In this lesson we will learn how to create an archer with a death-burning arrow! This Photoshop tutorial will show you how to create a defocused background, how to create a realistic burning arrow with brushes and color combinations, and show how to create a vignette effect and apply textures.
Final result
Source materials:
STEP 1. Create a new document.
Let’s create a new document, let’s go Menu – File – New (Menu> File> New), and apply the following settings in the appropriate fields:
Set (Presets): International Paper Size (International Paper)
The size(Size): A4
Width(Width): 2480 px
Height(Height): 3508 px
Resolution(Resolution): 300 px / inch
Color mode(Color Mode): RGB Color; 8 bit
Content background(Background Contents): Transparent(Transparent)
STEP 2. Create a background
In this step, we will create the background for our composition, it will be a dark and mystical forest, where the archer attacks his target. First open the “Magic Forest” image. Once the image has opened, activate the tool. Move 
(Move tool), pressing the V key and as soon as this tool becomes active, click on the image + hold down the left mouse button and move the image with the forest to our document.
Place the stock image “Magic Forest” as shown in the screenshot below:
Next, we need to scale the image, for this, activate the tool Transformation (Transform tool) by pressing Ctrl + T and scale as shown in the screenshot below:
When you’re done, the image should look like the screenshot below:
Next, we apply a blur to this image so that it looks as if the forest is located far from the main character. First, make sure that the layer with the background is active, then we go Filter – Blur – Blur at shallow depth of field (Filter> Blur> Lens Blur). As soon as the settings window appears, apply the following values:
After you click OK, the result should be as in the screenshot:
Now, we will enhance the light on the forest layer. First, click on the layer with the forest, and then create a new layer by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + N keys, and when the dialog box appears, in the line Name (name) write Light 1 (Light 1).
Choose a tool Brush 
(Brush tool (B), but before we start, make sure that the default brushes are set to the default settings. Standard Photoshop brushes are shown in the screenshot below, if you see the wrong brushes that are in the screenshot below, then follow the instructions are listed below:
Right-click on the document and you should have the background layer and brush active, then in the window that appears, click on the icon that is highlighted in the screenshot below:
In the context menu that appears, select the option Restore brushes(Reset Brushes).
So, once you have done this, apply the following settings for the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 1600px
Rigidity(Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure(Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: fffdc7
Brush color set #: fffdc7. To change the current brush color, follow the instructions in the screenshot below:
When the window appears Color palette (Color Picker), enter the following color tint value:
So, we set the desired color of the brush to brighten, now we can apply the brush, do not forget to layer Light 1 (Light 1) was active:
Result:
Next, create another layer, name this layer Light 2 (Light 2).
Once you have created a new layer, select a brush and apply the following values:
The size brushes(Brush size): 2500px
Rigidity(Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure(Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: ceb68d
Now let’s apply a brush!
The result should be as in the screenshot.
When you’re done, select all the layers you created and press Ctrl + G to group all selected layers into one group. Once you have created a group, rename this group to “Background”.
Note: To rename a group, simply double-click on the words. Group 1 (Group 1) to make the text box active, and then you can enter any name. See screenshot below:
STEP 3. Create Archer
Now, we will add the Archer, who will become the center of our composition. For starters, open the stock image of Archer. Once the image has opened, select the tool Magnetic Lasso 
(Magnetic lasso Tool (L) and apply it to create a selection around the archer. See the screenshot below:
Once you have created a selection around the archer, select the tool. Move (Move tool (V) and move the selected image of the archer to our document.
Position the archer layer on top of the background layer by dragging the layer to the top.
Name this layer “Archer”. Renaming a layer is very simple, just like renaming a group. Just double-click on the text Layer 1, etc., and then when the text field becomes active, you can enter any name.
So, you probably noticed that we need to clean the small area that remained after the selection on the image with the archer. See screenshot below:
To remove this site, you need to activate the tool. Polygonal Lasso 
(Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).
Once you have selected a rectilinear lasso, create a selection around the rest of the grass.
The result should be as in the screenshot.
Next, we must blur the edges of the archer, because we need to create a realistic depth of field that was lost during the creation of the selection around the archer and moving to the main document.
Choose a tool Blur 
(Blur tool (R) and apply the following values:
The size brushes(Brush size): 35px
Rigidity(Hardness): 0%
Mode(Mode): Normal(Normal)
Intensity(Strength): 100%
Next, blur the edges of the archer, as shown in the screenshot below:
Result:
Next, we will enhance the color shades of the archer to combine it with the background.
Click on the “archer” layer and then go Image – Correction – Color Balance (Image> Adjustments> Color Balance). As soon as the settings window appears, apply the following values:
Levels(Color Levels): +15, 0, -15
Tonal balance(Tone Balance): Average tones(Midtones)
Save Glow (Preserve Luminosity): Put a tick (Check)
The result of the color correction should be as in the screenshot:
Next, we will strengthen the shadows on the archer. First, create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N) and name this layer “Fade”.
Place this layer on top of the archer layer and right-click on the layer, when the context menu appears, select the option Create Clipping Mask (Create Clipping Mask), so the shadows will be visible only on the layer with the archer. See screenshots below:
Next, select a brush and apply the following settings for the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 400px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 25%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: 000000
#: 000000 is black
Once you have the brush set up, let’s create the shadows:
The result should be as in the screenshot:
Select all the layers that you created in this step, and then press Ctrl + G to group the layers into one group. Name this group: “archer”.
STEP 4. Create a Burning Arrow
In this step, we will add a flame to the arrow of the archer, making it more deadly and effective. First, create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N) on top of the “archer” group and name this layer “fire 1”.
Next, select the brush tool and apply the following settings for the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 600px
Rigidity (Hardness): By default(Default)
Opacity(Opacity): 100%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour (Color) #: fff992
Now let’s apply a brush:
The result should be as in the screenshot:
Next, create another layer (Ctrl + Shift + N), and then name this layer “fire 2”.
Now, we use the Flame brushes, so select the brush tool and then right-click on the document so that the settings window appears. Once the settings window has appeared, click on the drop down menu and select the option Download brushes(Load Brushes).
Once you have selected the option Download brushes (Load Brushes), select the brushes from the directory where you saved the downloaded brushes (since you downloaded the brushes to your computer, the name of the brushes will be “assorted fire brushes by skippy3e”), and then click OK.
Now, when you enter the brush settings window, instead of the standard brushes, you will see a lot of brushes to create a flame.
So let’s choose this brush to create:
Once you have selected a brush, apply the following settings for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 1400px
Rigidity (Hardness): By default(Default)
Opacity(Opacity): 100%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: ffb32e
So let’s apply a brush:
The result should be as in the screenshot:
Next, create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N) and name it “fire 3”.
Activate the brush tool and select the brush as in the screenshot:
Apply the following settings:
The size brushes(Brush size): 1500px
Rigidity (Hardness): By default(Default)
Opacity(Opacity): 100%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour (Color) #: fffbb4
So let’s apply a brush:
The result should be as in the screenshot:
Next, once again create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N), and then name this layer “fire 4”.
Activate the brush tool, right-click the document to display the brush settings window and then click on the drop-down menu icon to select the option Restore brushes (Reset Brushes), because we need the standard round brushes by default.
Now that the brushes are restored, apply the following settings for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 700px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour (Color) #: ff8400
And let’s apply a brush:
Result:
Create a new layer again, name this layer “fire 5”. Activate the brush tool. Let’s load the Flame brush again. Apply this brush:
Apply the following settings for the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 2500px
Rigidity (Hardness): By default(Default)
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: b76206
So, let’s apply the brush:
The result is an orange glow:
Next, create a new layer, name this layer “fire 6”.
Activate the brush tool, then restore the brush, and then apply the following settings:
The size brushes(Brush size): 1000px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: ffa415
Let’s apply a brush:
Result:
Next, create a new layer, name this layer “fire 7”. Select the brush tool and load the Stars brush. Open the settings window and select this brush:
So apply the following settings for the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 1100px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 100%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: ffd56c
Let’s apply a brush:
Result:
Group all the layers you created in this step (Ctrl + G), and then name this group “Fire”.
Step 5. Strengthen the light created by the flame.
Now we will carry out the correction of light and shadows created by the fiery arrow. Before you start, create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N) on top of the “fire” group; Name this layer “glow”. Activate the brush tool and then restore the standard brushes. Next, apply the following settings:
The size brushes(Brush size): 700px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: ffc262
Now, let’s create a glow area around the fire arrow:
The result should be as in the screenshot.
Next, create a new layer, name this layer “Fade 1”. Activate the brush tool and then apply the following values to the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 600px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 25%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour (Color) #: 000000
Let’s apply a brush:
The result should be as in the screenshot.
Next, create another layer, name this layer “Fade 2”.
Select a brush and apply the following values:
The size brushes(Brush size): 600px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour(Color) #: 000000
Let’s apply a brush:
The result should be as in the screenshot.
STEP 6. Create a Vignette
In this step, we will learn how to create a vignette that will help us strengthen the focus on our main subject. Before the start, go to the menu File – New (File> New) and apply the same settings that we used to create our document. (Link to Step 1).
Note the background content should be: WHITE (WHITE).
Once you have created a new document, then go Filter – Distortion – Distortion Correction (Filter> Distort> Lens Correction). Find the settings to create a Vignette effect and apply the following values:
Vignette Effect(Vignette amount): -100
Average point(Midpoint): +50
Now that you have created a vignette, move it to our document with the tool. Move (Move tool (V) and place the vignette layer on top of all the layers we created, and then change the blend mode and layer opacity:
Blend mode (Blending mode): Multiplication (Multiply)
Opacity(Opacity) 40%
To change the blending mode, simply click on the icon next to the word Normal (Normal) to display a drop-down menu, then select the one you want. The layer opacity setting is located next to the mode setting. See screenshot below:
Blend mode Normal (Normal) for the vignette layer will look like this:
Blend mode Multiplication (Multiply) for the vignette layer will look like this:
STEP 7. Add a grunge texture.
Now, we will add texture to give the image a sense of antiquity and secrecy. Before you start, open the stock image “Grunge Texture 4”. Choose a tool Move (Move tool (V) and move the texture to our document, place the texture layer on top of the vignette layer ..
Arrange as shown in the screenshot below:
Activate the tool Transformation (Transform tool (Ctrl + T) and scale the texture, as in the screenshot below:
Next, change the blending mode and opacity for the texture layer:
Mode overlay(Blending Mode): Soft shine(Soft Light)
Opacity (Opacity): 40%
Result:
Next, duplicate the texture layer (Ctrl + J), and then apply the following settings for the duplicate:
Blend mode (Blending Mode): Multiplication (Multiply)
Opacity (Opacity): 100%
Result:
STEP 8. Strengthen the Light and Color Shades of the entire image.
Now, we will add some adjustment layers to enhance the overall look of the image. Before you start, create an adjustment layer. Gradient Map (Gradient Map) by clicking the button in the bottom settings panel Create a new adjustment or fill layer (Create New Fill / Adjustment layer).
Once the menu opens, select the following:
Change the blending mode and the opacity of the adjustment layer:
Mode overlay(Blending Mode): Soft shine(Soft Light)
Opacity(Opacity): 70%
Next, click the button again. Create a new adjustment or fill layer (Create New Fill / Adjustment layer), and then select the option Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation).
As soon as the settings window appears, apply the following values:
Edit (Edit): Everything (Master)
Color tone (Hue): 0
Saturation(Saturation): +25
Brightness(Lightness): 0
Next, create a new adjustment layer. Colour (Solid Color).
Select an option Colour (Solid Color), then the window will appear Select fill color (Color Picker box). As soon as this window has opened, enter the color tone number, as in the screenshot below.
Next, change the blending mode and the opacity of the adjustment layer:
Blend mode (Blending Mode): Soft light (Soft Light)
Opacity(Opacity): 30%
Next, we will strengthen Exposure (Exposure) of our image. Press the button Create a new adjustment or fill layer (Create New Fill / Adjustment layer), and then select the option Exposition (Exposure).
When the settings window appears, apply the following values:
Exposition(Exposure): 0
Shift(Offset): 0.001
Gamma Correction(Gamma Correction): 1.00
The result should be as in the screenshot.
Author: Michael Vincent Manalo
