A_P_TPC_Vol11_2015_

GRASP ADVANCED BLEND MODE TECHNIQUES

LEARN HOW TO CREATE A SCIFI SCENE USING PHOTOSHOP’S

BLEND MODES

GRASP ADVANCED

BLEND MODE

TECHNIQUES

I

n this tutorial you will learn how to create a sci-fi

scene with a cinematic feel using blend modes.

You will also learn the techniques of

photomanipulation and the importance of values

to make your image pop out and look like it’s from a

movie. We will go through some digital painting for

the character’s hair, so make sure to use a pen tablet

instead of the mouse as this will make your

workflow much easier.

SET UP YOUR STOCK

PLACE AND ENHANCE THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE IMAGE

Since our theme is sci-fi we will also go through

creating a futuristic suit for our model using parts of

superbikes as our stock, which is a technique that

many well known artists use for mech design. We will

also add a touch of abstraction to our

photomanipulation by blending geometrical shapes

and make key post-production edits using

adjustment layers, Lens Correction and Smart

Sharpen to finish the job.

01

SET UP THE MODEL

First of all we need to set up our model into

our canvas, so let’s grab the model image from

Dreamstime, code: 22992223, then by selecting the

Pen tool (P), click and drag on the edges of the model,

then Cmd/right-click, select Make Selection, and

press Cmd/Ctrl+J to isolate the model on a new layer,

and finally place the model into our new canvas.

02

MODIFY THE CONTRAST

Our model looks a little bit flat. What we

need is to add some depth, so now we will add

contrast by going to Image>Adjustments>Curves

and making the Curves an S shape. Don’t drag the

points deeper as that will ruin the contrast. Next we

will grab a Soft Round brush, with the blend mode of

the brush (not the layer) set to Overlay. Turn down

the opacity and start brushing dark parts of the

model. Doing this will give you more control instead

of doing a regular Brightness and Contrast filter.

03

CREATE THE BACKGROUND

Now it’s time to create our background, so grab some bokeh

textures from CGtextures.com, place them behind the model layer and

change their blend mode to Linear Dodge (Add). Also you can create a

new layer, change the blend mode to Screen, then with a Soft Round

brush, add some light around the model to make her pop out. Keep in

mind that composition is really important, and our bokeh textures

should not cover some parts of the canvas because we will place other

elements and textures there later. Our background is composed of three

bokeh textures so we need to blend them into one texture, to do that

create a layer mask and with a Soft Round brush, hide parts of the

textures that are not needed.

SOUFIANE IDRASSI

http://www.artstation.com/artist/

cgsoufiane

@idrassisoufiane

OUR EXPERT

Soufiane Idrassi is a self-taught freelance

concept artist and Illustrator based in

Meknes, Morocco with five years of

experience in digital art.

SOURCE FILES

Get the PNG files used to develop the

character’s suit, plus take a look at the

layered PSD on FileSilo.

FROM IDEA TO THE

FINAL FINISH

Progress 3: Final effects

WORK IN

PROGRESS

Progress 2: Creating the suit

Progress 1: Setting up the model