In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a dark night hunter scene. You’ll learn how to combine different stock images together, turn a scene from day to night, add a moonlight, create a dark atmosphere as well as make some special effects. Along with this tutorial, you’ll also learn how to work with groups, manage your layers and pay attention to the details.

Final Image

As always, this is the final image that we’ll be creating:

Step 1

Create a new document with the given settings:

Step

Open the street image. Isolate it from the background and drag it into the white canvas using the Move Tool (V):

Step 3

Open the sky image. Select the sky part using the Retangular Marquee Tool (M):

Drag this selected sky into our main document using the Move Tool. Set this layer under the street one.

Step 4

Create an adjustment layer and set it as Clipping Mask to change the sky color. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance:

Step 5

Create a Curves adjustment layer to darken the sky:

Step 6

Come back to the street layer. Make a Color Balance adjustment layer (set as Clipping Mask) to change its color:

Step 7

Use a Curves adjustment layer to darken the street:

On this layer mask, use a soft black brush with a very low opacity (about 5-10%) to reduce the Curves effect on the parts below:

Step 8

Make another Color Balance adjustment layer to change the street color a little:

Step 9

Create a new layer, change the mode to Overlay and fill with 50% gray:

Active the Burn Tool (O) with Midtones Range, Exposure about 10% to daken a detail below. You can see how I did it with Normal mode and the result with Overlay mode:

Step 10

Make a Curves adjustment layer on the top and darken the whole scene:

On this layer mask, use a soft black brush with the opacity about 10-15% to erase the pavement and other parts to give them some light there:

Step 11

Create a Gradient Map adjustment layer to change the light and color of the scene:

Change this layer mode to Exclusion 90%.

Step 12

Use another Curves adjustment layer to darken the scene. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to refine the light and contrast of the image.

Step 13

Open the model image and isolate her from the background using your familliar method.

Make two new layers on the top. On the first, use a brush with the color #8a6454 to paint some missing hair for the model:

On the second, use a brush with the color #d2bba9 to paint some lighter flying hair for her head.

Hide the background and the fill layer and hit Cmd/Ctrl+Option/Alt+Shift+E to merge all transparent layers into a new one.

Step 14

Place the merged model layer onto the street.

Use a Curves adjustment layer (set as Clipping Mask) to darken the model. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to reduce the effect on the arm, shirt and gloves.

Step 15

Use a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to reduce the model saturation:

Step 16

Make a Gradient Map adjustment layer with the colors #494996 and #f7e68a. Change this layer mode to Soft Light 100%.

Step 17

Make a Photo Filter adjustment layer and pick the color #f3e784.

Step 18

Create a new layer with the same settings in the step 9. Use the Dodge and Burn Tool to give more light to the hat and gloves, also create more details for them.

Step 19

Create a new layer, use a soft brush with the color #0d0b19, the opacity avout 20-22% to reduce the highlight on her trousers:

Step 20

Open the sword image. Select a sword using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).

Place the sword under the lower arm of the model:

Add a mask to this layer and use a hard black brush to make the sword look like being held inside the hand:

Step 21

Make a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer (set as Clipping Mask) to change to sword color:

Step 22

Use a Curves adjustment layer to darken the sword. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the top of the sword blade:

Step 23

Create a new layer with the same settings in the step 9. Use the Dodge and Burn Tool to refine the light and shade of the sword:

Step 24

Create a Curves adjustment layer on the top of the layers and reduce the lightness.

On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase some parts of the model, the street and some of the houses:

Step 25

Make a new layer, hold Cmd/Ctrl and click the sword thumbnail layer to load its selection. Fill this selection with the color #c2f1f2:

Add a mask to this layer and use a soft black brush to erase the bottom and make the color faded out into the sword.

Step 26

Double click this layer, choose Outer Glow:

Step 27

Make a new layer and fill in the sword with the color #fd83df, also paint on her trousers with the same color. Apply a layer mask to erase any unwanted parts then change this layer mode to Overlay 100%:

Apply an Outer Glow effect to this layer:

Step 28

Create a new layer under two sword effect layers. Use a soft brush with the color #c2f1f2 to paint around the sword area. Change this layer mode to Soft Light 100%:

On a new layer, change the brush color to #fd83df and paint the light on the trousers part around the sword. Change this layer mode to Overlay 100%:

Step 29

Cut out the devil woman 1 from the background and place her on the top of a left house:

Create a new fill layer (set as Clipping Mask) to change the contrast of this woman. Lower the opacity of this layer to 70%. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to reveal the woman and reduce the effect as shown below:

Step 30

Use a Curves adjustment layer to darken the woman a little. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the model head and a hand one.

Step 31

Add the devil woman 2 after isolating to the roof of the right house:

To make the shadow for her on the roof, create a new layer under this one. Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click the devil woman layer to load her selection and fill with black. Flip it vertically (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical):

Lower the opacity to 50%. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 4 px:

Add a mask to this layer and reduce the intensity of the top of the shadow:

Step 32

Use a new fill layer with the color #8a8f9f (set as Clipping Mask) and lower the opacity to 30%. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the lower part of the head to keep the shade there:

Step 33

Select all the devil woman layers and press Cmd/Ctrl+G to make a group for them. Change the mode of this group from Pass Through (default group mode) to Normal 100%. Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer within this group to desaturate these women:

Step 34

Use a Color Balance adjustment layer to match the devil women with the background:

Step 35

Open the horns image. Select the horns and add them to the women’s head. Add a mask to each of these layers and blend them with the heads using a soft black brush:

Step 36

Make a group for the horn layers. Use a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to desaturate the horns a bit:

Step 37

Use a Curves adjustment layer to brighten the horns:

Step 38

Add the smoke image to our working document and use a layer mask to reduce its intensity:

Use a Curves adjustment layer (set as Clipping Mask) to make the effect more subtle. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to keep some smoke areas more visible:

Step 39

Add the moon after cutting it out to the top of the scene:

Double click the moon layer, choose Outer Glow and Inner Glow:

Step 40

Use a Color Balance adjustment layer to change the moon color a little:

Step 41

Create a new layer on the top, use a soft brush with the color #cecfd6 to paint more glowing light for the moon and the area around it. Change this layer mode to Soft Light 100%.

Step 42

Make a Gradient Map adjustment layer on the top of the layers.

Lower the opacity of this layer to 20%:

Step 43

Make a Color Balance adjustment layer to change the whole color a bit. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to reduce the light on the moon and the model.

Step 44

Time to add another light and color to the scene. Use the Lasso Tool to select the bottom right of the street and set the feather to 60:

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer:

Step 45

Load the mask selection of this Channel Mixer layer and go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance:

Step 46

Use a Curves adjustment layer to brighten the effect at the bottom right and some details of the model and sword. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the rest as I don’t want it to be affected by this adjustment layer:

Step 47

Time to take of the model shadow. First make a new layer under the model one and use a soft black brush with the opacity about 40% to paint the shadow under the model shoes:

Step 48

As you see we’re having two light sources, one from the moon and one from the blue effect at the right corner of the street. Make two new layers under the model one. Use the same method as done with the devil woman 2 shadow to create two shadows with the approriate directions as indicated in the previous sentence. I lowered the opacity of the shadow created by the street light to 50% and the one created by the moon to 40% (as it’s further). Apply a Gaussian Blur of 4 px to each of these layers.

Step 49

Make a Vibrance adjustment layer to enhance the final effect. On its layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase some parts of the shirt to reduce the effect there:

And We’re Done!

You can view the final outcome below. I hope that you enjoyed the tutorial.

Congratulations ,You’re all done!

You can view the final outcome below. I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial and would love to hear your feedback on the techniques and outcome.

Hey PSDFANs!

In this tutorial, I’ll show how you can combine different stock images to create this cohesive and unified scene of an aquatic Giant tortoise. You’ll also learn how to manipulate trees, stones, waterfalls and textures to create an island on the tortoise. Finally, we’ll add lighting effects and adjust the colour of our entire scene.

Let’s get started

What you will be creating

Here’s look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson.

Step 1

Create a new document by selecting File > New and set the setting as shown in the image below.

Step 2

Now, place the underwater image by selecting File > Place. Place it as shown in the image below.

Step 3

Add a layer mask to it by clicking on the second button on the layer panel at bottom right side. Grab the brush tool by pressing (B) on the keyboard. Use a soft round basic black brush to hide the upper part of underwater as shown in the image below. You can see the result below.

Step 4

Duplicate the underwater layer and move it to the right as shown in the image below.

Step 5

Place the underwater image again but this time in the center of the main document as shown in the image below.

Add a layer mask to it and use a soft round basic black brush to hide it’s parts to blend it properly to the scene. Here are the results. Now select all the underwater layer then press (Ctrl+E) on keyboard to merge all three layer into a single layer.

Step 6

Now, add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer as clipping mask to the underwater layer (see the image below for New Adjustment layer button and clipping mask button). Set the setting as shown in the image below.

On the layer mask of Brightness/Contrast Adjustment layer I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

Here are the results so far.

Step 7

Now, add a Curves adjustment layer to the underwater layer as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 8

Now, place the sky below the underwater layer.

Step 9

Now, add a Curves and Exposure adjustment layer to the sky image. Set the setting as shown in the image.

Here are the results.

Step 10

On the layer mask of Exposure adjustment layer I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 11

Add a Color Balance adjustment layer to the sky as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 12

Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer to the sky. On the layer mask of Brightness I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

Here are the results so far.

Step 13

Now, place the underwater 1 image above the underwater layer and activate the Free Transform tool by pressing (CTRL + T) on keyboard. Resize it, so it can cover the entire scene.

Step 14

Add a layer mask to it and using a soft round basic black brush hide the selected part as shown in the image below.

Change the blend mode of underwater 1 to soft light. Here are the results.

Step 15

Add a Gradient Map adjustment layer above the underwater 1 without clipping it. Set the setting as shown in the image below.

Change the blend mode of Gradient Map to soft light and reduce the opacity to 69%. Here are the results.

Step 16

Extract the tortoise using your favorite selection tool then place it to the main document as shown in the image below.

Step 17

Add a layer mask to tortoise and partially hide the underwater area of the tortoise by painting in the layer mask about 30% opacity and flow with soft round basic black brush.

Step 18

Add a Hue/Saturation and Brightness/Contrast Adjustment layer to the tortoise to blend it the scene.

Here are the results.

On the layer mask of both adjustment layers I hided the selected effect.

Here are the results.

Step 19

Add a Photo Filter adjustment layer to the tortoise and set the setting as shown in the image below.

Reduce the opacity of Photo Filter to 80% and here are the results.

Step 20

In this step, we’ll add water waves to the scene. Place the water waves image to the main document as shown in the image below.

Step 21

Add a layer mask to the water waves and hide the parts of water waves as shown in the image below using a soft round basic black brush.

Now, change the blend mode of water waves to hard light and reduce the opacity to 50%. Here are the results.

Step 22

To blend the water waves to the scene I added the Brightness/Contrast and Curves adjustment layer to it.

Here are the results.

Step 23

Now, duplicate the water waves layer two times including Brightness/Contrast and Curves adjustments layer. Position it in different places like shown in the image below to get more water waves inside the underwater. Here are the results.

Step 24

Add the Volcano image to the main document as indicated below. We only need the selected parts (see the image below) of volcano not the rest of.

Add a layer mask to it and hide the unwanted part to blend it to the tortoise.

Step 25

Set the blend mode of volcano to hard light. Here are the results.

Step 26

Now, duplicate the volcano layer two times and place it to left and right to cover the tortoise parts (don’t forget to use the layer mask) as shown in the image below.

Step 27

Now, select all the valcano layer and then press (Ctrl+G) to group them. Name this group ‘Island’. Then add a Hue/Saturation adjustments layer to the Island group. Set the setting as shown in the image below. You can see the results below.

Step 28

Place the tree image to the main canvas.

Step 29

Add a Brightness/Contrast and Photo Filter to the tree. Set the setting as indicated by below image.

Here are the results.

On the layer mask of Brightness/Contrast adjustments layer I hided the selected part as shown in the image below to brighten the right part of the tree.

Step 30

Place the stone image to the main document as shown in the image below.

Add a layer mask to the stone. Use a soft round brush tool to hide the unwanted parts as shown in the image below.

Step 31

Add Moss texture to the stone. Clip it to the stone layer then change the blend mode to Multiply. Reduce the opacity to 70%. Here are the results.

Step 32

Add the following adjustment layer to the stone.

Reduce the opacity of 2nd Brightness/Contrast adjustments layers to 53%. Here are the results. Now, select all the stone layers and group them then name this group ‘Stone’.

Step 33

Duplicate the stone group and move it to the right as shown in the image below. Here are the results.

Step 34

In this step we’ll extract the tree 1 using Calculation technique. Open the tree 2 image in Photoshop. Goto Window > Channel. Choose the blue channel duplicate it by right clicking on it then choose duplicate channel. After that Goto Image > Calculation (Make sure that duplicated blue channel is selected). Then set the setting as shown in the image below. You can experiment with any blend mode but most of the situation the Overlay and Multiply blend mode works best.

After using the Calculation, there will be an Alpha channel below the Blue Copy channel. Choose the Alpha Channel then load the selection by holding the Ctrl/Cmd key and then click on the thumbnail of Alpha channel. Go back to the RGB layer and add a layer mask to the tree 1.

Here are the results after extracting the tree 1.

Step 35

Now, place the extracted tree 1 to the main document. Add a layer mask to it and hide the unwanted part using soft round black brush. Here are the results.

As you can see we have so many rough edges on tree 1. We need to fix this. To fix it I added a blending option effect to the tree. Here are the values for blending options.

As you can see by applying a blending option effect all the hard and rough edges have gone. We have pretty much decent results.

Step 36

I reduced the saturation of tree 1 by applying Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to it.

Step 37

Duplicate the tree 1 layer and move it to the left as shown in the image below. Don’t forget to hide the unwanted parts.

Add a Blending Options effect to this layer again. Note that I have used same color for Inner Shadow used in previous step only the angle, distance, opacity are slightly different. Here are the setting.

Add Brightness/Contrast adjusment layer to it. Here are the values.

Here are the results.

Step 38

Duplicate the tree 1 again and place it, with the same Blending Option setting in previous step, as indicated by below. Here are the results.

I added a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer to it. Set the setting as shown in the image below and here are the results.

Step 39

Duplicate the tree 1 layer again and place it, with the same blending option effect in previous step, as shown in the image below.

I added again a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer to it. Here are the results.

Step 40

Duplicate it again and place it as shown in the image below. I have used the same color for inner shadow but this time I have changed the Opacity to 49%, Distance to 0, choke to 9 and size to 6.

Here are the results.

Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer and set the setting as shown in the image.

Step 41

Now, extract the tree 1 again for last time. Use the free tranform tool by pressing (Ctrl+T) on keyboard to resize it then place it as shown in the image below. Don’t forget to hide the unwanted parts using layer mask. Here are the results.

Step 42

Add a blending options effect to it and this time overall setting are changed. You can see it below.

Here are the results.

Step 43

Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustments layer to it. Set the values as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 44

On the layer mask of Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

Here are the results. Select all the tree 1 layer and group them then name this group ‘Tree 1′.

Step 45

Add the Waterfall to the main document and place it as shown in the image below. Don’t forget to resize it using free transform tool.

Step 46

Add a layer mask to the waterfall and hide the unwanted parts of waterfall using soft round basic black brush. Here are the results.

Step 47

Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer to the waterfall. Set the setting as shown in the image below.

Reduce the opacity of Photo Filter to 60%. Here are the results.

Step 48

On the layer mask of Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

On the layer mask of Photo Filter adjustment layer I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 49

Add a Color Balance and Photo Filter Adjustment layer to the waterfall. Here are the values of these adjustment layers.

On the layer mask of Photo Filter I hided the selected effect.

Here are the results. Select all the waterfall layers and group them. Name this group ‘Waterfall’.

Step 50

Select all the tree 1, stone and waterfall groups. Group them into a new group and name it ‘Created Island’.

Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment to the Created Island group. Set the setting as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 51

Hide the selected the effect on layer mask of Brightness/Contrast adjustment as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 52

Load the Water Splash brush in Photoshop. Use the water 07 brush to create a waterline like shown in the image below. I have used 7 layers to create this waterline.

Step 53

Below the waterfall I created another waterline. Then use warp tool to alter the shape of waterline as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 54

I added some more water splashes as shown in the image below using water splash brushes.

Step 55

Now, we’ll add the lighting effects to the scene. I created a new layer by pressing (Ctrl+Shift+N) on keyboard then grab the brush tool and change your foreground color to #412b15. Set the opacity and flow to 100% with the size to 900 pixels then paint a big stroke as shown in the image below.

Change the blend mode of this layer to Color Dodge and reduce the opacity to 50%. Here are the results.

Step 56

Now, again create a new layer then fill it with black color. Add a Lens Flare Filter to it by selecting Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Then set the setting as shown in the image below. .

Here are the results on layer.

Move it as shown in the image below.

Step 57

Set the blend mode of Lens Flare to screen. Don’t forget to hide the unwanted parts using layer mask because we’ll only need the Lens Flare as a light source. Here are the results.

Step 58

Add a Level and Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to lens flare as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 59

Cut out fishes and place them as shown in the image below and use blend modes to blend them inside the underwater. I have used 7 layer to arrange them with different blend mode and opacity.

Step 60

Group all fish layer and name this group ‘Fish’. Add a Hue/Saturation to this group as shown in the image below.

Step 61

Load the Bubbles brush in Photoshop. Paint some bubble as shown in the image below.

Step 62

We need to paint some more lights on island. To do this, create a new layer and pick the brush tool with 30% opacity and flow. Change your foreground color to #634b11 and paint as shown in the image below.

Change the blend mode to Color Dodge. Here are the results.

Step 63

We are almost done but still short of Final Adjustments. Add a Gradient Map adjustment layer to the scene and set the setting as shown in the image below.

Change the blend mode of Gradient Map to soft light and reduce the opacity to 60%. Here are the results.

Step 64

On the layer mask of Gradient Map I hided the selected effect as shown in the image below.

Here are the results.

Step 65

Now, add a Color Balance adjustment layer and set the setting as indicated below.

Here are the results.

Step 66

Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer.

Here are the results.

Step 67

On the layer mask of Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer I hided the selected effect.

Here are the results.

Step 68

Add the last final adjustment layers to the scene which is Selective Color adjustment layer.

Here are the results.

Congratulations ,You’re all done!

You can view the final outcome below. I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial and would love to hear your feedback on the techniques and outcome.

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a misty landscape matte painting with a dark castle. We’ll create a misty scene with the layered mountains and the light from afar. The main technique here is blending with adjustment layers, masking and brushes. There are something basic you should know about contrast, distance, intensity etc, and we’ll dive into all of those in today’s lesson!

Final Image

As always, this is the final image that we’ll be creating:

Step 1

Create a new document in Photoshop with the given settings:

Step 2

Open the sky image. Use the Move Tool (V) to drag it into our white canvas, use the Free Transform Tool (Cmd/Ctrl+T) to enlarge it as shown below:

Step 3

I used an adjustment layer to darken the sky. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves:

Step 4

Drag the mountains 1 image into our main document and place it as shown below:

Click the second button at the bottom of the Layers Panel to add a mask to this layer. Use a basic, soft brush with black color to erase its sky and mountain part as the screenshot below shows:

Step 5

I used an adjustment layer with Clipping Mask to reduce the mountains saturation a little:

Step 6

I used Curves (Clipping Mask) to darken the mountains:

On this layer mask use a soft black brush with a very low opacity (10-15%) to reduce the effect on the top of the mountains:

Step 7

Isolate the mountains 2 image and place it in the foreground:

Add a layer mask and use a soft black brush with a very low opacity (10-15%) to erase the top of the mountains as shown below:

Step 8

I used Hue/Saturation for these mountains:

Step 9

I used Color Balance to add some cyan/blue to these mountains:

Step 10

You can see that the mountains contrast does not fit the dark background. I used a Curves adjustment layer to solve it:

Step 11

Make a new layer, change the mode to Overlay 100% and fill with 50% gray:

Active the Burn Tool (O) with Midtones Range, Exposure about 15-20% to darken a part on the top of a mountain. You can see how I did it with Normal mode and the result with Overlay mode:

Step 12

Open the mountains 3 image. Place it over the working document as shown below:

Use a layer mask to blend it with another mountains, we need the layered mountains on the left:

Step 13

I used Hue/Saturation for these mountains:

Step 14

I used Curves to darken them:

Step 15

Add the mountains 4 image to our main document:

Mask off some parts of the image to get a similar result like below:

Step 16

I used Curves to increase the contrast of these mountains.

Step 17

Make a Color Balance adjustment layer to match their color with the background:

Step 18

We’ll make some mist to add some depth to the scene. Open the sky image. Use the Retangular Marquee Tool (M) to choose a sky part:

Place it at the right edge of the image, also set this layer between the mountains 1 and 2 ones:

Add a layer mask and use a soft black brush to remove the hard edges and leaves some smoke/mist between the mountains layers.

Step 19

Duplicate this layer and move it to the left. Use a layer mask to reduce the clouds opacity and make the mist effect more subtle:

Step 20

Duplicate this layer again and place it between the mountains 2 and 3 ones. Use a layer mask to create some mist between these layers:

Step 21

Take another sky part and place it in the foreground, also set this layer above the mountains ones:

Add a mask to this layer and use a soft black brush to create some subtle mist effect for the foreground:

Step 22

Isolate the castle from its background and place it on the top of the mountain near the middle.

Add a mask to this layer and use a soft black brush to blend the castle with the mountain:

Step 23

I used Hue/Saturation for this castle:

Step 24

I used Photo Filter to add some subtle cyan to the castle:

Step 25

The castle looks too bright so I used Curves to decrease its lightness:

Step 26

The castle does not look blended well with the misty mountains so I used a Color Fill layer to fix it. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color and pick a dark brown color (#343c45):

Lower this layer opacity to 70%:

Step 27

Make a new layer on the top. Use the Retangular Marquee Tool to select a window of the castle and set the feather radius to 2:

Fill it (Shift+F5) with a red color (ff0000):

Duplicate it several times and arrange them randomly on the windows, transform them if needed:

Step 28

Apply the Outer Glow effect for each red light layer:

Step 29

Make two new layers on the top. Change the brush to the birds ones and the color to #010b15. Choose the birds you like and paint them on the top of the mountains, around the castle top:

Step 30

It’s time for coloring the whole scene. Make a Color Balance adjustment layer on the top:

Step 31

I used Curves to increase the contrast a little:

On this layer mask use a soft black brush with the opacity about 20-30% to reduce the dark of the middle:

Step 32

Final step : Make a Vibrance adjustment layer to boost the whole color:

And We’re Done!

You can view the final outcome below. I hope that you enjoyed the tutorial.

Today’s tutorial will walk you through some essential manipulation, blending and colour matching techniques.

In this lesson I’ll show you how you can convert a forest into a dark, foggy, ominous scene. You’ll learn how to work with shadows, lighting, adjustment layers, layer masks, dodge & burning and much more.

Let’s get started

What you will be creating

Here’s look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson:

Step 1

Create a New document by selecting file>new and use the settings shown in the image below.

Step 2

Now, place the forest image by selecting file>place then select the forest image to place it.

Step 3

I added a layer mask to forest layer by clicking second button on the layer panel then choose Gradient tool by pressing (G) on the keyboard. Choose the black and white gradient and apply it vertically from top to bottom. You can see the results on layer mask how I apply it.

Step 4

Now, I added a curves adjustment layer (settings below), and clipping it to my forest layer using a clipping mask.

Choose a soft round black brush by pressing (B) on the keyboard then paint on the layer mask of curves adjustment layer to hide the selected effect.

Step 5

Now, place the sky image below your forest layer as shown in the image below:

Step 6

I added a solid color adjustment layer to the sky. Here are the values for this layer.

Step 7

Reduce the opacity of the solid color adjustment layer to 25% and also paint black on the layer mask of the solid color adjustment layer to hide effect (see the bottom right of the below image to see where I’ve applied this mask):

Step 8

I added Photo filter and Gradient Map Adjustment layers to the sky. I also painted on the layer mask of both adjustment layer to hide the effect in certain places. See the image below for the setting and layer mask results.

Here are the results.

Step 9

Change the blend mode of Gradient map to Multiply and reduce the opacity to 70%.

Step 10

I added a color balance adjustment layer top of all the layer and painted on the layer mask of it with soft round black brush to hide the effect a bit. Use the settings shown in the image below:

Step 11

Add a Gradient map adjustment layer and paint on the layer mask to hide the effect of gradient map adjustment layer. Use the settings shown in the image below.

Step 12

Change the blend mode of the Gradient adjustment layer to soft light and reduce the opacity to 53%. Here are the results on our image:

Step 13

Create a New layer by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N on your keyboard then Grab the brush tool and change the color to #25344d. Then paint it with opacity and flow to 30% as shown in the image below.

Step 14

Now, change the blend mode to multiply and reduce the opacity to 50%.

Step 15

Create a new layer to make a light source then name it ‘Light source’.

Pick the soft round brush tool with opacity and flow to 100%, set the color to #286fbe and size to 2000 pixels. Paint two big strokes on the center and reduce the size of the brush to 700 pixels, change the color to #65aeff then again paint it on the mid. The results should be similar to this.

Step 16

I added a layer mask to the light source layer and paint it with soft round black brush to hide it a bit not too much. You can see the results below how I have done it.

Step 17

Now, change the blend mode to Linear Dodge and reduce the opacity to 63%. The results should be similar to the below image.

Step 18

Extract the grave with your favourite selection tool then place it here:

Step 19

I applied a blending options effect to the grave. To apply it right click on the grave layer then choose blending options. Here are the values for blending options effect.

Here are the results after applying the Gradient Overlay effect.

Step 20

Next, I added curves and gradient map adjustment layer to the grave to blend it to the scene. Here are the values for the both adjustment layer.

Then change the blend mode of Gradient Map Adjustment layer to Color and reduce the opacity to 71%. Here are the results.

Step 21

In this step we’ll use the Dodge tool to dodge the part of the grave which reflected by our light source. Before using it, create a new layer and then go to Edit>fill and fill it 50% gray then change the blend mode of this layer to overlay.

Now Select the Dodge tool by pressing (O) on the keyboard and set the exposure to 12% and range to midtones. Then dodge the part of the grave as shown in the image below.You can see the results in overlay and normal mode.

Step 22

Now, place the bush 1 image to the left bottom corner as shown in the image below.

Step 23

Now, Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and set the values as shown in the image.

Step 24

To blend the bush to the scene I applied a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to the bush.

Step 25

Now, place bush 2 image to the scene as shown in the image below.

Add a layer mask to bush 2 and Hide the selected part as shown in the image by painting it with soft round black brush.

Step 26

I applied the Gaussian Blur filter and Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to bush 2 with same setting as applied in 24 & 23 Step.

Step 27

Let’s create some fog. To do this, create a new layer and fill it with black. Then change your foreground colour to #5b5a5a and background colour to #000000. Now, go to Filter>Render>Clouds and when you done it. You should achieve the results shown below. Name this layer ‘fog’.

Change the blend mode of fog layer to screen and reduce the opacity to 15%. Add a layer mask to fog layer and hide the effect of fog as shown in the image below.

Step 28

Extract the model and place it here. The white arrow indicates that I kept the some leaves on the model layer, but don’t worry about it we’ll fix this in next couple of steps:

Step 29

I applied a blending option effect to the model.

I created a new layer below the model layer and used a soft round black brush with opacity and flow to 30% to paint some shadows as shown in the image below:

Create a new layer again below the model layer and paint some more shadows as shown in the image below.

Step 30

Reduce the lightness of the model by applying a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. As you can see by reducing the lightness the leaves which I kept on model are now blended properly.

The result should be similar to this.

Step 31

Continue blending the model to the scene by applying a Exposure and Gradient Map adjustment. See the image below for values:

I changed the blend mode of Gradient Map adjustment layer to ‘Color’ and reduce the opacity to 50%. See the results below:

Step 32

I applied the dodge and burn effect to the model. Create new layer and fill it with 50% gray. Change the blend mode to overlay. Now, select the Dodge and Burn tool then set the exposure to 12% and range to midtones. Then start dodge and burning as shown in the image below:

Step 33

I painted some light on the model. To do this create a new layer and select the brush tool then set to opacity and flow to 30%. Now the change your foreground color to #173737 and paint some light on model as shown in the image below:

Set the blend mode to color dodge and here are the results:

Step 34

I painted some more light rays with the same settings as in previous steps but changed the color to #0a1826:

Then set the blend mode to color dodge and reduce the opacity to 60%;

Step 35

Extract the crow and place it on the the grave:

Step 36

Apply the following blending options to the crow:

Here are the results.

Step 37

I painted shadows for the crow like I painted the shadows for the model:

Step 38

Then, I applied a Gradient Map adjustment layer to the crow to match it color to the scene.

Step 39

We’ve completed our main blending and it’s time for final adjustments.

We’ll apply a series of adjustment layer to the entire scene. Add the Photo filter and Gradient Map adjustment layer to the scene first and see the image below for values. Change the blend mode of Gradient Map to color dodge then I painted with soft round black brush on the layer mask of Gradient Map adjustment layer.

The results should be similar to this.

Step 40

Now, I added a color balance adjustment layer to the scene and see the below image for the values.

Here are the results:

Step 41

I added two more adjustment layer to the scene which is a Color Lookup and a Curves adjustment layer. I changed the blend mode Color Lookup to soft light then reduced the opacity to 30%.

Here are the results:

Step 42

For the final step, we’ll apply a lighting filter to the scene. First of all create a new layer then press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E to stamp all the layers in one layer. Now, go to Filter>Render>Lighting Effect then set the Hotspot as shown in the image below.

Here are the values of Lighting effect filter:

Congratulations, You’re All Done!

Awesome job making it this far! You should be proud of what you’ve created. Show it off to your friends and colleagues and get some feedback.

You can also comment here with your version, or any questions you had about the techniques used. We love to see what you guys create and we’re always here to give helpful feedback and tips to help you to improve.

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a dark and emotional fallen angel scene using a variety of photo manipulation techniques. You’ll work with blending techniques, adjusting colour, practice retouching, painting and more.

By the end of this lesson you should mastered some practical new skills to improve your digital art!

What You’ll Be Creating:

Here’s a look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson:

Step 1

Create a new document in Photoshop with the settings below:

Step 2

Open the sky image. Use the Retangular Marquee Tool to select a sky part then drag it into our white canvas using the Move Tool (V):

Click the second button at the bottom of the Layers Panel to add a mask to this layer. Use a basic, soft brush with black color to soften the hard edges of this sky part:

Step 3

To change the color of the sky, I used an adjustment layer with Clipping Mask. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation:

Step 4

I used a Curves adjustment layer to darken this sky:

Step 5

Place the landscape image over the our main document and change its layer mode to Multiply 100%:

Step 6

Go to Filter > Blur > Gassian Blur and set the radius to 4 px:

On the Filter Mask use a soft black brush to remove the effect on the midground and create a depth to the scene:

Step 7

To reduce the sunlight on the landscape I used Hue/Saturation (Clipping Mask):

On this layer mask use a soft black brush to reduce the effect at the left edge of the sky :

Step 8

To darken the whole scene I created a Curves adjustment layer on the top:

On this layer mask use a soft black brush with the opacity from 10 to 30% to decrease the dark effect on some parts of the sky and ground:

Step 9

I used a Color Fill layer to reduce the dark contrast of the horizon area. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color:

Lower the opacity of this layer to 50%, and use a soft black brush to clear the effect around the horizon:

Step 10

Open the rock image. Take this one and place it near the foreground:

Add a mask to this layer. Use a soft black brush to blend the rock bottom with the ground:

Step 11

I used a Curves adjustment layer to darken the rock:

On its layer mask use a soft black brush to reduce the dark on the right side of the rock:

Step 12

I used Hue/Saturation to reduce the rock saturation:

Step 13

I added a Photo Filter adjustment layer to change the color of the rock a little:

Step 14

Make a new layer on the top, change the mode to Overlay 100% and fill with 50% gray:

Take the Dodge and Burn Tool (O) with Midtones Range, Exposure about 15-20% to refine the light on the rock. You can see how I did it with Normal mode and the result with Overlay mode:

Step 15

Extract the model from the background:

Step 16

In this step we’ll add more hair to the model using a tablet pen (you can use hair brushes instead). Make a new layer, use a hard brush with the color #291d0f and the size about 10-12 px to paint more hair from the head top to the back:

Create another layer and change the brush color to #715c3d. Paint some lighter hair strands :

Step 17

Hide the background and the fill layers (under the model one) and hit Cmd/Ctrl+Option/Alt+Shift+E to merge all transparent layers (the extracted model and hair ones). Place the merged layer above the rock:

Create a new layer under the model one. Use a soft black brush to paint the shadow under the feet and the body (look at the original photo to see how the shadow formed).

Step 18

I used Curves to darken the model:

On this layer mask use a soft black brush to erase the upper part of the model as I don’t want it to be affected by this adjustment layer:

Step 19

I used another Curves adjustment layer to brighten the upper part a little:

Apply brush masking on the lower parts:

Step 20

I used Hue/Saturation to decrease the saturation on the model:

Step 21

Create a new layer with the same settings in the step 14. Use the Dodge and Burn tool to refine the light and shade of the model:

Step 22

Open the wings image and drag them onto the model back:

Add a mask to the wings layer. Use a tablet pen to work on the mask to reveal some hair on the model back as shown below:

Step 23

Make a new layer on the top. Active the Clone Tool and remove an unwanted detail on the wings:

Step 24

I used Color Balance to change the wings color. On this layer mask erase the upper part of the wings with a soft black brush:

Step 25

I used Curves to darken the wings and apply brush masking on their upper part:

Step 26

I used the Burn Tool on a new layer to darken the intersection of the model back and wings:

Step 27

Take the feathers and arrange some around the model, use the transform tools to tweak them if needed.

Step 28

Add more feathers to the background and apply Gassian Blur with 12 px to them:

Step 29

Arrange many more feathers over the picture, place the bigger ones at the edges. Apply Gassian Blur with 6 px to them:

Step 30

Selected all the feather layers and press Cmd/Ctrl+G to make a group for them. Change the mode of this group from Pass Through (default group mode) to Normal 100%. Make an Invert adjustment layer on the top of the layers within this group to invert the feathers color:

Step 31

Use Color Balance to change the feathers color:

Step 32

I used Curves to darken the feathers:

On this layer mask use a soft black brush to remove the dark effect on the feathers at the middle section where is illuminated by the light:

Step 33

I used Levels to darken the feathers more and apply brush masking on the following parts:

Step 34

Create a new layer on the top. Use a soft brush with the color #7f0101 to paint on some of the feathers and the wings to make a bloody effect there.

Step 35

Make a new layer and use the same brush to paint the wounds on the model arm and legs, beside the lips corner and blood on the rock. I highly recommend you to use a tablet pen in this case:

Step 36

Make a new layer, use the Burn Tool to make the wounds look more realistic:

Step 37

I use the same brush on a new layer to paint some bloody lines falling from the wings:

Step 38

Create a new layer on the top. Use a hard brush with the color #e3e0e0 to paint a broken circle above the model head:

Step 39

On a new layer, use a soft brush with the same color, lower the opacity to 20-30% to paint a glowing effect at the edges of this circle:

Step 40

Create a new layer and use a hard brush with the same color to paint some light hair strands on the head top where is affected by the glowing light from the circle:

Step 41

Make a new layer on the top of all layers. Change the foreground and background color to #7d645a and #808080. Go to Filter > Render > Clouds:

Lower the opacity of this layer to 15%.

Step 42

It’s time for coloring the picture. Make a Gradient Map adjustment layer on the top:

Lower this layer opacity to 20%:

Step 43

I used Color Balance to add some cold tone to the picture:

Step 44

I made three Photo Filter adjustment layers on the top:

Step 45

Create a Vibrance adjustment layer to boost the color:

Step 46

I used Levels to brighten the upper part of the scene a little:

On this layer mask use a soft black brush to erase the lower part of the picture:

Congratulations, You’re All Done!

Awesome job making it this far! You should be proud of what you’ve created. Show it off to your friends and colleagues and get some feedback.

You can also comment here with your version, or any questions you had about the techniques used. We love to see what you guys create and we’re always here to give helpful feedback and tips to help you to improve.

In today’s tutorial you’ll be brushing up on your photo manipulation skills, by creating a mystical tribal warrior. This tutorial is packed full of useful techniques, from blending tactics, to digital painting, lighting, layout sketching and much more.

We hope you love the final outcome, and get a lot from today’s lesson.

What You’ll Be Creating:

Here’s a look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson:

Step 1

In this step we are going to create the background scene.

1) Import the riverside image on to the canvas and place it as shown, then erase the top end of the image with a soft eraser.

2) Now import the image of clouds on to the canvas and place it behind the previous image.

Step 2

In this step we are going to color correct both the riverside image.

1) Select the riverside image and open the Exposure adjustment layer and set the Gamma Correction level to 0.81.

2) Now open the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and reduce the Saturation level to -47. Since this is a cloudy scene we don’t want the scene to be colorful and bright, on the contrary we want it to be dramatic with low saturated colors.

3) Now by using the Curves adjustment layer set the RGB curves as shown.

Step 3

In this step we are going to color correct the sky and blend it with the riverside image.

1) With the sky layer selected open the Curves adjustment layer and set the RGB curves as shown.

2) Now by using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer set the Saturation level to -61.

3) Now to enhance the shadows of the cloud layer open the Exposure settings and set the Gamma Correction level to 0.81.

Step 4

In this step we are going to extract the model from the source image without compromising any details.

1) Import the image of the model into Photoshop and cut the image as shown using the Pen Tool (P) or Lasso Tool (L). Leave the complex areas of the image to Refine Edge option.

2) Now select a mask around the model and open the Refine Edge option and set the Adjust Edge settings as shown. Then by using the Refine Radius Tool, paint the complex areas of the image and let the Refine Edge option work its magic. Once you are satisfied with the result, export it into a new layer.

Step 5

In this step we are going to integrate the model image in the scene.

1) Import the image of the model on to the working canvas and place it as shown.

2) Reduce the brightness of the model by decreasing the brightness of the layer to -92 using the Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer.

3) Now by using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer set the Saturation level to -65.

4) To enhance the shadows on the model, open the Exposure settings and set the Exposure level to -0.02 and Gamma Correction level to 0.75.

5) With the model layer selected open Curves and set the RGB curves as shown.

Step 6

In this step we will be working on painting the shadows digitally. Use of a digital pen tablet is highly recommended.

1) Create a new layer on the top of the Layers palette and paint dark edges around the scene as shown.

2) Now create a new layer above the model layer and select the soft brush and make sure the pen pressure option is ON. Then gently paint the shadows as shown.

Step 7

In this step we are going to add bushes in the scene, which are placed closer to the lens view in order to create a depth of field to the scene and make it look natural.

1) Import the image of the bushes on to the working canvas and place the bushes at the bottom of the scene as shown.

2) With the bushes layer selected go to Filters>Blur>Gaussian Blur and set the blur Radius level to 9.1px.

3) Similarly add few more bushes in the scene as shown.

4) Now create a new layer under the bushes layers and paint thin fog as shown at the bottom of the scene.

5) Now import image of tall grass and place it in the scene as shown. Make sure to place this layer under the previously created fog layer.

6) Now add Gaussian blur of Radius 1.5px to the tall grass layer.

Step 8

In this step we will be color correcting the previously added grass and plants.

1) Group all the bushes and grass layers into a single folder and add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to it. Then set the Saturation level to -35.

2) Now add an Exposure adjustment layer to the folder and set the Gamma Correction level to 0.69.

Step 9

In this step we will be creating distant hills in the scene.

1) Import the image of distant hills on to the working canvas and place the image on the horizon of our scene as shown. Then by using the Magic wand and Eraser tool erase the sky and other unwanted part of the image.

2) With the distant hills layer selected open Hue/Saturation and set the Saturation level to -73.

3) Now by using the Curves adjustment layer set the RGB curves as shown.

4) Since the scene is filled with fog and clouds the distant hills should be almost mixed with the fog in the scene. Hence add an Exposure adjustment layer and set the Offset level to +0.1589 and Gamma Correction level to 1.25.

Step 10

In the following steps we will be creating few vertical tower hills in the scene. So, it’s always better to have a blueprint of the concept before proceeding with it. Hence by using the Line tool draw the prospective lines and draw a rough sketch of the tower hills in a new layer as shown.

Step 11

In this step we are going to create the tower hill based on the concept created in the previous step.

1) Cut a rough patch of the distant hill from the source image and import it on to the working canvas and then trim it in the shape of the concept outline.

2) Create a new layer over the hill layer and paint dark shadow on the left side of the hill as shown.

Step 12

In this step we are going to create a reflection of the hill on the water surface.

1) Duplicate the previously created hill and flip it vertically and place it as shown.

2) Now erase the inverted hill image as shown. The reflection might not be very clear in the scene, but every small detail covered can lead to a more believable outcome.

3) Now merge all the hill layers and add an Exposure adjustment layer to it and set the Offset level to +0.0346 and Gamma Correction level to 1.06.

4) To add depth to the scene and hill, add a Gaussian Blur of Radius 1.6px.

Step 13

Similarly create a couple more of the tower hills as shown based on the concept sketch.

Step 14

Now create a new layer above the hills layers and paint thick fog as shown in the scene, using the fog brush.

Step 15

In this step we are going to create another tower hill with an operating base on the top of the hill.

1) Draw a rough sketch of the new tower hill in a new layer as shown.

2) Now import the roughly cut texture of a hill and place it as shown in the scene.

3) Using the Lasso Tool (L) cut the hill texture in the shape of the tower hill as per the sketch.

4) Create a new shadow layer on the top of the hill layer and paint the shadow as shown on the left side of the hill.

5) To make it blend with the environment create an Exposure adjustment layer to the tower hill and set the Offset level to +0.0161 and Gamma Correction level to 1.17.

Step 16

In this step we are going to create a dome on the top of the previously created tower hill.

1) Cut the image of the dome from the source image using the Magic Wand Tool (W) and place it on the tower hill as shown.

2) Now create a new layer over the dome layer and paint dark shadow on the left side of the dome as shown.

Step 17

In this step we are going to color correct the dome to blend it with the environment.

1) With the dome layer selected open the Exposure settings and set the Offset level to +0.0483 and the Gamma Correction level to 1.24.

2) Using the Hue/Saturation de-saturate the dome by -55.

3) Also we don’t do not want the dome to be too bright, hence reduce the Brightness of the dome to -46 using Brightness/Contrast.

Step 18

In this step we are going to paint the base structure of the dome. Which supports the dome on the top of the hill.

1) Using the color #4d4d4d paint the base structure on a new layer as shown.

2) Now create another layer on top of the dome layer and paint few randomly placed box as shown. (The dome is actually a storage dock that collects supplies from the trade ships and stores there, till its necessary.).

Step 19

In this step we are going to add final details to the dome and the hill.

1) Now paint some random bushes on the hill using the color # 50524f.

2) Now merge all the dome and hill layers together and add a Gaussian Blur of Radius 1.0px.

Step 20

In this step we are going to create a leaf ball floating just above the left hand of the model.

1) Create a new layer over the model layer and paint a rough sketch of the leaf ball as shown.

2) Now create another new layer under the sketch layer and paint the leaves of the ball as shown. This is a slight
time consuming process but worth it.

3) By using a soft round brush paint dark shadow on the left side of the ball as shown.

Step 21

In this step we are going to add texture to every leaf of the ball individually. This is the most time consuming process, but the out of it will make you forget of the time spent.

1) Import the image of a leaf texture and place it on the leaf ball as shown.

2) Now cut the leaf texture in the shape of the leaf of the ball.

3) Follow the same procedure on every leaf and complete the texturing.

4) Group all the leaf ball layers including the textures into a folder and add an Exposure adjustment layer to it. Then set the Exposure level to -0.57 and Gamma Correction to 0.70.

5) Now add Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to the folder and set the Saturation level to -35.

Step 22

Slightly reduce the intensity of the black in the scene by increasing the Offset value to +0.0023. It’s just a minor unseen detailing, which adds to a dramatic outcome in the end.

Step 23

In this step we are going to create leaves flying towards the leaf ball. To create an illusion, that the leaf ball is being formed by random leaves from the surrounds. Just like the Goku creates his energy ball in Dragonball Z.

1) Import an image of a leaf on to the working canvas and place it on the left side of the scene as shown.

2) Since the leaf is flying towards the leaf ball, add a Motion Blur with Angle 60 and Distance 31px.

3) Now by using the Exposure settings set the Offset value to +0.0299. This will blend the leaf perfectly with the environment.

4) Similarly add few more leaves in the scene.

Congratulations, You’re All Done!

Awesome job making it this far! You should be proud of what you’ve created. Show it off to your friends and colleagues and get some feedback.

You can also comment here with your version, or any questions you had about the techniques used. We love to see what you guys create and we’re always here to give helpful feedback and tips to help you to improve.

The other more sensible option, which we’ll cover here, is to solve it in post, in this case using Adobe Photoshop. It isn’t difficult of course to clone out the odd scuff mark, but when you have hundreds of dirt marks or creases you need a slightly more heavy duty solution, and simply blurring can bring its own problems.

In this case I’ve already tidied up the floor, now it’s time to clean up the background.

Image copyright: Simon Newlyn

In some cases, a Crop will solve the edge problems, but in the interest of completeness I’m going to cover a method of extending the background over the problem areas when there are shadows and gradients to consider.

Make a selection along the edge, keeping close to the model to give us plenty of background to work with. We’re going to extend this piece to cover the problem area to the left.

Hit Cmd/Ctrl+C to copy the area and Cmd/Ctrl+V to paste the selection onto a new layer;

Now choose Edit>Free Transform (Cmd/Ctrl+T) and stretch the selection out to the left to cover the problem area. This will pull the right side of the selection with it a little so you may need to pull the right side back a touch.

Add a black Mask to the layer and we’re ready to brush in the areas we need.

With a large, very soft white Brush (0% hardness) paint over the problem area. This should blend nicely into the existing background. When you’re done, select the next part to cover and repeat the process.
Here I’ve selected the top, I’ll Edit>Copy Merged (Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+C), then paste the selection into a new layer (Create New Layer, Cmd/Ctrl+V), stretch it mask it and brush it in as before.

Here’s the result so far with each side carefully brushed in. You’ll note that this particular shot demonstrates a common problem well, sometimes an object or part of the model is too close to the edge as with her hair, and this gives us a hole. we have a similar problem around the legs.

There’s a really simple solution for this, just start a new layer and with Clone Stamp and/or Healing Brush set to Current & Below, clone out the problems. On this same layer, with a large healing brush, you can remove the larger wrinkles;

Now here’s the part where we remove the dirt and creases, if we get in close to this example you can see there are many;

To combat this we’ll need to stamp a new merged layer (Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+Opt/Alt+E) and run Filter>Surface Blur. Experiment with the settings with a high enough radius to remove the creases, but not too high as to blur the edges of the model;

Add a black mask to this layer as before, and using a white brush on the mask paint to bring back the blur where needed, getting close to the edges of the model;

Now the eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that the grain no longer matches when viewed closely. There’s noise in the foreground model and none at all in the background. This is always a worthy consideration if you want your retouching to stand up to scrutiny, so we’re going to click on the layer tab (instead of the mask) and select Filter>Noise>Add Noise. In this case we’re only going to add 0.6 percent Uniform Monochromatic, but this may be more or less depending on circumstance.

If we zoom out look at the shot now it’s a lot neater than when we started, and as we’ve cleared up the background close to the model we can afford a slightly heavier handed method towards evening out the edges, so we’re about to use Filter>Gaussian Blur.

Stamp a new merged layer (Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+Opt/Alt+E), and select the Gaussian Blur Radius according to how much you want to smooth out the surrounding background. In this case I’ve used a Radius of 80;   Don’t forget to add the same Noise to this layer, using the steps as before.

Note on the mask, I’ve kept a good distance from the model to avoid colour bleed. I think we’d benefit in this instance from blurring the areas closer to to her a little more so I then stamped another merged layer, and added a lower Gaussian Blur of 20 and repeated the mask painting, this time note on the mask that I’ve just painted over remaining problem areas and been able to get a bit closer to the model;

Not bad right? As a finishing touch I’m just going to add a vignette and I think we’re done!

Today’s tutorial is courtesy of Daniel Meadows, a professional photo retoucher. You can see more of his retouching work at his website.

Today’s tutorial will show you how to photo manipulate a fantasy woman, floating in an underwater setting. There’s tons of great techniques in this tutorial, including lighting, colouring, blending, detailing and much more. By the time you’ve completed this lesson you’ll be able to create a realistic underwater effect.

Let’s get started!

What You’ll Be Creating:

Here’s a look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson:

Step 1

Create a new document and fill it with white. The ratio between width/height of my canvas is 3/4 but feel free to make your own. Go to Layer-New Fill Layer -Solid Color:

Step 2

Go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Curves to darken the picture:

On Curves layer mask, press B to active Brush Tool. Use black brush with opacity about 20-25% to reduce the dark at the top right of the picture ( where we’ll add main light source to). You can see how I did it on layer mask and result on picture:

Step 3

To increase the contrast I used a Levels layer:

On Levels layer mask, I varied brush opacity from 20 to 100% to erase the top right:

Step 4

We’re creating an underwater environment. If you look closely at many underwater photographs, especially at natural environments, you’ll see the noise, debris, plankton, etc…To imitate this effect, make a new layer on the top and fill it with black (Shift+F5). Convert this layer to Smart Object. Go to Filter-Noise-Add Noise:

Choose Filter-Blur-Gassian Blur and pick radius as 1.5 px:

Change the mode to Screen 5%. The change might not be noticed at looking the whole pic so I took a close-up of the bottom left :

Step 5

I added a Curves layer with Clipping Mask to darken this effect a little:

Step 6

Duplicate this layer and set the opacity at maximum (Screen mode 100%) :

Click the second button at the bottom of Layer Pallete to add mask to this layer. Use black brush to erase the top right :

Step 7

To enhance this effect I used a Levels layer:

Here are some close-ups of the result:

Step 8

Make a new layer and use soft white brush to paint on the pic. I changed the mode to Overlay 100% and used layer mask to erase unwanted parts:

Step 9

To add more details to underwater effect, I used starry texture. Choose the first one and place it at the bottom of our image, change the mode to Screen 20%:

Step 10

Duplicate this layer and increase opacity to 60%. Move it to the top right and use layer mask to reduce opacity of the effect as shown below:

Apply Gassian Blur for this layer:

Step 11

Open underwater stock. Use Retangular Marquee Tool (M) to choose the top of this picture and drag it with Move Tool (V) onto the top of our main canvas:

Change the mode to Soft Light 100%. Use layer mask to remove hard edge and blend it with background:

Step 12

Create a Hue/Saturation layer to match color of this part with the scene:

Step 13

Open model stock and isolate her from background :

Step 14

In this step I’m going to paint more hair for the model (If you don’t want to do it, you can use hair brushes instead). I’ve picked several colors from model hair (#6e6259, #7a6859, #302725, #908980, #c3bbb1) and drawn strands following light, shadow and direction of the original . Press F5 to change settings of the brush to Pen Pressure:

Here is my process of painting (I rotated the model so you can see it more obviously). Remember you must vary brush sizes for painting small or bigger strands:

Step 15

Merge extracted model layer and hair ones. Place this layer at the center section of the pic:

Add layer mask to this one. Use soft black brush with opacity about 30% to make the flying fabric appear translucent:

Step 16

We’ll start retouching the model with some tools of Photoshop. First make a new layer with Clipping Mask. Use Healing Brush tool (J) to remove tattoos on the legs and refine some details on the face and arm:

Step 17

Create a new layer and active Clone Tool (S). Use it to remove some details on model arms and knee:

Step 18

In this step I used a new layer with Smudge Tool , Strength about 30-35% to soften model skin. The working area includes the face, arms and legs:

Step 19

On a new layer I used soft brush with color #a58b81, opacity and flow about 30-38% to paint on the face, arm and waist to brighten and soften the skin there:

Step 20

Make a new layer, use brush with color #977f76 with same opacity and flow to paint on some details of the arm and waist to refine skin color there, also blur the vein :

Step 21

Make a new layer, change the mode to Overlay 100% and fill with 50% gray:

Take Dodge and Burn with Midtones Range, Exposure about 20-25% to refine the facial details, waist, also re-define the light there a bit. You can see how I applied this tool with Normal mode and result with Overlay mode:

You can see that the model looks fuller now.

Step 22

We’ll go through very interesting steps. I found that the hair color looks ordinary and wanted to make it pop. A red/orange hair would stand out from a cyan/bluebackground. To do it in a non-destructive way, I used Lasso Tool to choose hair part only, then chose Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Channel Mixer (remember to check Clipping Mask options):

Step 23

Hold the Cmd/Ctrl while clicking Channel Mixer layer mask thumbnail to load its selection. Choose Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Hue/Saturation:

Step 24

With same method, I used Color Balance to make the hair more vivid:

Step 25

Add a Color Fill layer to model and lower opacity to 10%:

On this fill layer mask use brush to reduce the effect on the hair and some parts of her body:

Step 26

I used Photo Filter to add some cyan/blue to the model:

Apply brush masking on model body and hair:

Step 27

Use a Curves layer to increase the contrast of model a little:

Erase the dark contrast on some parts of model body and flying fabric:

Step 28

I used Levels to brighten the upper part of model body and erase the lower part , also reduce the lightness on some parts of model body and hair ( on this Levels layer mask):

Step 29

I used a layer with same settings in step 21. Use Dodge and Burn to refine light/shadow the hair and fabric:

Step 30

Open branches stock and extract the branches part from background:

Step 31

Use Lasso Tool to choose a branches part and place it at the bottom of our main image:

Copy another parts and arrange them around foreground:

Remember to convert all branches layers to Smart Object.

Step 32

To make depth for the scene, I applied Gassian Blur with 4 px for some branches:

I used brush to erase the top of a branch (on its Filter layer mask):

Step 33

Apply Gassian Blur with 1 px for two other branches:

Step 34

I copied a branches part and put it above the raising hand of the model:

Use layer mask to create a look of model holding that branch:

Step 35

Use Curves to brighten that part:

Step 36

Make all branches layers selected then press Cmd/Ctrl+G to make group for them. Change the mode of this group from Pass Through (default group mode) to Normal 100%. I named them from 1 to 10. I arranged 6 first layers to darken them a little.. On the layer 6, go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Curves:

I applied brush masking to reduce dark effect on the top of some branches:

Step 37

On the top of layers of branches group, go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Hue/Saturation:

Step 38

Use another Curves layer on the top to darken all the branches more:

Apply brush masking as usual:

Step 39

Make another on the top (above branches group). Use soft black brush with opacity 30% to paint shadow of the branch on model hand :

Step 40

Cut out the rose and place it at the left part of the branch in model hand:

I used Color Balance to turn the pink into the orange red:

Step 41

Apply Curves for this rose:

On Curves layer mask I erased the upper part of the rose to make it brighter than the lower (as it gets more light):

Step 42

Add a Color Fill layer to the rose and lower opacity of it to 20% to blend it with water background:

Step 43

Open stock with rose petals and extract them from background. Choose different petals and arrange them around the model, and at foreground with bigger ones. I applied Gassian Blur with 8 px for bigger petals, 4 px for some others and 0.5 px for the rest:

Step 44

Make group for the petals. I used Curves to brighten one as I found it a bit dark:

Step 45

Use Curves on the top of the petals layers to darken them:

Work on Curves layer mask to define light/shadow on some petals:

Step 46

Add a Color Balance layer to the petals group:

Step 47

Right click petals group, choose Duplicate Group. Right click duplicated group, choose Merge Group. Now we have selection of the petals that will be useful in next steps (turn it off).

Step 48

Load petals selection, then add a Color Fill layer (as we did with the hair):

Lower opacity of this layer to 20%:

Use soft brush to clear the effect on lower petals:

Step 49

Make a new layer on the top and change foreground to white. Use bubble brush you like, set the size as 5 px and change settings for it as shown below (press F5 to do it):

Paint bubbles under model knee, legs, near the shoulders, arm, hair, fabric, then lower opacity to 60%. Vary brush opacity to get more natural result:

Step 50

Increase the bubble size to 7 px and continue painting around the parts mentioned in previous step (on a new layer). I made these bubbles stand out by keeping the opacity 100% and brushing randomly:

Step 51

Make a new layer and change brush to light rays. Choose the one you like and paint on the top right of the pic:

Change the mode to Overlay 100% and blur the right side of it with layer mask:

Go to Filter-Blur-Motion Blur:

Step 52

Choose another light ray (I chose number 1478) to add more to the top right. I applied Motion Blur with same settings but with Soft Light mode 100%:

Step 53

On a new layer I used soft brush with color #82b6b3 to paint on the top of the light to refine color of highlight there. I changed the mode to Color 100%:

Step 54

Add two Color Balance layers to the top:

On the mask of the first layer use brush to reduce the effect on model as shown:

On the mask of the second I applied more brush masking:

Step 55

I used Photo Filter to change color of the pic a little:

Reduce opacity of the effect at the right corner of the pic:

Step 56

Add a Gradient Map layer :

Lower opacity of this Gradient Map layer to 20%. Choose layer mask, erase selected parts below:

Step 57

I used Hue/Saturation to enhance the blue on the pic :

Step 58

Use Curves to enhance the contrast of the picture:

Here is the result on Curves layer mask:

Step 59

I used Vibrance to complete the color adjustment:

Congratulations, You’re All Done!

Awesome job making it this far! You should be proud of what you’ve created. Show it off to your friends and colleagues and get some feedback.

You can also comment here with your version, or any questions you had about the techniques used. We love to see what you guys create and we’re always here to give helpful feedback and tips to help you to improve.

You’ll learn how to create a beautiful nature scene, featuring some crazy weather, a complex background structure and some lovely touches of detail.

With this tutorial we will be covering key topics like:

• Matte Painting.
• Digital hair painting.
• Advanced cutting techniques.
• Creating water droplets.
• Effective lighting and shadow techniques.

Let’s get started shall we?

What You’ll Be Creating:

Here’s a look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson:

Step 1

Create a new canvas in Photoshop and draw a rough sketch of the concept in a new layer.

Step 2

In this step we will be creating the BG landscape using multiple images.

1) Import the image of the river on to the canvas and place it on the left side of the scene as shown.

2) Now import another image of the same river and place it on the right side. Then by using the Eraser tool(E) erase the sharp side of the image as shown to blend the two images perfectly together. (Note: While aligning the river images, make sure the wave in the same line. This could help in proper aligning.)

Step 3

In this step we will be removing the boats from the scene using the Stamp tool (S).

1) Create a new layer above the river layer and select the stamp tool, then set the Aligned Sample option to Current & Below. Now press and hold the “alt” button (Same on both Mac and PC) and select the adjacent area of the boat and clone out the boat as shown.

2) Similarly clone out the other boat from the scene.

Step 4

In this step we will be separating the sky into a new layer for further advancement in the landscape development.

1) Before we proceed further merge all the landscape layers, then by using the Lasso Tool (L) select the entire landscape image leaving the sky as shown. (Note: Selection of the hill need not be accurate.).

2) Now open the Refine Edge option and paint the edges of the hills and trees using the Refine Radius tool to get the perfect edge selection. To get the perfect edge selection set the Contrast level to 2% , Shift Edge to -7% and Edge Detection Radius to 0.3px. Then set the Output to New layer and press OK.

3) Similarly cut the sky from the image into a new layer.

Step 5

In this step we are going to create a distant hills beyond the flora covered hills by the river.

1) Import the image of the distant hills on to the working canvas and place the image layer in between the river and sky layer, then position it as shown in the scene.

2) Now create a Curves adjustment layer to the distant hills layer and raise the Red curve slightly as shown.

3) Now by using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer reduce the Saturation level to -61.

Step 6

In this step we are going to place a rock in the scene on which our character will be seated.

1) Import the image of the rock on to the scene and place it at the bottom center of the scene as shown.

2) To blend the shade of the rock with the climate increase the Gamma Correction level of the rock to 0.87 using the Exposure adjustment layer.

Step 7

In this step we will be creating a rough water flow in the river.

1) Import the image of the rough water flow on to the canvas and place it on the left side of the rock as shown. Then by using the eraser tool erase the sharp edges of the image to blend it perfectly with the landscape.

2) As you can observe that the water of the river is in greenish color so create a Curves adjustment layer to the water flow layer and slightly increase the Green curve as shown.

3) Now by using the Exposure adjustment layer set the Gamma Correction level to 0.70.

Step 8

Now we’re going to add a building to our scene. Cut out and paste in your building photo like below.

Then use a layer mask to mask off the edge of the building, fading it into your main scene smoothly.

2) Using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer set the Saturation level to -60

3) As you can observe that the water of the river is in greenish color so create a Curves adjustment layer to the water flow layer and slightly increase the Green curve as shown.

4) Now by using the Exposure adjustment layer set the Gamma Correction level to 0.70.

Step 9

Create a new layer on the top of the layer palette and create a vignette for the dramatic mood in the scene.

Step 10

In this step we are going to cut the image of the central character from source image using advanced cutting options.

1) Select a mask around the model as shown using the lasso tool or a magic wand tool.

2) Now open the Refine Edge option and set the smooth level to 1, Contrast to 4% and Shift Edge to -3%. Then paint the edges of the model with the refine radius tool to select every fine detail of the model.

- Now set the Output to New layer and press OK to get the fine cut image of the model on to a new layer.

Step 11

In this step we are going to introduce the central character in the scene and blend it with the environment.

1) Import the image of the model on to the working canvas and place it on the rock as shown.

2) Now erase the unwanted rock beneath the model as shown.

3) Using the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer set the Saturation level to -47.

4) Now increase the Gamma Correction level to 0.67.

Step 12

Create a new layer over the model and paint dark shadows on the model as shown. (Note: Use of digital pen tablet could give better results in painting shadows.).

Step 13

In this step we are going to paint the hair extension behind the model.

1) Select a hairbrush from the brushes palette and paint the hair extension behind the model as shown using the color #bdbab1.

2) Now by using the color #706d66 paint the shaded hair as shown. Make sure to maintain the hair flow during the brush strokes to make it look natural.

Step 14

In this step we are going to paint the hair flaunting over the neck and flowing towards the front of the model.

1) Select a hairbrush with more hair strands and select the color #c7c1b1 paint the hair as shown on the model in a new layer.

2) Now select a hairbrush with less but thick hairs strands and paint the hair as shown using the same color.

3) Now by using the color #6b645c paint the shaded part of the of hair as shown over the neckline.

Step 15

In this step we are going to paint shadows to the digitally painted hair to make it look natural and believable.

1) Create a new layer over the hair layer and select the mask in shape of the hair by clicking on the hair layer thumbnail by holding Command key (Mac) and Control key on PC. Then paint the shadow over the hair as shown.

2) Now paint the shadow over the hair behind the model as shown.

3) Since the hair is covering the front portion of the model create a new layer under the hair layer and paint the shadow over the model as shown, which is cast by the hair.

Step 16

In this step we are going to create water splash effect around the rock caused by the waves hitting it.

1) Create a new layer under the rock layer and paint the water splash as shown using the white color.

2) Now create another new layer over the rock layer and paint the water splash as shown.

Step 17

In this step we are going to create fog in the scene.

1) Create a new layer under the vignette layer and paint the fog as shown in the image.

2) Now select the eraser tool and choose the same fog brush from the brushes palette and erase the previously painted fog slightly.

3) Now reduce the Opacity of the fog layer to 76%.

4) Create another new layer and paint the fog near the shore as shown on the right side of the image.

Step 18

In this step we are going to add a sparrow in the scene facing the model.

1) Import the image of the sparrow on to the working canvas and place the image as shown in front of the model.

2) Now create a new layer over the sparrow and paint the shadow as shown to blend it with the environment.

Step 19

In this step we will be adding dead branches closer to the scene.

1) Import the image of the dead branches on to the working canvas and place the branches on the left side as shown.

2) Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to the branches and set the Saturation level to -35.

3) Now by using the Exposure adjustment layer set the Gamma Correction level to 0.81.

4) Since the branches are imagined to be closer to the scene they must be blurred in order to create the DOF to the scene. Hence with the dead branches layer selected add Gaussian Blur of Radius 5.0px.

Step 20

In this step we will be color correcting the whole scene.

1) Create an Exposure adjustment layer on the top of the layers palette and set the Gamma Correction level to 0.85.

2) Now by using the Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer set the Brightness level to 8.

3) Using the Curves adjustment layer set the RGB curves as shown to get the following effect.

Step 21

Using the birds brushes paint flocks of birds flying around in the scene as shown.

Step 22

In this step we will be creating rain to add more drama to the scene.

1) Create a new layer on the top of the layers palette and paint the rain using rain brush with white color selected.

2) Now add a Motion Blur with Angle 50 and Distance 1px to the rain layer.

Step 23

In this step we are going to create few water droplets on the screen. Before proceeding with this step merge all the layer of the scene into a single layer.

1) Create a new layer and paint the water drop on the screen as shown on the right side of the scene.

2) Using the Lasso tool cut the scene in the shape of droplet into a new layer.

3) Now merge both water droplet and the cut image of the scene together and add a Gaussian Blur of Radius 7.0px to get the desired effect.

4) Similarly create few more droplets as shown.

Congratulations, You’re All Done!

Awesome job making it this far! You should be proud of what you’ve created. Show it off to your friends and colleagues and get some feedback.

You can also comment here with your version, or any questions you had about the techniques used. We love to see what you guys create and we’re always here to give helpful feedback and tips to help you to improve.

Today’s tutorial breaks down some key photo manipulation techniques, such as blending, colouring, texture/brush application and many more!

You’ll learn how to create a lovely surreal image that’s sure to impressive your friends. It’s time to get icy and take your photo manip skills up a notch!

What You’ll Be Creating:

Here’s a look at the outcome you’ll be able to produce by the end of this lesson:

Step 1

Create a new document with size of 900×1200 px and fill it with black. Open ice ground and use Move Tool (V) to drag it into our canvas, rotate it 90 CW (Edit-Transform-Rotate 90 CW) and use Free Transform Tool (Cmd/Ctrl+T) to resize it:

I named this layer “ice underground”.

Step 2

I use a Curves layer with Clipping Mask to darken this underground. Go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Curves:

On Curves layer mask use soft black brush to erase the bottom to keep it brighter than the rest. You can see how I erased it on layer mask and result on picture:

Step 3

I use another Curves layer to brighten the part masked in previous step:

Step 4

Add a Hue/Saturation layer to reduce saturation of this underground:

Step 5

Extract the model and place her on the underground:

Step 6

I use a Curves layer (Clipping Mask) to darken the model:

Another Curves to darken more:

On this Curves layer mask use soft black brush with opacity and flow about 20-30% to keep some parts of the model brighter ( the arms, face):

Step 7

Make a Hue/Saturation layer (Clipping Mask) for the model to reduce her saturation:

Step 8

To make a shadow for the model on the underground, create a new layer underneath the model layer. Use a soft black brush with about 50% opacity to paint under the arms:

Step 9

Come back to ice underground layer. Click the second button at the bottom of Layer Pallete to add mask to this one. Use soft black brush to erase the part behind the model arms to blend it with black background and create a depth for the underground:

Step 10

Open the stock contained closed eyes (feel free to use your own one). I make a selection around one eye part (use Lasso Tool – L) and place it above the opening eye of the model:

Use layer mask to remove the hard edges:

Step 11

I make a Curves layer (Clipping Mask) to darken this eye part:

Step 12

To blend this eyes better with the face I use a Hue/Saturation layer:

Step 13

To change color of the pic a little I add a Color Balance on the top:

Step 14

Drag winter 1 stock above the model and resize it to get a look below:

Use layer mask and black brush with hardness about 40-45% to create soft edges of the ground (try to make curvy edges and avoid a rigid look):.

I called this layer “ground 1″.

Step 15

Make a new layer with Clipping Mask for the ground. Active Clone Tool (S) and remove unwanted part at the tree bottom:

Step 16

Open winter 2 image. I take a part of this stock and place it over the ground 1 part after transforming:

Use layer mask to blend this new ground with sky and tree:

I named this layer “ground 2″.

Step 17

There is unwanted part on the left edge of ground 2 and I use Clone Tool to fix it (on a new layer with Clipping Mask of course):

Step 18

I use a Color Balance to change color of this ground:

Step 19

Add a Hue/Saturation layer to adjust color of the ground a little:

On Hue/Saturation layer mask I use soft black brush to erase a part at the right corner of this ground:

Step 20

Open icicles stock. Extract the part contained icicles and rock and place it above the model but under ground 1 layer.

Go to Edit-Puppet Warp and tweak the icicles part a little:

If you’re using CS 4 or older versions of Photoshop you can use Warp Tool instead.

Step 21

Duplicate this layer and flip it horizontally (Edit-Transform-Flip Horizontal), move it to the right. I applied Puppet Warp for this part too:

Use layer mask to cut out some icicles of this part (remember to use hard brush to do it):

Step 22

I take separate icicles from the stock and position them under the ground, transform and use layer mask if needed:

I used 10 layers for this effect.

Step 23

Make all icicles layers selected then press Cmd/Ctrl+G to make group for them. Change the mode of this group from Pass Through (default group mode) to Normal 100%. I named these layers from 1 to 10.

On layer 10, go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Curves:

On Curves layer mask I erase some icicles part as I don’t want them too dark:

Because the mode of this group changed to Normal 100% (no Pass Through) so this Curves layer only affects the layers inside this group (icicles ones).

Step 24

Now it’s time to take care of the model. Make a new layer above Color Balance 1 layer and under icicles group. Change brush to frost ones and pick foreground color to white. Choose brush, number 1800 to spot over the model part:

Change the mode to Soft Light 100% and use layer mask to remove unecessary parts:

Step 25

I use Curves to darken this effect a bit:

Step 26

Open ice texture 1 and place it on model body, then set the mode to Soft Light 100%:

I use layer mask to remove hard edges of this texture:

Step 27

I take a part from this ice texture and place it at the right of the model. Put the mode to Soft Light 100% and use layer mask to blend it:

Step 28

Make group for ice texture 1 layers, change the mode to Soft Light 100% (it’s very important to keep the effect the same as before grouping). Call these layers 1 and 2 or whatever you want. Add a Curves layer within this group to brighten the ice effect a little:

On Curves layer mask I use brush with opacity about 30-35% to reduce lightness on some parts, especially the edges which should be darker:

Step 29

To make a stronger “icy” effect for the model, I use ice texture 2. Make a selection on this texture and drag it on model face and arms:

Add the mask to this ice layer. To get a realistic effect I use a brush that has grainy structure . Go to Brush menu, choose Reset Brushes to turn all brushes to default. Choose spatter 59 pixels brush to remove hard edges of this ice part, remember to vary opacity ( I set them about 20 to 100%) to get more natural result:

Step 30

Take another ice parts from the stock and place them over the model body, use same brush on masking:

Step 31

I use Curves to darken some ice parts a little:

Step 32

Make group for these ice texture 2 layers (including Curves ones) with Normal mode 100%. I use a Hue/Saturation layer within this group to change color of this effect:

Step 33

Add a Curves layer to darken all ice layers a little:

On this Curves layer mask I use brush with low opacity (20-25%) and small size (from 2 to 10 px) to create a little stronger contrast on the ice on model face and arms:

Step 34

Make a new layer above icicles group and under ground 1 one. Use soft black brush with opacity about 60% to paint shadow of the snow ground on the icicles:

Step 35

Make three layers on the top. On each layer use bird brushes with black colors to paint on the sky:

I named these layers from 1 to 3.

Step 36

I want to blur the birds to create a depth to the picture. On the layer 1 go to Filter-Blur-Gassian Blur and choose radius with 1 px:

With layer 2 and 3 I apply Gassian Blur with 0.5 px:

Step 37

Extract the deer and position him at the right of the ground:

Use layer mask to blend his feet with snow ground:

Step 38

I use a Hue/Saturation layer to reduce the deer saturation:

Step 39

I use a Photo Filter to add some light cyan to this deer:

Step 40

The deer looks too dark against the background so I use Curves to increase the lightness:

Step 41

To blend the deer better with the scene I make a new layer (Clipping Mask) and use soft brush with color #bfdbf6, opacity and flow about 30-35% to paint on the deer back, legs and tails:

Step 42

Open stock with footprints. I copy a part of it and place it near the deer feet after transforming and resizing:

Use layer mask to remove rough edges:

Step 43

I take another footprints and position them along the ground:

Step 44

These footprints are a bit blurry so on each footprint layer, go to Filter-Sharpen-Unsharp Mask and pick the value below:

Step 45

Make group for footprint layers with Normal mode 100%. Create a Curves layer to brighten the footprints and alter the color of them a bit:

Use brush to work on Curves layer mask:

Step 46

I use a Hue/Saturation layer to make the footprints intergrated with the ground:

Step 47

Make a new layer on the top. Use a snow brush with white color to paint on the picture:

Convert this layer to Smart Object.

I use layer mask to reduce opacity of snow on some part to create a depth for this effect:

Step 48

I apply Gassian Blur for the snow:

On Smart Filter mask use soft black brush to remove blur effect as shown below:

Step 49

I use a Channel Mixer layer to change color of the snow from a white to a very light cyan to be suitable with the scene:

Step 50

Use Curves to darken the snow around the model part (underground):

Use brush to erase the ground, sky, tree parts:

Step 51

Make a Gradient Map layer on the top:

Lower opacity of this Gradient Map layer to 30%:

Step 52

Use a Curves layer to add some yellow to the scene:

Step 53

To create some light for the pic (it’s looking a bit dull now) I use Levels:

On Levels layer mask apply brush masking:

Step 54

I use a Vibrance layer to complete the whole color adjustment:

Step 55

Final step: Make a new layer on the top, change the mode to Soft Light 100% and fill with 50% gray:

Use Burn Tool (O) with Midtones Range and Exposure about 20% to darken inside the footprint to make them more visible. You can see how I applied this tool with Normal mode and result with Soft Light mode:

Congratulations, You’re All Done!

Awesome job making it this far! You should be proud of what you’ve created. Show it off to your friends and colleagues and get some feedback.

You can also comment here with your version, or any questions you had about the techniques used. We love to see what you guys create and we’re always here to give helpful feedback and tips to help you to improve.