Christmas is just a few days away, so here is a tutorial showing how to create a Christmas design using Photoshop.
What we are going to do is really easy and can be very useful. For this tutorial, we will use some very cool icons as well. You can download them here. I hope you enjoy this little tutorial and that it inspires you to create your own last-minute postcard!
Step 1
Create a new document. Using a Layer Style, apply a Gradient Overlay, using a dark red to a black.
Step 2
Using the the Line Tool, let’s create two lines as shown. This will be our reference for the Christmas tree.
Step 3
Let’s place our Santa Claus Icon in the center of our tree. Using the Pen Tool, draw some lines like I’ve shown below. In order to do that, we need to change the way we will create our lines. Instead of using the Shape Layer, let’s choose Paths.
Step 4
Now, still using the Pen Tool, let’s round our lines choosing the Convert Point Tool.
Step 5
Next, create a new Layer Folder and name it “Star Tree.” Change the Blending Mode to Color Dodge, then create a new layer inside this folder and name it “Stars path.” Next open your Brushes Palette (Window > Brushes) and select the Brush shown below. Then set it at the values shown below in the screenshots.
Step 6
With our brush created, let’s choose the Brush Tool and make sure that the brush we created is selected.
To create the star tree, make sure that you have selected the “Star path” layer. Using the Path Selection Tool (A), Ctrl-click Stroke Path. A dialog box will appear, and in there choose Brush. Make sure that the brush you created is selected.
Step 7
As you can see, the stars follow the path we created and they change size, rotation, and opacity. Now let’s choose another brush, and in a new layer still inside the “Star Tree” folder, let’s add some lighting effects. Select the brush shown below and paint a star over Santa’s glass.
Next, in a new layer, paint a big star at the top of the tree.
Step 8
Select the “Star path” layer and double-click the layer to open the Layer Style dialog box. Select Outer Glow as shown below, and add some glow to the stars.
Step 9
Next we’ll add our text. Choose the Horizontal Type Tool (F) and type XMAS (or whatever word you would like). Double-click the layer to open the Layer Style dialog box.
Now let’s add some effects. I learned this technique from a very nice tutorial I found online, and I have just changed it a little bit.
Step 10
To create the water floor-effect, just duplicate the text layer and flip it vertically (Edit>Transform>Flip Vertical). Move it right bellow the XMAS text and apply Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. After that, choose the Gradient Tool (G), set the colors to black and white, and fill the mask with it.
Step 11
Add the Merry text and some more icons and repeat the previous step to create reflections for all of them.
Step 12
Let’s add a bit of snow.
- Set the colors to dark gray and black.
- Create a new layer and go to Filter>Render>Clouds.
- Apply some Gaussian Blur.
- Go to Filter>Pixelate>Mezzotint
- Add some Motion Blur
- Change the layer’s blending mode to Overlay at 30%.
Conclusion
This is a very easy way to create a beautiful Christmas wallpaper or even an e-card to send to your friends or clients. However, the best thing is that it shows a bit of what we can do with the Brush Engine, in my opinion one of the best features in Photoshop.
Happy holidays everyone!
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Fabio
Premium Members
Source Files, Bonus Tutorials & More for all relevant Tuts+ sites in one subscription. Join Now
Related Posts
Premium Membership
Source Files, Bonus Tutorials & More for all relevant Tuts+ sites in one subscription
Justo Resto Las Lomitas - Tipografia 3D - More
Photoshop Basix
Just getting started? Start with our basix tutorials on the fundamentals. View All Basix Tutorials
Other Plus Sites ...
aetuts+ audiotuts+ vectortuts+ tuts+ phototuts+ cgtuts+ nettuts+ psdtuts+ activetuts+Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Psdtuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
its cool.
from: bojanmaniaka
Gracias a esta pagina web hemos podido hacer un trabajo bastante entrtenido, i algo complicado.
Suerte que tenemos un buen professor que hace las classes divertidas i gracias a esto ponemos bastanta atención porque si no seria inaguantable esta classe,
(Nacho no es peloteo esto ehh)
Marc Boixasa
nacho eres el mejor
Gracias a esta pagina web hemos podido hecer una postal navideña, pero es bastante complicado (pero porque somos un poco inutiles la mayoria con el Photoshop) jajaja
Suerte que tenemos a Nacho, nuestro professor, que es divertido y explica muy bien y gracias a eso ponemos bastanta atención.
( Nacho no es peloteo aunque lo parezca jajaja)
Marc Boixasa
Gracias a esta pagina web hemos podido hacer una postal navideña, pero es bastante complicado (pero porque somos un poco inutiles la mayoria con el Photoshop) jajajaja
Suerte que tenemos a Nacho, nuestro professor, que es divertido y explica muy bien y gracias a eso ponemos bastanta atención.
(Nacho no es peloteo aunque lo parezca jajaja)
Marc Boixasa
This a very cool tutorial
I am using it this year for my students in my computer graphics class using photoshop.Thanks for the nice inspiration!
OMG! I’m definitely a PS idiot as I even didnt know that the Brush option would allow so many different layouts! It’s incredible!
Really liked your tut and definitely save on my computer.
Keep up the great job and have a merry christmas.
Thanks for this fantabulous tutorial!
OMG! I’m definitely a PS idiot as I even didnt know that the Brush option would allow so many different layouts! It’s incredible!
Really liked your tut and definitely save on my computer.
Keep up the great job and have a merry christmas.
Thanks for this fantabulous tutorial!
Not enough information in this tutorial to make the final product look like yours.
No information on how to get the star at the top to look like that. And there is definitely something missing on how to make the stars look red,white,gold,etc. Mine all looks red (in different shades).
hi i have just 1 problem and that is where do u get the * from in the brushes dialog? i dont seem to have it : /
Very informative tutorial. Thanks! Keep ‘em coming. Merry Christmas EV1
wow!! it’s amazing! thank’s
even when making the folder colour dodge and the layer normal, the stars still appear a pale red. What colour do u use to paint them on?
Muchas gracias por el tutorial, me parece magnifico tu trabajo.
I know this is a only english post… i thought maybe giving a little multicultural apreciation to you art.
in case you don’t know spanish:
“Thanx a lot for the tutorial, i think your work is awesome” <— translation
for people who asked, u can open the menu (top right button on the panel) and choose “assorted brushes”
nice tut
wishing u a merry xmas from Italy!
Cool tut, Fabio. Where I can see another one?