.
Step 5: Lines
To get started on the background you want to make sure that you are working beneath the layer of the body duplication because you want everything to be behind your model. On a new layer create some random design with the Polygonal Lasso Tool. I just made a “W” shape.
Next simply fill the created selection with #ffffff (white) by either going to Edit>Fill or pressing Shift+F5.
Step 6: Pieces
We need to take apart our model. In order to do this, go to the duplicated selection (the image of the model that is on top of all of the other layers) and with the lasso tool start selecting and moving pieces until you have something like this.
Step 7: Gaussian Blur
Duplicate your new pieced image and drag that layer underneath it. Next go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and input these settings then press OK.
You should now have a colorful halo around the pieced image.
Step 8: Strings
Creating a new layer above all of your other layers, use the Polygonal Lasso Tool and with the color white make two skinny lines from the top of the canvas down to each wrist. This will give the illusion that our model is attached to the strings and hovering in the air.
To make our strings have some dimension go to the blending options menu (double click on the correct layer or right click on it) and select the correct box as shown below.
Step 9: Renders
Now it is time to start adding some more graphic elements to the background. In order to do this we need to begin with some renders. Make sure that after you download the zip file that you unzip it so you can access it. Once you have the file unzipped go back to Photoshop and open up the third image. Make sure it is the .png file and not the .jpg. Copy the image and then paste it just above the layer that contains the white background design.
As you can see the image is large so by pressing CTRL+T, you can scale the image so it fits so it looks something like this.
Step 10: Color Changing
To add a bluer tint to the render you will want to go up to Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation or press CTRL+U and move the sliders just as I have done here.
Your render will now have a light blue color in the lightest sections of the render.
Step 11: Manipulation
Now that we have our render placed on our background we need to manipulate it so it is slightly more compact and a bit bent. Use the warp tool by going to Edit>Transform>Warp. Pull the points until you get a desired shape and press ENTER.
Step 12: Finishing Renders
To get the renders to look as if they are wrapping around the body and going through the breaks that we had created in the body in Step 6 you need to duplicate your renders and place them above the model layer. Make sure you erase areas that overlap or cover the “break away” areas. Use the warp tool in order to create some dynamic.
Step 13: Swirly Lines
Just like we did before, create a layer, making sure that it is behind the renders and on top of the white line design. Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to create two lines. Fill in the lines with # 11d5ff.
Once again, you want to use the warp tool to change the image so that it is more curved, make sure to press ENTER so that the change takes effect.
Change the layer mode to Multiply.
Step 14: Blending Options
Access the Blending Options menu on the same layer from Step 13. Follow the images below to change the settings. Note the color for the Outer Glow option is # 7fc4ff, while the Inner Glow option is #fbf7c1.
After you press OK for the changes to happen your image should look like this.
Step 15: Finishing Up
To finish up your image you can do a subtle change in the tone by changing your foreground color to # ff1149 and your background color to # 0abff3. Once this is done create a new layer on top of all of your layers and with the gradient tool or “G” fill in the layer and said the layer mode to Saturation at 50% opacity.
You have successfully created an eye catching design with simple tools in Photoshop. I recommend trying your hand at incorporating various different design elements to see what works best for you. There are many ways to create such graphic works so if these techniques didn’t particularly work out for you never fear, a little tweaking in workflow will surely guarantee you a successful and beautiful image.
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