Halloween is just around the corner, so get ready for the first series of Halloween lessons to be published this month.
In this lesson we will create an emotional fantasy scene with the participation of the queen who hunts in a dark mystical night. You will learn how to create your own dreamy portrait using simple but necessary techniques in Photoshop, such as image blending, drawing, lighting effects, sharpness and other special effects to create fire in Photoshop.
Final result
Source materials:
STEP 1
First, we will prepare the background for our scene. Create a new document 1200 px wide and 1500 px high, with a resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch). The background content should be white.
Choose a tool Gradient 
(gradient). Install Linear gradient (linier gradient). Make sure that the foreground color was set to # 067dfc and the background color to # 030431. Apply the gradient on our working paper by clicking at the top of the document and dragging the gradient to the bottom of the document.
STEP 2
Next, open the stock image of the Background. Move this image to our working paper.
Using tool Free transformation (free transform tool), apply scaling according to the size of the document. Next, change the blending mode for the tree layer to Multiplication (multiply), layer opacity is 100%.
STEP 3
Well, the background of our scene is almost ready. Now, we will define the light source. I assumed that the light source would be located at the farthest part of the image, and the light itself would appear through a row of trees.
Create a new layer (Shift + Ctrl + N) on top of the gradient layer. Choose a tool Brush 
(brush tool). Install a soft round brush. Set the brush opacity to 10-20%. Next, being on a new layer, make sure that the foreground color is white, carefully click between the rows of trees to create a light source. Once you are satisfied with the result, merge the layer with the gradient and the new layer into one layer.
STEP 4
Open the stock image Sunset in the Desert. Move this image to our document, placing it below the tree layer.
Apply scaling to this image in accordance with the size of the working document. We use the top of the image with clouds in our composition. Therefore, name this layer ‘Clouds’.
Change the blending mode for this image to Multiplication (multiply), layer opacity is 100%. Using a layer mask, hide the bottom of the image, because we only need the top with clouds.
Next, duplicate the image with clouds once.
Next, on top of two layers with clouds, create an adjustment layer. Let’s go Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Color Balance (layer> new adjustment layers> color balance).
Finally, on the layer mask of the adjustment layer, hide the correction layer correction in some areas. To do this, use a soft round brush with low opacity between 20-40%. The screenshot below shows the areas that should be brushed.
STEP five
Create a new layer on top of the other layers. Fill (Shift + F5) this layer with black color. Next, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge). On this layer, in the center between the rows of trees, apply a soft brush of light yellow color. In the screenshot below, the result that I got in the blend mode Normal (normal):
The image should look like in the screenshot below, after we changed the blending mode to Lightening basics (color dodge), 100% layer opacity:
Create another layer, fill it with black color. Next, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge). Then, using a soft round brush of white color with an opacity of 5-10%, paint over the center of the image and the nearest areas:
STEP 6
In this step, we will add the moon to our composition. Make sure you install the Luna brushes in Photoshop. Choose a tool Brush (brush tool). Select the moon brush. Increase brush size to 150px. Create a new layer below the tree layer. On this layer, draw the moon.
STEP 7
In this step, we will add birds to our composition. We use the birds that are shown in the screenshot below:
Choose a tool Pen 
(pen tool). Zoom in with the birds. Start creating the outline with the Pen tool, highlighting the edges of the bird image until you close the outline to be selected. Once you have closed the path, right-click on the document so that a dialog box appears. In the window that appears, select the option To form a selected area (make path selection). Press Ctrl + J to duplicate the selection on a separate layer.
Add birds to our composition. Scale as needed, positioning them in place.
STEP eight
In this step, we will add a human figure to our scene. Open the stock image Men. Using the Pen tool, select the man’s shape. For this purpose, see the previous Step 7.
Add a man’s figure to our scene. Apply scaling to the man’s figure, located in the center between the rows of trees where the light source is located.
Blend mode for a layer with a man Normal (normal), layer opacity 45%. Create a new layer on top of the layer with the man, then convert this layer to a clipping mask. Paint a soft white brush around the male figure.
STEP 9
Create a new adjustment layer on top of all layers, go Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Hue / Saturation (layer> new adjustment layers> hue / saturation). The blend mode for this adjustment layer Normal (normal), layer opacity 66%.
STEP 10
Now, we will add the main image of the model to our scene. First, using the Pen tool, create a model selection, the selection technique is the same as in the previous step. Do not worry about the accuracy of hair allocation:
What we have to do is fix the hair: the model selection created must be active, then we go Selection – Edit in Quick Mask mode (Select – Edit In Quick Mask Mode). With this option, the background that is not included in the active selection will be colored red. However, as we see, some areas of the background requiring correction are included in the active selection.
Now we will correct the areas that require correction. Make sure the foreground color is set to black. Choose a tool Brush (brush tool). Choose a small soft round brush between 3-5px. Brush stroke strokes on the site, which must be corrected. The plot treated with strokes will be red. Continue to carry out the correction, until you get a separate curls of hair. If you accidentally hit the hair with a brush, then by switching the brush color to white, you can recreate the treated area.
After hair correction, we go again Selection – Edit in Quick Mask mode (Select – Edit In Quick Mask Mode) to switch the mode and return to the normal selection. Press Ctrl + J to duplicate the selection on a separate new layer.
STEP eleven
In this step, we will carry out a small retouch of the model. Select a color tone pattern on the model’s skin, the lightest among the other skin tones. Choose a soft round brush. Set the brush opacity between 10-15%. Create a new layer, convert this layer to a clipping mask.
On this layer, brush over the areas of the cheeks, chin, nose and around the shoulders. Change the size and opacity of the brush accordingly. I called this layer ‘color’. Next, select the layer with the model and the ‘color’ layer. Press Ctrl + G to group these layers. I called this group ‘model’.
The result I got is:
STEP 12
Move the ‘model’ group to our working paper. Apply scaling to the model by placing the image as shown in the screenshot below.
Next, we will create a reflection of light on the mantle of the model. Load model selection:
Without removing the selection, go to the bookmark Contours (Paths) and in the lower settings panel, click Make a selection from the selected area (Make Path). This option converts the selection into a work path.
PNote of translator: if you have no bookmarks in the layers palette Contours (Paths) then we go Window – Outlines (Window- Paths) to load this bookmark.
Return to the bookmark Layers (Layers). Create a new layer below the model layer, fill this layer with black color, then change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge), the opacity of the layer is 100%. Make sure you select a 1-2px round hard brush.
Next, select the tool Pen (pen tool) and set the foreground color to # eaeff0. While still on the new layer, right-click on the document to display the dialog menu. In the window that appears, select the option Outline the contour (stroke path). Next, in the settings window that appears, set the brush tool as the stroke tool. Create another stroke using the color shade # 6f8afb.
We need a reflection of light only on the mantle and on some parts of the horse’s neck. Unwanted areas with reflection, hide with a mask. The result I got is:
STEP 13
From this step, we will carry out the correction model. Create a new adjustment layer on top of the ‘color’ layer inside the ‘model’ group. Let’s go Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Hue / Saturation (layer> new adjustment layer> hue / saturation). Convert this adjustment layer to a clipping mask.
Create another new layer, convert this layer to a clipping mask. Draw shading on the model. I called this layer “shading”. Change the blending mode for this layer to Soft light (soft light), layer opacity 60%. Next, duplicate this layer and for a duplicate layer, set the blending mode Normal (normal), layer opacity 37%.
Create another layer, also inside the ‘model’ group. Convert this layer to a clipping mask. I called this layer ‘additional light highlights’. On this layer, using a soft white brush, paint over the mantle and the back of the horse.
STEP 14
Now, we will retouch the hair model. Once again, create a new layer on top of all the other layers inside the ‘model’ group. Also convert this layer to a clipping mask. Choose a tool Pen (pen tool) and start creating the outline, as shown in the screenshot below. Remember to set the foreground color to a light shade of brown, as well as a 1px hard round brush.
Next, right-click on the document to display the dialog menu. In the window that appears, select the option Outline the contour (stroke path). Next, in the settings window that appears, set the brush tool as a stroke tool, and also tick the box Simulate pressure (Simulate Pressure).
Do the same as in the previous step to create more curly locks of hair. We can change the brush opacity to add more details. I called this layer ‘hair’. The result I got is:
Next, duplicate the hair layer. Arrange the hair on the other side. Using tool Free Transformation (Deformation) (free transform tool (Warp), change the shape of the hair to avoid monotony.
STEP 15
After creating the hair, we will add more details to the mantle of the girl. While still inside the ‘model’ group, create a new layer as a clipping mask. I called this layer ‘mantle’. On this layer, using a brush, brush color # 0f0c0f, paint over the inner cavity of the mantle, as shown in the screenshot below.
Next, draw a few lines of dark gray. Choose a tool Finger 
(smudge tool). Install Intensity (strength) tool at 75%, and then select a soft brush size of 10-12px. Using tool Finger (smudge tool), smear the drawn lines.
Try to vary the brush size and intensity accordingly. Continue to smear the lines to create more details. After creating the desired shape, apply the tool Clarifier 
and dimmer 
(dodge and burn tool) to create more highlights and shading on the mantle.
STEP sixteen
Continue adding details at the bottom of the mantle using the same technique as in the previous step. For this, I created a new layer inside the ‘model’ group. I called this layer ‘details’.
In conclusion, we will add a few lines to the mantle. For these purposes, use the tool Pen (pen tool), the same line making technique as in the previous step, when we were painting hair curls. The result I got is:
STEP 17
In this step, we will create a torch that will hold the model. Open the stock image Street lamp. Create a selection around the street lamp pole.
Move the selected part of the lamp support to our working paper. This will be the handle of the torch. Place the handle in the model’s hands, creating the feeling that she is holding a torch.
STEP 18
In this step, we will draw a fire. To do this, create a new document with dimensions of 900 x 900 px. Fill this document with black. Next, create a new layer on which we will draw a soft white spot. I called this layer ‘fire’. Using a 100px soft round brush, paint a spot.
Next, with the tool Finger (smudge tool), smear the white spot.
Continue smearing the stain to make it look like flames.
Create a new adjustment layer: Color Balance (color balance) on top of a layer with fire. With this corrective layer, we will give the fire the desired color shades.
Turn off the visibility of the black background layer so that the background becomes transparent. Due to the shutdown of visibility, the colors of fire will disappear. Next, hold down Ctrl + click on the thumbnail of the fire layer to load the image of fire:
Without removing the selection from the fire image, create a new layer below the ‘fire’ layer, and then fill this new layer with black color, I called this layer black ’. Due to this, the fire will acquire paint again.
Duplicate the black layer as much as needed to enhance the paint. Once you are satisfied with the result, merge all the layers into one layer.
STEP 19
Move the fire layer to our working paper. Position the image of the fire at the top of the torch handle.
Apply to the layer with fire Layer styles (Layer style): External glow (outer glow).
STEP 20
Go back to the layer with the handle of the torch, then create a new layer on top of the layer with the handle, fill this layer with black color. Convert this layer to a clipping mask and for this layer, change the blending mode to Lightening basics (color dodge). Using a light orange color, paint a highlight over the handle. For this purpose, use a soft round brush with a very low opacity 2-5.
Now, we will add light highlights to the model to create a reflection of the fire from the torch on the model. To do this, create a new layer on top of the other layers inside the ‘model’ group, convert this layer to a clipping mask. Fill this layer with black and change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening basics (color dodge). Draw light highlights in the same way as we painted highlights for the torch handle. The result is in the screenshot below:
STEP 21
Next, create a new layer below the fire layer. Using a soft black brush, move the brush along the left side of the image in order to shade this side more.
STEP 22
In this step, we will add several adjustment layers for a general correction of our scene. Position these adjustment layers below the fire layer so that they do not affect the image of the fire. In the beginning, create an adjustment layer. Curves (curves). Set the blending mode for the Curves adjustment layer to Normal (normal), layer opacity 83%.
Next, create an adjustment layer. Gradient map (gradient map). Set the blending mode for the adjustment layer. Gradient map (gradient map) on Soft light (soft light), layer opacity 60%. Using a layer mask, hide the effect of the adjustment layer on some areas of the model and the horse.
Finally, create a new adjustment layer: Color Balance (color balance). Set the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Normal (normal), layer opacity is 100%.
STEP 23
Now, we will add more clouds to our scene. Create a new layer on top of all adjustment layers. Fill this layer with 50% gray. Choose a soft round brush of white light with an opacity of 10-20%. Draw a small cloud texture on the sky next to the moon. Set the blending mode for this layer to Overlap (overlay), layer opacity is 100%.
Keep adding clouds to the sky. Each cloud I painted on a separate layer.
Finally, draw the stars in the sky.
STEP 24
I decided to create another adjustment layer: Curves (curves) on top of layers with clouds. Set the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Normal (normal), layer opacity 75%. Do not forget that the layer of fire must be located on top of all layers at the very top in the layers palette, therefore, the position of this adjustment layer is directly below the layer with fire.
STEP 25
Next, create another adjustment layer: Vibration (vibrance) on top of all layers. Using a layer mask, hide the correction on some parts of the image. Set the blending mode for this adjustment layer to Normal (normal), layer opacity is 100%.
Create two more adjustment layers: Channel Mixing (channel mixers) and Photo filter photo filter).
Finally, select the three topmost adjustment layers and press Ctrl + G to group them. I called this group an additional correction ’. Add a layer mask to this group. Using a layer mask, hide the areas that are marked in red in the screenshot below:
STEP 26
Move to the topmost layer (in this case, the группы extra correction ’group layer), press Shift + Ctrl + Alt + E to merge all visible layers into one layer. I called this layer ‘combined’. Next, go Layer– Smart– an object–
Transform at smart– an object(layer> smart objects> convert to smart object). Next, apply the filter: Colour contrast (high pass), radius value set to 1.5 px. Hover over the peephole filter Colour contrast (high pass) + right click.
In the dialog box that appears, select the option Editing Smart Filter Details Parameters (Edit Smart Filter Blending Option). In the window that appears, set the blending mode to Overlap (overlay), opacity 100%. Filter Colour contrast (high pass) will make the image clearer.
Finally, click on thumbnail Smart Filter (smart filters). Hide some areas in the center of the trees, the moon, model faces and bottom areas. Filter Colour contrast (high pass) will not affect hidden areas.
Final result
