Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Create an Explosive Flaming Poker Card in Photoshop

Create an Explosive Flaming Poker Card Photoshop Tutorial


Resources

pc_final

Step 1

Open up Photoshop and create a new document of 1680x1050 and click OK. As a start, we will need to fill the background with a grey colour #606060 so that all details of the flames will be visible once we are going to edit them.

Step 2

Create a new layer and name it Poker_card_base. We are going to create the poker card base by using the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U). We need a Shape Layer as it needs to be fully editable when we are going to edit the card shape itself. Set the Radius, located at the top menu, at 40px and drag the regular card shape.
step_01

Step 3

Time for some creative freedom! You are going to create your own poker card with custom Shapes. With the Custom Shape Tool (U)selected, you will notice that there is a small arrow located to the right of the default Shape. Click on that and it will open the Custom Shapes Picker menu, try to find the spades shape.
step_02_01
You will automatically create a new Shape Layer when you drag the tool from the upper left corner. Make the spades symbol as large as you want but use a dark grey colour (#3b3b3b).
I want the symbol to show on each corner so we will need to duplicate this Shape by selecting it with the Path Selection tool (A)and pressCtrl+C and Ctrl+V and drag it to the right corner. Select and copy the two spade shapes again en drag them towards the bottom of the card and flip them by pressing Ctrl+T and rotate these layers 180 degrees. You should have this result at this point of the tutorial.
step_02

Step 4

Download this Paper Texture by Suzanne Clute and open it up in Photoshop and drag it into our working canvas. Place the texture below the Spades_symbols layer. Press Ctrl+T and make the texture smaller so that it fits the card, make sure you overlap the texture by a few pixels.
Note: I have lowered the opacity of the texture on the left for better viewing. In the Layer Menu, right-click on the texture layer and selectCreate Clipping Mask.
step_03
As you can see the texture will be wrapped around the poker card base. The texture has a soft pink tone which I want to get rid of by using a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer which you can create by clicking on the Create New Fill/Adjustments Layer icon located on the bottom of the Layer Menu. Set the Saturation to -45 to saturate the color a little bit.
step_04
step_05
The card looks better but could still use some improvements. Go to Filter>Lens Correction or press Shift+Ctrl+R to create some vignetting. Click on the Custom tab on located at the top right and go to the Vignette section and set the Amount to -70 and the Midpoint to 0.
step_06

Step 5

Photoshop comes with a set of custom shapes we can use for this tutorial. Find the Fleur-de-Lis shape (shown below), create a new Shape Layer and with the dark grey colour #3b3b3b
step_07

Step 6

You can go as crazy as you want with your own custom poker card with the wide variety of shapes. At this point of the tutorial I have added a few ornaments to break away from the generic poker card image but still keep it simple. As you may have noticed, I have also reduced the size of the Fleur-de-Lis.
step_08

Step 7

There is a huge collection of free floral patterns on the web which we are going to use for the background. Download this Floral Pattern byJan Hadenfeldt and open the Photoshop file. Remove the Layout folder created by the author and rasterize the Smart layer so that it is easier to edit.
Select the pattern layer and drag it into our poker card composition beneath the poker card layers. We have to create several duplicates so that the entire background is filled with the pattern (in total I have created about 23 copies). Merge all the copied pattern layers.
step_09
Rotate the pattern layer about 45 degrees in any way you would like and lower the Opacity to 15%.

Step 8

Fill the grey background with a darker grey (#454545) and apply the vignetting trick again by going to Filter>Lens Correction orShift+Ctrl+R but only this time, set the Amount to -100 and the Midpoint to 0. This will darken the the edges but gives a nice spotlight for our card.

Step 9

We are going to change the perspective of the card so that it will give the impression that the card is 3D, not quite like Avatar but we can at least try. Select all of the layers that are connected to the card such as the shapes and texture. Press Ctrl+T and right-click on the selection, this will open up a small menu with various options, choose Perspective.
Drag the lower right Anchor Point towards the bottom to change the perspective into something more 3D and something visually exciting. Just try to keep it realistic.
step_10
Once you are done finding a perspective you like, hit Enter. Please note that I also rotated the card and reduced the size just a little bit.
step_11

Step 10

Download and open the Fire image in Photoshop but don't drag it into our composition just yet. In the photograph there are three seperate flames which we will need to cut out so that they all have their own layer. Simply use the Polygonal Lasso tool (L), create a selection around a flame and you can cut the flame through Layer via Cut. Do this with all three flames.

Step 11

Drag the middle flame into our composition and drag it on top of all the layers. Set the Layer Mode to Screen so that the black background will dissappear, this is a nice trick as you can do this with most natural elements (fire, water, earth). As you can see, the fire image layer is too big for the card so simply resize it by pressing Ctrl+T, the image will be selected and ready for resizing. Drag one of the Anchor Pointsto do so. Notice how every flame has a curve section that goes into an almost straight line, this is perfect because we are going to align it with the sharp edges of the poker card.
step_12

2

Step 12

Press Ctrl+T to rotate the flame and align it with the poker card like so:
step_13
Repeat steps 11 and 12 to create a poker card that is engulved in flames by using Layer Masks and the other flames until you have something like this:
step_16
Once you are done, create a new group and drag all the flame layers in there.

Step 13

This is starting to look good but to intensify the flames simply copy the flames group and you will notice that the flames are much brighter and this is exactly what we want!
step_17

Step 14

I am kind of tired of seeing the generic flame colours we always see so let's go ahead and give it another tint by using a Hue/Saturation Adjustment layer and set the Hue to -24..
step_18

Step 15

Create a copy of the Paper Texture and set the Layer Mode to Darker Color and set the Opacity to 50%. Use the Burn tool (O) to darken some of the spots on the paper texture to accentuate the flames a little better.

Step 16

I personally think all the card shapes look a bit flat so I am going to add a Layer Style to help show them more. Double-click on the right side of the Fleur-de-Lis shape and check the box for Inner Shadow. Set the Blending Mode to Multiply, the Opacity at 75%, the Angle at 120 degrees and set the Distance to 1px.
step_19
If done properly, you should end up with this effect:
step_20
Repeat this step for all shapes or simply copy the Layer Style and paste them onto the remaining shapes.

Step 17

For the giant flames on both sides, you will need to open the original Fire image again and drag two or three flames into the composition. Do not resize them until you are happy with the placement. You can rotate or flip them, whatever you want.
step_21

Step 18

I'm not really happy with how the colors look at this point but we can easily change that by adding a Color Balance Adjustment Layer with the settings shown below.
step_22
Set the Layer Mode to Darker Color.

End of Tutorial

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Home Photoshop Tutorials Photo Manipulation How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation - Page 3 How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation - Page 3

Now, we’re going to darken the areas that won’t be affected by the light that we will be putting on the sorceress’ hands. Create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it “Darken 1”.  We would need black paint so let’s change the brush’s color. Activate the Color Picker and input the following:
  • #: 000000
Now let’s activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following:
  • Brush size: 600px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 30%
  • Flow: 100%
Apply the brush on the region indicated below:
step3o_darken1
The result should be similar to this:
step3p_result
Next, let’s further darken these areas that wouldn’t be touched by the light. Create a new layer and name it “Darken 2”. Before you proceed, make sure that the brush’s color is still black.
Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following:
  • Brush size: 600px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 30%
  • Flow: 100%
step3q_darken2
The result would be like this:
step3r_result
Create a new layer again; “Darken 3”. Use the black colored brush and then activate the Brush tool (B) then input the following values:
  • Brush size: 500px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 30%
  • Flow: 100%
Use the brush on the following region:
step3s_Darken3
The result should be similar to the image below:
step3t_result
Now, let’s activate the Burn tool (O); we’re going to darken the sorceress’s pale arms because darkening it will just make it black and not darkened.  When the Burn tool is activated, input the following values:
  • Brush size: 500px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Range: Midtones
  • Exposure: 25%
step3u_burn
The result should be similar to the image below:
step3v_result
When you’re done, select all the layers that you’ve created in this step and then press Ctrl/Cmd + G to group them. Name this group to “Sorceress”.

Step 4: Create the Butterfly

Now in this step, we will be adding the butterfly. To start, open “Butterfly Stock 12” by Shoofly Stock.
step4a_butterfly_stock
Activate the Polygonal Lasso tool (L) and drag a selection area around the butterfly shown on the image below:
step4b_this_butterfly
After creating the selection, activate the Move tool (V) and drag that butterfly to our canvas.  Once it’s on the canvas, rename this layer to “butterfly”. Position the butterfly as seen on the image below:
step4c_position_d_butterfly
Now, let’s resize the butterfly using the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T). See image below:
step4d_resize_butterfly
After that, let’s reduce the Brightness of the butterfly; to do that, simply click on the “butterfly” layer and then go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. When the box opens, input the following values:
  • Brightness: +5
  • Contrast: 0
The result should be similar to the following:
step4e_result
step4e_result
step4e_result
step4e_result


How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation - Page 4


Step 5: Create the Magical Light

In this step, we will be adding the light coming from the sorceress’ hands. To start, make sure that you have downloaded the Sparkles brush by Tempting-Resources. To open that brush after downloading, simply extract or copy the brush (.abr file) to this destination: Adobe >Adobe Photoshop > Presets > Brushes.
Once you’ve done that, we will now open this brush pack in Photoshop. First, activate the Brush tool (B), once it’s open right click on the canvas to bring up the menu. When the menu shows up, click on the drop-down menu button located on the upper right portion of the menu. See image below:
step5a_drop_down_button
After clicking that, a new menu would show up – click on “Load Brushes” from the contextual menu.
step5b_load_brushes
When the load brushes box opens, locate the file: “sparkles_by_an3czka.abr” and press OK. Now, when you activate the Brush tool (B) and right click on the canvas, you’d see a different brush pack – you’d now see the “sparkles brushes”.  Now, let’s start adding the magical light. First, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and then name it “Magic 1”. Activate the Brush tool (B) and right click on the canvas and then choose the brush shown on the image below:
step5c_brush_42
Next, we will change the brush’s color. Activate the Color Picker box and then input the following value:
  • #: d5edff
Input the following values for the Brush tool (B):
  • Brush size: 1600px
  • Hardness: Default brush hardness
  • Opacity: 100%
  • Flow: 100%
Now, it’s time to paint. Follow the instructions as seen on the image below:
step5d_magic1
The result:
step5d2_magic1
Next, create another layer and name it “Magic 2”.  We will be utilizing the normal or default brushes and in order for us to do that, we would need to reset the brushes. First, activate the Brush tool (B) and then right click on the canvas, then click on the drop down arrow button and when the contextual menu appears, click on “Reset Brushes”. See image below:
step5e_reset_brushes
After resetting the brushes, change the brush’s color by activating the Color Picker and using the following values:
  • #: d5f5ff
Once you’ve done that, activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following values:
  • Brush size: 800px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 50%
  • Flow: 100%
Now let’s paint! See image below for more instructions:
step5f_magic2
step5g_magic2_result
For the next layer, input the name “Magic 3”. We will still be utilizing the default brushes on this layer.
Then activate the Color Picker and input the following color code:
  • #: e6f9ff
Activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following settings:
  • Brush size: 1600px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 25%
  • Flow: 100%
step5h_magic3
The result should be similar to the following image:
step5i_magic3_result
On our next layer which will be named “Magic 4”, we would need to Load the CRASH_SPACE.abr brushes by KeRen-R
Once you have loaded the said brushes, we would need to change the brush’s color. Input the following on the Color Picker box.
  • #: e6f9ff
When you’re done, activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following settings:
  • Brush size: 615
  • Hardness: Default
  • Opacity: 100%
  • Flow: 100%
step5j_use_this_brush
Now, let’s start painting; see image below for more instructions:
step5k_brush_position
The result:
step5L_result
step5m_next
step5n_result
step5o_next2
step5p_result
Now that that’s done, let’s make it look more magical by making the sparkles glow. First, right-click on the layer: “Magic 4” and then when a contextual menu opens, click on “Blending Options”.
step5q_blending_options
When the Blending Options box opens click on the “Outer Glow” tick box on the Styles section.
step5r_click_on_this
Next, click on the word “Outer Glow” to bring you to its settings page. Once there, input the following:
  • Structure: USE DEFAULT VALUES
  • Elements
  • Technique: Softer
  • Spread: 0%
  • Size: 30px
  • Quality: USE DEFAULT VALUES
step5s_input
The result should be similar to the image below:
step5t_result

 

How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation - Page 5

 

Next, let’s create another layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and then type “Magic 5” as its name. Before you proceed, make sure to reset the brushes and then activate the Color Picker tool and input the following:
  • #: e2fbff
For the brush settings, input the following:
  • Brush size: 20-60px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 100%
  • Flow: 100%
See image below for more instructions:
step5v_result
Now, for the last procedure on this step, let’s add a very strong and bright light. First, let’s create a new layer and then name it “Magic 6”. We will be using the same brush color that we used for “Magic 5”. Activate the Brush tool (B) and then input the following:
  • Brush size: 900px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 100%
  • Flow: 100%
Paint on the region shown below:
step5w_magic6
step5x_result
Now, the image should be similar to this image:
step5y_final
After that, select all the layers that we’ve create in this step and then press Ctrl/Cmd + G to group them. Name this group: “Magical Light”.

Step 6: Add the glow on the sorceress

In this step, we’re going to add the glow on the sorceress’s face produced by the Magical Light on her hand. To start, let us first create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) over all the layers that we’ve created. When the new layer box is open, name it to “Glow 1”.
Now that this new layer is created, let us set up the brush color that we’re going to use. Activate the Color Picker by clicking on the Foreground box. When it opens, input the following:
  • #: e2fbff
Take note that this will be the brush’s color for this whole step. Activate the Brush tool (B) and use the following settings:
  • Brush size: 500px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 25%
  • Flow: 100%
We’re first going to light up the eyes of the sorceress. Before you proceed, it is recommended that you zoom in to your image. The recommended value is 400%. You can set this up by pressing Ctrl/Cmd + (+) or by manually inputting the desired value on the Navigator window.
See image below:
step6a_navigator
Now that the image is zoomed in, you can now accurately paint. For more instructions, refer to the image below:
step6b_eye_1
step6c_eye_1_result
Once you’re done with that, let’s now proceed to the other eye.
step6d_eye_2
step6e_eye_2_result
The result when viewed at 25%:
step6f_result
Create another layer; after creation name it “Glow 2”. Activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following:
  • Brush size: 500px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 25%
  • Flow: 100%
step6g_glow_2
The result of that should be similar to the image shown below:
step6h_result_glow2
Create a new layer and then name it “Glow 3”.  Activate the Brush tool (B) and use the following settings:
  • Brush size: 500px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 15%
  • Flow: 100%
Refer to the image below for more instructions:
step6i_glow_3
step6j_glow_3_result



How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation - Page 6

 

Next, create another layer and name it “Glow 4”. Activate the Brush tool (B) and then input the following:
  • Brush size: 500px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 15%
  • Flow: 100%
step6k_glow_4
step6L_glow_4_result
For the final layer, we will be making the pendant on her necklace glow. Name this layer: “Glow 5”. Have your Brush tool (B) ready and then input the following settings:
  • Brush size: 10px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 100%
  • Flow: 100%
Before you proceed, it would be recommended to zoom at a level of 400% to be accurate. Use your brush on the region shown on the image below:
step6m_glow_5
When you’re done, right click on the “Glow 5” layer and click on Blending Options. Once that is up, click on the Outer Glow tick box and click again on the Outer Glow word to bring up its menu. When the menu is up, input the following:
  • Structure: USE DEFAULT VALUES
  • Elements
  • Technique: Softer
  • Spread: 0%
  • Size: 54px
  • Quality: USE DEFAULT VALUES
step6n_input_the_following
step6o_result
The result as seen from a zoom level of 25%:
step6p_final
When you’re done, group these layers and name the group: “Glow on sorceress”

Step 7: Create a Vignette

In this step, we will learn how to create a vignette which will help enhance the focus on our subject. To start, go to the Menu bar and click on File > New and use the same settings we used to create our canvas. (Refer to Step 1). Take note, the background contents should be: WHITE Once it has been created, go to Filter > Distort > Lens Correction. Find the tab Vignette and use these settings:
  • Vignette amount: -100
  • Midpoint: +50
step7a_vignette_settings
Now that that’s done drag the vignette to our canvas using the Move tool (V) and put it on top of all the layers that we’ve created, and then set the following:
  • Blending mode: Multiply
  • Opacity to 100%
To set the blending mode, simply click on the drop-down menu beside the word “Normal” on the top part of the Layer window. The Opacity is located just beside that drop-down menu as well. See image below:
step7a2_blending_mode
step7a3_multiply
The unblended Vignette will look like this:
step7b_vignette_unblended
Once the blending mode is set to “Multiply” it would look like this:
step7c_vignette_blended

Step 8: Retouch the image

In this step, we will be enhancing the feel and look of the image by retouching it. First, let’s start off by creating a Solid Color adjustment layer. To do that, click on the “Create New Fill/Adjustment layer” button located on the Layer window. See image below:
step8a_create_new_fill_layer_adjustment_layer
Once the Solid Color box opens, it would show the Color Picker box. Input the following on the “#” box.
  • #: 000229
When you’re done, set the following:
  • Blending mode: Exclusion
  • Opacity: 40%
“INSERT step8b_solid_color_1.jpg”
Next, let’s create another Solid Color adjustment layer. This time, input the following color code:
  • #: 754a27
When done, input the following:
  • Blending mode: Soft Light
  • Opacity: 40%
The image should now be similar to this:
step8c_result
Next, create another Solid Color adjustment layer, and input the following color code:
  • #: ff7e00
Set the following:
  • Blending mode: Soft Light
  • Opacity: 10%
The image should be looking much warmer after applying that adjustment layer. Next, create a Photo Filter adjustment layer.
step8d_photo_filter
When the Photo Filter box opens, input the following:
  • Filter: Warming Filter (81)
  • Density: 25%
  • Preserve Luminosity: Check
step8e_photo_filter
After that, create a Color Balance adjustment layer.
step8f_color_balance
Input the following values:
  • Color Levels: 0, -5, -5
  • Tone Balance: Midtones
  • Preserve Luminosity: Check
step8g_color_balance_box
The image should now be similar to this:
step8h_final

Step 9: Give the image a radiant glow

Now, we will give the image a luminous effect to compliment the glowing orbs the sorceress is creating. To do that we will need to compress all layers or simply, flatten the image. To flatten the image, right click on any layer and then choose Flatten from the contextual menu.
step9a_flatten
Once it is flat, duplicate it (Ctrl/Cmd + J); click on the duplicated layer and then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Input the following:
  • Radius: 16.0 pixels
After that, you’d see that your image is really blurry; so to make it glowing, change the Blending mode of the blurred (duplicated layer) to Lighten and set its opacity to 35%. The result should be like this.
step9b_result