30 January 2012

Tutorial: Simple Background

In this post I'm going to show you how to make a simple background, which you can use as a desktop background or a background for a more complex picture.



Let's get started.
Open up a Photoshop document, I'll be using 1280*1024, but you can use any size you want.
Start with creating a new layer.
Now, start creating a shape with a selecting tool and then try to duplicate it and add it to the current shape. Something like this:


That should do the trick. You can add more if you want. Now you can try deleting the inside of the triangles or something like that. If you're deleting just duplicate a triangle and make it smaller using the Transform tool. Then select that triangle set it to place and delete the other triangle


Now merge all the layers you used for creating the shape.

Background:
I'm going to do something simple, but I'll explain it.
Create a new layer and open the Gradient Editor. Pick two colors, don't stick to the rules, just pick anything and see if it fits, you can always undo. I'll be using #d5c908 and #098914. Now select the Radiant Gradient in the upper left corner. You'll get something like this.


You can use something from the Filters tab. I used Water Paper.


And the final step is to work the shape and the background so they match each other. I got something like this.

I used Gaussian Blur at 1.5(Filter> Blur), Drop Shadow (Layer>Layer Style) and I lowered the master opacity of the layer.
Now I've selected the shape and I picked a splatter brush (I don't have the link, sorry) and got this effect (I used a new layer). I Motion blurred it (-21 Angle, 6 Distance) and I set the Blend mode to Overlay.


And for the last touch create a new layer and apply the image (Image>Apply Image) and press OK. Go to Filter>Render>Lighting Effects and set to Omni. Play with the settings a little, see what suits you. Set the Blend mode to Multiply and decrease the master opacity. And that's it.


Pretty cool, huh? You can use any shapes you want, any color, it's all up to you. If you have any questions, post them in the comments.


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