The Final Result:
Notes:
* the software used in this tutorial is
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended
* the size of the final result image is 1024 * 768
* you might want to check the
Basix Page to see some useful topics on dealing with Photoshop basics, such as loading palettes and some shortcuts.
Resources:
*
Modified Diamond Sparkles Brush.
Step 1:
- Create a new layer on top of the Background layer and call it “Gradient”. Set the Foreground color to
#724242, and the Background color to
#3c1a1a, then, create a
Radial Gradient from the center of the document to one of the corners.
- Double click the “Gradient” layer to add a
Gradient Overlay. Change the
Bland Mode to
Overlay, the
Opacity to
80%, the
Angle to
45°, and the
Scale to
150%. Then click the
Gradient box to create it.
- Use the colors
#dc4800 (to the left) and
#430401 (to the right) to create the Gradient.
- This is what you should get.
- Go to
Filter -> Sketch -> Water Paper, and set the values as shown below:
- This will add some nice looking sparkles to the Background.
Step 2:
- Create the text in Black. The font used is
Aardvark Cafe and the size is 500 px.
- Double click the text layer and add an
Outer Glow. Change the
Blend Mode to
Vivid Light, the color to
#a6dc6b, the
Size to
10 and the
Range to
100%.
- Change the text layer’s
Fill value to
0%. The text should have a very subtle glow effect.
Step 3:
- Right click on the text layer and choose
Create Work Path.
- Download the
Modified Diamond Sparkles Brush. It is a simple diamond brush, and you can check its settings after you load it under the Brush panel (Window -> Brush). Select this brush before moving on to the next step.
- Create a new layer on top of all layers and call it “Sparkles”. Set the Foreground color to White, and pick the
Direct Selection Tool.
- Right click on the path and choose
Stroke Path.
- Choose Brush from the Tool drop down menu, and check the
Simulate Pressure box.
- This will stroke the path with the sparkles brush. Hit Enter to get rid of the path.
Double click the “Sparkles” layer to apply the “Glow” layer styles:
-
Outer Glow: Change the
Blend Mode to
Color Dodge and the color to White.
-
Inner Glow: Just change the color to
#f4edd3.
- This will add a simple glow to the sparkles. Change the “Sparkles” layer’s
Fill value to
0%.
Step 4:
Choose a soft round brush, and change its setting’s values (Window -> Brush) as shown below.
-
Brush Tip Shape:
-
Shape Dynamics:
Make sure to choose Pen Pressure from the Size Jitter – Control drop down menu.
- Create a work path once again (right click on text layer -> Create Work Path), create a new layer on top of all layers and call it “Glow”, set the Foreground color to
#f8ff99, and stroke the path (right click on the path -> Stroke Path) with the brush, and hit Enter.
Double click the “Glow” layer to add more “Glow” layer styles:
-
Outer Glow: Change the
Blend Mode to
Soft Light, the color to White, and the
Size to
2.
-
Inner Glow: Change the
Blend Mode to
Linear Light, the color to
#ffb8b8, the
Source to
Center, and the
Size to
2.
- Change the “Glow” layer’s
Blend Mode to
Overlay. Notice how bright the text is now.
Step 5:
Once again, choose a soft round brush, and change its setting’s values (Window -> Brush) as shown below.
-
Brush Tip Shape:
-
Shape Dynamics:
Make sure to choose Pen Pressure from the Size Jitter – Control drop down menu.
-
Transfer:
- Create a work path, create a new layer on top of all layers, call it “Color” and change its
Blend Mode to
Color, set the Foreground color to
#a7a400, and stroke the path with the brush, then hit Enter.
This will add a nice green tone color to the glow.
* You can stop right here if you like the effect this way. The following two steps are optional, but they add a nice touch to both the Background and the text, making the final effect more winter-holiday-like. *
Step 6:
- Set the Foreground and Background colors back to
#724242 and
#3c1a1a, then select the “Gradient” layer.
- Go to
Filter -> Brush Strokes -> Sprayed Strokes, and change the values as shown below:
- The big sparkles in the Background will disappear, leaving a smoother looking splattered-like texture.
Step 7:
- Create a new layer on top of all layers and call it “Snow Glow”, then double click it to apply some more “Glow” layer styles.
-
Outer Glow: Change the
Blend Mode to
Vivid Light, the color to White, and the
Size to
2.
-
Inner Glow: Change the
Blend Mode to
Linear Light, the color to
#ffe400, the
Source to
Center, and the
Size to
2.
- Set the Foreground color to White, and use the last brush you created (in Step 5) to draw some “glowing snow – like” strokes along the text edges. You can use the “Eraser Tool” to remove any unwanted areas.
And we’re done!
