Create This Charming Magician with Enchanting Effects in Photoshop

Create This Charming Magician with Enchanting Effects in Photoshop
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create this amazing photo manipulation in Photoshop with plenty of magical details. Also, you will learn how to create a fiery leopard, interesting and useful effects that I created as well as working with the Photoshop tools in getting the desired scene and much more!

First of all we will create background correct perspective and change the floor. Then we will work on the model and the basic details. Let’s create a fiery leopard and add it to the picture. Then start working on small details to harmonize the picture. The final step will be to create and add special effects. I have used Photoshop version CC 2014 to create this work but you can use any version from CS onwards will be fine as well.
Tutorial Resources
Model 1 – Mahafsoun
Model 2 – Mahafsoun
Castle Beloeil – pranile (Alternative)
Checkered floor – ocd1c-stock
Burnt Music Sheets – frozenstocks
Leopard – HOTNStock
Fire stock – sidestreet-stock (Alternative)
Effects Brushes – ryky
Book – MariaSemelevich
Ghosts – MariaSemelevich
Sparks – MariaSemelevich
Step 1

Before you start, I highly recommend you download all the resources in one easily accessible folder and not to close it, and drag the desired photo in Photoshop. Opening Photoshop and get started! Create a new document at 2000 pixels wide and 3000 pixels height, resolution 150 Pixels/Inch.


Step 2

Now, we’re going to create the base of our artwork. Go to File > Place (Place Embedded) and add “Castle Beloeil” in working document image “places415_stock_by_pranile-d78qavk”. Use the Free Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd+T or Edit > Free Transform) and proportionally resize image (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift). At this stage, it is important place image in the correct position. Try to position so that it looks symmetrical. Almost everything will deceive you but guided by rails. It’s almost the only element that will be visible in the picture.


Step 3

Now a little fix perspective. This is an important step in creating this picture, because I used Perspective Warp tool (Edit > Perspective Warp) but this is available only in Photoshop CC but you can easily substitute it using “Perspective” and “Distort” tools (Edit > Transform > Perspective/ Distort) in transform mode. When aligning perspectives guided to the first flat rung from the bottom.
For Perspective Warp users

Go to Edit > Perspective Warp. In a transform mode, create a rectangle that be a little more than edge of document and image on it. Then switch to Warp mode (button on the property bar) and pull the upper left point slightly upward and to the left so that the left side of the image be a little closer to you. Move upper right point to position slightly to the left to lift the right side of the image. Move bottom right point a little higher and move it to the left that the lower right corner as it drifted away from you. Try to position railings and building blocks and stairs on both sides of image have been aligned.


For “Perspective” and “Distort” tools users

Go to Edit > Free Transform or Ctrl/Cmd+ T. Right click on document and in list select “Perspective”. Move the upper left point slightly upwards so that the left side leveled to the right. Also, move the lower right point a little down that the lower right corner be a little bit closer. Do not move the point in sides. Otherwise, you will change other parts of the picture and it can spoil. If you need a more accurate correction of use Distort tool. Try to position railings and building blocks and stairs on both sides of image have been aligned.


Step 4

Image seemed to me is slightly bulging and so I applied a filter “Lens Correction” to fix it. Go to Filter > Lens Correction. In Lens Correction go on tab “Custom” and in “Geometric Distortion” set “Remove Distortion”: +7. it pulls image a little into deeper and you get more aligned image.


Step 5

Now I removed the uneven part of the stairs. Add a layer mask by clicking on the Add Layer Mask button in the layers panel or by going to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All. Use Brush Tool (B) with settings Size: 150px. Opacity: 100%, Hardness: 0%. Set foreground color to black (press on keyboard D then X) and paint on the layer mask.




Step 6

Duplicate this layer (to do this, use Cmd/Ctrl + J or go to Layer > Duplicate Layer) and convert it to Smart Object (right click on a layer > Convert to Smart Object). Now we can apply a blur and make changes to it. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set Radius: 5.0 px then click OK. It is necessary to create a depth of field, as the picture will look whiter realistic and nice if the background is smoother. You also need to take into consideration that the original model and leopard will be in focus and it would be wrong if there is no separation between the background and the main characters. Audience should be directed to the main object while the background used as a platform for unexpected solutions and harmony.




Step 7

On effect layer mask remove blur from half of the stairs and railings with Brush Tool (B) (Size: 350px. Opacity: 100%, Hardness: 0%) Toward the middle of the stairs, change Opacity to 50%. Try not to remove the blur from the edges of the image to keep the depth of field.


Step 8

Let’s start with floor. I believe that the checkerboard floor gives gothic and antiquities to the picture, so I chose “dingedcheckeredfloor_by_ocd1c_stock” texture. Add this image on working document (File > Place (Place Embedded)) And then the fun begins, is to combine the perspectives of both images (make texture floor). Use Free Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd+ T) to make image bigger and rotate on 60 degrees.



The use Distort tool (right click in transform mode) to lower the upper point to the level of the stairs, then lower side points and move to the bottom point to get the figure like in image below. It is very important that the floor did not look inclined; otherwise, the image will lose realism. I also want to note that floor will be more interesting if it be rhombuses, not a cell, but it is a matter of taste :)



Duplicate smart filter “Gaussian Blur” from the top layer with a staircase (hold Opt/Alt and drag the filter icon to the desired layer), make double click on filter name and set Radius: 1.8px. All three layers I merged into one group “Interior” (Select all layers > Cmd/Ctrl + G).


Step 9

The next steps I turned day into night. All the subsequent layers must be above group “Interior”. In this technique, I combine adjustment layers and fill. Let’s get start! Begin to darken from dark areas of the image. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Selective Color… Use image below to set the settings for Yellows and Blue colors.



Now add some blue tones to the light. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves… On Green channel set Input: 126, Output: 130 and on Blue channel be 3 points: Input: 59, Output: 63; Input: 124, Output: 132; Input: 182, Output: 197. You should see that the bright areas of the image acquired a blue tint. Through this we can make a smooth night scene over the entire image.



Next add a new layer filled with color #495cbf. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. Set Mode “Soft Light” and Opacity: 30%. Specify color #495cbf and press OK. This layer, I added a bit of color to even out the color scheme. These layers are preparing colors and image for the correct application of the night effect


Step 10

Now we have to highlight the center of our image with color spot. Create a new layer with gradient fill (Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient…), Set Mode “Soft Light” and Opacity: 50%. In window that appears click on gradient and make as in image below from color #ffffff to #0e1406 (to duplicate gradient slider hold Opt/Alt and move it). After you are done with a gradient, click Ok and in window “Gradient Fill” set Style: Radial, Angle: 55, 3 degrees, Scale: 150% and click OK.



At night, anything not be blue. Just a hint of color, therefore, for the balance, I added a new adjustment layer “Curves”, but this time I worked on a Red channel (one point: Input: 134, Output: 123;) to add a little green color and on blue channel (3 points: Input: 56, Output: 45; Input: 136, Output: 120; Input: 205, Output: 196) make yellow tint on image.



Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. Set Mode “Overlay” and Opacity: 30%. Set color #28337a and press OK.


Step 11

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast… Set Brightness: 3, Contrast: 1. I added a bit of a glow, and the following layers will help me to darken the image and add basic tone.



Create a new layer with gradient fill (Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient…) Set Mode “Soft Light” and Opacity: 50%. In Gradient Editor, make gradient #b0d7ff – #183099 – #0a1026. In “Gradient Fill” set Style: Radial, Angle: 67, 62 degrees, Scale: 150% and click OK.



Add an adjustment layer “Curves”. On RGB channel, I use two points Input: 146, Output: 113 in center and move upper right point to Input: 255, Output: 224.



Last adjustment layer be again “Curves”. Move upper right point to Input: 146, Output: 113. That is, we darkened the picture and you can proceed to selective correction. On the adjustment layer mask, using Brush Tool (B) (Size: 400px, Opacity: 50%, Hardness: 0%) remove effect from the central part of the image, as shown in the image below.




Step 12

Create a new layer by using Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N or go to Layer > New > Layer. In the dialog box, specify the following settings for the layer: Mode: Overlay, set checkbox on “Fill with Overlay-neutral color (50% gray)”. Use the Burn Tool (O) for create shadow and Dodge Tool (O) to create a light and shadow. Set the settings to each tool like shown in the image below. On this layer draw shadow along the edges of the image and on the back wall and light on stairs.



At this stage, everything is done and you can move on. That’s about is you should get. All layers with adjustment layers, I will integrate into one group “night FX”.


Step 13

And now we get down to the image of our magician. I had to use a few photos of a girl to create a correct posture. Start by adding the first model photo (File > Place (Place Embedded)) “stock___vampiria_by_mahafsoun-d7faxvr” (Model 1). Resize the image I did not, but there is one very important point and I do not advise you to use it often. To model seemed a little bit higher than I did reduce the width of the photo, and increased in height (if you use this only in very extreme cases, and so that all parts of the body remained normal).


Step 14

Use Pen Tool (P) to create a contour of model. Be sure to leave a little background in the field of hair. Make selection from path (Feather Radius: 0px) and use Refine Edge (Cmd/Ctrl + Opt/Alt + R or Select > Refine Edge) to remove the remnants of the background and make selection more smooth. In Refine Edge Set View “On Black”, checkbox on “Smart Radius”, Radius: 4.0px, Shift Edge: -12%. Use brush in this window to remove pieces of background from hair and remove gray shadow from dress. Click Ok when you finish it.





Add a layer mask to remove background (Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection to use button on Layer Panel). On the layer mask, I remove her hand to replace it with another photo. Use Hard Round brush to not to damage a model.


Step 15

Repeat the previous two steps (Steps 13-14) for a photo with the second model (Model 2). Only this time, on a layer mask, remove all except model’s hand. Try to position the hand so that it look natural. In the second picture you can see my result, After all, I combined the two models into one group (Cmd/Ctrl + G) “Model”.




Step 16

I instantly make light and shadow for model that she perfectly fit into the interior. Create a new nondestructive layer (Overlay-neutral color) (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N) and use Dodge and Burn tools (O) from Step 12 (but change: Size: 100- 250px) to create shadow on both sides of the model and light on hairs, eyes, arms. Note that the light will come from the leopard, books, magic ball in her hands. Make this layer as Clipping Mask (Cmd/Ctrl + Opt/Alt + G or right click on layer > Create Clipping Mask).



Create a normal new layer (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N) below “model” group. Select Brush Tool (B) (Size: 500px, Opacity: 100%, Hardness: 0%, Roundness: 40% (F5)) and draw shadow under model also paint the hem of her dress.



Once add the book. Place image “book_png_by_mariasemelevich-d87y7zn” above model’s group. Resize (Cmd/Ctrl + T) book down that size be proportional to model. Place the book little over a hand to strengthen the ability of magic :).
Step 17

It’s time to fire a leopard! On the main picture is all well and we begin to details. We will do a leopard in a new document, and then add it to the main picture. So Open image “snow_leopard_stock_20_by_hotnstock-d4zeh7v” in Photoshop (Cmd/Ctrl + O or File> Open) and duplicate it (Cmd/Ctrl + J). Make contour and then selection of leopard using Pen Tool (P) (Feather Radius: 0px). Try to do not get in selection particles of background and hair not cut. This does not mean you have to cut each hairs by hand. Just try to draw the contour with minimal background presence.


Step 18

Go to Refine Edge (Cmd/Ctrl + Opt/Alt + R), set checkbox “Smart Radius” and Radius: 4.2px, Shift Edge: -10%. Use brush in this window and draw on the inner side of the contour (on leopard, and not on the background). Add a layer mask to this layer and again duplicate it (Cmd/Ctrl + J) (This copy is in case you have something goes wrong with the next step).



Hide all the layers below by clicking on the eye icon to the left of the desired layer. Select Brush Tool (B), press F5 and set form: “Dune Grass” (from a standard brush set of Photoshop) Size: 40px, Opacity: 100%, Spacing: 10%, Angle – change depending on the slope on a leopard fur. In Shape Dynamics set Size Jitter: 55%, Angle Jitter: 10%. Go to next tab “Scattering” and set Scatter: 66%, Count: 1. Uncheck “Color Dynamics” and “Transfer”.



On a leopard layer mask (draw black color – D then X) very carefully, in accordance with the direction of wool draw blades of grass on the edge of leopard contour. Try to draw the wool so as not to appear pieces of background (you have to draw between the hair and the background). Also, if you need something to remove, just set brush color to white (X).



Now that you know how to make a realistic fur. And if you do photo manipulation with animals, you can achieve even more realistic.
Step 19

Desaturation (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + U or go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate) resulting image of leopard and there adjust contrast of leopard by using “Levels” (Cmd/Ctrl + L or Image > Adjustments > Levels or use adjustment layer “Levels”). Set for blacks: 35, gray: 2.18, white: 213. If you do other fire animals, these values are not appropriate. You will need to achieve a contrasting black and white image. In addition, remember, the darkest parts will be the brightest. Delete unnecessary layers (select + Del).





Invert image by adding adjustment layer “Invert” (or you can use Cmd/Ctrl + I) and Merge leopard layer with adjustment layers (Cmd/Ctrl + E) and go to Channels panel. In Channels panel hold Cmd/Ctrl and click on RGB thumbnail to select all white color and duplicate selection (Cmd/Ctrl + J). Create a new layer (Cmd/Ctrl +Shift + N or use icon on Layer panel), set Background color to black (D then X on keyboard) and fill layer (Cmd/Ctrl + Del) and the leopard appeared!


Step 20

Now make coloring for leopard. On layer panel lock transparent pixels (icon in the form of a chess cells in the upper part of the Layers panel) and Use Soft Round brush with Size: 150px, Opacity: 100%, color #fff568 as main color and #faae5d to create a darker the contour. Unlock transparent pixels on this layer.



Now add a little outer glow. Make a double click on leopard layer and in Layer Style window choice “Outer Glow” Mode: Screen, Opacity: 52%, Color: #ff0000, Size: 7px and click OK.



Increase the contrast of colors to enhance the glow. Add adjustment layer “Levels” and set for whites value 222.


Step 21

Create a fire basis on a leopard. First, open (Cmd/Ctrl + O) desired image of fire (in my case “sidestreet-stock (3)”) from pack “Package Fire_stock_by_sidestreet_stock”. On Channels panel hold Cmd/Ctrl and click on RGB thumbnail select Move Tool (V) and drag the fire in the document with the leopard.



Slightly reduce the size of the flame (Cmd/Ctrl + T) and use Move Tool (V) + hold down Opt/Alt to quickly duplicate the flame. Rotate and duplicate flames to close the entire path of leopard. After all done, merge flame layers (Cmd/Ctrl + E). Use Eraser Tool (E) to remove unnecessary flames from leopard body and do a little more smooth outer flame.



Now add flame larger sizes using the method in the first paragraph of the previous step. Not necessarily completely cover the leopard. Just add a few desired flames slightly larger. Use Eraser Tool (E) if you need to remove unnecessary parts to make the fire more dynamic.
Step 22

If you have a desire to make leopard more interesting, add flying sparks beside. Place image “sparks_2_by_mariasemelevich-d826onj”, change Blending Mode to “Screen” reduce their size to match the scale of the leopard and duplicate them in several different places. Use layer mask and painting on it to remove some sparks and make realistic texture. That’s it! Burning leopard ready. You can use adjustment layers “Hue/Saturation”, “Color Balance” and etc. to change color, just like my second version of leopard.





Hide the black background (do not worry if sparks will be on a black background, all is well and just later it will be fixed) and will Merge all layers with the leopard into one (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + E). Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click on thumbnail to select a leopard. Use Move Tool (V) to move it to a working document with photomanip.



Increase slightly its size and position it near the feet of the model. Set Blending Mode “Screen”. Place the layer with the leopard between the group with the model and shadow. Our leopard is ready and we can start working on lighting and visual effects.


Step 23

In this part of tutorial I will teach you how to make glow and reflected light. With a few layers, we create realistic lighting and effects. First, add a little color and smoke to the overall atmosphere. Create a new layer below leopard, take soft round brush (Size: 600px, Opacity: 35%) with color #ad5b3d and draw a light around a leopard and a little on the stairs. Set “Color” Blending Mode to this layer.



Load brush pack “ryky___all_my_photoshop_brushes_by_ryky-d6lsedy” in Photoshop. Select brush “Aufgenommener Pinsel 2 10” (Size: 600px, Opacity: 20%) and on a new layer above leopard, using white color draw a smoke around model and leopard




Step 24

We proceed to a model. I think it necessary to make lighting now, then to make it easier to add other effects. All of the following, I will write on its own layer and with different blending modes. Be careful and accurate to achieve good results. So create a new layer and make it as Clipping Mask (Cmd/Ctrl + Opt/Alt + G), that layer contents acted to the group with the model) to model’s group. Use soft round brush (B) (Size: 250px, Opacity: 100%, Color: #e16640) and draw a light spot on model’s leg and hand, that are closer to the leopard. Layer Blending Mode “Soft Light”, Opacity: 80%.



Do the same with the next layer of light but using color #ffff84 and drawing closer to the edge of the contour to amplify light. Layer Blending Mode “Soft Light”, Opacity: 57%. In this part of the tutorial we will draw a lot :)
Step 25

Now do the bright glow of the fire. Select Brush Tool (B) (Size: 35px, Opacity: 100%, Color: #f1a73c) and very carefully, on a new layer make a more detailed edges of folds and on dress, on the leg the model make a small reflection of the fire. Layer Blending Mode “Overlay”, Opacity: 36%.



Create glow from the book on hand and hair model. I understand that it is a little early, but be much better to create one it is now, that then you do not get confused. The scheme remains the same: New layer – Brush Tool (B) (Size: 100px, Opacity: 100%, Color: #64ccf4) – Layer Blending Mode “Normal”, Opacity: 68%. Gently apply the basic tone of the face, hair and hand model. The second layer is the same, but now I stepped distribution of color on hair and face with the other side and changed layer Blending Mode to “Color”, Opacity: 100%.


Step 26

Now add effects to a book. First, you need to make the right lighting for a book. Create a new Overlay-neutral color layer (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N and set Mode: “Overlay” and checkbox on “Fill with Overlay-neutral color), set it as Clipping Mask (Cmd/Ctrl + Opt/Alt + G) to book layer. Dodge pages and darken the lower part of the book (settings for Burn Tool (O) Dodge Tool (O) in Step 12 and Size: 150px). Set Opacity: 70% to this layer.



Create normal new layer and make a big spot on a book with Brush Tool (B) (Size: 700px, Opacity: 100%, Color #4ccafe). Set for this layer Blending Mode “Color”. Therefore, the next new layer is the flight to your imagination and desires. I added to the niche flying particles. You can use whatever you like. There are no restrictions. I made a small list of the used brushes if you want to repeat my result. Use different values of Opacity (30% -100%), change the brush size, form (I use brushes “NagelSeries37-Spots01”, “NagelSeries37-Spots02”, “The Fairy Dust Brush”, “Sampled Brush 1 6”, “splatter 2”) and use different combinations of colors (I use #4ccafe and 97dffe). All you want. In this brush set a very different brushes.



Mandatory condition is create a new layer after every one or two strokes, it will allow you to change the Opacity of every stroke and merge there layers (Cmd/Ctrl + E).


Step 27

Now freeze a book :). For this purpose on two new layers (there layers as Clipping Masks and above the layer with book shadow) I use brush “Sampled Brush 2 40” (Size: 80px) with color #95a2a8 I drew on the cover of book the frost. Change Opacity (40% -70%) to achieve better results.



Add the final layer for outside snowflakes. This layer is located under a layer with a blue glow and not like Clipping Mask. Brush form “Snowflakes”, Size: 30-40px, color #95a2a8. Layer Blending mode – “Soft Light”. That’s it! With a book on this, we finish. A little later, when we will add basic lighting effects, we will add a few details, and now add the flying pages.


Step 28

So, the flying sheets. For the beginning we were a little scattered them on the floor to further understand how placing flying sheets. Place image “burnt_music_sheets_png_by_frozenstocks-d5prud7” into working document and that return to Step 8 (where you make a floor), place sheets, but in this case, I recommend a little to reduce its size. Layer with notes is located under a layer of shadow on the model. Create a group “sheets” and work with it there (Cmd/Ctrl + G). So you do not get stuck in layers.



Duplicate sheets several times and change their position, to make the texture more diverse. I will integrate layers with sheets on the floor and add a layer mask to remove the duplicated fragments.


Step 29

We now make flying sheets in the background. Again, Place image “burnt_music_sheets_png_by_frozenstocks-d5prud7” and simply duplicate them three times and is located at the middle and bottom of the image. Resize multiple copies to make realistic flight (pages cannot all fly in the same plane).



As with previous sheets, I merge the layers into one and added a layer mask and remove some pages to reduce their density and set the direction of flight.


Step 30

Convert resulting layer to Smart Object (right click on a layer > Convert to Smart Object). Now we can apply a motion and make changes to it. Go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Set Angle: 35 degrees and Distance: 30px and click OK.



On effect layer mask remove blur from edges of the sheets which are closest to model with Brush Tool (B) (Size: 150px. Opacity: 40%, Hardness: 0%).



Create a new layer above flying sheets and fill it with black color. Set layer Opacity: 56%. At now sheets, look realistic. Because the light in this picture is not uniform and it is important to preserve the unity of the atmosphere.


Step 31

Similarly, to Steps 29-30 made a bigger sheets on foreground. All the effects and action have remained the same, only now to make a big page (do not do too many of them), and on a new layer (as Clipping Mask), apply shadow (use soft round brush with black color) on the edges of the pages where they are closer to the edge of the document. Set to Shadow layer Opacity: 62%.


Step 32

Now enhance the color in the picture detail and elaborate lighting. I am writing this now because the main objects properly in place and we can do the right lighting. Create a new group “FX” (on Layer panel click on appropriate icon) under group “Book”. Create a new layer there. Use a soft round brush with Opacity: 100% and color #e8702d to paint the first stages and part of the floor on the left side of the image. Same for the right side but use color #efec43. Set for layer Opacity: 23%, Blending Mode “Hard Light”.



Now do the same thing but on Leopard. Layer Blending Mode “Overlay”, Opacity: 57%.



Are you see how colors converted? Now the final touch. Use color # ce835b and paint a leopard and a little around it and a bit of flying pages to create a strong glow. Blending Mode “Overlay”. Now everything has become realistic and vivid. Fire was natural, and the surrounding interior mysterious.


Step 33

Now back to the book. In “FX” group, create a new layer and use brush “Gras – kort” with Size: 175px and white color, in a few places dotted draw near a book. Add a filter “Motion Blur” (Filter > Blur > Motion Blur) with the settings: Angle: 90 degrees, Distance 40px. Here is a bit of magic or icicles. On your taste. Remove excess using Eraser Tool (E).


Step 33

Now back to the book. In “FX” group, create a new layer and use brush “Gras – kort” with Size: 175px and white color, in a few places dotted draw near a book. Add a filter “Motion Blur” (Filter > Blur > Motion Blur) with the settings: Angle: 90 degrees, Distance 40px. Here is a bit of magic or icicles. On your taste. Remove excess using Eraser Tool (E).



With the effects of the work is completed. In my opinion, the result is good, because we have eliminated the drawbacks of lighting and make the picture more intense. It is very well showed mystery and intimidating atmosphere of the old castle. Now the atmosphere formed and you can add a little small genre pieces. Can begin to create a magical powers.


Step 34

Create a new group “Magic ball” under a layer with sheets and a new layer into it. Use Elliptical Marquee Tool (O) to make a ball the size of a little more than hand model (to draw a circle flat, hold Cmd/Ctrl + Opt/Alt). Set Background color #8d8987 and fill selection (Cmd/Ctrl + Del). Deselect (Cmd/Ctrl + D) and on a new layer (as Clipping Mask) draw white points, using a brush “Sampled Brush 1 6”.



Now the magic structure. Create a new layer and clip it. Fill layer a black color (D, then X and Cmd/Ctrl + Del). Go to Filter > Render > Clouds and add another filter “Difference Clouds” (Filter > Render > Difference Clouds). Press Cmd/Ctrl + F as the structure of clouds becomes shallower and like a cut stone, (I repeated imposition filter about 20 – 30 times). Change layer Blending Mode to “Linear Dodge (Add)”. Duplicate this layer, add a layer mask (Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All) and draw with white color on the mask, make energy prominences.


Step 35

Add some color. Select Gradient Tool (G), set gradient form “Radial” and go to “Gradient Editor”. There set preset “Foreground to Transparent” and edit it. Create four sliders (just do not touch the transparent. To duplicate slider, hold Cmd/Ctrl and move it) and make two pairs with color #9941c2 and #691b8d. Click OK and on a new layer draw gradient from center of ball to the point as shown in the image below. Set layer Blending Mode “Color Burn”.





Duplicate gradient layer (Cmd/Ctrl + J) and change Blending Mode to “Pin Light”. This will allow the paint little white dots and make a smoother color. Use soft brush with Size: 500px and color #be5efa to create a glow on a new layer. Blending Mode “Soft Light”, Opacity: 54%.



Duplicate gradient layer (Cmd/Ctrl + J) and change Blending Mode to “Pin Light”. This will allow the paint little white dots and make a smoother color. Use soft brush with Size: 500px and color #be5efa to create a glow on a new layer. Blending Mode “Soft Light”, Opacity: 54%.




Step 36

It remains only to add to our picture of ghosts and all! Open image “ghosts_png_by_mariasemelevich-d87y8cm” (Cmd/Ctrl + O). Take Lasso Tool (L), select ghost, hold Cmd/Ctrl or use Move Tool (V) and move selection in working document.



Now you can arrange them as you like. Change the size and position. I made in this picture just 4 ghost. Place all of them in the desired positions, and merge it in a single layer (Cmd/Ctrl + E) and add a filter “Gaussian Blur” (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur) and set Radius: 5px. That will be quite enough to make ghosts “out of focus”. Little hint :) Try changing on ghost layer Blend Mode to “Screen”. Maybe you will like this more.



Create a two new layers. First over ghosts and the second in the group “night FX”. Again, loved, but bothersome Brush Tool (B) (Brush: “Aufgenommener Pinsel 2 10”, Size: 1000px, Opacity: 45%, color: black) use it for the last time to make smoke on ghosts and darken the top of the back wall. For second layer set Opacity: 35%.


Final Results

Well, that’s all! The picture is ready and you can rest and enjoy your results. In this lesson, we will have time to do everything and I hope that you are never bored :) and you learned a lot. A little advice: take a few minutes break, if you feel that something goes wrong or everything became too difficult. Just do not forget that you should not afraid to experiment! Thank you very much for your attention and good luck!







Thank you very much for taking the time to study this tutorial! I hope you benefited it! I wish all lucked in your future achievements! I thank the authors of resources for their excellent work and good quality! Thank you very much! If you have questions or need help, please contact me. I look forward to your feedback and creative works! You can contact me by e-mail – otodex@hotmail.com or Facebook Deviantart Behance. I am open to suggestions and cooperation! With best wishes!

– Maria Semelevich.