Level: Advanced. Program: Photoshop CS6 Time: 60 min What We Will Be Learning: In this tutorial we will be learning how to create a modern grungy poster using just three images and adjustment layers. The effect is perfect for music posters or summer event flyers or even CD covers.
This tutorial assumes you have advanced knowledge of basic Photoshop functions such as adjustment layers and layer effects. Images Used: Woman:#26964673 @ninamalyna Galaxy:#11241826 @jager Texture:#31319026 @Laurent Davoust
Note: At the end of each step there is an image of what my layers look like at the point of that step in case you get lost!
Step One First, we are going to prepare out background and model. For the background we will be using a slightly grungy paper background (image#31319026). I used a black and white gradient adjustment layer to make it black and white.
Extract your model (image#26964673) and place it in the middle of the canvas.
Layers:
Step Two Next, we are going to fill the models glasses with a galaxy. 1. Paste and shrink the galaxy (image#11241826) over the model’s glasses. 2. Add a layer mask to the galaxy layer. Fill the layer mack with black. 3. Using a white, hard, round brush paint white on the sunglass lenses.
1. Clip a Color Balance adjustment layer into your galaxy layer. Settings: Red 64, Green -13, Blue 69. 2. Clip a Vibrance adjustment layer above that. Settings: Saturation 36. 3. Set galaxy layer to “Lighten”
Layers:
Step Three Now, we are going to add out background shapes, starting with the galaxy flower. 1. Create a large flower behind your model using the “Nature” Custom Shape tool. 2. Clip a larger version of the same galaxy you used for the glasses into the flower 3. Copy and clip the same two Color Balance and Vibrance adjustment layers from the galaxy glasses. 4. Group the layers together and name it “Flower”
Next, we are going to add some stripes. 1. Create a rectangle using the Rectangle Tool. The size will depend on your image, but they should stretch from the top of your image to the head of your model. 2. Duplicate the rectangle 2 times so that you have 3 rectangles side by side. 3. Change the left most triangle to a light gray, the middle to a medium gray, and the right most to a dark gray. Like a black and white rainbow.
1. Group the stripes together and rename the group “Stripes”. Layers:
Step Four Next, we are going to process our model. To bring out and add more detail in our model: 1. Duplicate your model layer and clip it back into your original model layer. Set it to “Overlay”. 2. Go to Filter > Other > High Pass. The amount will depend on the size of your image. Mine was 2.9 pixels. Just keep increasing the amount until you like the result.
To add some stars to her hair: 1. Duplicate a layer of your galaxy and clip it into your model. 2. Set it to “Lighten”. 3. Move it to where it is only in her hair, not her face. 4. Add a layer mask, and mask out any unwanted stars.
To create a high contrast black and white effect: 1. Create and clip a black and white Gradient Map adjustment layer into your model. 2. Above that, create and clip a Curves Adjustment layer set to what you see below.
Layers:
Step Five (Optional) Now, we are going to add some text to give it a poster/flyer feel, and add a final over all texture. 1. Type out your text and center it in the middle of your model. I am using the font “High Tide” 2. Clip in a galaxy image layer into your text.
1. Copy and clip the same two Color Balance and Vibrance adjustment layers from the galaxy glasses.
To add texture: 1. Copy and paster the same paper texture you used for the background over all your current layers. 2. Set the layer to “Darken”, and the opacity to “50%”. 3. Clip a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer into the texture and set it to -50 Brightness and 100 Contrast.
Layers:
Step Six Finally, to bring it all together we are going to add some overall color. We will do this using three different Color Lookup Layers. Starting from bottom to top. 1. Create a “Foggy Night” Color Lookup layer set to 30% 2. Next, a “RedBlueYellow” Device Link Color Lookup layer set to “69%” 3. Lastly, a Abstract Color Lookup layer set to “Cobalt-Carmine” at “51%” opacity
Without Text:
Final Layers:
Do you like this tutorial? Feel free to alter the colors and model as you see fit one you’ve got the techniques right! Have fun with this and do try our other
tutorials as well!