using custom photoshop brushes to create an immersive lighting effect

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16 January 2012

byNathan Brown

Photoshop, Tutorials

Custom Photoshop Brushes to Create an Immersive Lighting Effect http://wegraphics.net/blog/tutorials/using-custom-photoshop-brush

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In this this tutorial Im going to walk you through a few steps on how to use custom Photoshop brushes along with a fewvector elements to create this immersive lighting effect composition. Youll be surprised at how easy the steps are to create

this piece.

First off, heres a look at what well be creating.


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Here is a list of the WeGraphics elements that I used for this piece.

Painted Light Effects Brushes

Grunge and Retro Mountains

For those non-WeGraphics Members, Id like to suggest these free resources as an alternative.

Psionic Storm Brush Set

Grunge Stone Wall Texture

Lets start by grabbing the stock photo of the boy jumping. You can download it here. Now use you favorite selection method

to pull the boy from the background. I used a combination of the Quick Selection Tool (W) to make the initial selection, and

Quick Mask Mode to clean up the edges.

Now copy and paste the boy onto a new black canvas 725 x 990 pixels.

For the next step lets go ahead and create the background. I pulled a texture from the Grunge and Retro Mountains set. I

sized it down and placed it on a layer behind the boy. I set the layers blend mode to Overlay.

Then on a layer below the texture I used a large soft gray brush to paint some of the texture behind the boy.


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Next lets desaturate the boy (Image | Adjust | Desaturate). Then make a few random selections, and cut and paste them to

offset sections of the boys legs. To tilt your selections at an angle use (Select | Transform Selection).

Now combine (Cmd + E) the layers containing sections of his legs with his original layer. Then duplicate the layer and set

that layers blend mode to Overlay. That should punch the contrast on the boy a little.


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In this next step Ive simply applied a few brushes from the Painted Light Effect Brush Set each to its own layer with a blend

mode set to Overlay. Below is the progression of brushes being applied.


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To create the ribbons wrapping around the boy, we need to head over to Adobe Illustrator for this next step. In Illustrator

create a new canvas with some random rectangles in an orange/gold color. Youll have to experiment a little in order to get

the variety and pattern correct for these ribbons. Adjusting this initial layout is how to accomplish that.


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Select all of the rectangles and drag them over to the symbols palette. This new dialog will appear. You can name the symbol,

if you like, and you can ignore the rest. Press Okay to add the symbol to the palette.

You can delete the group of shapes after adding them to the symbols palette.

Now create a simple line drawing with the pen tool similar to what I have below.


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Now select (Effect | 3D | Revolve). Inside the dialog choose Front for the position, and check Preview.

Now click Map Art. Youll need to make several selections in this dialog. First choose the number 5 for the Surface (this

may require a little experimentation, so choose a different surface if number 5 doesnt work right for you). Choose your

newly created symbol in the symbol drop down box.


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Now choose Scale to Fit, and check Shade Artwork and Invisible Geometry. Click Okay. You should now have

something like this.

Again, you may need to experiment with the size and number of rectangles for your initial symbol, until you get something

you are happy with to wrap around the boy back in Photoshop. Once you have something you like, move on to the next step.


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Copy and paste your ribbons onto your Photoshop document. I ended up with 3 different ribbon layers, and I placed them in

between some of the light layers. Experiment with different arrangement to see what you like the best.

I erased portions of the ribbons so that it appears that they are wrapping around the boy. I also used the dodge and burn tools

to create subtle shadows around the ribbons where they overlap.

For the final step, I copied the mountain texture layer onto a new layer above all others and set that layers blend mode to

Overlay.


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Then I created a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer and placed it above all others. I used a dull olive color for the gradient.

Below is my final image. I hope this tutorial help to illustrate how easy it is to use custom brushes to create a stunning effect

in a very short amount of time. Id love to see your results, feel free to share them using the comment fields below.


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Create Dynamic Lighting Using Custom Brushes in Photoshop

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How to Create an Easy Dispersion Effect in Photoshop

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Use custom brushes in Photoshop to create energy and light effects

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Nathan Brown

Nathan Brown is a graphic designer who loves working with various media. He combines traditional art styles with a little

experimentation and digital flare. Nathan's works have contained everything from ink and paint to leaves and a box of dirt.

Everything is fare game when it comes to his approach to art. Nathan lives in Austin, Texas where he has been working as a

designer for 10 years. More of his work can be viewed at GraphicMonkee.

7 Comments

(+add yours)


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Dra-Kura

January 16, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Very easy to follow, thank you for this useful tutorial =)

Reply

1.

eduardo


Awesome tutorial man. Love this site

Reply

2.

John

January 18, 2012 at 4:51 am

Interesting tutorial, I appreciate the fact that you always provide professional tuts and resources !

Reply

3.

affanul


i like this tutorial , thanks for this tutorial ^^

Reply

4.

Ali

June 8, 2012 at 8:32 am

http://www.alrug.com/Rugs_Style/Bokhara/1.html

Reply

5.

Ben

July 8, 2012 at 2:25 am

Thanks. A great bunch of tricks, well compiled.

Heres my version.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fgl0k7pe2i6aoln/fHbHoD_Bpf

Reply

6.

liton

October 25, 2012 at 4:29 am

7.


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Advertise Here

really great tutorial.I love it sooo much

Reply

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using custom photoshop brushes to create an immersive lighting effect

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