Photoshop Creative Issue

Create an

awesome

space scene

L

et’s create an awesome space composition

from a sketch using some of the most

impressive features in Photoshop: filters, layer

styles and masks. In this tutorial, you’ll explore

each one of these powerful commands and

discover how to apply them for realistic effects. To

begin, you’ll create stars using the Noise filter and

then you’ll learn a clever way to add some twinkles

using the Motion Blur filter. Next, you’ll use the

Cloud filter, blending modes and brushes to create

a colourful nebula. Finally, you will place the images

and use the layer styles to add glows and apply

other techniques to complete the composition and

make it work as a whole.

You can try out different settings for the styles,

adjustments and blend modes, but it’s important to

use vivid colours for the nebula to make the image

stand out. If you are using Photoshop Elements,

don’t forget to check the side stepper for more

information on the editing process. There are so

many good tips and tricks in this tutorial that at the

end, you will have new skills to start using in your

own projects. Download the stock images from

FileSilo now, and start learning.

Explore new ways to use filters, layer styles and masks to create

an out-of-this-world composition

Share your illustrations Tweet us @pshopcreative

On the FileSilo

Download your free

resources at http://www.filesilo.

co.uk/photoshopcreative

Expert

Daniel

Sinoca

“Sometimes I think

Photoshop is truly out of this

world – I can create planets,

galaxies, stars and add a

variety of special efects

to a sketch using only the

amazing tools, ilters, and

features that are bundled in

the sotware. I have always

loved science-iction stories

• the idea of exploring
  new planets and being an
  astronaut were part of my
  childhood dreams. Well,
  thanks to Photoshop, now
  I can inally satisfy those
  dreams and create my own
  space compositions.
  “I started to get involved in
  the digital world more than
  15 years ago and have been
  working as a freelance artist
  ever since, creating all kinds
  of multimedia projects and
  tutorial guides.”

Essentials

Time taken

2 hours

Create the stars

02

Go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise. Set Amount to 50%,

Distribution: Gaussian, check the Monochromatic box

and click OK. Now go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Set Radius to

3px and click OK. Use the Levels (Cmd/Ctrl+L) to create the stars.

Set the Inputs to 40, 0.05, 80.

Set the stage

01

To begin, create a new document. Go to File>New. Name your

project Astronaut, set the Width to 230mm, Height to 310mm,

Resolution to 300ppi, change the Background Contents to Black and then

click OK. Double-click on the Background layer thumbnail and name the

layer Stars.