In this lesson, you will learn how to create a gothic picture in Photoshop. You will learn how to create an interesting background, as well as how to create a reflection and deform a face so that it looks like the face of a child. Let’s get started!
Final result
Source materials:
Step 1
Create a new document in Photoshop 2000 x 2000px., 300 dpi resolution.
Step 2
Open the Wooden Coating texture, then move this texture onto our working paper.
Next, apply the tool Free Transformation (Free Transform (Ctrl + T) to scale the texture, as shown in the screenshot below.
Move the top datum down to create a natural flooring look. Press Enter to apply the changes.
Step 3
Next, open the Wall Ornament image. Move this image to our working paper, placing it in the middle of the composition. Apply scaling if necessary. Make sure the ornament is on a separate layer.
Step 4
Open the texture of the wallpaper by moving the texture to our working paper. Apply scaling to the texture. The layer with the wallpaper texture should be below the ornament layer.
Duplicate the texture layer. Layer – Duplicate Layer (Layer – Duplicate layer), position the duplicate layer so that there are no gaps between the layers with the wallpaper texture.
Merge both layers of wallpaper texture into one layer (to do this, select both layers, and then press Ctrl + E).
Step 5
Duplicate the layer with the two halves of the wallpaper, place the duplicate layer below the merged layer. Once again pay attention to the gaps, where the background is visible, make sure that there are no mentioned gaps.
Step 6
Continue to duplicate and merge the layers with the wallpaper pattern. You can also use the transformation to increase the scale of textures (Ctrl + T).
Step 7
So, the wall for our composition is ready – for sure, zoom to 100% to make sure that there are no gaps. Merge all the layers with the wallpaper texture into one layer.
Step 8
We return to the layer with the wall ornament, then, using the tool Magic wand 
(Magic Wand Tool (W), click around the ornament image. In the tool settings, do not forget to tick the box Adjacent pixels (Contiguous).
Step 9
Next, go to the merged layer with the wallpaper texture and press the keys (Ctrl + Shift + I) to invert the created selection. Press the Delete key to delete part of the wallpaper inside the ornament. Finally, press the keys (Crtl + D) to remove the active selection.
Step 10
Open the stock image Storm sky. Move this image to our working paper, placing it below the ornament layer. Apply a slight zoom to make the clouds look good.
The result should be as in the screenshot below.
Step 11
For color correction, let’s go Image – Correction – Brightness / Contrast (Image – Adjustments – Brightness / Contrast) and move the sliders to the following values (-150 and -35). Also shift the value slider Vibration (Vibrance) to -60.
Step 12
Next, select the tool Dimmer 
(Burn Tool) and using this tool, the tool settings are shown below, darken the area that is indicated in red in the screenshot below.
The result should be as in the screenshot below.
Step 13
Now, go to the layer of wood flooring. To match the color shades, let’s go Image – Correction – Hue / Saturation (Image – Adjustments – Hue / Saturation). Set the value Color tone (Hue) -163, Saturation (Saturation) -100 and Brightness (Lightness) – 43. Dim the area marked in red for the instrument settings. Dimmer (Burn Tool) the same.
Step 14
Your wood flooring should look like the screenshot below – with an annoying white gap.
Go to the layer with the background. Press D to set black as the main color, and then select the tool Fill 
(Paint Bucket (G). Fill the background with black color by clicking once with the mouse.
Step 15
Go to the layer with the wall ornament and to this layer, apply Layer styles (Layer Style) option Shadow (Drop Shadow) to create a “window effect”. Then apply the correction Brightness / Contrast (Brightness / Contrast), for this we go Image – Correction – Brightness / Contrast (Image – Adjustments – Brightness / Contrast). Set the brightness value to -85, and the contrast value to -63.
Your room should look like the screenshot below.
I darkened the sky a little.
Step 16
Open the image with the model. Choose a tool Rectangular area 
(Rectangle marquee tool). With this tool, create a selection around the model image. Do not select the lower legs, because the girl will be a puppet doll, especially people without legs increase the feeling of extravagance. Press Ctrl + C to copy the selected model image.
Paste the copied image of the model on our working paper (Ctrl + V), placing the layer with the model on top of the other layers. A curious fact: this model is my best friend, her name is Bridgette, she is dressed in my dress, and the picture was taken against the background of an abandoned engineering plant.
Step 17
Next, select the tool Pen 
(Pen Tool (P). For this tool, apply the settings shown in the screenshot below. Carefully create a contour around the model image. I prefer to work with the pen, because this tool is effortless and allows you to quickly create a selection – and if you set the anchor point is in the wrong place, then you can just press the keys (Ctrl + Z) to cancel the action and continue further (not like with the tool Lasso 
(Lasso tool).
Leave the veil as it is, cutting the veil completely is almost impossible (on the other hand, this is not the purpose of this lesson).
Step 18
Connect the contour – click on the original reference point to close the contour.
After connecting to the original reference point, you get a beautiful line, which means that you have closed the contour. Next, right-click on the document and in the window that appears, select the option To form a selected area (Make Selection). Make sure the value Shading radius (feather radius) the same was chosen as in the screenshot below.
So, after creating the active selection, press the keys (Ctrl + Shift + I), and then press the Delete key. Usually, I click Delete twice.
Step 19
This is how the model will look like after removing the background.
Step 20
Open the image “Rack for clothes”. Place the layer with the stand below the model layer.
Step 21
Next, create a selection around the model’s head (since this selection is not of great importance, you can use the tool Lasso (Lasso tool) – do not worry about the accuracy of selection of edges, etc.). Next, right-click on the created selection and in the window that appears, select the option Copy to new layer (Layer via Cut) to create a separate layer with the image of the head on top of the model layer. After that, press the keys (Ctrl + D) to cancel the selection.
Step 22
Press the keys (Ctrl + T) to activate the tool. Transformation (Transform) and with the help of this tool, increase the model’s head by pulling the corner reference point.
Translator’s Note: slightly increase the head.
Step 23
Let’s go Filter- Plastic (Filter – Liquify) and enlarge the eyes with a tool Bloating (Bloat Tool).
Create more details inherent in the doll – a miniature spout, plump lips, pointed lower part.
Step 24
Retouch your skin with a tool. Healing Brush 
(Healing brush). A slight sensation of the look of plastic will even be perfect here.
Step 25
Next, go to the neck area. Remove rough areas at the corners to make the neck thinner.
Translator’s Note: it is possible to process sites of a neck with an eraser.
After processing, the neck should look like the screenshot below.
Step 26
Paint over the gap, taking color samples from the skin around the gap. You don’t have to be exact, just make sure the lighting matches correctly.
Combine the layer with the head and the layer with the torso. Using tool Healing Brush (Healing brush), further retouch in the alignment areas.
Cheeks look weird, so go back to the filter Plastics (Liquify) and fix them.
Step 27
At the moment, the result should be as in the screenshot below.
Step 28
It’s time for the color correction model. Slide the value slider Vibration (Vibrance) to -50. Next, go Image – Correction – Hue / Saturation (Image – Adjustments – Hue / Saturation), set the option in the settings Red (Reds) to make the skin more pale.
Translator’s Note: the author applies 2 corrections Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) and Vibration (Vibrance).
Step 29
In the area of the eyes of the model there is very little contrast. First, select the tool Clarifier
(Dodge Tool). Set options for this tool: mode Mid tones (Midtones) and meaning Exposure (Exposure) is very low (10-20%). Using tool Clarifier (Dodge Tool), brighten the eye area where indicated in blue. Next, select the tool Dimmer (Burn Tool), also set the mode for this tool to Mid tones (Midtones) and also set a low value Exposure (Exposure). Using tool Dimmer (Burn Tool), darken the eye areas where indicated in red. You need to use a small brush, the size is about 5-15 px. The main thing is that the brush is soft and round.
Translator’s Note: Do not forget to create a new layer to create makeup.
The result after creating makeup.
Step 30
Result at the moment.
Step 31
Create a new layer on top of the model layer. Choose a soft round brush. Paint the iris of the eye with a blueish gray color (for example, color # 567190 will do) over the area marked in red. Change the blending mode for this layer to Overlap (Overlay).
Blue eyes.
Step 32
Create another new layer. Paint a pinkish gray brush over the lip area (# 84675d). Next, change the blending mode to Soft light (Soft Light).
Beautiful pink lips like a doll.
Step 33 (selective)
If you have a tablet, choose a slightly darker shade (for example, # 756259) and draw a line of chin. This step is optional, but it helps to create an oval face.
Step 34
So back to the model layer. Choose a tool Rectangular area (Rectangle marquee tool). With this tool, create a selection around the bottom of the dress.
Let’s go Filter – Plastic (Filter-Liquify) and make the skirt more airy.
Airy skirt.
Step 35
Next, select the tool Dimmer (Burn Tool), also set the value Exposure (Exposure) 20%. Using tool Dimmer (Burn Tool), darken the areas that are highlighted in red in the screenshot below.
Step 36
We return to the layer with the stand for clothes (the so-called legs of the model) and make it darker.
Using tool Magic wand (Magic Wand tool (W), click somewhere around the rack image.
Let’s go Selection – Modification – Expand (Select> Modify> Expand). Expand on (Expand by) 1px, click OK. Press the keys (Ctrl + D) to cancel the active selection.
Translator’s Note: The author performs this action in order to conceal a possible, visible white border along the contour of the image of the rack and smoother alignment with the background.
So we blacked out the so-called legs.
Step 37
Go to the model layer. Next, go Image – Correction – Replace Color (Image> Adjustments> Replace Color). Click on the dress, so the image in the black correction window will appear white silhouette. Move the sliders so that you get a slightly distinctive black tone.
Now the colors are combined perfectly.
Step 38
Move to the strut or feet layer. Duplicate the layer, for this we go Layer- Duplicate Layer (Layer> Duplicate Layer).
Next, go Editing – Transformation – Flip Vertically (Edit> Transform> Flip Vertical).
Now, move the duplicate down so as to create the illusion of a shadow. Reduce the layer opacity to 50%.
Step 39
Select a texture with a different pattern. Create a shape from textures by duplicating, merge duplicate layers with textures into one layer. Place the merged layer with the completed pattern over the model.
Change the blending mode for the texture layer to Multiplication (Multiply).
Step 40
Go to the model layer. Using tool Magic wand (Magic Wand tool (W), click somewhere around the model image. Next, go back to the patterned layer. Without removing the active selection, press the Delete key to remove unnecessary parts of the pattern. Press the keys (Ctrl + D) to remove the active selection.
Step 41
While still on the patterned layer, select the tool. Eraser 
(Eraser), in the tool settings, set a hard round brush. Using the eraser tool, remove the pattern from the sleeves of the dress and from the hands of the model so that the blouse remains completely white.
Step 42
Dress with a beautiful pattern.
Reduce the opacity of the patterned layer to 65%.
Step 43
Select this image with a clock. Move this clock to our working paper, reducing the size of the clock image.
Using the Eraser tool, Pen, Lasso …. choose a tool at your discretion, remove the top of the watch.
Clock without top.
Being on the layer with the clock, apply the correction Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation), but this time, select the option Yellow (Yellows) and shift the value sliders Saturation (Saturation) and Brightness (Lightness) all the way to the left. Next, decrease the value Vibrations (Vibrance) at -50.
The color shades of the watch correspond to the whole composition. However, there is a white border.
Step 44
The same thing that we did with stand or legs. Create a selection around the clock image, go Selection – Expand (Selection> Expand), but this time apply the option Expand on (expand by) 2px. Press the Delete key. Next, press (Ctrl + D) to highlight the active selection.
So there is no white border!
Apply layer styles to the clock layer. Shadow (Drop Shadow) for better alignment with the entire composition.
Do the same by adding other watch images.
Step 45
So back to the layer with the wallpaper. Choose a tool Rectangular area (Rectangle marquee tool). With this tool, create a selection, as shown in the screenshot below.
Right click on the created selection and in the window that appears, select the option Copy to new layer (Layer via Copy), then, mirror the duplicate layer vertically (the same as we did with the stand or legs).
Translator’s Note: Do not forget to move down the duplicate of the layer with wallpaper, thus, the author creates a reflection of the wallpaper on the floor covering.
Reduce the layer opacity to 35% to create subtle reflections.
Step 46
Open the image with a rabbit. Move this rabbit image to our working paper. If necessary, apply scaling to meet realistic proportions.
Create a contour around the image of the rabbit with the tool Pen (Pen Tool).
This is what our composition with the rabbit looks like … ..further, we will carry out the correction of the rabbit to combine it with the whole scene.
Step 47
Being on a layer with a rabbit, apply correction Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation), also select the option Yellow (Yellows) and shift the value slider Brightness (Lightness) by +100, so that the shades of yellow are lighter.
Choose a tool Dimmer (Burn Tool), but this time install range (range) to Shadows (Shadows). Lightly paint this tool around the eye for expressiveness. Next, select the tool Sponge 
(Sponge Tool), set the range Saturation (Saturate). Click the mouse several times over the eye.
To create shadows, create a new layer below the rabbit layer. Choose a soft round brush in black. Using this brush, paint over the bottom contour of the rabbit image. The bigger the brush, the smoother and softer the borders of the shadow.
Go back to the rabbit layer and decrease the value. Vibrations (Vibrance) at -50. Also add some Brightness (Brightness) (+15).
Translator’s Notes: Those who have an earlier version of Photoshop, instead of a correction Vibration (Vibrance), you can use correction Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) and try to reduce the saturation value in the first case and increase the brightness value in the second case.
Step 48
In this step, we will create a rabbit reflection. The reflection effect should be very gentle. Let’s go Layer – Duplicate Layer (Layer> Duplicate Layer) to create a duplicate layer with a rabbit. Reflect the duplicate layer vertically, placing it below the fluffy beast, so that the noses are touching.
Next, go Editing – Free Transformation (Edit> Free Transform) and set the mode Switch between free transform and warp mode (Switch between free transform and warp modes), a small arch icon in the top settings panel. Warp the reflection until the rabbit’s paws touch.
We return to the layer with the rabbit. Using tool Rectangular area (Rectangle marquee tool), highlight the rabbit foot. Next, without removing the selection, right-click on the selection and in the window that appears, select the option To copy on new layer(Layer via Copy).
Reflect the duplicate of the rabbit foot layer vertically, slightly deform the foot, so that the foot on the reflection looks flat. Next, using a soft eraser, remove excess areas to better align the legs with the entire reflection of the rabbit.
Using tool Dimmer (Burn Tool), darken the bottom of the rabbit body reflection.
Reduce the opacity of the layer with the reflection of the rabbit to 25% to create a gentle reflection effect.
Finally, apply the layer styles, the option Gradient overlay (Gradient Overlay).
Step 49
Our image with a rabbit.
Step 50
Open the wall texture. Move this texture to our working paper by positioning the wall texture layer above the wallpaper layer. Apply scaling according to the size of the document.
Now, change the blending mode for the texture layer of the wall to Soft light (Soft Light). I also reduced the saturation of this texture and set the brightness value to -15.
With a slight sheen.
Step 51
In conclusion, the color correction! This is the interesting part of the step. Apply the settings shown in the screenshot below to get a beautiful image in blue shades.
Translator’s Notes: The author applies a correction layer twice. Selective color correction (Selective Colors) to the entire image.
Final result
