Create in Photoshop an illustration in the style of Salvador Dali • Adobe Photoshop Tutorials

In this lesson, you will learn how to create a beautiful surrealist painting, which depicts a pair of cutlery in a theater room with red curtains. This picture was inspired by the works of Salvador Dali. In this lesson, you will also learn how to create a wooden floor, how to decorate the sky, as decorations and more.

Final result

Source materials:

Archive

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): Customized (Custom)
Width (Width): 3000 px
Height (Height): 3000 px
Resolution (Resolution): 300 px / inch
Color mode (Color Mode): RGB Color; 8 bit
Background content (Background Contents): Transparent (Transparent)

STEP 2 – Create a Wood Floor

In this step, we will create wooden floors for our composition. For starters, open the Tree texture. Using tool Move (Move (V), move this image to our working paper. Once you have moved the image, place it as shown in the screenshot below:

STEP 3

Next, we need to apply the scaling to the texture of the Tree. First, activate the tool Free Transformation (Free Transform Tool (Ctrl + T), as soon as the tool is activated, you will see a series of control points along the texture contour – this is the Transformation tool.
So, apply the scaling to the texture according to the instructions in the screenshot below:

Result

STEP 4

Next, we need to apply the perspective to the texture of the tree. To do this, activate the tool Free Transformation (Free Transform Tool (Ctrl + T), as soon as the tool is activated, right-click on the document so that the context menu appears. The context menu should look like in the screenshot below:

Select an option Perspective (Perspective).

Let’s apply perspective to the texture of the tree.

STEP 5

Next, we will enhance the shadows on the texture of the tree. First, create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N. Next, the following window will appear:

STEP 6

Now that we have a name for the new layer, activate the tool. Brush (Brush) by pressing the B key. Before we continue, make sure you have brushes installed by default. Standard brushes by default, you can see in the screenshot below, if it is not them, then follow the instructions below:

Make sure the brush is active and the layer on which you will apply the brush is active. Click on the icon in the upper right corner, which is marked in the screenshot below:

In the context menu that appears, select the option Restore brushes (Reset Brushes).

Apply the following values for the brush:
The size brushes(Brush size): 1300px
Rigidity(Hardness): 0%
Opacity(Opacity): 15%
Pressure(Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

Note: Color: # 000000 means brush color. You can change the color of the brush by clicking on the window of the foreground color.

As soon as you click on the foreground color box, a window will immediately appear. Color palette (Color Picker).

STEP 7

As soon as we set up the brush, we can start creating shadows.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 8

Note: one pass with an opacity brush of 15% will not be enough to create such an effect, you will have to walk a few times with a brush to achieve the desired result. The reason why we set the brush opacity to 15% is that the transition of the shadow was smooth, and not so sharp and at the same time not so soft.

Next, reduce the brightness of the Tree texture. To do this, go to the layer with the texture of the tree, then go Image – Correction – Brightness / Contrast (Image – Adjustment – Brightness / Contrast), as soon as the settings window appears, apply the following values:

Result.

STEP 9

In this step, we will create the scenery for the background. First, open the image of the Barchans. We use only part of the image with the sky in our composition. So, how to move the image with the sky? Easy – with a tool Rectangular area (Marquee Tool)!
Activate the tool Rectangular area (Marquee Tool) by pressing M.

Next, using the Rectangular area tool, select the sky.

STEP ten

Once you have created a selection around the sky, select the tool. Move (Move (V) and using this tool, move the selected sky image to our working document. Place the layer with the sky on top of all the layers we created.

Position the image with the sky, as shown in the screenshot below:

STEP eleven

Next, we will make the sky look like a painted canvas. Make sure you are on a layer with the sky, then go Filter – Filter Gallery – Imitation – Dry Brush (Filter – Filter Gallery – Artistic – Dry brush). Apply the following values:

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 12

Next, let’s obscure the upper part of the sky. Create a new layer on top of the layer with the sky Ctrl + Shift + N, name this layer “Shade the top of the sky”.

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 2000px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

So let’s apply a brush.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 13 – Create a Decorative Edge for Decorations

Now, we will create a decorative edge for decorations. First, activate the tool Rectangle (Rectangle Tool). See screenshot below:

STEP 14

Before we draw a rectangle, let’s first set the color tone. For this, make sure the tool Rectangle (Rectangle Tool) was active, and then click on the window in the top settings panel.

Next, a window will appear Color palette (Color Picker). Apply the following color tint value:

STEP 15

So let’s draw a decorative edge.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 16

Finally, right-click on the layer with the created shape and in the window that appears, select the option Rasterize layer (Rasterize Layer).

STEP 17 – Create Curtains

Now, we will create red charming curtains for our theater room. First open the image Curtains 04. Select the tool Move (Move (V) and using this tool, move the image with curtains onto our working paper. Position the image as shown in the screenshot below:

Next, activate the tool Transformation (Transform Tool (Ctrl + T) and then transform the image as shown in the screenshot below:

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 18

We figured out the position of the curtains and scaled accordingly, now it’s time to remove the white part of the curtains. For this, we need a tool Magnetic Lasso (Magnatic Lasso (L), contour, which will stick to the red part of the curtains when selected.

Let’s remove the white part of the background on the image of the curtains.

Once you have created the selection, press the Del key. The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 19

Next, we will correct the light on the curtains. Create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, position this layer on top of the layer with curtains, and then name this layer “Shading on the curtains”. Right-click on the shaded layer and in the window that appears, select the option Create clipping mask (Create Clipping Mask).

Clipping mask allows you to apply effects only to the bound layer.

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 1400px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

The clipping mask should look like the one shown in the screenshot below:

STEP 20

Let’s create shading on the curtains.

Note: In order to achieve the desired shading effect, concentrate on the areas where the light cannot pass, for example, the upper part, as well as the left and right side of the image.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 21

Next, let’s create the shadows under the curtains. Creating these shadows, curtains thus will look more realistic. So, create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Curtain Shadow”. Once you have created a new layer, move this layer below the layer with curtains.

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 1500px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 25%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

So let’s apply a brush.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 22 – Add a bench

In this step, we will add an image of the bench, placing it in the middle of the room.
First, open the Bench image. As soon as this image is opened, further, you need to separate the image of the bench from the background. For this, you will need a tool Polygonal Lasso (Polygonal Lasso (L)

Create a selection around the bench image.

STEP 23

Choose a tool Move (Move (V) and with this tool, move the selected bench image onto our working document. Place the bench image layer on top of all the layers we created. Place the bench on the working image as shown in the screenshot below:

Once you have the image of the bench crossed, delete unnecessary parts of the background on the bench image. The result should be as in the screenshot below:

Further, we need to correct the light and shade on the bench so that it really looks as if it is inside the room. To do this, create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Shade Bench”. Make sure that this layer is located above the layer with the bench. Then, right-click on the created layer and in the window that appears, select the option Create clipping mask (Create Clipping Mask).

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 600px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

So let’s apply a brush.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 24

Next, let’s create the shadows under the bench. So, create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Bench Shadow”. Once you have created a new layer, move this layer below the layer with the bench, so the shadows created by the brush will appear only under the bench.

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 60px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

So let’s apply a brush.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 25 – Create a Sitting Spoon

In this step, we will add the main objects of our picture, which in appearance will resemble the conversation of a spoon and a fork. First, open the Cutlery image. Once this image has opened, select the tool Polygonal Lasso (Polygonal Lasso (L) and using this tool, create a selection around the image of the spoon. So let’s start first with the image of the spoon.

Choose a tool Move (Move (V) and with this tool, move the selected image of the spoon to our working paper. Place the layer with the image of the spoon on top of all the layers we created. Place the spoon on the working image, as shown in the screenshot below:

Next, activate the tool Transformation (Transform Tool (Ctrl + T) and then transform the image as shown in the screenshot below:

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 26

Next, let’s give the spoon a sitting position. For this, we need a tool Plastics (Liquify Tool). Let’s go Filter – Plastic (Filter – Liquify). As soon as the plastic tool settings window appears, apply the following values:

Tool parameters (Tool Options)

The size brushes(Brush Size) 259 px
Density brushes(Brush Density) 50
Pressure brushes(Brush Pressure) 100
Speed brushes(Brush Rate) 80
Swing(Turbulent Jitter) 50
Reconstruction Mode (Reconstruct Mode) – Recovery (Revert)
Pen pressure (Stylus Pressure) – Do not check (Uncheck)
The rest is default (Default)

So let’s apply plastic.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 27
Create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Shadow Spoon”. Make sure that this layer is on top of the spoon. Then, right-click on the created layer and in the window that appears, select the option Create clipping mask (Create Clipping Mask).

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 400px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 28

Next, let’s create the shadow of the spoon. So, create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Shadow from the spoon”. Once you have created a new layer, move this layer below the layer with the spoon.

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 45px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

So let’s apply a brush.

Result:

STEP 29 – Create a Sitting Fork

Do the same as you did in step 25, select the tool Polygonal Lasso (Polygonal Lasso (L) and with this tool, create a selection around the image of the fork.

STEP 30

Choose a tool Move (Move (V) and with the help of this tool, move the selected image of the fork onto our working document. Place the layer with the image of the fork on top of all layers we created. Place the fork on the working image, as shown in the screenshot below:

STEP 31

Next, activate the tool Transformation (Transform Tool (Ctrl + T) and then transform the image as shown in the screenshot below:

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 32

Activate the Plastic tool, go, Filter – Plastic (Filter – Liquify) and apply the same values that me used when working with a spoon:

Tool parameters (Tool Options)

Brush size (Brush Size) 259 px
Brush density (Brush Density) 50
Brush pressure (Brush Pressure) 100
Brush speed (Brush Rate) 80
Swing (Turbulent Jitter) 50
Reconstruction Mode (Reconstruct Mode) – Recovery (Revert)
Pen pressure (Stylus Pressure) – Do not check (Uncheck)
The rest is default (Default)

So let’s apply plastic.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 33

Create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Fade Shading”. Make sure that this layer is located on top of the layer with the plug. Then, right-click on the created layer and in the window that appears, select the option Create clipping mask (Create Clipping Mask).

Select the brush tool. Apply the following values for the brush:
Brush size (Brush size): 300px
Rigidity (Hardness): 0%
Opacity (Opacity): 15%
Pressure (Flow): 100%
Colour: # 000000

Result:

STEP 34

Next, let’s create a fork shadow. So, create a new layer Ctrl + Shift + N, and then name this layer “Fork Shadow”. Once you have created a new layer, move this layer below the layer with the fork.

Result:

STEP 35 Enhancing Color Shades

Now, let’s enhance the color shades of the entire image. First create a correction layer. Color Balance (Color Balance), this correction can be activated through the lower toolbar by clicking Create a new adjustment or fill layer (Create New Fill / Adjustment Layer).

Please note that all adjustment layers that we create in this step will be created through the bottom toolbar, the option Create a new adjustment or fill layer (Create New Fill / Adjustment Layer).

When the adjustment layer settings window appears Color Balance (Color Balance), apply the following values:

STEP 36

Next, create an adjustment layer. Gradient map (Gradient map).

When the adjustment layer window appears Gradient map (Gradient map), choose a black and white gradient:
Translator’s Note: Unfortunately, the author did not indicate which blend mode to use, therefore, try experimenting yourself with blending modes.

Next, create an adjustment layer. Colour (Color).

When the adjustment layer window appears Colour (Color), apply the following color cast:

# 00072a

STEP 37

Change the blending mode and layer opacity for the adjustment layer. Colour (Color) on the following parameters:

Blend mode (Blending Mode) An exception (Exclusion)

Opacity (Opacity) 60%.

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

STEP 38

Next, create an adjustment layer. A photo (Photo Filter).

When the adjustment layer window appears A photo (Photo Filter), select the following photo filter:

STEP 39

Finally, we will correct the value Shear (Offset). Create an adjustment layer Exposition (Exposure).

When the adjustment layer window appears Exposition (Exposure), apply the following value:

The result should be as in the screenshot below:

Final result

Author: Michael Vincent Manalo

Link to the PSD file of the lesson