Preview

How to Create a Fantasy Photo Manipulation

Nov 25th in Designing, Photo Effects by Constantin Potorac

The idea behind this work was to create a fantasy world. You will learn how to work with a few images and create a really interesting photo manipulation. I would also like to thank Loredana for working with me on this one.

PG

Author: Constantin Potorac

I am a freelance designer living in Romania. I discovered the beauty of design a few years ago. Since then I have dedicated my time to becoming a great designer (work in progress)!

Final Image Preview

Below is the image you will create in this tutorial. Want access to the full PSD files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join PSDTUTS PLUS for just $9/month. You can view the final image preview below or view a larger version here.

Video Tutorial

Our video editor Gavin Steele has created this series of video tutorials to compliment this text + image tutorial.

Step 1

The first step is to choose the right pictures for your work. I chose just three stock images to keep it simple: Background, Tree, and you can look at through the following site for a suitable image of a Model.

Step 2

The second step is to create a proper background. Use your imagination; don't just use the background picture ast is. Click on the background layer and then Command + J to duplicate it. Next flip the background you just duplicated Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal, and then overlap them covering just a bit of the picture with the other.

Step 3

Now Command-click on both layers and then press Command + E to merge them together. It looks strange, like in a mirror, but by using a brush and a clone stamp it will look quite natural. Select the Clone Stamp Tool (S) and start cloning the trees and the grass until it looks natural, use the Brush Tool (B) and paint with black at the trees roots. Then crop it so it won't look symmetrical.

Step 4

Next you need to add some clouds. You will create these clouds using a cloud brush; also you need to make the clouds yellow. Yellow and orange clouds look good in a fantasy picture, and here are some Free Cloud Brushes.

Step 5

Next you need to add some birds on the sky. Again create the birds using brushes, and here are some Free Bird Brushes.

Step 6

For this step you will add a moon or maybe you will add two, after all this is a fantasy illustration, and here are some Free Moon Brushes.

Step 7

Last element you need to add is a tree in the right side of the composition. We do this just to get rid of the symmetry. Look for a tree that matches your background, and here are some Free Tree Brushes.

Step 8

You have just finished with the background. Now you need to work on your model. Use the Pen Tool (P) and cut out the model, then place it into a single layer called "model."

Step 9

Every fairy has long hair, right? Just use the Lasso Tool (L) and cut out her hair. Make the selection and then press Command + J to copy it to another layer.

Step 10

Next you need to move the part of the hair you just created lower then the "model" layer and using the Smudge Tool (R) and Transform Tool (T) you need to make the piece of hair look like it belongs there. The final result might not look great, but we will go back to the hair later.

Step 11

Now you need to create some shadows and lights on her skin. Go to Create a new fill or adjustment layer and select Curves. Use my settings or just make the skin look darker.

Fill the layer mask with black. Next, pick a basic brush and with white draw on the layer mask over all the darker areas of the models skin. Make sure to use a 0% Hardness for the brush, also you can use a lower Opacity for the brush. This will help you build the effect gradually.

Step 12

Repeat Step 11, but this time you need to use different settings for the curves. Also, when you draw over the mask this time draw over the lighter parts on the model's skin.

Step 13

You are almost done with the model. You just need to create a bit of makeup and make the fairy look better. Create a new layer, pick a basic brush with smooth edges, use a black color and start drawing just a bit above her eyes. When you have finished set the Opacity to 60% or 70%.

Step 14

So far so good. You have finished preparing the model, now move it into your document.

Step 15

Next you need to add the wings. The wings I used are free brushes you can find anywhere, here are some free wing brushes. I will make the wings yellow, same as the sky and place them each in different layers to move them later if necessary.

Step 16

Back to the hair. Chose the Smudge Tool (R) and set the Mode to normal, strength to 100, use a basic brush with smooth edges and Diameter of 1px or 2px. Now start smudging the edges of her hair so the model will look like she belongs in the background.

Step 17

Next you need to bring in the tree. Before you do this you need to remove the background. The tree can be cut using the Pen Tool (P), but at some point you will need to use the Quick Selection Tool (W). It does not have to be perfect, for the moment we can use it as it is.

When you are finished cutting you need to use the Smudge Tool (R) again and smudge the edges of the tree. Finally, move the tree on the document you are working.

Step 18

In this step we will create a flower in her hair. Make a new layer and chose the Brush Tool (B). Start drawing the flower like the one in the image. Use these for the colors #989ba2 and #a58532 and then start adding some shadows and highlights, just like you did with her skin. The flower does not need to be perfect as it will not be very visible.

Step 19

Place the flower over her hair. Also, using the brush you need to make create some hair and place it over the flower.

Step 20

Next you need to use the Smudge Tool (R) on the grass. Now it is visible that the model has been cut and placed on this background so to hide this we need to create some grass over her dress.

Step 21

Now you need to change the colors a bit for the atmosphere. Go to Create New Adjustment Layers, chose Gradient Map and make the settings as in the image below.

Step 22

Now set the Opacity to 60%. Go to the layer mask, pick a basic brush with Hardness set to 0, set the Opacity of the brush to 40%, pick the black color and paint all the grass. The result should look like the image below.

Step 23

Go to Create New Adjustment Layer again and chose Photo Filter. Chose #ec8a00 for the color and 25% for Density, also make sure the Preserve Luminosity is checked. The difference is not very visible but there is one.

Step 24

Next go to the Create new adjustment layer and chose Curves, make the settings as in the image. Then pick a brush with smooth edges and paint the layer mask as shown, so the curves won’t be visible in the middle.

Step 25

Go to Create New Adjustment Layer and pick Curves again, then make the settings as shown below. Now pick the same brush, and paint with black on the mask, as you see in the small image. This will give a nice effect to the moon and it will look like it is shining on the girl.

Step 26

Apply another Photo Filter as you did in step 23.

Step 27

Now apply another gradient map. Make the settings as shown, and set the Opacity of the layer to 30%.

Step 28

Next you need to press Command + A to select the entire work, then go to Edit > Copy Merged. Now that you have made a copy, go to Edit > Paste. This will paste the entire work you have done so far into a single layer with all the effects merged.

Step 29

With the new layer selected you need to go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Position the lens as I did. It must look like the girl is looking at it. After you position it you must create a mask for the layer and try to mask the entire image except the middle part of the flare.

Step 30

Now we'll add a dreamy effect. Go to the adjustment layers and select Channel Mixer, then set the Channel to Blue. Next, set each as I did: Red at +7, Green at -13, and Blue at +94.

Step 31

Go to Create New Adjustment Layer and go to Hue/Saturation and set the Lightness to -22 and press OK. Next, using a black to transparent Radial Gradient (G), make a black spot in the middle of the layer mask.

Conclusion

In the end you can apply more blur and lights on the sky and girl. You can view the final image below or view a larger version here.

Subscribe to the PSDTUTS RSS Feed for the best Photoshop tuts and articles on the web.


Enjoy this Post?

We'd love your vote!

Plus Members

Source Files, Bonus Tutorials and
More for $9 a month for all TUTS+
sites in one subscription.

Join Now

User Comments

( ADD YOURS )
  1. PG

    Brenton Keller November 25th

    Amazing tut, very useful!

    ( Reply )
  2. PG

    Aliasart November 25th

    This is great. I’ve been searching for a while for such a tut. Thanks a lot! :)

    ( Reply )
  3. PG

    aklavion November 25th

    Amazing tutorial, very nice

    ( Reply )
  4. PG

    Joost Jongedijk November 25th

    Awesome, just the tree on the left bothers me, don´t know why.

    ( Reply )
  5. PG

    Martin Å najdr November 25th

    Really impressive!
    One of the best tutorial on PSDTuts, thank you :)

    ( Reply )
  6. PG

    loswl November 25th

    Excellent execution and final image!! :o o…Nice mood lighting ;o) One of the best tuts I have seen in a long while here!!

    ( Reply )
  7. PG

    BST November 25th

    Looks a little weird with almost no light in her face/forhead, tho theres a flying lightbulb in front of her!? Allthough, a very nice tut, as usual!

    ( Reply )
  8. PG

    VertigoSFX November 25th

    Wow…that looks pro! Very well written too, I like it a lot.

    ( Reply )
  9. PG

    glidingtide November 25th

    Awesome stuff.

    ( Reply )
  10. PG

    Moksha November 25th

    great work, thanks for sharing

    ( Reply )
  11. PG

    Chachu Clothing November 25th

    Love the techniques used!

    ( Reply )
  12. PG

    Alvaro November 25th

    Nice outcome… :D

    ( Reply )
  13. PG

    Skunkie November 25th

    Even though i don´t really like those fantasy kind of compositions which always remind me of posters from grade school girls – i must say, you show some well-founded PS skills. Thanks a lot!

    ( Reply )
  14. PG

    evanriley November 25th

    Fabulous, helped me alot

    ( Reply )
  15. PG

    Nick November 25th

    Looks awesome, but I always hate when pretty much nothing in the piece was drawn or custom-made…everything is stock images and free brushes.

    It’s like the art is piecing it together, but none was actually made by you.

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Kezz April 4th

      I know what you mean, but the beauty of this is that you don’t have to be a good drawer or painter (I’m avoiding the word artist because I still consider this to be done by an artist) to be able to put together a beautiful piece of work.
      You could always refine with your own finishing hand drawn touches, but if you’re not able to then you can come out with a spectacular result.
      This still takes talent and patience to put together, not everyone can follow instructions!

      ( Reply )
    2. PG

      twin23 June 8th

      not everyone has that sort of talent. besides is it not art to have a vision and it comes out so wonderful.art is only what you make it. though i wish we all really could have a talent such as the one i think you have by the comment, because i suck at free form drawing.

      ( Reply )
  16. PG

    thousand November 25th

    FAntastiC TuT… so doing it

    tnx

    ( Reply )
  17. PG

    John Wu November 25th

    It’s actually much better and more detailed than I thought when I saw the thumbnail.

    ( Reply )
  18. PG

    Thomas November 25th

    This is amazing! Love it!

    ( Reply )
  19. PG

    Devin Rajaram November 25th

    Great Tut I Will Go in plus section and see how you really did it lol

    ( Reply )
  20. PG

    himangshu November 25th

    very beautiful effect bt can someone help me wit photo filter is it nt present in ps cs2

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Palamina April 23rd

      I’m currently on CS at work, and that has Photo Filter, so I imagine CS2 would as well… It’s right under Gradient Map on the Adjustment Layer menu.

      ( Reply )
  21. PG

    WoW-Sky November 25th

    Good Job

    ( Reply )
  22. PG

    Mabuc November 25th

    Looks fantastic I really like it.

    ( Reply )
  23. PG

    skut November 25th

    amazing !

    ( Reply )
  24. Awesome, outstanding, perfect…stop me before I repeat myself!

    ( Reply )
  25. PG

    rejidesigner November 25th

    beautiful effect.

    ( Reply )
  26. PG

    insic November 25th

    amazing result. good work.

    ( Reply )
  27. Some techniques are useful…tnx

    ( Reply )
  28. PG

    ktilla November 25th

    gosh! I learnt a lot!

    Thanks

    ( Reply )
  29. PG

    Odair Faléco November 25th

    Nice work!

    ( Reply )
  30. PG

    Whitney November 27th

    Great tutorial… lots of nice stuff in this one. And thanks for posting both the video and the steps! This makes it so much easier to follow!

    ( Reply )
  31. PG

    Konnekt November 27th

    Great tutorial. i cant wait to get home and try this one.

    ( Reply )
  32. PG

    Saro November 30th

    Thanks!! I had some trouble with Photoshop so i couldn’t do all steps, but this is what i got! http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/Saro_verhees/fantasycom.jpg

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Kezz April 4th

      This is fabulous Saro!!! Well done! This is what it’s all about – taking the steps and making your own version.

      I love it.

      ( Reply )
  33. PG

    Vicveneto December 1st

    This is a phenominal concept and thank you for the eye opener. Learnt a lot

    ( Reply )
  34. PG

    sp December 3rd

    Precioso

    ( Reply )
  35. PG

    Carlos December 5th

    fabulous…..

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Kezz April 4th

      Oh my gosh – breathtaking! This is gorgeous.

      ( Reply )
      1. PG

        Marvenic April 15th

        Hehe, tks!

  36. PG

    1 December 8th

    can some1 please tell me how do i add the fairy into the background ?

    ( Reply )
  37. PG

    d4r3 December 9th

    This is great Work and a even better Tut.

    Thank you very much!

    ( Reply )
  38. PG

    Gabriel Foong December 15th

    A-MA-ZING!!!
    WONDERFUL~ This sure will boost my photoshop knowledge!
    thx a lot… can i ask something??
    If i don’t want to add flare on the fairy’s hands… i want to add lightning can??
    how to create lightning???

    ( Reply )
  39. PG

    Neidaliz December 16th

    Wow that was just, HAHA! Wow!!

    Usually i do anime, and anime stuff, but this was just TOO stunning to pass out. Thank you!!! I used some of the stocks you used, but i made it another concept. Basically i just made it mine >=]

    This is my result: http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk303/BioAlchemistBabe/Fantasyland.jpg

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Kezz April 4th

      Wow – incredible – I love looking at the different spin offs. This is a really beautiful pic.

      ( Reply )
  40. PG

    Jason Rogers December 18th

    Thats amazing, i love this

    ( Reply )
  41. PG

    madafka December 19th

    wow it is what i want for a long time. thank you man. awesome

    ( Reply )
  42. PG

    Martial December 22nd

    Hello, where I can download the psd file?
    I’m a plus member, when I go to the protected area, I don’t see it.

    Regards,
    Martial

    ( Reply )
  43. PG

    JP December 23rd

    Lennnnnnssssssss Fllllaaaarrrreeeeeeeeeee!!!!! Gahhhh….

    ( Reply )
  44. PG

    The Dude January 1st

    Unbelievable. A few days ago i decided to try and create a fantasy scene from some photos, and spent ages looking for tuts, had a stab at it, looked again for better tuts and found nothing. After i give up all hope, i stumble across this on the homepage of pixel2life 2 days later!

    Perfect, thanks!!

    ( Reply )
  45. PG

    Adam January 2nd

    This is absolutely amazing. You guys are bloody good professionals. :D

    Thanks.

    ( Reply )
  46. PG

    jai January 3rd

    Really great! Hope I do have computer to start with that design.

    ( Reply )
  47. PG

    xd January 3rd

    extreem !!! goooooooooood !!!

    ( Reply )
  48. PG

    adrian January 9th

    great tutorial man!
    ive been here since i got home form school finishing this, its really interesting

    ( Reply )
  49. PG

    DJ KRIS January 10th

    Great tutorial and epic outcome.

    ( Reply )
  50. PG

    Lente January 17th

    hi. I think your tutorial is great for experienced people, but I’m a beginner and I don’t understand it.
    Especially the brushes, how to bring it in photoshop?

    ( Reply )
  51. PG

    omar el mansoury January 19th

    amazing tut .. that will really come in handy to me … chapou my friend

    ( Reply )
  52. PG

    Nial January 22nd

    it’s a great tutorial..
    cool images from simple stuff

    ( Reply )
  53. PG

    mobius January 29th

    beautiful

    ( Reply )
  54. PG

    hackulove February 4th

    like a grate paint.
    i wanna u brush.
    thank to share u knowledge.

    ( Reply )
  55. PG

    Web Hosting February 8th

    Absolutely divine. The finished product looks like something from fantasy world.

    ( Reply )
  56. PG

    arjun February 13th

    wonderful

    ( Reply )
  57. PG

    Robb February 13th

    nice tut :)
    Have been looking for those brushes!
    thanx

    ( Reply )
  58. PG

    Munira February 18th

    That was an awesome tutorial! I didn’t follow it exactly (using different images, yeah…) but it’s great no less!

    Here’s my result…

    http://onesixteen.deviantart.com/art/Tell-Him-113306054

    ( Reply )
  59. PG

    M February 27th

    Thank yoooou! Love ya! :D

    ( Reply )
  60. PG

    Far March 6th

    Great tutorial but I think I prefer the image at step 26 already :) the final version is a bit too dark…for me at least :)
    But overall great job!

    ( Reply )
  61. PG

    Lin March 8th

    Great tutorial, but I’d be careful about how you word “Free Brushes”, because while they don’t cost anything, users still need to adhere to the terms of use set forth by those brush providers. You also linked to stock images with those brush links, and most assuredly those are copyright protected as well. You know this, but newer users might not. Just a thought.

    ( Reply )
  62. PG

    onyx132 March 12th

    in extracting the model its easier if you use the extract in the filter rather than pentool

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      jake July 14th

      the pen tool is the best way to cut out something . it’s harder but the results are way superior than anything in ps . easy ways are for noobs :D

      ( Reply )
  63. PG

    melanie jane March 14th

    it’s a good tut;
    but your gradient and curve instructions are very poor and confusing
    you don’t explain what to do good enough, it becomes confusing

    ( Reply )
  64. PG

    CgBaran Tuts April 9th

    I love fantasy art and this is a great example of this

    ( Reply )
  65. PG

    abri ladino April 21st

    GREAT!! thanx so much!!!!!

    ( Reply )
  66. PG

    Palamina April 24th

    Thank you so much for a great tutorial, I have learned so much from this! I’m practically completely fresh at PS, and this is somewhat over my head, but I wanted to give it a go nonetheless. I’m amazed that I managed to get through the whole thing (although I think I might have missed something around step 29, since my flare is still red).

    I’ll show you my first attempt – if you promise to ignore the whole branch/lens flare/fairy gaze thing, which I conveniently skipped working on much – I decided to prioritise working on the the filters and stuff and just get through the entire thing :P Also, she doesn’t quite blend in enough with the background, so I need to learn how to work on that.

    Anyway, this is what I came up with, and it follows the tut rather slavishly, hehe:
    http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v427/palamina/?action=view&current=fantasy_ill01_sketch.jpg

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Palamina April 24th

      * http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v427/palamina/?action=view&current=fantasy_ill01_sketch_02.jpg

      (Did a few last-second adjustments. The gaze should now hit more correctly, though the branch and flare are still a little dodgy-looking.)

      ( Reply )
  67. PG

    Kitty April 25th

    you should probably add that the stock and brushes you linked to aren’t just “free” like that. many of the stock providers require that you credit them, or don’t allow their brushes and stock being used in artwork displayed outside deviantart. chances are they won’t find out, but it’s still a matter of courtesy, and they can get pretty angry when they find out, as Lin already said.

    ( Reply )
  68. PG

    Thystle Blum April 26th

    Thank you

    ( Reply )
  69. PG

    Azzure April 28th

    Thank you, the background really nice, and now I learned how to use curves effectively.

    ( Reply )
  70. PG

    tonibanzai May 13th

    awesome tutorial i wonder if i can manipulation like that but i’ll try thanks for awesome tutorial..

    ( Reply )
  71. PG

    jenny May 14th

    amazing!

    ( Reply )
  72. PG

    julie May 14th

    great tutorial…but i don’t know how to do it…..

    i’m a beginner in photoshop..can u do any simple @ basic tutorial me??

    thanks…=)

    ( Reply )
  73. PG

    Ray Mystry May 26th

    fantastic….good job!

    ( Reply )
  74. PG

    UrStudent June 18th

    thank you so so so much for the tutorial,I learned a lot from it =)
    It was my first one and that is my version:
    http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/8515/firibitik.jpg

    ( Reply )
  75. PG

    Granmarfunk June 18th

    Truely good work hey.
    Was wondering if there was a custom tut for wings around instead of just a brush, I’m thinking of the angel or fallen angel wings sort thing, would be really cool to learn how to do.

    ( Reply )
  76. PG

    twin23 June 21st

    CAN THIS BE DONE WITH A PERSON WITH DARK HAIR OR RATHER HOW TO DO IT…?

    ( Reply )
  77. PG

    robb July 3rd

    wow this is very good tutorial.
    nicely explained.
    thx a lot for sharing this.

    ( Reply )
  78. PG

    vijay trivedi July 5th

    I like work on fentasy,it good imeginetion and help to imagen

    ( Reply )
  79. FAB!!! wanting my photos done…

    ( Reply )
  80. PG

    eunice July 14th

    I love tutsplus and learning your tutorials to create my own blog design now.

    ( Reply )
  81. PG

    jake July 14th

    greath tut…one of constantin’s best

    ( Reply )
  82. PG

    shashi rawat July 17th

    wonderfull, very nice

    ( Reply )
  83. PG

    Cuteboyz July 18th

    Awesome tutorial

    thnx buddy

    nice job

    keep it up……………………………………………….

    ( Reply )
  84. PG

    Chirag Vadgama July 22nd

    Thanks for great tut. But there were couple of steps where it was not clear and the results did not match…

    But here is my final product.

    http://img195.imageshack.us/i/fantasyfairyfinal.jpg/

    ( Reply )
  85. PG

    Keya September 11th

    like in a dream world, good job…

    ( Reply )
  86. PG

    Don October 14th

    here was my try i used my own photo of girl
    http://don178.deviantart.com/art/Fantasy-Photo-Manipulation-140250753

    ( Reply )
  87. PG

    julian morris October 21st

    i’m beginer for PhotoShop…
    but it’s very good…

    ( Reply )
  88. PG

    Contengent-Necessity October 23rd

    Absolutely Wonderful…A great learning tool!!!

    This is my interpretation…
    http://contengent-necessity.deviantart.com/art/Fairy-Onster-113141867

    ( Reply )
  89. PG

    Nadya Valish November 7th

    Thanks a lot! this a very nice tutorial

    ( Reply )
  90. PG

    Andreea November 8th

    Excelenta lectie!
    Desi e prea complicat pentru gradul meu de cunoastere Photoshop, voi incerca sa o reproduc ..
    Multumiri!

    ( Reply )
  91. PG

    tainã November 24th

    nice tut…using the smudge tool in the hair was well thinked…thx

    here’s my result
    http://www.orkut.com.br/Main#AlbumZoom?uid=1132328240054438811&pid=1259077298144&aid=1258900534$pid=1259077298144

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      tainã November 24th

      if u dont have orkut…look here http://img696.imageshack.us/i/fairyo.jpg/

      ( Reply )
  92. PG

    kehkashaan November 30th

    it is a good picture

    ( Reply )
  93. PG

    Sarah December 1st

    One of the best Fantasy-photomanipulation tutorials EVER!!!

    God bless you, mate!

    ( Reply )
  94. PG

    razzor23 December 29th

    wow! really outstanding tutorial. Tqvm ……

    ( Reply )
  95. PG

    faisal rizal January 6th

    apik tenan…. makasih mas ……

    ( Reply )
  1. Arrow
    Gravatar

    Your Name
    January 6th