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As I saw everybody enjoyed previous Christmas related tutorial, I decided to keep it that way and now I am offering You the next Photoshop task. Tutorial creation took me about 4 hours, so You could do this in 30min or an hour. I wish You good luck and please provide us with Your outcomes! We will use many different and useful techniques here so read everything carefully and ask if You don’t understand something.
And now I wish You good luck – and keep Your Christmas spirit going!
We will create something like this, click on the image to see full preview:
Step 1: Document Creation And Sky
Create a new document, I wanted this image to use later as wallpaper, so I used 1920×1200 resolution, 72 dpi.
Fill background with radial gradient (press G to activate gradient menu) with colors #1773e3 and #0b3972:
Step 2: Star Creation
Although we will create night effect, we need again to create some stars.
Now create new layer ( CTRL+SHIFT+N), right above the background, fill it with black ( choose black and ALT+DELETE to fill).
Go to Filter–>Add Noise and add settings like on picture below (amount 20-30):
To get lesser amount of white noise, go to Image–>Adjustments–>Brightness/Contrast:
Change Blending style to Color Dodge:
Step 3 : Ground creation
Press CTRL+SHIFT+N to create new layer ( look at screenshot at my layers palette so it’s the same like mine).
Then select rectangular marque tool (press M) and do selection like this:
Let’s use linear gradient to create 3D look with colors #000b17 and #0b3972:
Ok, now we have background:
Step 4: Adding Detailed Star
Create a new layer and grab soft brush (B), change foreground color to white ( press D to reset colors and X to switch foreground/background).
Draw big stars in various sizes on the sky and use right/left brackets [ ], to change brush size :
Step 4: Adding Moon
What is Christmas night without moon? Let’s create one!
Create a new layer, select from custom shape tool – “Crescent moon”, if You don’t have shapes like me, do this bonus step:
Add moon in sky, where You want, also add white outer glow to the moon.
Step 5: Hills And Downs
In the fifth step we will add some hills and downs, but I won’t repeat this step, techniques is the same as in my previous tutorial – Beautiful Christmas Vision Tutorial And Wallpaper, start from the step 2 there.
Also look at my layer order:
Step 6: Adding Trees
Now let’s create some trees to make look our scene more interesting.
Add some guidelines to create more precise results, create new layer, then grab pen tool and try to do something like this:
(You can get guidelines, by pressing CTRL+R to get rulers. Just click and pull from rulers to get them).
Now CTRL+Click on path, and fill it with any color pressing ALT+DELETE ( foreground color):
If You don’t see Your path palette – go Windows–>Path.
Now on the tree layer, add blending options–>gradient overlay with colors – #1b2d02 and #477407:
Duplicate layer 2 times (press CTRL+ Upper Arrow) and upper layer transform perspective a little bit:
Ok, now holding SHIFT select all three layers and group them pressing CTRL+G. You can also smudge trees to add texture, but I won’t do that this time.
With all three layers still selected, resize trees to much smaller size – CTRL+T and holding shift resize.
We will use these trees in background, so we need many trees. Just press on the group with CTRL+Upper Arrow to create more duplicates and position trees like in the picture below:
Add as much trees as You think is necessary.
Step 7: Horizontal Shadow
Let’s add shadow on trees – create a new layer, select rectangular tool with black color:
Go Filter–>Gaussian blur and blur it 100px radius. Change blending mode to overlay and reduce opacity to 64%.
Step 8: Adding Global Colors and Shadows
Create a new layer on the top of all layers and add some colorful radial gradient, change blending mode to overlay.
Adding Shadows:
Let’s add some more shadows – use Elliptical marque tool and feather 100px. Create a selection and then press CTRL+SHIFT+I to invert selection and fill it with black ( ALT+DELETE). Change blending mode opacity to 75%.
Okay, we are already finished, I added just a few more effects:
1. I added those swirly lines at the moon, with pen tool –> stroke path.. –> simulate pressure.
2. Also I added two trees on the front side in the same way as I added background trees, I just didn’t want to go through whole process again.
Hope You enjoyed this tutorial as much as I did!
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Dainis Graveris is 23 years old blogger and designer, founder of 1stWebDesigner, now more silently managing everything behind the scenes. He usually hangs out in Twitter tweeting design related links and chatting with people. If you have any questions or feedback that's the best place to start! Cheers!
Saturday, April 14th, 2012 09:25
I love to learn creativity
Saturday, March 17th, 2012 08:16
Cool tutorial. Great for beginners like me to improve on photoshop. Thanks and regards!
Thursday, March 1st, 2012 20:18
Thanks for this – I’ve been looking for inspiration for the background in a project I’ve recently been working on and this fits the bill perfectly – much appreciated :)
Dan +1
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 00:07
Wow, you make it look so easy. It’s pretty creative too.
Saturday, May 14th, 2011 12:11
Je crois qu’il ya beaucoup plus d’efforts nécessaires pour rendre l’évolution mais je me sens si bien à trouver quelque chose d’aussi inspirant que cela. Je crois qu’il ya tellement de choses à apprendre pour que nou
Sunday, August 15th, 2010 11:36
Great tutorial, i´m new and i´m trying to learn fast.
thanks
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 06:30
Nice tutorial! Does make a wonderful holiday background. I wish I had those mad skills.
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 21:41
Things seem easy as a pie when it comes to tutorials. Will definitely give a try but also save on my computer so that I can refer later!
Thanks for the great tips!
Monday, May 11th, 2009 19:03
Thanks for the great tutorial, was very easy to follow!
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 14:47
Thanks for the tutorial, very precious and easy to follow.
Monday, March 16th, 2009 13:51
waaao, that is a great job, i love that, Keep it up,
Monday, January 19th, 2009 22:02
i didn’t get the last one, that you draw using pen tool…
Normally i stuck with pen tools always,
In That stoke path which one we choose, if brush means give the accurate size for better results…
Thanks anyway great work by Dainis Graveris …. :)
:D LawrencE :D
Thursday, January 8th, 2009 15:49
Awsome tutorial, I realy found it usefull, realy learned some nice ways to use some tools. One question dough, how did you make those swirly lines I can’t seem to get the proper brush, blend combination. my lines look so dull. I would realy appreciate it if you could send me via email the answer or at least the psd file, can’t seem to downloadit, you ran out of badwidth.
Thanks again for the tutorial
Monday, December 22nd, 2008 06:53
Wooow cool tutorial. Good job :)
Yustians last blog post : Ebook gratis untuk memudahkan belajar SEO
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 07:02
Your talent and your works are all so very, very inspiring. I am a pipe-organist, but I have ALWAYS had this craving to draw…create.I’ve also been an aspiring & AVID landscape photographer for 20 years….but did not have the proper tools until the computer age brought us so many powerful tools and programs allowing us to blend, weave, layer all forms of media. I found your site through Google and the Digital Blasphemy art-link. Now I MUST put music to the one RAR archive of 25 designs that just took my breath away. THANK YOU for ZAPPING me into a FABULOUS Spirit of Christmas. Be Well and may the many Blessings of the One who created that spark of genius + creative talent within you, continue to inspire your awesome works with blessings and with unimaginable success and happiness! Feliz Navidad from New Mexico USA
Thursday, December 11th, 2008 22:09
Excellent tutorial! keep up the good work!
Rickss last blog post : WordPress 2.7 has officially been released
Friday, December 12th, 2008 03:16
Thanks for this! I will definitely use some of these Ideas!
Merry Christmas to you all! And btw nice snow effect!
Thursday, December 11th, 2008 09:14
It’s very very nice tutorial….great..
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 23:17
You make it look so simple :D
Tom – StandOutBlogger.coms last blog post : 4 Ways To Develop Your Unique Blogging Style
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 04:42
@Johnon thanks again :) I should use just a little darker colors, to create more serious look. My mistake..yes..soon magical night will come…oh..silly me..:)
@Tom thanks for passing by..and that’s great – because it is simple! :)
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 07:25
Nice tut Dainis :D There is a magical feel to it.
Counting down to another 16 days…
Johnson Kohs last blog post : 22 Self Portraits of Great Artists
Sunday, December 7th, 2008 08:15
amazing tutorial! Great use of detail and images to get the information out there.
Very creative too, bookmarking!
Kaylas last blog post : Web design tips: The basics of color on the web
Friday, December 5th, 2008 14:36
You are so creative and talented. Awesome job!
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbies last blog post : Do You Think Blogging Is Becoming Over Saturated?
Friday, December 5th, 2008 03:43
wonderful:)) thank you so much
joyoge designers’ bookmarks last blog post : Smoky Website Designs for Your Inspiration!
Friday, December 5th, 2008 03:32
Awesome
Great job….
Salmens last blog post : WordPress 2.7 RC1 è Disponibile….
Friday, December 5th, 2008 02:52
Nice tutorial! I like!
Mfzs last blog post : Ieejot ritmā
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Dainis Graveris
Friday, December 5th, 2008 02:53
@Mfz that was fast..thanks :)
Pooja
Thursday, December 11th, 2008 09:14
It’s very very nice tutorial….great..
Patareco
Friday, December 12th, 2008 03:16
Thanks for this! I will definitely use some of these Ideas!
Merry Christmas to you all! And btw nice snow effect!
Ricks
Thursday, December 11th, 2008 22:09
Excellent tutorial! keep up the good work!
Rickss last blog post : WordPress 2.7 has officially been released
Yustian
Monday, December 22nd, 2008 06:53
Wooow cool tutorial. Good job :)
Yustians last blog post : Ebook gratis untuk memudahkan belajar SEO
Mark deB
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 07:02
Your talent and your works are all so very, very inspiring. I am a pipe-organist, but I have ALWAYS had this craving to draw…create.I’ve also been an aspiring & AVID landscape photographer for 20 years….but did not have the proper tools until the computer age brought us so many powerful tools and programs allowing us to blend, weave, layer all forms of media. I found your site through Google and the Digital Blasphemy art-link. Now I MUST put music to the one RAR archive of 25 designs that just took my breath away. THANK YOU for ZAPPING me into a FABULOUS Spirit of Christmas. Be Well and may the many Blessings of the One who created that spark of genius + creative talent within you, continue to inspire your awesome works with blessings and with unimaginable success and happiness! Feliz Navidad from New Mexico USA
Tom - StandOutBlogger.com
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 23:17
You make it look so simple :D
Tom – StandOutBlogger.coms last blog post : 4 Ways To Develop Your Unique Blogging Style
Dainis Graveris
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 04:42
@Johnon thanks again :) I should use just a little darker colors, to create more serious look. My mistake..yes..soon magical night will come…oh..silly me..:)
@Tom thanks for passing by..and that’s great – because it is simple! :)
Salmen
Friday, December 5th, 2008 03:32
Awesome
Great job….
Salmens last blog post : WordPress 2.7 RC1 è Disponibile….
Mfz
Friday, December 5th, 2008 02:52
Nice tutorial! I like!
Mfzs last blog post : Ieejot ritmā
joyoge designers' bookmark
Friday, December 5th, 2008 03:43
wonderful:)) thank you so much
joyoge designers’ bookmarks last blog post : Smoky Website Designs for Your Inspiration!
Dee Langdon - BloggerNewbie
Friday, December 5th, 2008 14:36
You are so creative and talented. Awesome job!
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbies last blog post : Do You Think Blogging Is Becoming Over Saturated?
Johnson Koh
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 07:25
Nice tut Dainis :D There is a magical feel to it.
Counting down to another 16 days…
Johnson Kohs last blog post : 22 Self Portraits of Great Artists
Kayla
Sunday, December 7th, 2008 08:15
amazing tutorial! Great use of detail and images to get the information out there.
Very creative too, bookmarking!
Kaylas last blog post : Web design tips: The basics of color on the web
Andrew
Thursday, January 8th, 2009 15:49
Awsome tutorial, I realy found it usefull, realy learned some nice ways to use some tools. One question dough, how did you make those swirly lines I can’t seem to get the proper brush, blend combination. my lines look so dull. I would realy appreciate it if you could send me via email the answer or at least the psd file, can’t seem to downloadit, you ran out of badwidth.
Thanks again for the tutorial
BilluBilla
Friday, January 16th, 2009 17:13
Great
BilluBillas last blog post : ہیلو میرے بھائی
Thomas Egan
Sunday, June 5th, 2011 08:42
Not a bad result. Nice simple, clean graphics.
Z John
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 00:07
Wow, you make it look so easy. It’s pretty creative too.
Dan
Thursday, March 1st, 2012 20:18
Thanks for this – I’ve been looking for inspiration for the background in a project I’ve recently been working on and this fits the bill perfectly – much appreciated :)
Dan +1
Rahul Malhotra
Saturday, April 14th, 2012 09:25
I love to learn creativity
Sal
Saturday, March 17th, 2012 08:16
Cool tutorial. Great for beginners like me to improve on photoshop. Thanks and regards!
Kelly K,.
Saturday, May 14th, 2011 12:11
Je crois qu’il ya beaucoup plus d’efforts nécessaires pour rendre l’évolution mais je me sens si bien à trouver quelque chose d’aussi inspirant que cela. Je crois qu’il ya tellement de choses à apprendre pour que nou
Onagra
Sunday, August 15th, 2010 11:36
Great tutorial, i´m new and i´m trying to learn fast.
thanks
Emmanuel
Monday, March 16th, 2009 13:51
waaao, that is a great job, i love that, Keep it up,
Lawrence77
Monday, January 19th, 2009 22:02
i didn’t get the last one, that you draw using pen tool…
Normally i stuck with pen tools always,
In That stoke path which one we choose, if brush means give the accurate size for better results…
Thanks anyway great work by Dainis Graveris …. :)
:D LawrencE :D
SJL Web Design
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 14:47
Thanks for the tutorial, very precious and easy to follow.
Sheesham
Monday, May 11th, 2009 19:03
Thanks for the great tutorial, was very easy to follow!
Matt
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 06:30
Nice tutorial! Does make a wonderful holiday background. I wish I had those mad skills.
Dom
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 21:41
Things seem easy as a pie when it comes to tutorials. Will definitely give a try but also save on my computer so that I can refer later!
Thanks for the great tips!