Tutorial on how to create a nice abstract/blur inspired effect in Photoshop.

You’ve might seen this sort of effect elsewhere before. I really like the effect, but don’t like the typical lens-flare effect already built into Photoshop’s filters. So I decided I wanted to create a little something of my own, it’s not hard and it takes little time to pump out a nice result. The final image can be used as anything, whether it’s a background-fill for some of your other artwork, a background/theme for your webpage, a wallpaper for your phone/computer, or anything else you might need this type of effect for.

Part 1

1. I started out with a 700×900 pixels canvas, filled the background layer with the color black #000000.
2. Create a new layer (ctrl+alt+n (name it if you want to, for example to color you pick)) and choose the Soft-Round Brush on 0% hardness and brush-size around 400-450 pixels with the color pink/purple #ea00ff. (Or your own choice if you want something else)
3. Block in some round shapes with opacity around 80%, if you have a tablet you can set the pen-pressure to control opacity.
4. I used a filter to get the blurred effect. Choose the layer you’re working with, go to Filter -> Gaussian Blur, I used a radius of 100 pixels, but you should experiment with other sizes to get the best result for yourself.
5. This will be the color furthest behind in your final image, so make sure you plan ahead before you paint them in. You can swap layers around as well, so you can just go nuts and see if it all adds up in the end, as well.

You should now have something similar to this, in terms of how the brush-strokes and opacity looks

Part 2

1. Create a new layer (ctrl+alt+n (name it if you wish, for example the color you’ll use).
2. Block in more shapes in different sizes, still using the Soft-Round Brush on 0% hardness. I choose the color light-blue #2c94d4, I varied between a brush-size of 200 pixels and 500 pixels.
3. I used a filter to get the blurred effect. Choose the layer you’re working with, go to Filter -> Gaussian Blur, I used a radius of 100 pixels, but you should experiment with other sizes to get the best result for yourself.
4. This will be the color in front of the other one as it’s on a layer overlapping the first layer, so you might want to look into what sort of colors that compliments each other.

You should now have something similar to this

Part 3

1. Create a new layer (ctrl+alt+n (I named it blur)) and pick Overlay for the layer-setting.
2. Still using a Soft-Round Brush on 0% hardness, choose the color white #ffffff and shrink the brush-size down to around 150-200 pixels.
3. Start blocking in small round shapes to bring out some “flare” in the middle of the color-mess you’ve got going on.
4. I also used the Gaussian Blur filter on this layer to get a washed out effect, it feels softer and thus better in my opinion.

Your image is now done, and you should have something similar to this

Full resolution of the image can be viewed on my Flickr stream, here’s a link.

Another sketch, going to be a worklog/tutorial.

Trying to paint a panther this time, in a natural environment (jungle, ish). As this is just a basic sketch the only elements I’ve included by now is general shapes and colors for the panther and the environment. I will make this a worklog, or some sort of tutorial where I will explain the steps I take to complete the sketch from idea/concept to final image.

Click on the images for a larger version.

1. Create the background

The first step I take when I want to create an image, whether it’s from my mind or from reference, is to create a background. I never ever work with a white canvas as white has a tendency to “tear” into your eyes and make you squinch. Find a color your eyes like and use that, even if it’s just a character concept.

If you’re using photo reference for a concept, your main object is usually interfering with the background. This is where your imagination and reasonable mind comes in play. The background on the image I decided on wasn’t too hard to figure out, I just needed to remove the panther, in my mind, and paint what I think this jungle scenery would look like without the panther. When I had the basic colors and shapes plotted in I placed the panther in there, just a black shape to start with.

2. Shape and color

Basic shape of the panther, foreground and background of the environment blocked in. At this stage I have used very few colors, just getting the idea on the canvas more or less, so I see if the composition works. I’ve used a reference image, and I am trying to get the basic colors and composition out of that.

3. Blocking in more colors

I’ve added more detail, basically just more colors (light tones and shadow tones) to bring out the values of the panther. Some more colors blocked in to show the muddy ground (perhaps I’ll change that, a tree of some sort, I don’t feel confident with muddy texture, too much detail), as well as trees, leaves and blurry bits in the background.

4. More details (colors)

I’ve added more details to the panther, several tones of black (grey, 90%, 80%, 70%) to make the panther pop out. I’ve also added some minor, but important, details like whiskers, paws, and a reflectation in the eyes, as well as some tree-shapes in the blurred background. This is the final image, I’m fairly satisfied with it, I don’t like the idea of overworked art so I am not going to clutter it up more than this. Don’t be afraid to go loose and easy, if you feel comfortable and satisfied with your final image you should keep that, don’t overwork it.

5. Final touches

All done, hope you like it.

Worklog of how I’ve digitally painted a female human eye, sort of.

Decided to try drawing something more lifelike – starting with the human eye. I’ve used small, but important tips from a tutorial on Furiae.com as well as Photoshop CS3 and a Wacom Bamboo tablet.

Sketch

I’m struggling a little with finding the right skintone, and values for light and shadow. I just need more practice, much more practive.

Sketch 2

So, you can see I’ve tried to make the skin around the eye a little more lively by adding hues of a warmer red tone on a separate layer. Also added the iris with some blurry detail and gloss on a layer for each of the elements.

The image isn’t done yet, I still need to add inn some more details on the skin (like small pores, perhaps some blemishes and etc. for realism) as well as eyelashes and much more detail on the iris.

Sketch 3

Added more tones to the skin and small details for texture on the skin, this was done on a separate layer as well.

Sketch 4

Added the rest of details on the iris, around the eye, the eyebrow as well as adding eyelashes. I’m quite satisfied with the final result, but some things could have been done better. For example the eyelashes which I feel are a bit too “thick” and a little too dark.

Overall I’m quite satisfied, this is my first take on painting an eye digitally.