In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a mysterious scene with a girl in a medieval castle. You will learn how to combine different source images into one single scene using adjustment layers, masks and brushes. You will also learn how to create a depth of field, recreate a dark atmosphere, enhance contrast and colors, as well as create light effects. So let’s get started!
The final result:
Source materials:
Note: The author used paid materials. In the archive you will find an alternative version of the images to perform the lesson.
Step 1
Open the original image with the model. Using tool Frame (Crop Tool (C)), remove the top of the image to focus the observer’s attention on the model:
Step 2
Create a new layer and use the tool Stamp (Clone Tool (S)), hide the window that is located in the background behind the model:
Step 3
Select a layer with a model and a layer with a stamp, and then press the keys (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E) to merge them into one layer. To merged layer, apply filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian Blur), for this we go Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur), set radius (Radius) blur 9 px. Using a soft black brush, paint over the front background of the image to hide the blur effect. Now we can see the blur effect only in the background:
Step 4
To enhance the depth of field and create a mystical atmosphere, using a soft black brush, paint over the background to hide the door:
Step 5
Create a new layer and using a soft brush, brush color # d9eef8, paint over the model image, as well as the wall section behind the model, as these scene details look too blue compared to the background. Change the blending mode for this layer to Chromaticity (Color) opacity (Opacity) layer 100%:
Step 6
Open the original image with the stem of a climbing plant. Separate the image of the stem, and then add it to our scene by placing it at the corners of the image. You can duplicate the layer with the selected image of the stem several times, and then arrange duplicate layers at your discretion. Using tool Free transformation (Free Transform Tool (Ctrl + T)), in mode Deformation (Warp), distort the stems so that they do not look the same:
To the layer with the stem, which is located in the foreground, apply a filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian Blur), set a 4 px blur radius to add some depth to our scene:
Step 7
Select the layers with the stems, and then press the keys (Ctrl + G) to group them into one group. Change the blending mode for the layer with group to Normal (Normal), opacity (Opacity) layer 100%. Add adjustment layer Color Balance (Color Balance). Change the settings for the mode Mid tones (Mid-tones), which are shown in the screenshot below:
Step 8
Next, add an adjustment layer. Curves (Curves) to reduce the brightness. Switch to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush, hide the shading effect by the curves in the middle part of the stems:
Step 9
Open the original image with the branches. Separate the branches from the background using any tool you prefer to work with. Add individual branch fragments to our working paper. Place the branches along the arch below the stems, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 10
Group layers with branches. Using the adjustment layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation), decrease the value Saturation (Saturation) to – 63:
Step 11
Change the color of the branches using the adjustment layer Color Balance (Color Balance):
Step 12
Using the adjustment layer Curves (Curves), darken the branches. Switch to the mask of this adjustment layer and use a soft black brush to hide the shading effect with curves just like you did with the stems:
Step 13
Open the original image with the skulls. Separate the image of the skulls, and then move the selected image of the skulls to our working paper. Place the skulls on the bottom right of our scene:
To the layer with skulls, add a layer mask and using a hard round black brush, hide part of the skulls image to create the feeling that they are located behind the model:
Step 14
Next, add a correction layer to the skull layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) as a clipping mask. Reduce value Saturation (Saturation) to change the color of the skulls:
Step 15
Add turquoise tones to your skulls using an adjustment layer. Color Balance (Color Balance):
Step 16
Using the adjustment layer Curves (Curves), darken the skull. Switch to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush, paint over the upper parts of the skulls in order to restore the light tones in these areas:
Step 17
Create a new layer on top of all other layers. Set the foreground color to # e4e4e4. Using the Web brush, add a web to our scene. Use different brushes to add webs to the edges of the arch, along the stems and branches:
To the cobweb layer at the bottom left of the scene, apply a filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian Blur). Install radius (Radius) blur 2 px to repeat the same softening with a blurred stem in the same part of the scene:
Step 18
Create a new layer below the layer with a group with stems. Using a soft black brush, about 40% opacity, add shadows to the stems and branches on the arch.
Step 19
Create a new adjustment layer. Curves (Curves) on top of all layers to reduce the brightness of the image. Switch to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush, paint over the individual details on the model image, the arch, as well as the floor, to reduce the effect of the correction curves on these areas:
Create a new fill adjustment layer. Colour (Color Fill). Set the fill color to # 450404. Change the blending mode to An exception (Exclusion), opacity (Opacity) layer 100%:
Step 20
Add adjustment layer Color Balance (Color Balance). Change settings for modes Mid tones (Mid-tones) and Sveta (Highlights):
Create another adjustment layer Curves (Curves) on top of all layers to darken the whole scene:
Step 21
Add adjustment layer Selective color correction (Selective color). Change the settings for Blue (Cyan) tones:
Add adjustment layer Vibration (Vibrance) to enhance color shades:
Step 22
Open the original image with a lantern. Separate the image of the lantern from the background. Move the selected flashlight image to our working paper, placing it in the model’s hand. Using a layer mask, hide a fragment of the flashlight handle to create a feeling as if she is holding it:
To the lantern layer, add an adjustment layer. Curves (Curves) as a clipping mask to dim the flashlight. Switch to the mask of this adjustment layer and using a soft black brush paint over the central part of the lamp, as well as the parts of the pen, in order to restore the light colors:
Draw the shadow of the lantern just as you did with the shadow for the stems and branches:
Step 23
To add light effects to the lamp, create a new layer, change the blending mode for this layer to Linear Dodge (Linear Dodge), layer opacity is 100%. Using a soft brush, brush color # 2c1502, paint over the lantern and also the model’s fingers:
Create another layer. Change the brush color to # f6b764. Paint over the central part of the lantern to enhance the light of the lantern. Change the blending mode for this layer to Overlap (Overlay), 100% layer opacity:
Step 24
Create a new layer below the layers with light effects, change the blending mode for this layer to Hard light (Hard Light), layer opacity is 100%. Using a soft brush, brush color # f6b764, add a reflection of light on the dress model:
Create another new layer, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (Color Dodge), the opacity of the layer is 100%. Paint the fingers of the model as well as the folds of the dress. Brush color # fcd7a6:
Step 25
Using a brush, the color of the brush # 0e566b, I dyed the hair of the model to add light highlights to them.
Well done, if you have reached the end of the lesson! It is always helpful to complete a mini project like this. Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. See you again!
The final result:
