In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a beautiful and emotional scene with an angel using various stock images. We will consider the technique of working with blending modes, work on light and shadows, and make color corrections. This lesson will help you improve your level of knowledge of the program Photoshop.
Stages of the lesson
We will create a scene with an angel in Photoshop. First we combine the different source images to create a beautiful scene, and then use the texture to add a vignette effect. Next, we will add a model image to our scene and work on light and shadows. We will also add curls of hair and wings to the model to create an angel. We will carry out the combination of an angel with the stage by various techniques of combination. Next, we will add leaves to our scene and end the lesson by adding a few final adjustment layers. At the end of the lesson, I will show you an easy way to create a circle or a halo over the head of an angel. To complete this tutorial, you will need Photoshop CS6 or higher.
Note: Part of the images are missing on the source site. In the archive you will find an alternative version of free materials for the lesson.
The final result:
Step 1
Create a new document in Photoshop. Let’s go File – New (file> new). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
Step 2
So add the original “Sandy Beach” image to our working paper, go File – Post (File> place) and in the window that appears, select the corresponding image. Position the image with a sandy beach, as shown in the screenshot below. Name the layer ‘Foundation’. We use the “Place” command because Photoshop automatically adds the original image as a smart object.
Step 3
Now, to the ‘Foundation’ layer, add a layer mask by clicking the second icon at the bottom of the layers panel or see the screenshot below. Next, select the tool Brush 
(Brush (B)) and using a soft black brush, carefully paint over the top of the image on the layer mask of the layer. You can see the result in the screenshot below.
Step 4
Next, to the слой Foundation ’layer, add an adjustment layer Color tone / Saturation (Hue / Saturation), for this we go Layer – New corrective layer – Color tone / saturation (layer> new adjustment layer> hue / saturation) or see the screenshot below. Next, click the icon to convert this adjustment layer to a clipping mask. Correction layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) as a clipping mask will act only on the fixed layer, and not to all layers. Set the settings for this adjustment layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation), which are shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Step 5
Next, add a sky image to our working paper, placing the sky layer below the ‘Foundation’ layer.
Step 6
Now, to the sky layer, add adjustment layers Curves (Curves) and Brightness / Contrast (Brightness / Contrast). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Step 7
Next, add the original image with the nebula to our working paper, placing it on top of the ‘Foundation’ layer. Choosing a tool Transformation (transform tool (Ctrl + T)) or go Editing – Free Transformation (Edit> Free Transform) and then transform the nebula as shown in the screenshot below.
Next, change the blending mode for the nebula layer to Soft light (soft light) and also reduce opacity (Opacity) layer up to 65%. The result is in the screenshot below. You can see that we have created a vignette effect. We will once again add a vignette effect to our scene at the end of the lesson.
Step 8
Add the Rain texture by placing the Rain texture layer on top of the nebula layer.
Step 9
Change the blending mode for the Rain Textured layer to Soft light (soft light). Next, add a layer mask to the texture and use the soft black brush to hide the extra areas on the layer mask. You can see the result of processing on the layer mask in the screenshot below, as well as the result itself in the image.
Step 10
Next, add an image with the beach to our working paper. Using transformation (Ctrl + T), scale it as shown in the screenshot below. Change the blending mode for the beach layer to Multiplication (Multiply).
Step 11
In the screenshot below, you can see the arrows and the selected area pointing to the part of the image of the ‘Base’ layer. We need to hide this area to perfectly match the main image with the whole scene.
To do this, go to the layer mask of the “Base” layer and hide the specified part of the image using a soft black brush. You can see the result of processing on the layer mask, as well as the result on the image.
Step 12
Now, create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N). Next, using a soft brush opacity (opacity) and by pushing (flow) 30%, brush color # 0d2c2e, paint over the image as shown in the screenshot below.
Next, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge). You can see the result in the screenshot below. Before we continue, select all the layers that we have created at the moment, hold down (shift) + first select the topmost layer, and then select the lowest layer, and then group the selected layers by pressing the keys (CTRL + G) . Name the new group “Foundation”.
Step 13
Open the original image with the model. Separate the model image from the background using your favorite selection tool. Move the selected model image to our working paper.
Step 14
Next, create a new layer (Ctrl + Shift + N) below the model layer. Using a soft black brush opacity (opacity) and by pushing (flow) 30%, add shadows (See arrows).
Step 15
In this step, we will add shadows to the model. To do this, duplicate the model layer. Go to the original layer. Next, select the tool Transformation (transform tool (Ctrl + T) or Editing – Free Transformation (Edit> Free Transform), then right-click on the selected area and in the window that appears, select the option Flip Vertically (flip vertical). Next, right-click again, but this time select the option Distortion (distort). Apply the distortion to the image as shown in the screenshot below.
Now, move the distorted image down, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 16
Reduce the brightness of the distorted image by adding a correction layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below, do not forget to convert this adjustment layer to a clipping mask.
Next, go Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur). Set the blur radius 63.5. The result is in the screenshot below.
Step 17
Now right-click on the duplicate layer with the model and in the appeared window select the option Overlay options (Blending options) to apply layer styles Color overlay (Color Overlay) and Gradient overlay (Gradient Overlay). See the settings for these layer styles in the screenshot below.
Result after adding layer styles.
Step 18
Next, we will combine the image of the model with the entire scene. First, let’s reduce the image exposure of the model using an adjustment layer. Exposition (exposure), and then, to match the color shades of the model with the shades of our scene, we will add an adjustment layer Color Balance (color balance). See the settings for both adjustment layers in the screenshot below; don’t forget to convert these adjustment layers to clipping masks to the model layer.
Result.
Step 19
We need to hide the correction layer correction Exposition (exposure) on the shoulder of the model, because the light comes from the shoulder (See arrows).
Step 20
To do this, click on the layer mask of the adjustment layer. Exposition (exposure) to make sure that it is active, and using a soft black brush, hide the correction effect, as shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Step 21
To the model layer, add an adjustment layer. Colour (solid color). Set the color shade to # 0a5933. Convert this adjustment layer to a clipping mask for the model layer.
Next, change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Soft light (soft light) and also reduce opacity (Opacity) layer up to 50%. The result is in the screenshot below:
Step 22
In this step we will fix the hair. Open the psd file with the hair curls in Photoshop. Select blond hair curls (bottom row), then move the selected hair curls to our working paper. Name a layer with curls of hair ’Curls of hair’.
Using a layer mask, hide the extra areas of hair using a soft black brush.
Step 23
Now, right-click on the hair curled layer and select the option in the window that appears. Overlay options (Blending options). Apply layer style Shadow (drop shadow) and then add a correction layer Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) as a clipping mask to a layer with curls of hair.
As you can see, we combined the hair with the whole scene. Now, select all the layers related to the model to group them. Name the new group ‘Model’.
Step 24
Let’s add curls of hair to the model. This time, select the hair locks from the top row of the hair PSD file set. Place the curls of hair, as shown in the screenshot below. Name this layer with curls of hair ‘Curls of hair 2’.
To the layer ‘Curls of hair 2’, add a layer mask. Hide the selected part of the hair, as shown in the screenshot below, with a soft black brush on the layer mask of the layer.
Step 25
Now, right-click on the ‘Curl of Hair 2’ layer and in the appeared window select the option Overlay options (Blending options). Apply layer style Shadow (drop shadow). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Step 26
To the layer ‘Curls of hair 2’, add adjustment layers Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) and Color Balance (Color Balance). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
The result should be as in the screenshot below. Now, group the layers that belong to the hair locks 2. Name the new group “Hair locks 2’ ”.
Step 27
To add density to the hair, use the tool. Dimmer 
(burn tool), and then double-duplicate the layer with the group ‘Curls of hair 2’.
Step 28
As soon as you duplicate the layer with the ‘Curl of Hair 2’ group twice, add a layer mask to the duplicates created with the groups. Using a soft black brush, paint over the layer-masked duplicate layers with groups of ‘Curls of hair 2’, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 29
Next, we add wings to the model.
Step 30
Now, right-click on the wing layer and in the appeared window select the option Overlay options (Blending options). Apply layer style Inner shadow (Inner Shadow).
Layer Style Settings Shadow (Drop Shadow).
The result should be as in the screenshot below.
Step 31
Create a new layer on top of the winged layer, convert this layer to a clipping mask for the winged layer. Choose a tool Stamp 
(Cone Stamp Tool (S)) and with the help of this tool clone the area that is marked with a circle. (Translator’s Note: the author hides the flare on the wings). Next, create another new layer below the layer with wings and using a soft black brush. opacity (opacity) and by pushing (flow) 30%; draw a shadow in the area indicated by the arrows. You can also apply a filter Gaussian blur (Gaussian blur) or reduce the opacity of the shadow layer if the shadows are too saturated.
Result.
Step 32
Next, on the winged layer, add adjustment layers. Exposition (Exposure) and Gradient map (Gradient Map) as a clipping mask. Change the blending mode for the adjustment layer. Gradient map (Gradient Map) on Lightening basics (color dodge), and also reduce the opacity of the adjustment layer to 89%. Set the settings for these adjustment layers, which are shown in the screenshot below.
The result should be as in the screenshot below.
Step 33
Switch to the layer mask of the adjustment layer. Gradient map (gradient map) and with the help of a soft black brush, hide the effect of correction of this adjustment layer, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 34
Next, on the winged layer, add an adjustment layer. Color Balance (color balance) as a clipping mask.
Next, on the winged layer, add an adjustment layer. Colour (Solid Color) as a clipping mask. Change the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Soft light (soft light) and also reduce opacity (Opacity) layer up to 17%.
Step 35
Result after adding adjustment layers Color Balance (color balance) and Colour (solid color).
Step 36
Switch to the layer mask of the adjustment layer. Color Balance (color balance) and using a soft black brush paint over the selected area, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 37
Create a new layer on top of all layers and then go Editing – Run Fill (Edit> Fill). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
Step 38
Change the blending mode for the gray fill layer to Overlap (overlay). Next, select the tool Clarifier 
/ Dimmer (Dodge / Burn tool (O)), set the value Exposure (exposure) 9%, and Range (range) set to Shadows (shadow). Using tool Clarifier / Dimmer (Dodge / Burn tool (O)), add chiaroscuro as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 39
Add leaves to our working paper. Feel free, you can arrange the leaves as you like. I used two layers with leaves to create an effect, as in the screenshot below.
Step 40
Next, go Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur (Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur). Set the blur radius to 2.8 px.
Result.
Step 41
Now, group the layers with leaves, name the new group ‘Leaves’. Next, to the layer with the Leaves ’group, add adjustment layers Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) and Curves (Curves) as a clipping mask.
Result.
Step 42
To match the color shades of the leaves to the whole scene, add a correction layer to the layer with the ‘Leaves’ group. Color Balance (Color Balance) as a clipping mask.
Result.
Step 43
Create a new layer, select the tool. Brush (brush tool). Brush color # 45260e. Using a brush, add lighting effects as shown in the screenshot below. Name this layer ‘Lighting Effects’.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge).
Step 44
Add lighting effects to the scene. To do this, create another new layer. Using the same color cast as in the previous step, add lighting effects to the scene. Name this layer ‘Lighting Effects 2’.
Next, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge), and also reduce the layer opacity to 60%. Group all the layers with lighting effects, name the new group “Lighting”.
Step 45
It’s time to add the final adjustment layers. Starting from this step, we will apply six adjustment layers, which we will not use as clipping masks. So add adjustment layers Gradient map (Gradient Map) and Brightness / Contrast (Brightness / Contrast). Change the blending mode for the adjustment layer. Gradient map (Gradient Map) on Soft light (soft light) and also reduce opacity (Opacity) layer up to 58%.
Result.
Step 46
Add adjustment layer Color search (Color Look up), then change the blending mode to Chromaticity (color), and also reduce the layer opacity to 47%.
Result.
Step 47
Now, add an adjustment layer. Colour (Solid Color), then change the blending mode to Soft light (soft light), and reduce the opacity to 56%.
Result.
Step 48
Now, add an adjustment layer. Color Balance (Color balance). Set the settings that are shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Step 49
Add another adjustment layer. Color search (Color Look up), then change the blending mode to Chromaticity (color), and also reduce the layer opacity to 50%.
The result is in the screenshot below. Group all final adjustment layers, name the new group ‘Final correction’.
Step 50
In this step, I will show you the easiest way to create a circle or halo over the head of an angel. To add a halo over the angel’s head, create a new layer, then select the tool Brush (brush tool). Choose a soft round brush ose Left Hand Pose Brush ’, brush size 60 px, rigidity (hardness) brush 90%. Draw a shape with a brush as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 51
To the layer with the drawn figure, add a layer mask. Reduce brush size to 40 – 45 px. Paint over the layer mask as shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Step 52
Next, right-click on the layer with a halo and in the appeared window select the option Overlay options (blending options). Next, apply a layer style. External glow (outer glow).
Step 53
Create a new layer. Using a soft brush, brush color # 986f27, paint over your head, where the arrow points.
Step 54
Create a new layer. Load the Particle brushes. Add particles to our scene, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 55
Next, we will add a vignette effect to our scene. To create a vignette effect, first create a merged layer from all visible layers (Ctrl + Shift + Alt + N). Next, convert the merged layer into a smart object, to do this, right-click on the merged layer and in the appeared window select the option Transform at smart-an object (convert to smart objects). Next, go Filter – Rendering – Lighting Effects (Filter> Render> Lighting Effects) and set the settings as shown in the screenshot below.
Result.
Final Step
This is the final step. Switch to the smart filter layer mask and use the soft black brush to paint over the selected area as shown in the screenshot below. Congratulations, we have completed the creation of a beautiful and emotional scene with an angel.
Thank you for being with me. I hope you enjoyed this lesson and that it was not difficult for you.
The final result:
PSD lesson
