Darken the sky
06
Repeat the last step for the night sky,
using a darker blue. Then select an
even darker blue, and set your brush to a
200px+ Airbrush. Draw around the top
corners of the canvas to create a shadow
across the sky. You don’t need a graphics
tablet for this – the mouse will work ine!Making waves
07
Go back to your sea layer. Select the blue using
the Eyedropper tool, then make it slightly darker
in the Colour Picker. Using the Lasso tool, draw several
rough, snaking lines across the layer, and ill them using
the Bucket tool to shade in some waves.Elements
Expert tip
The moon is obviously a far
away object, so drawing it
with a very hard edge will look
incorrect in your image. To ix
this, soten the edges of the
moon by selecting the moon
layer, then go to Filter>Blur>
Gaussian Blur. A new window
will appear. This includes a
preview window, which will
show how the blur will edit
your currently selected asset.
Adjust the Radius slider to
between 2.0 and 2.5. Try to
keep it within these numbers;
blurring it too much will make
it look out of focus, instead
of far away. Click OK, and the
blur will be applied.Blur the moon
for realismChoppy sea
08
Repeat the process using another
slightly darker blue. Fill in the gaps
between your irst lot of waves. This will give
your ocean a sense of depth. If you’re ever
unsatisied with a shape you’ve drawn, draw
back over it with the Lasso, and press delete
to taper the shape.Light in the dark
09
Use the aforementioned technique
one more time, using a blue that is
lighter than your ocean’s base colour. Be
much more sparing with your use of this
colour. Keep your shapes small, aside from
one area near the horizon. We’ll be using this
in the next few steps.Moon over the water
10
Create a new layer above your night
sky layer. Using the Circle Marquee
tool, draw a perfect circle above the
highlighted area of the sea below. Select a
near-white blue in the Colour Picker, and ill
your shape with the Bucket tool.COLOUR CONTRAST
Make sure each colour
stands out. Use the Bucket
tool to adjust them.STRIKING COLOURS
Using the Lasso tool like this
creates sharp, striking artwork. It’s
great for creating illustrative work.GRAPHICS TABLET
If you do have access to a graphics
tablet, use it to draw in extra
details, like small rocks.A PERFECT CIRCLE
To draw a complete circle, hold Shit
as you draw outward with the Circle
Marquee tool.