Design a Dark, Super-Natural Magic Figure with Fire Element in Photoshop
Ok Let’s get started!To complete this tutorial, you will need the following stock:Model – by jagged-eyeCrack Brushes – choose oneFire image – need to login before downloadStep 1
Create a new document sized 1280px * 800px with black background, create a new layer and render some cloud on it: (set layer opacity to 10-15%). Duplicate this cloud layer once and compress it down – this way we can create a standing ground for the model:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/1-paint1-500x376.jpgUse the crack brush you downloaded, erase some parts of the background cloud to add some crack patterns:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/1-erase-500x387.jpgUse the crack brush as eraser to add some cracks on the ground too:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/1-gr...ck-500x135.jpgStep 2
Load the model image into Photoshop, cut out the model and paste onto our document:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-paste3-500x588.jpgUse a combination of the crack and soft brush eraser tool, add the following layer mask to the model:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-mo...sk-500x493.jpgLet’s do some basic retouch and add the following adjustment layers to the model as clipping masks:Black and whitehttp://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-bw3.jpgMask on the black and white adjustment layer:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-bw-mask-500x485.jpgLevels (It’s very important to set the levels correctly for this image, as it helps to darken certain areas of the body)http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-lv2.jpgMask on Levels adjustment layerhttp://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-lv-mask2-500x470.jpgCurveshttp://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-curves1.jpgMask on Curves adjustment layer:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-cu...sk-500x519.jpgand here is the effect so far:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-effect5-500x531.jpgAs you can see, because the layer mask added to the black and white adjustment layer, we reveal a number of areas with red colour – we will attach the fire texture to those area later:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-after-bw-mask.jpghttp://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-after-bw-mask-3.jpghttp://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/2-after-bw-mask-2.jpgStep 3
Use a soft black brush to paint shadow under the feet:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/3-shadow-500x230.jpgLoad the fire image into Photoshop, use the Lasso Tool (30px feather) to select a portion:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/3-select1-500x276.jpgCopy and paste the selection onto our canvas, use the liquify filter to warp the fire texture and make it soft:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/3-liquify-500x322.jpgYour result should look similar to below:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/3-after-liq-500x273.jpgDuplicate this fire texture layer a few time, resize the duplicated layers to create a flowing pattern as shown below:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/3-effect3-500x388.jpgStep 4
I decide to add some texture on the girl’s left leg. So go back to the fire image and select the following portion with a 30px feather Lasso Tool:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/4-select-500x188.jpgCopy and paste the selection to our image, resize and rotate to fit the left leg:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/4-paste.jpgApply the following black and white adjustment to it:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/4-bw.jpgChange the layer blending mode to “overlay” and you will have the following effect:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/4-effect4.jpg
Step 5
We can create some flying rock around the model to make it look even more surreal. Go back to fire stock image, this time we use the Lasso Tool (30px feather) to select this portion below:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/5-select.jpg
Copy and paste the selection onto the document, apply the following black and white adjustment settings to it:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/5-bw.jpgAfter the b/w adjustment, use a soft erase to remove the edge, until it forms a rock shape:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/5-erase-500x361.jpg
Duplicate this rock layer a few times and move them around the model, make sure you adjust the size as you go to create more depth:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/5-scatter-500x485.jpgDuplicate and merge those rock layers, apply the following Radial Blur to the merged layer:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/5-rad.jpgMove this blurred layer below the rock layer, reduce its layer opacity to around 50%, and here is the effect so far:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/5-effect2-500x429.jpgStep 6
Lastly we can add some vexel hair to the model. Because we’re making a surreal image, I think it would be good to have some sort of epic hair style, rather than the original one.I have two tutorials here on PSD Vault also covers vexel hair – with different model and surround environment. If you would like to take a look, you can click on the links below:Create a Surreal Fiery Burnt Wood Lady Figure with Vexel Hair in PhotoshopCreate Awesome Grungy Style Artwork with Vexel Hair in PhotoshopIf you have tried my previous tutorials on this topic, you will know we always start with picking a darker hair colour from the model:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-dark-500x345.jpgCreate a work path following the shape of this model’s head with Pen Tool:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-path.jpgStroke this path with the brush settings below: (we want a 2px hard brush)http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-brush-500x131.jpgStroke the path a few times, each on a different layer:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-stroke-dark.jpgOnce you’re done with the dark hair strokes, pick a light hair colour from the model:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-light-500x346.jpgStroke the work path with the light colour brush repeatly, mix it in with the darker ones. You will have some nice layered hair effect:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-st...ht-500x319.jpgRepeat the above steps on the right side and create some vexel hair there too:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-ri...de-500x343.jpgand here is the effect so far:http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/6-effect-500x391.jpgI then added a few colours via a colour balance adjustment layer, and here is the final effect I have for this tut: (click to enlarge)http://img.psdvault.com/2011/02/flam...n1-500x312.jpgHope you enjoy this tutorial and find it useful! Till next time, have a great day!
