How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation

In this fantasy photo manipulation tutorial, we will learn how to create a sorceress with a butterfly energy orb. This tutorial will show you how to blend images together, use Photoshop brushes, and apply photo effects.

Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation Photoshop Tutorial

---

Tutorial Details:

---

• Program: Adobe Photoshop CS2
• Version: 9
• Difficulty: Medium
• Estimated Completion Time: 1 to 2 hours

---

Resources

• Misty Forest Stock 1 by Angband (Creative Commons License)
• Black Magic 22 by liam-stock (Creative Commons License)
• Butterfly-Stock 12 by shoofly-stock (Creative Commons License)
• Sparkle Brushes by Tempting-Resources by LilyStox (Creative Commons License)
• Star Brushes by KeRen-R

---

Preview of Final Results

---

---

Step 1: Create the Photoshop document

To start, let’s create a new image file, go to the Menu bar and click File > New, and then input the following values on their respective fields:

• Width: 2480 pixels
• Height: 3508 pixels
• Resolution: 300pixels/inch
• Color Mode: RGB Color; 8 bit
• Background Contents: Transparent

---

Step 2: Create the fantasy background

On this step, we will be creating our fantasy background. Open “Misty Forest Stock 1” by Angband.  First, let’s move the image to our canvas using the Move tool (V). To do this, press V and left-click on the image and then press V. Now, drag the image to the canvas. When you have the image on the canvas, rename it to “Background”.
Note: To rename a layer, simply double-click on the words: “layer 1” to prompt a text box to appear. Once that appears, you may now rename the layer.
Once on the canvas, transform this image using the Transform tool. To activate it, press Ctrl/Cmd + T). To know that the Transform tool is activated, you would see a box with small boxes in its corners and sides encompassing the image.  Let’s now transform the image by following the instructions on the image below:

Next, we will be blurring the image to create a sense of depth against the subject. To achieve this, go to Filter > Blur > Lens Blur. Once the filter opens, input the following:

• Faster
• Depth map
• Source: None
• Blur Focal Distance: 0
• Invert: Unchecked
• Iris
• Shape: Octagon (8)
• Radius: 64
• Blade Curvature: 0
• Rotation: 0
• Specular Highlights
• Brightness: 0
• Threshold: 255
• Noise
• Amount: 0
• Distribution:
• Gaussian: Checked

The result should be similar to this:

Next, we will be creating glowing light on our background to give it a much more fantasy-themed look. First, let’s create a new layer. To do that, press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N and then a box would pop up; when this box pops up, type “Light 1” on the name box. This new layer should now be on top of the layer: “Background”. Before we activate our Brush tool, we’ll need to set the Brush’s color. To do that, click on the Foreground color box as shown on the image below:

Once you’ve done that, the Color Picker box would open. Locate the # box and input the following values:

• #: ffffdb

Now the color is ready, let’s activate the Brush tool by pressing B.

Input the following values:

• Brush size: 500px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 50%
• Flow: 100%

Note: To reduce or increase the Hardness, right click on the image while the Brush tool (B) is activated, then you’d see the Hardness scale, which is at default – 100%, just move the slider to the left to get 0% or to the right to get 100%.

Before you start painting, make sure that the “Light 1” layer is activated or highlighted, if it is not, simply left-click on it. Now it’s time to paint; follow the instructions on the image below:

Create a new layer once again (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and this time name it “Light 2”.
We will be using the same brush color with Light 1 (ffffdb). Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and use the following settings:

• Brush size: 900px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 50%
• Flow: 100%

Brush-in the region shown on the image below:

Next, create a new layer again (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and then name it “Light 3”. Activate the Color Picker again through clicking the Foreground Color box. Once its open input the following value:

• #: fffff4

Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and use the following settings:

• Brush size: 800px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 50%
• Flow: 100%

Apply the brush on the region shown on the image below:

How to Create a Magic-Yielding Sorceress Photo Manipulation - Page 2

 

Page 2 of 6

Next, we’ll be darkening some parts of the image to give emphasis to our subject which will be added later on. First, let’s create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it “Darken BG1”. Open the Color Picker and use the following settings:

• #: 000000

Then input the following brush settings:

• Brush size: 700px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 25%
• Flow: 100%

Use the Brush on the region shown on the image below:

Finally, when you’re done select all the layers that you’ve created and the press Ctrl/Cmd + G to group these layers. You’d notice that a folder will be created; to see the layers, simply click on the drop-down button. Rename this Group to “Background”.
Note: Renaming a group is similar to renaming a layer.

---

Step 3: Create the Sorceress

Now in this step, we will be adding our subject – the sorceress. To start, open “Black Magic 22” by liam stock. We need to separate it from its background. To do that, we will need to activate the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).
“INSERT step3a_plt.jpg”

onal Lasso tool (L) and click on any point around the sorceress and drag your mouse to create an outline over the woman until you’ve reached your starting point. See image below:

Once you’ve done that, dotted lines will form around the area you selected (in this case, the sorceress) and after that, we’re now ready to move the lady to our canvas. To do that, simply activate the Move tool (V) and drag the selected area to our canvas.
Position it similar to the image shown below:

Next, we will have to rename this layer to avoid confusion. Rename this layer to “sorceress”.
Now, we’re going to erase a part of the sorceress’ cloak to produce glare from the light on the background. To do that, we would need to activate our Eraser tool (E).

When it is activated, use the following settings:

• Brush size: 600px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 25%
• Flow: 100%

Use the Eraser on the region shown on the image below:

Next, we will be blurring the edges of the coat to make the depth of field look more realistic. To do that, activate the Blur tool (R).

When activated, input the following values:

• Brush size: 175px
• Hardness: 0%
• Mode: Normal
• Strength: 100%

Apply the Blur tool on the region shown on the image below:

Now we will be changing the sorceress’ Color Balance.  Before you proceed, make sure that the “sorceress” layer is selected, and then go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance. When the Color Balance box opens, input the following:

• Color Levels: -27, -15, 0
• Tone Balance: Midtones
• Preserve Luminosity: Checked

The result should be similar to this:

Now we’re going to add light on the background to emphasize the details of the cloak. First, let’s create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it “Light 4”. Then, open the Color Picker through clicking the Foreground Color box. When the Color Picker opens, input the following:

• #: ffffe6

Now with the brush color set, activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following values:

• Brush size: 600px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 30%
• Flow: 100%

Apply the brush on the region indicated on the image below:

The result should be similar to this: