In this tutorial, I will show you how to create mystical photo manipulation in Adobe Photoshop. We will create a mystical scene with an abandoned forest and an old gate, with a girl that causes fear, with bats and a creepy atmosphere reigning around.
First we add the forest and the gate, and then darken them to recreate the night background. Next, we will add a model and retouch it in order to combine it with the whole scene using correction layers, mask and tool correction. Clarifier
/ Dimmer 
(Dodge Burn Tool). We will decorate the night sky with bats, smoke and small particles. Next, we will carry out color correction, contrast and light correction of the whole scene, as well as apply makeup to the model at the end of the lesson.
The final result:
1. Add Wood and Gates
Step 1
Create a new document 1500 px x 1500 px in Photoshop. Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
Step 2
Open the original image with an abandoned forest in Photoshop. Using tool Move 
(Move Tool (V)), move this image to our working paper. Place an image with a forest landscape, as shown in the screenshot below:
Step 3
Next, go Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur). Install Radius (Radius) blur 6 px:
With this step, we will add depth to our scene.
Step 4
Next, we darken the forest image using the adjustment layer. Curves (Curves). Let’s go Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Curves (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Curves). Pull the curve down to decrease the brightness:
Step 5
Open the original image with the gate in Photoshop. Using tool Move (Move Tool (V)), move this image to our working paper. Apply scaling (Ctrl + T). Place the image with the gate in the foreground, as shown in the screenshot below:
Step 6
To the layer with the gate, add an adjustment layer Curves (Curves) as a clipping mask. Reduce the brightness of the gate so that it matches the dark forest that is located in the background:
2. Preparing the Model
Step 1
Open the original image with the model. Separate the model from the background with the tool. Polygonal Lasso 
(Polygonal Lasso Tool (L)). Create a new layer between the layer with the background and the selected image of the model. Fill this layer with dark brown. There are minor fragments of hair that I want to remove:
Create a new layer (convert it to a clipping mask). Choose a tool Stamp 
(Clone Tool (S)). With this tool, hide the specified hair fragment:
Step 2
Create a new layer and using a hard round brush, brush color # 363135, brush size about 3-5 px, correct the model’s hair:
Step 3
The shape of the cape does not look very good, so we will retouch it a little. Turn off the visibility of the background layer and the fill layer, and then press the keys (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E) to merge all the visible layers into one layer.
Using tool Polygonal Lasso (Polygonal Lasso Tool), select the lower right fragment of the cape (to the right of the observer). Click the second icon at the bottom of the layers panel to add a mask to the new layer, and then press the keys (Ctrl + I) to invert the mask. The result should be as in the screenshot below:
Step 4
Once again, create a merged layer from all visible layers (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E). Using tool Polygonal Lasso (Polygonal Lasso Tool), select the top fragment of the cape next to the hair:
Right-click on the selected area and in the appeared window select the option To copy on new layer (Layer via Copy). Using transformation (Ctrl + T), fill in the missing lower part of the cape:
Add a layer mask to the layer with the wrap fragment to combine it with the existing wrap.
Step 5
Use the same technique on the other side of the cape to make the cape more voluminous.
3. Add a Model
Step 1
Create a merged layer from all visible layers (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E). Move the merged layer with the image of the model to our working paper. Place the model on the left side of our scene:
Step 2
Create a new layer as a clipping mask. Next, with the tool Stamp (Clone Tool), remove the nail and separate folds on the cape:
Step 3
Create a new layer as a clipping mask. Next, using a soft brush, brush color # a67b72, Opacity (Opacity) and Pressure (Flow) brush about 20-22%, spend the lightening, as well as softening the model’s face. Paint over chin, cheeks, nose and forehead:
Step 4
The model image looks too dull compared to the background; to fix this, create a new adjustment layer. Curves (Curves). Strengthen the contrast of the image of the model. Next, go to the adjustment layer mask. Curves (Curves) and using a soft black brush, varying Opacity (Opacity) brush between 10% – 30%, restore the light on the image, and also add details to the model image. In the screenshot below, you can see the result of brushing on the mask:
Step 5
The head of the model, especially the face, is too prominent, so add another adjustment layer. Curves (Curves) to fix this. Selected areas will show you where to brush on the mask of the adjustment layer Curves (Curves):
Step 6
Create a new layer as a clipping mask, change the blending mode to Overlap (Overlay), opacity (opacity) layer 100%, and also fill 50% gray (50% gray):
Using tool Clarifier / Dimmer (Dodge Burn Tool (O)), in the settings of this tool set Range (Range) on Mid tones (Midtones), and the value Exposure (Exposure) by about 10-30%, add details to the image of the model, especially on clothing. You can see the result of the brush processing in the screenshot below under the blending mode. Normal (Normal) and the final result in the blend mode Overlap (Overlay):
Step 7
To discolor the blue tones on the cape, create a new adjustment layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation). In the settings window of this adjustment layer, decrease the value Saturation (Saturation) for Blue (Blues) tones up to -83:
4. Add Bats
Step 1
Open the original image with bats. Separate bats from the background with the tool. Magic wand 
(Magic Wand Tool (W)) or using any other selection tool that you prefer to work with. Add a few bats to our working paper with the tool. Move (Move Tool), apply scaling (Ctrl + T). Place the bat layers below the gate layer. Increase the size of the bat, which is located on the right side of our scene:
Step 2
To layer with bats, apply filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian Blur), set a blur radius of 4 px for mice that are located in the center and left of the scene, and 3 px for mice that are located on the right (since they are closer to the foreground, they should be less blurred and more distinct than other bats):
Step 3
Select layers with bats, and then press the keys (Ctrl + G) to group them in one group. Change the blending mode for the layer with the group from the mode Skip (Pass through) on Normal (Normal), layer opacity is 100%. Add adjustment layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) to discolor the bat image.
Step 4
Add adjustment layer Curves (Curves) and in the window that appears, set the curve, as shown in the screenshot below, to reduce the brightness. I plan to add a light source in the upper left of the scene behind the model’s head, so go to the adjustment layer mask. Curves (Curves) and with the help of a soft black brush hide the effect of the curves on the parts of the image of bats where the light should fall.
5. Create a Dark Atmosphere
Step 1
Create a new layer on top of all other layers, and then press the (D) key to set the foreground / background colors to the default (black / white). Next we go Filter – Rendering – Clouds (Filter> Render> Clouds):
Decrease opacity (opacity) layer with clouds up to 30% and using a layer mask, hide the smoke effect in the upper half of the image, so the effect will be visible only somewhere in the bottom of the scene:
Step 2
Open the original texture with small particles. Move this texture to our working paper. Change the blending mode to Multiplication (Multiply), layer opacity is 100%.
Step 3
Add adjustment layer Inversion (Invert) so that black particles are visible:
Step 4
To the particle texture layer, add a layer mask. Reduce the saturation of the particles, in particular in the face and body of the model. We do not need too many particles in the indicated areas.
Step 5
To the particle layer, apply a filter. Gaussian blur (Gaussian Blur), set a blur radius of 3 px to make the effect subtle.
6. Add Branches
Step 1
Open the original image with the tree. Separate the tree from the original image. Select the branches you like to add them to the bottom of our scene. In the screenshot below, you can see the branches I chose:
Step 2
To layer with added branches, apply filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian Blur). Set a blur radius of 6 px to increase the depth of field.
Step 3
Group layers with branches in one group. Add adjustment layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) to discolor the branches. Reduce value Saturation (Saturation) to -89:
Step 4
Add adjustment layer Curves (Curves) and in the window that appears, set the curve, as shown in the screenshot below, to reduce the brightness. In the screenshot below, you can see my processing branches on the adjustment layer mask. Curves (Curves).
7. Basic Correction
Step 1
Create a new adjustment layer. Gradient map (Gradient Map) on top of all other layers. Set the colors of the gradient to # e10019 and # 00601b. Decrease Opacity (opacity) of this adjustment layer up to 20%.
Step 2
Next, create an adjustment layer. Color Balance (Color Balance). In the settings window of this adjustment layer, set the settings for Medium tones (Midtones) and Light glare (Highlights):
Step 3
Add adjustment layer Photo Filter (Photo Filter). Set the color to # 47f4de:
Step 4
Add adjustment layer Levels (Levels). Slide the slider for Medium tones (Midtones) to 1.34. Switch to the adjustment layer mask Levels (Levels) and with the help of a soft black brush hide the curves effect around the central part of the image, as shown in the screenshot below, so that the specified area is lighter.
8. Add Color and Light Effects.
Step 1
The time has come for the most interesting part of the lesson. Using tool Lasso
(Lasso Tool), select the bottom right area. Set the radius Feathering (Feather) 80:
Next we go Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Channel Mixing (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Channel Mixer). Set preferences for Red (Red) channel, which are shown in the screenshot below:
Step 2
Repeat the previous step, only this time apply the adjustment layer. Hue / saturation (Hue / Saturation) to add red tones to the bottom right image area:
Step 3
Do the same with the top left of the scene. This time we will strengthen the blue tones instead of the red ones:
Step 4
Strengthen the light on the upper left side of the scene behind the model using the same technique using the adjustment layer. Curves (Curves).
Step 5
Add adjustment layer Vibration (Vibrance) to enhance the color effect:
Step 6
Create a new layer using the medium hard brush, brush color # 0c9ec7, paint the reflection of the light on the largest bat, as well as along the edge of the model image, especially the areas where the blue light falls.
Step 7
Add a blue glow to the left side of the gate using the same brush. It may not be so easy and you will need to be patient, so I recommend that you use the tablet to get the best result.
Step 8
It’s time for the red light. Create a new layer. Paint over the bottom of the cape, brush color # 1e0203. Change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (Color Dodge), opacity (opacity) layer 100%:
Step 9
Paint over the iron bars on the right side of the gate, the branches, the bottom of the bat, and the bottom of the cape, especially the folds of the cape, the color of the brush # df151a. The effect should be more intense and pronounced in areas that are located closer to the light source.
Step 10
Using the same brush, paint over the model’s eyes to recreate the look of the devil.
Step 11
Change the brush color to # fb9e5a. Add light highlights to your eyes. Glare should repeat the original direction of view, so draw them on the bottom of the red eyeballs.
Step 12
Set the brush color # 332841. Draw makeup on the eyes of the model to recreate a creepy look and enhance the effect.
Step 13
To make the skin model pale, choose a soft brush, set the color of the brush to # 08b4d3, Opacity (Opacity) and Pressure (Flow) brush about 10-15%. Paint over the face of the model, as well as the open skin in the chest area:
Congratulations! We have completed the lesson!
I hope that you liked this lesson, and you learned something new for yourself. Thank you for attending the lesson, and I wish you a good time at this lesson.
The final result:
