Are you interested in learning how to make realistic Scotch tape by using Photoshop tools? If yes, then I will teach you how. I got this effect by experimenting.

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Final Image Preview

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Note: Original tutorial published on Photoshopstar.com some years ago. Tutorial was updated and now republished.

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Resources

• Annestown Scenery

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Step 1

First of all create a new document sized 600 x 400 pixels. Select some appropriate color, for example #7ca213 and fill your canvas with it.

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Step 2

Open a photo and copy it to your canvas. After that use Ctrl+T to reduce it and then rotate it a little bit.

Apply Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options to this layer.

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Step 3

Now we are going to create the Scotch tape. Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to make a selection which you can see on the picture below. Create a new layer and fill the selected area with #c1cccd.

Remove the selection with Ctrl+D. Now, we need to process the Scotch tape borders. Start by selecting the Eraser Tool and use one of the standard Photoshop brushes.

Gently erase the edges to achieve a similar result to that shown below.

Set the opacity to 22% for the current layer.

Time to add some defects to make our Scotch tape look realistic. Use the Dodge Tool (Brush: 7px, Range: Highlights, Exposure: 50%) to add a few light lines.

Looks better now, doesn’t it? Then use the Burn Tool (Brush: 30px, Range: Shadows, Exposure: 100%) to darken some areas.

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Step 4

To finish off creating this Scotch tape effect, duplicate the layer using Ctrl+J and change layer mode to Overlay for the copied layer. Don’t be surprised that the layer becomes a bit brighter. It is normal. Then apply Filter > Stylize > Emboss with similar settings to these:

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Final Image

That is it – your Scotch tape is complete. You can add more tape if you want. Feel free to experiment to get the best results! Good luck!

Have you ever seen any fruits or vegetables with a face? In this Photoshop tutorial I’m going to show you how to make a realistic view collage with fruit and a human face.

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Final Image Preview

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Resources

• Bloody Pear
• Young Male Face 3

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Step 1

Open up the photo and reduce the size to 800 x 600 by using Image > Image Size.

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Step 2

Open the picture and copy it to the first canvas with fruit. Then set up opacity to 45% for this layer and use Edit > Free Transform to reduce the picture and rotate it as on my picture below.

Set the opacity to 100% for current layer again and begin cleaning with the Eraser Tool. Use a soft round brush with opacity about 30%. Remove all parts, leaving only the eyes, lips and nose.

Move the layer with the face a little bit to the left by using the Move Tool.

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Step 3

Press Ctrl+J to duplicate the layer and hide the upper copy (click on the eye, which indicates layer visibility). Go to the lower layer and apply Image > Adjustments > Color Balance using these settings:

After that use Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation:

Select Burn Tool (Brush: 70px, Range: Midtones, Exposure: 30%) to make some very light parts a bit darker. You should get result similar to mine on the picture below:

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Step 4

Go back to the hidden layer and make it visible again. Select the Eraser Tool and remove all content, leaving just the eyeballs and mouth on this layer.

Apply Image > Adjustments > Levels to this layer:

Select Burn Tool (Brush: 45px, Range: Midtones, Exposure: 30%) again and darken the mouth area.

Select the Eraser Tool and a soft round brush with 30% opacity and do a little cleaning work on the same areas.

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Step 5

Looks good, doesn’t it? Ok, move to the next step.

We should add the pear texture to the face. Go to the background layer and make selection with Polygonal Lasso Tool as shown on my picture below.

Press Ctrl+J to duplicate the selected area on a new layer.

After that move this layer above all the layers and change the layer mode to Soft Light.

Then make some brightness and contrast corrections with Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

Select the Eraser Tool again and remove any visible borders of this texture. Borders are not very visible at the moment, but still need to be corrected. After that press Ctrl+J to duplicate the texture layer. Can you see the difference now?

Use the Burn Tool (Brush: 40px, Range: Midtones, Exposure: 30%) one more time to make features clearer. And you have completed the tutorial.

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Final Image

In this Photoshop tutorial we will learn how to create a realistic looking starfield using mainly noise and clouds filter.

Final Image Preview

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Resources

• Apophys Galaxy

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Step 1

Create a file with 2000×1236 px. Fill with black and then make a duplicate layer (Ctrl+J). Choose Filter > Noise > Add Noise.

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Step 2

Choose Image > Adjustments > Curves and apply the settings shown below. This step will help us get rid of the dim stars and will brighten the remaining ones.

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Step 3

Duplicate the layer and using Free Transform increase it’s size like shown below. Than choose Image > Adjustments > Curves. Change the blend mode to Screen. This will be the second layer of stars so we want them to be more bright.

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Step 4

Duplicate first stars layer again and move it on top. Use Free Transform to make it twice the size of the image. Choose Image > Adjustments > Curves and apply the settings shown below.

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Step 5

To make the stars look even more natural we will add 2 Curves adjustments layers to our small and medium stars layers. After that click in each Curves Adjustment layer mask to make sure it’s selected.

Go to Filters > Render > Clouds and press Ctrl+Al+F to randomize the clouds generation.This step will add a variance in brightness in a random way. Make sure to clipp each adjustment layer to the coresponding stars layer. Lower the opacity until it looks good.

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Step 6

Add a layer mask to each stars layer and run the Clouds filter on each. The stars start to look really good at this point but we will do some more.

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Step 7

Add a new layer on top and select the Clone tool. Choose a hard edge brush, change the tool blending mode to Screen and start on cloning. We are aiming for some nice stars clusters so put your Wacom at work. Change the layer blend mode to Screen. Also beware that the images I provided may look a bit messy but that is because of the way Photoshop “drops” pixels when you zoom out. It should look good at 100% zoom level.

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Step 8

Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E to make a new layer from all visible pixels. Apply a 4 px Gaussian Blur filter and change the layer blend mode to Linear Dodge.
This step will add some nice glow to our stars.

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Step 9

Let’s add a bit of color. Add a Color Balance adjustment layer and choose a color. Change the blend mode to Soft Light and apply a Clouds filter to the layer mask.

Add another Color Balance adjustment layer but this time choose another color. I choose blue for the first and orange for the second because complementary colors look good together. Change the layer blend mode to Color Dodge and apply a Clouds Filter to the layer mask. Press Ctrl+Alt+F a couple of times to randomize the effect and make it stronger. Lower the opacity if the effect is to strong.

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Step 10

Add a new layer, fill it with black and change it’s blend mode to Linear Dodge. Then choose Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Resize this layer and place it in your star clusters.

Make as many duplicates as you feel and place them all over the star field, but don’t forget to resize every to mimique randomness.

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Step 11

Let’s add some space dust. Open file “Apophys Fractal” and place it into our document. Resize it until it fits the canvas then add a layer mask and generate some clouds. Lower the opacity to 5% and change the blend mode to Screen. Duplicate the layer and rotate it 180 degrees. Add a Color Balance adjustment layer and after you select a color generate some clouds in the layer mask. Clip this layer to the layer below.

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Final Image

In this Photoshop tutorial (Part 2 of 2), we will learn how to create a conceptual surreal photo-manipulation.

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Part 1

Part 1 of this tutorial has been published here.

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Final Image Preview

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Step 15

Activate the Erase tool (E) with these settings. Now let’s erase :

Brush size: 300px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 65%

Flow: 100%

Color: #000000

Now paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 16

Activate the Erase tool (E) with these settings. Now let’s erase :

Brush size: 300px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 65%

Flow: 100%

Color: #000000

Now paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 17

Activate the Erase tool (E) with these settings. Now let’s erase :

Brush size: 300px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 65%

Flow: 100%

Color: #000000

Now paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 18

Now we are going to make a source light so activate a new layer(ctrl+n) and named it “Source light1″.

Activate the Brush tool (B) with these settings :

Brush size: 500px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 100%

Flow: 100%

Color: #FFFFFF

Paint over the highlighted area.

Change the layer mode of “Source light1″ to “Soft light” and opacity to 65%.

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Step 19

First off, let’s open the engine-moteur stock in Photoshop. We will be using the engine from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the engine-moteur and select the Elliptical Marquee tool, and then make a selection around the engine, then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change the layer name to “engine”.

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the “Engine” layer is selected, resize it as shown below:

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Step 20

Now activate the Blur tool (B) to make our engine’s sharp edges a little blury

Now take these settings :

Brush size: 65px

Mode: Normal

Strength: 10%

Flow: 100%

Paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 21

Now let’s adjust the color tone of our engine image

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer:

When the Color Balance box opens, input the following:

Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (engine layer and color balance) to make a mask.

Now create a new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette .

When the Curves box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (engine layer and Curves) to make a mask.

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Step 22

Now let’s create a source light for the engine. So activate a new layer and name it “Source light2″.

Activate the Brush tool (B) with these settings :

Brush size: 200px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 80%

Flow: 100%

Paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 23

Now we are going to adjust the atmosphere of our image:

Create a new Solid color adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette .

When the Solid color box opens, input the following:

Change the layer mode to “Exclusion” and opacity to 40%

Create a new Solid color adjustment layer:

When the Solid color box opens, input the following:

Change the layer mode to “Soft light” and opacity to 20%

The result should be similar to this:

Create a Gradient map adjustment layer:

When the Gradient map box opens, input the following:

Change the layer mode to “Luminosity” and opacity to 60%

Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

Now create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

Create a Photo filter adjustment layer:

When the Photo filter box opens, input the following:

Now create a Curves adjustment layer:

When the Curves box opens, input the following:

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Step 24

Let’s create a Vignette. So activate a new layer and name it “Vignette” and fill this layer with white color (#ffffff)

Now go to Filer > Distort > lens correction.

Use these settings:

Vignette amount: -100

Midpoint: +20

Change the layer mode to “Multiply”.

Duplicate the “Vignette” and change it’s layer mode to “Multiply” and opacity to 50%.

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Step 25

First off, let’s open the Umbrella stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Umbrella from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Umbrella and press P to activate the Pen tool and then make a selection around the Umbrella and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change the layer name to “Umbrella1″.

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Step 26

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the “Umbrella1” layer is selected, resize it as shown below:

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Step 27

Create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette .

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (umbrella1 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

In this Photoshop tutorial (Part 1 of 2), we will learn how to create a conceptual surreal photo-manipulation.

Final Image Preview

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Resources

• American dream 4
• dark gray storm – night-fate-stock
• Sea, Greece – evza11
• umbrella
• engine-moteur

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Step 1

Create a new file with a width of 3500 px and a height of 3500 px at 300 dpi (Dots per Inch). Background Contents should be White.

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Step 2

First off, let’s open the dark gray storm in Photoshop. We will be using sky from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Activate the Transform tool (Ctrl+t) as shown below:

Once again activate the Transform tool (Ctrl+T) then right click and choose “Flip Vertical”.

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Step 3

Now, let’s open the Sea, Greece in Photoshop. We will be using the sea from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Sea, Greece image and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to “Sea”.

Activate the Transform tool (Ctrl+t) as shown below:

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Step 4

We do not need that sky in that sea stock so let’s erase it.

Activate the Erase tool (E) with these settings.  Now let’s erase :

Brush size: 300px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 100%

Flow: 100%

Color: #000000

Paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 5

Let’s adjust the color and tone of our sea we are going to adjust with our image’s atmosphere.

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window:

When the Color Balance box opens, input the following:

Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Sea layer and Color balance) to make a mask.

Now Create a new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette .

When the Curves box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Sea layer and Curve) to make a mask.

Now create a new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette .

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Sea layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

Create a new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (sea layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (sea layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

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Step 6

Open the American dream 4 in Photoshop. We will be using the mountain from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the American dream 4 and press P to activate the Pen tool and then make a selection around the mountain and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change the layer name to “Mountain1″.

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while “Mountain1” layer is selected, resize it as shown below:

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Step 7

Activate the Erase tool (E) with these settings.  Now let’s erase :

Brush size: 300px

Hardness: 0%

Opacity: 65%

Flow: 100%

Color: #000000

Paint over the highlighted area.

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Step 8

Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain1 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

Now create a Color Balance adjustment layer:

When the Color Balance box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain1 layer and Color balance) to make a mask.

Now create a new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette.

When the Curves box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain1 layer and Curves) to make a mask.

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Step 9

Let’s open the Stock179 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Mountain from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Stock179 and press P to activate Pen tool and then make a selection around the mountain and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to “Mountain2″.

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Step 10

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T) with the “Mountain2” layer selected and then resize it as shown below:

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Step 11

Create a new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette .

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain2 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

Now create a new Curves adjustment layer:

When the Curves box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain2 layer and Curve) to make a mask.

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Step 12

Return to the Stock179 stock in Photoshop. We will again be using the Mountain from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Stock179 and press P to activate the Pen tool and then make a selection around the mountain and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change the layer name to “Mountain3″.

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Step 13

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the “Mountain3” layer is selected, resize it as shown below:

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Step 14

Now create a new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette.

When the Curves box opens, input the following:

Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain3 layer and Curves) to make a mask.

Create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain3 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

Create a new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain3 layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

Create a new Color balance adjustment layer from the bottom of the layers palette .

When the Color Balance box opens, input the following. Press Alt+left click in between the 2 layer’s (Mountain3 layer and Color balance) to make a mask.

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Part 2

Part 2 of this tutorial will be published in a few days.

In this Photoshop tutorial you will learn how to make drawing-style picture in a fantasy style from one photo. This tutorial is not difficult but it is more suitable for people who have some experience in Photoshop drawing.

Final Image Preview

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Resources

• Female portrait 3

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Note: if you have a graphics tablet you can use it and you will get better results. But you can also do this tutorial with a computer mouse.

Step 1

Start by opening the photo in Photoshop.

Let’s start by changing the proportions. Go to Filter > Liquify and work on changing the shape of the face and make the eyes bigger. Make sure Forward Warp Tool is selected and use it to increase the size of the eyes.

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Step 2

Select the Healing Brush Tool to remove skin defects if they are present on the photo.

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Step 3

We need to reduce brightness and increase contrast with Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

Change the color balance by going to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance.

Go to Filter > Liquify again to increase the fantasy effect on the photo (eyes, lips and face shape especially).

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Step 3

Create a new layer (Ctrl+Shift+N). Select the Brush Tool and press F5 to open the window with Brush Presets or go to Window > Brush. Select Soft Brush, 80px and 20% hardness. Change foreground color to #230b47. Choose Shape Dynamics option and update Control to Pen Pressure (if you have a graphics tablet). If not leave the Control option off and we will work with the computer mouse. Apply the brush to the photo background. Finally, change layer opacity to 70%.

Duplicate layer with Ctrl+J. Change the layer mode to Soft Light and opacity to something around 50%-60%.

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Step 4

Create a new layer above all other layers. Now we need to create the ear shape. Select the Eyedropper Tool and click on the face area to get the color sample. Now with the Brush Tool (soft brush) start creating an ear shape and use other colors and different brush sizes to get a more real ear.

Keep creating the ear shape.

Finally we need to get some texture to apply to ear. Go to the original photo and with the Rectangular Marquee Tool selected make a small selection of skin. Copy selection.

Paste the selection on our psd file and a new layer will be created. Place the new layer on top of all other layers and place the skin exactly over the ear. Use Image > Adjustments > Desaturate to desaturate.

Change layer mode to Soft Light.

Load selection of the layer with the ear (press Ctrl and click ear layer thumbnail on layers palette).

Select the ear texture layer. Invert selection with Selection > Invert and press the Delete button to clear selected area. Remove selection with Ctrl+D.

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Step 5

Create a new layer on top. Select the Brush Tool (soft round brush) and paint over the hair and neck with white. This layer will be called “hair”.

Change layer blending mode to Color.

Create a new layer on top. Set foreground color to #e8ddfc and with the Brush Tool selected (soft brush, opacity: 10%) apply brush to face.

Change layer blending mode to Color.

Duplicate layer “hair”. Move on top of all layers and change blending mode to Overlay.

Select Brush (diameter of around 3-4px) and draw new hair with white (if you have a graphics tablet use it). Check next screenshots.

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Step 6

Repeat the same process now for eyebrows and name the layer “eyebrows”.

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Step 7

Duplicate “hair” layer with Ctrl+J.

Merge both “hair” layers into one. After that select the Smudge Tool (Strength: 65%) and use the Spatter 59px which is one of the standard Photoshop brushes to make the  hair smoother and more realistic looking.

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Step 8

Create a new layer above all other layers. Select Brush Tool (Opacity: 70%) and draw more hair with a 1 pixel brush using white. It will give a more natural look to the hair.

Duplicate the layer with Ctrl+J and move it a little bit.

Create a new layer again. Choose the Brush Tool (Soft brush with opacity 10-20%) and paint over sections of the hair, where the largest amount of hair is present. Once done, select the Eraser Tool (Opacity: 35%) to clear a little bit where the hair ends.

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Step 9

Now we need to bring more volume to the hair. Create a new layer and set blending mode to Multiply. Select the Brush Tool (Opacity: 20% and soft round brush) and darken the hair around the face with black. Apply Brush Tool also to lips.

Create a new layer on top of previous layer and change layer mode to Color. Select some very bright color for the eyes and paint slightly.

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Step 10

Now we are going to make the face more voluminous. Create a new layer on top of all other layers and change layer mode to Soft Light. Use the Brush Tool (Opacity: 10% and a soft round brush) to darken the shadow side of the face use black (#000000) and lighten the highlights with white (#ffffff).

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Step 11

Now we have to consider reflection on the picture. As we can see the background is purple, so we should have the same color shade on hair, clothes and face. To do this create a new layer, assign blending mode to Soft Light, take a sample of the background color using the Eyedropper Tool, then add a purple hue to all of the picture using the Brush Tool (Opacity: 30-40% with soft round brush).

To finish off the tutorial we have to remove the button from the clothes. Create a new layer and select the Clone Stamp Tool (select the parameter Sample All Layers) and remove the button using this tool.

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Final Image

And we are done with this tutorial. Hope you liked it.

This Photoshop tutorial will explain one interesting technique of making abstract picture from the photo.

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Final Image Preview

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Resources

• fire texture 02 cosmos

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Step 1

Open photo in Photoshop. Go to Image > Image Size and update size to 1000×750 pixels. Double click on layer thumbnail on layers palette to unlock background layer. Create a new layer under flower layer and fill it with black color (Name it “background”). Select flower layer and with Polygonal Lasso Tool select flower. Invert selection by going to Select > Inverse and press Delete to clear selected area.

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Step 2

Create a new layer. Select Brush Tool (hard round brush with 2px) and set foreground color to white. Select Pen Tool (make sure Paths is selected instead of Shape Layers) and draw your line like I did to select one petal.

Right-click selection and select Stroke Path.

A dialog box will appear. Choose Brush and make sure there is a tick on Simulate Pressure.

Right-click again and select Delete Path. If you hide temporarily flower layer (by clicking on layer thumbnail on layers palette) you will see this:

Repeat same process to recreate all other petals into shapes and also inner part of flower. Each petal should be on a separate layer. In the end you can delete flower layer.

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Step 3

Hide all layers except “background” layer and first petal layer that you created on step 2.

Duplicate layer with petal (Ctrl+J) and move it above all layers. Apply Filter > Stylize > Wind.

Press Ctrl+F a few more times to increase filter effect.

Apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur.

Move this layer with Move Tool (V) to have something similar to what I did.

Next, apply Edit > Transfom > Warp to place layer content inside petal shape.

Delete original petal layer with shape.

Repeat all these steps for each other petal layers and in the end you will have something similar to my image below.

We just need to create inner part of the flower. Repeat same process as with petals but do not apply Motion Blur.

We can still add some more lines to improve picture like we did with flower petals.

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Step 4

We are now going to add color. Create a new layer above all other layers and fill it with color #a100ff.

Change layer mode to Overlay.

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Step 5

Create a new layer on top of all other layers. Now we are going to add some glowing to this picture. Select Brush Tool with soft round brush (brush size varying from small to large) and add a few spots with white color.

Change layer mode to Overlay.

Create a new layer on top of all other layers. Add a little more glowing with the Brush Tool (Opacity: 20%) and we are done with this tutorial.

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Final Image