Create a Fashion Mixed Media Portrait in Photoshop

Credits to Jenny Lee for this tutorial

Quote:

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a fashion mixed media artwork. You’ll learn how to work with abstract elements, create patterns and play with shapes and colors.

Final Image

http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...on47-final.jpg
Tutorial Details

Program: Photoshop CS3 +
Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate

Resources

Model
Flowers
Abstract shapes
Stars
Sphere
Splashes

Step 1

Create a new document and fill it with white. The ratio of the width/height is 2/3 but you can adjust it to fit your requirements.Extract the model and place her at the center of the white canvas:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion1.jpg
Step 2

Click the second button at the bottom of the Layers Pallete to add a mask to the model layer. Use the Lasso Tool (L) to make a selection at the bottom of the model’s coat:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion2.jpgActivate the Brush Tool (B) and on the layer mask, use a hard black brush to remove the selected part:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion2a.jpg
Step 3

To retouch the model’s skin, on the model layer, hit Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N to make a new layer with Clipping Mask:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion3.jpgUse the Smudge Tool with Strength about 16% to soften the skin following the face details, especially the cheeks, nose sides:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion3a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion3b.jpg
Step 4

Make a new layer (Clipping Mask) and use brush with color #dba082, opacity and flow about 29-37% to brighten the shadow on the model’s right cheek (from the viewers):http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion4.jpg
Step 5

On a new layer, I used a brush with color #7b5239 with similar opacity and flow to paint on the cheeks, nose, lip corners and chin to create a smoother look for the skin and make the nose smaller and longer:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion5.jpg
Step 6

I added an adjustment layer to reduce the model layer’s saturation. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion6.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion6a.jpg
Step 7

In this step we’ll make a colorful pattern to replace the white background. Make a new document and fill it with any colors you like. You can use your own size but it should be the same or larger than the size of our main one.Activate the Pen Tool with Shape Layers options (not Paths) and draw some colorful shapes over the background. Be bold and choose the colors you wish, don’t be afraid if some of them are contrasting. Here is my choice of colors if you want a reference:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion7.jpg
Step 8

Merge all the shape layers (Cmd/Ctrl+Option/Alt+Shift+E) and move the merged layer into the document containing the model. Place it under the model layer:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion8.jpgName it “pattern” or whatever you like.
Step 9

Make a new layer above the pattern layer. Use the Ellipse Tool with color #c3c3c3 to draw a circle behind the model, then change the layer mode to Overlay 50%:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...9/fashion9.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion9a.jpg
Step 10

Make a new layer above the circle layer. Change the foreground and background colors to #db829d and #2e82c3. Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) to make a selection of a triangle at the right corner of the image:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion10.jpgChoose Filter > Render > Clouds:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion10a.jpgGo to Filter > Sketch > Halftone Pattern:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion10b.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion10c.jpg
Step 11

Make a new layer at the left side of the image and fill with color #ffa329:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion11.jpgDouble click this layer, choose Pattern Overlay:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion11a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion11b.jpg
Step 12

Create a new layer and use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to make a selection inside the one in the previous step and fill with color #ffa329:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion12.jpgApply Pattern Overlay:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion12a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion12b.jpg
Step 13

In this step we’ll make some lines to add to our picture. Open Illustrator and make a new document with white background. Set Fill to None and Stroke to 1 pt. Choose the Arc Tool and hold Tilde key (~) while dragging this tool to get a similar result to that shown below:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion13.jpg
Step 14

Press Cmd/Ctrl+A and Cmd/Ctrl+C to copy this result then come back to Photoshop. Press Cmd/Ctrl+V to paste it into our main document. Choose Paste As Smart Object and use the Transform tool (Cmd/Ctrl+T) to rotate and scale it down:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion14.jpgUse a layer mask to remove unwanted lines:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion14a.jpg
Step 15

Create a circle behind the left of the model with color #191919:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion15.jpgI named it “circle 2″.
Step 16

Make a smaller circle inside the circle 2 and fill with black.http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion16.jpgDouble click this layer, choose Gradient Overlay:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion16a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion16b.jpgHere is the result:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion16c.jpgI named it “circle 3″.
Step 17

Open the star background pack. I used “starry 1″ and put it onto the two dark circles:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion17.jpgChange the mode to Linear Dodge 100% and use a layer mask to remove stars outside the circles:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion17a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion17b.jpg
Step 18

To enhance this effect, I used a Levels layer with Clipping Mask:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion18.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion18a.jpg
Step 19

Make a new layer, hold Cmd/Ctrl key while clicking vector mask thumbnail of circle 3 layer to load its selection (I turned off the model group to make it clearer to see):http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion19.jpgGo to Edit > Stroke and pick white:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion19a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion19b.jpg
Step 20

Go to Filter-Blur-Gassian Blur to soften the stroke:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion20.jpgUse a layer mask to remove and reduce the stroke opacity to get a shiny look as shown below:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion20a.jpg
Step 21

Choose one from the sphere pack and put it inside the circle 3 after resizing:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion21.jpg
Step 22

Open the splashes pack. I chose a green one to isolate, and placed it onto the circles:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion22.jpgUse a layer mask to blend the splash with the circles:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion22a.jpg
Step 23

Add a Hue/Saturation layer to the splash:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion23.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion23a.jpg
Step 24

Use Curves to darken the splash and match it with the circles:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion24.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion24a.jpg
Step 25

Cut out the flower bunch and position it at the bottom of the model. Set this layer above the model group.http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion25.jpgDuplicate this bunch and make it larger, rotate it and place it to cover the model’s coat:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion25a.jpg
Step 26

Select the 2 flowers layers, then press Cmd/Ctrl+G to group them. Change the mode of this group from Pass Through (default group mode) to Normal 100%. Create a Curves layer within this group to change the contrast of the flowers:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion26.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion26a.jpg
Step 27

Make a new layer under the flowers group. Choose the Shape Tool with Triangle Frame and draw a shape under the model with white:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion27.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion27a.jpgUse a layer mask to erase one side of this triangle:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion27b.jpg
Step 28

Apply a Pattern Overlay:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion28.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion28a.jpg
Step 29

Use the Rectangle Tool (U) to make several lines with white as shown below:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion29.jpg
Step 30

Group all these lines layers. Use Cmd/Ctrl+T to rotate this group:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion30.jpgAdd a layer mask to this group. Use a hard black brush to break the lines to get the look shown below:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion30a.jpgLower the opacity of this group to 80%:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion30b.jpg
Step 31

Right click the lines group, choose Duplicate Group. Right click the lower group, choose Merge Group. Use the Move Tool to drag it to the left:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion31.jpg
Step 32

Press Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert the color of these lines from white to black then lower the opacity to 30%:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion32.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion32a.jpg
Step 33

Open the colorful pattern which was used for the background. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to choose a part of it then use the Move Tool to place it onto the side of the model’s glasses:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion33.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion33a.jpgI removed unecessary parts with a layer mask:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion33b.jpg
Step 34

I used a Hue/Saturation layer to change the color of this part a little:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion34.jpg
Step 35

I added more colorful pattern to the other side of the glasses:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion35.jpg
Step 36

I used Color Balance for this layer:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion36.jpg
Step 37

Make a selection of the glasses only then go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Curves:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion37.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion37a.jpgUse a soft black brush with opacity about 20% to reduce the Curves effect on the center of the glasses. You can see how I did it with a layer mask and the result on the image below:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion37b.jpg
Step 38

Open the abstract shapes image. I chose the left one to put onto the model’s head:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion38.jpgDuplicate it twice and arrange them as shown below:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion38a.jpg
Step 39

Come back to the model layer mask. Use a black brush to remove unecessary hairs:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion39.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion39a.jpg
Step 40

Make a new layer under these shapes layers. Use a soft black brush with opacity about 30-35% to paint shadows for the shapes on the model’s forehead:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion40.jpg
Step 41

Use another shape from the stock and place it above the model’s head:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion41.jpgUse a layer mask to remove the left side of it:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion41a.jpg
Step 42

Make a new layer on the top. Use a soft brush with color #f600b9 to paint on the flowers, then change the mode to Lighten 100%:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion42.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion42a.jpg
Step 43

On a new layer, use a brush with color #f759a7 to paint on the flowers again. I set the mode to Lighten 100%:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion43.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion43a.jpg
Step 44

I added a new layer and used a brush with color #f600b9 to paint on the parts of the model’s shoulder, arm, neck and face. Change the mode to Lighten 100%:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion44.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion44a.jpg
Step 45

To give a retro look to this work, I added a Curves layer at the top:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion45.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion45a.jpg
Step 46

I used another Curves layer to strengthen the effect:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion46.jpgOn the Curves layer mask use a soft black brush with opacity about 20% to reduce the contrast on the model’s skin:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion46a.jpg http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...fashion46b.jpg
Step 47

Final step: Hit Cmd/Ctrl+Option/Alt+Shift+E to merge all visible layers. On the merged layer, go to Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask:http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2.../fashion47.jpg
And We’re Done!

I hope that you enjoyed the tutorial.http://www.photoshopstar.com/media/2...on47-final.jpg