Halloween starts soon. Why not make a little tutorial about photomontage with Adobe Photoshop CS5. Blending layers, brushes are the essential skills. It is easy. First, you will need photos. I suggest you to try with your own photography or check out -> this website. Let’s get started.
Level : Beginners
Final Result
Step 1
Open up the image of your skull (File>Open). Separate it from your background using the Magic Wand Tool with the default settings. Click once on the white canvas and inverse the selection (Select> Inverse). In the Layers Panel, click on the Add Layer Mask to remove the selection. Right-click the Layer Mask and choose Apply Layer Mask.
TIP : If you have problems to remove the white background, add contrast to your image with a Curve Adjustment Layer.
Step 2
Import a parchment image (File> Place). If you have not this kind of texture, scan an old book. Set the blending mode to Overlay. Place the layer above the skull (click and drag it). Don’t blend your texture with your artwork. It is not necessary.
Step 3
Add eyes to your skull but reduce their size (Ctrl/Cmd+T). It is more fun. In the Options bar, click on the Maintain aspect ratio icon and type 63 % in the H Box. Press Enter to validate. Use the Lasso Tool to select them and drag them into your canvas. Apply an inner black shadow (Layer>Layer Style>Inner Shadow) with the default settings.
Step 4
Next, create a gradient layer from red to black (Layer>New Fill Layer>Gradient). Name it as you want. Click the arrow next to the Gradient picker box to open it. Create a red (#9b0c0c) and black gradient. Then, click and drag across your canvas. Release your mouse button to apply it.
Step 5
Add a metal texture that you can found on CgTextures website. Convert it into a black and white photo before to import into your work (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Black and White). Place it above your gradient layer. Set the blending mode layer to Overlay.
Step 6
Make your gradient layer active : Click on it on the Layers Panel. In the 3D Menu, choose New Titled Painting command to get a 3D interesting texture.
Step 7
Add another parchment texture (File> Place) and change the blend mode to Soft Light. Place its layer below the eyes by clicking and dragging it in the Layer Palette.
Step 8
Final Touches… add other different pictures to your artwork. Change the blend mode to soft Light. Experiment with other textures. Don’t use layer masks to remove parts. Let your work like the image as shown below. Finally, apply a watercolor texture with brushes . Check out the Bittbox website or paint some watercolor parts and scan them to import into Photoshop.