In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to combine layer masks with custom brushes and adjustment layers to create eye catching poster mixed with displacement effect, using simple but effective techniques in Adobe Photoshop CS5. Layered PSD file included. Let’s get started!
Inspired from Demi Lovato by Jeno Panganiban.
Start working by creating a new document (Ctrl+N) in Adobe Photoshop CS5 with the size 1280px by 1024px(RGB color mode) at a resolution of 300 pixels/inch. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill with white color thenew background layer.
Find a stock photo with a model represented on it, I used this photo from deviantart. I would like to thank theauthor of this photo, or if you prefer, you can substitute similar image of your own.
Remove the background using your favorite tools like Pen Tool (P), Magic Wand Tool (W), Magnetic Lasso (L) or even a simple Filter>Extract and insert it on a new layer in our main document.
Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Drop Shadow style for model’s layer.
We’ve got the next result:
Create a new layer and make a selection, applying the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M). Place this layer under the girl’s one.
Select the Soft Mechanical brush from Brush Tool (B).
Use this brush to paint the top edges of the selection using #E694FF color as shown .
Using the Free Transform (Ctrl+T) command, let’s incline a little the line, the same way shown on the next picture.
Applying the same method, it’s possible to create the next line of the color #E27FC4.
Insert the mask on each layer with line by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of the Layers paneland choose the Soft Round brush of black color.
Use this brush to paint in the mask to hide the lines’ edges.
Make copies of both layers containing the lines and choose the Free Transform (Ctrl+T) command to turn over the copies’ layers, placing them as it is shown below. Place the layers under the girl’s layer.
Create a new layer and use the next brushes from Splat Brushes set.
Add some brushstrokes with the next colors: #DFA63D, #5CC1AA, #952941, #A34057, #3C7075. Place the layers with the brushes under the girl’s layer.
Create now a new layer and fill it with white color using the Paint Bucket Tool (G). Choose the Soft Roundbrush of black color and represent two spots.
Place this layer under the girl’s one.
Select for the layer with the brushes the next filter Filter>Pixelate>Color Halftone.
We’ve got the next result:
Set the Blending mode for this layer to Darken.
Create a new layer again and use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill it with #052C52 color.
Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of the Layers panel and use thenFilter>Render>Clouds.
Now we have to paint in the mask (where we’ve used Filter>Render>Clouds) with Soft Round brush of black color (set Opacity to 20% in Options bar) to hide the next zones the same way demonstrated below:
Let’s create a new layer now and apply here the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill the layer with #101010 color.
Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of the Layers panel and use thenFilter>Render>Clouds.
Above the previous layer we have to create a new one. Select both layer in Layers panel by pressing CTRLbutton and then press CTRL+E to Merge Down. Insert on this layer the mask (Add layer mask) and pressCTRL+I to Inverse the color.
Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) represent a selection in the mask.
Right-click inside the selection and choose Transform Selection to incline this area on the left side on 45 degrees. We have to represent three zones of the same kind inside of which we have to paint using Soft Roundbrush of white color to clean out the zones in the mask.
We’ve got the next result:
Now we have to paint in the mask containing three inclines lines with Soft Round of black color (Opacity -20%) to hide the edges of the lines the same way demonstrated next picture.
Make a copy of the last made layer and paint in the mask the lines, applying the same brush but using different value for Opacity.
Set the Blending mode for this layer to Linear Light.
Make one more copy of the last made layer.
Create a new layer and represent here the next selection with the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M). Incline the selection on 45 degrees too and fill this area with black color, using in this case the Paint Bucket Tool (G).
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Inner Shadow.
Add Inner Glow
We’ve got the next result: