It’s Time to Create a ‘Neo-Constructivist’ Poster with Photoshop
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Constructivist graphic design is often associated with communist politics and propaganda, but it’s more than that, Constructivism is about using bright colors, playing with lightness, perspective, geometrical forms, besides photomontage techniques and digital collage. This time I’ll dare to name this tutorial a ‘Neo-Constructivist’ design. It’s time to get started!
Final Image Preview
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Video Tutorial
Our video editor Gavin Steele has created this video tutorial to compliment this text + image tutorial.
Step 1
Open Photoshop and create a new document 1200px width by 1600px height, with an RGB color, and 72dpi. Then go to Create a new fill or adjustment layer in the Layers palette, select the Gradient Option and set the colors from #7D0000 to #480000. Set the angle value to 17 – 20º and hit OK.
Step 2
Now, add a texture over the background, grab this image and paste it into a new layer named "Texture" above the Gradient layer. Then, change its blending mode to Linear Burn.
Step 3
Select the "Texture" layer. Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All. After selecting the layer mask, grab the Gradient Tool (G), set the gradient colors to Black to White (#000000 – #FFFFFF) and set the Reflected Gradient Option on the top panel.
Fill the layer mask with a slightly oblique Gradient (see image below) and use a big Black Brush (Opacity and Flow at 50%) to hide a little bit of the "Texture" layer’s bottom right.
Step 4
Now, increase the contrast of the "Texture" layer by adjusting its Levels (Command + L), as shown below.
Step 5
Let’s add one of the main objects in the design, this guy looking at his watch. Paste the image into a new layer named "man," and extract his shape from the white background.
Step 6
Select the "man" layer and chose the Move Tool (V), and ensure the Show Transform Controls is checked in the Options Panel. Next, Command-click the top-left corner and drag it a little bit to the left, then repeat that but with the right corner this time. This will create a perspective illusion, like if we were looking at the guy from above. Then grab the Burn Tool (O) and darken a little bit of the guy’s right side.
Step 7
I’ll try this experimental way to increase the man’s color and contrast. Duplicate the “man” Layer, and go to Filter > Other > High pass, set the Radius to 10px, and hit OK. Now change "man copy" Blending mode to Overlay. Then, merge both "man" layers and Dodge the left side of the resultant layer a little bit.
Step 8
Now, we’ll add a projected shadow. Duplicate the new "man" layer, put the copy behind the original, and name it "Shadow." Move it a little bit to the right.
Using the Free Transform options, Command-click the middle-top control point of the "Shadow" layer and move it to the right, then play with the transform options to make the shadow look like the image below. Next, go to the Hue/Saturation window (Command + U) and turn down the "Shadow" layer’s Lightness to -100.
Step 9
Select the "Shadow" layer, then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 5px. Then duplicate the "Shadow" layer, make the copy bigger than the original and reduce its Opacity to 25%. Finally, change the "Shadow" layer’s Opacity to 75% and merge both.
Step 10
Select the Eraser Tool (E) and delete the extra shadow in front of the man’s feet.
Step 11
Next, we’ll add the main text layer. Using the Type Tool, type the word "TIME" using Arial Black for the typeface. Set it to a Size of 300pt and place it below the "Shadow" layer.
Select the Type Tool and on the Options panel press Create Warped Text. In the Dialog, set the Style as Arc, Bend to 0%, Horizontal Distortion to -60% and vertical Distortion at 0%. I’m using some guides by the way to mark the horizontal middle point.
Step 12
Next we’ll skew the text just a little bit. Using the Move Tool select the "Time" text layer, and activate the Free Transform Options (Command + T), then Command-click the left-middle Transform Point, and move it a little bit down. Now Command-click the middle-right point, but this time move it up a little bit. Try to get something like the image below. Once you’re happy with the result, hit the Return key or Commit the transformation from the Options Panel.
Step 13
Let’s work a bit more on the "Time" text layer. Add the following Layer Styles: a Gradient Overlay (#8D6009 to #522300) with an Angle of 36º. And a full, big Drop Shadow (set the values shown below).
Step 14
Add another text layer, type the words "So Little" and place it above the "Time" layer. Warp it using the Arc Style and set Horizontal Distortion to -50, commit the distortion, and hit Command + T to show the Free Transform Options. Command-click the middle-right control point and move it a little bit down. Try to match the text baseline with the "Time" layer’s top line. Then, Commit the transform.
Step 15
Next, copy the "Time"Layer Styles (Alt-click or Right-click over the layer miniature > Copy Layer Style). Select the "so little" layer and paste the layer style (Alt-click or Right-click over the layer miniature > Paste Layer Style). Then, Double-click over the Gradient Overlay style of the "so little" layer, and adjust the gradient colors to: #3A0303 – #2A0000. Hit OK, and see how it looks.
It’s very important to have a kind of dark color on the gradients because we’ll light them by using a texture forward. To finish this step, grab the two layers and put them in a Group named "text." A quick way of do it is to Click over the "Time" layer, then Shift-click the "so little" layer to select both, and hit Command + G to group them.
Step 16
Now we’ll create the good old text reflection. Convert the "Text" folder into a Smart Object (Right-click over the Folder miniature and select Convert to Smart Object). Then Duplicate the Smart Object, you can use the Move Tool, select the "Text" Smart Object, hold down the Alt key and drag a copy. Select the Copy and go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical.
Step 17
Select the "text copy" layer, hit Command + T to enable the free transform tools, click over the right middle handler and move it up. Try to match the baselines. Finally, move the "text copy" Smart Object below the "text" Object in the Layers Palette.
Step 18
Select the "Text copy" layer and go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All. Then Fill the layer mask with a diagonal Black to White gradient, as shown below.
Step 19
Here comes the light, grab this picture of a nice piece of grunge paper and paste it into a new layer above everything and name it "Top texture."
Hit Command + U to adjust the Hue / Saturation values and turn down the Saturation amount to -100. Now change the "Top texture" Blending Mode to Overlay. Lock the "Top texture" layer by clicking in the tiny cross arrows of the Layers Palette; if you don’t do that, you’ll be unable to click/select any other layer below it.
Step 20
Duplicate the "man" layer. Since the man isn’t matching the colors of the background, nor the text, we must adjust his colors. Select the original "man" layer and go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Photo Filter, select Warming Filter 85 from Filter options, and hit OK. You’ll see that the Adjustment layers are applied to the entire document. You must create a clipping mask to apply the adjustment just for the "man" layer. You can do this easily by Alt-clicking in the line between the Adjustment Layer and "man" layer.
Step 21
Select the "man copy" layer and move it some pixels to the right. Now go to Hue/Saturation options (Command + U) and turn down the lightness to -100.
Step 22
Next, we’ll blur the black silhouette. Select the "man copy" layer and go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, set the distance to 800 pixels and the angle to 20º, then hit OK.
Now, duplicate the "man copy" layer two times, you must have something like the bottom of the image below. Then select the three "man copy X" layers (Shift-click the layer miniatures to select) and merge them by pressing Command + E. Name the resultant layer "shadow blurred."
Step 23
Move the "shadow blurred" layer above the Photo Filter layer. Then use a big, soft Eraser (E) with Opacity and Flow set to 50% to delete the shadow over the man´s face and body.
Step 24
Following, we’ll reveal a little bit of the paper texture of Steps 2 and 3. Select the "Texture" layer in the layers palette, and click over the Layer Mask Miniature.
Select the Brush Tool (B), and use a big, soft brush with a Hardness of 0%, Opacity and Flow at 50%, and set the foreground color to White (#FFFFFF). Now paint some spots below the man’s feet.
Step 25
Put both "Texture" and "Gradient fill" layers into a folder named "Background." Duplicate the folder and Merge the copy. Always leave a copy of the first layers in case you’ll need to rollback later.
Step 26
Now we’ll cut a piece of the background. Use the Lasso Tool to make an irregular selection. Then go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All. In the layer mask, use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill the selection with Black (#000000). I’m adding a temporary black fill layer below the "Background" layer to see how it looks.
Step 27
Tired yet?… neither am I. now open this picture, select just the newspaper and paste it into a new Folder below the "Background" layer and name it "Newspaper."
Place one more copy of the newspaper, but rotate it some degrees to make it look different than the first instance. Use the Burn Tool (O) to Burn some parts of the paper sheets, making some areas darker. Now Merge the "Newspaper" folder (Command + E).
Step 28
Since the paper’s colors aren’t matching the scene, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Photo Filter to adjust them. Select a Color Filter (#E4AD04) with a Density of 66%. Apply it just to the "Newspapers" layer by creating a Clipping Mask (Alt-clicking between both layers).
Step 29
Now we’ll create a torn effect on the paper. First, hold the Alt key and Click the Layer mask of "Background" layer, then use the Magic Wand Tool (W) to select only the black area of the mask.
Click over the background layer again to make it visible once more. Then, go to Select > Modify > Expand and expand it by 6 pixels. Click over the "Background" Layer miniature and move to the next step.
Step 30
Press Command + U to show the Hue/Saturation options, turn down the selection’s Saturation to -100 and hit OK. You’ll see that the expanded selection is gray now. Select the Dodge Tool (O) and use an irregular Brush (Chalk is perfect), set the Exposure to 25%, and apply the Dodge to the gray border randomly.
Step 31
To increase the realism of the background papers, we’ll add some shadows over the "Newspapers" layer. Create a new layer above the Newspaper’s Photo Filter and name it "Shadows."
Use a big Black Brush (B) with a size of 200px, Hardness of 0%, and Opacity and Flow set to 50%, and paint some shadows near the torn paper. You can play with the Brush sizes to improve the effect.
Step 32
Open this picture, extract the paper shape and paste it into a new layer named "paper" above the "Top texture" layer. Place the piece of paper at the bottom right of our design.
Step 33
Now, we’ll create the illusion of this paper coming from behind the torn paper. Alt-click the "Background" layer’s Layer Mask. Then use the Magic Wand Tool to select just the Black area, and click the "paper" layer miniature to select it.
Next, grab the Lasso Tool, hold down the Shift Key to add the selection to the existing one, then make a selection covering the entire paper shape. Finally, invert the Selection (Command + Shift + I) and Delete it.
Step 34
Let’s add some shadows. Create a new Layer above the "paper" layer and name it "shadows." Put both into a new Group named "Paper." Then using a big Soft Brush, paint some shadows at the bottom. Repeat the previous Selection steps (Step 33) in order to delete the paper’s extra shadow.
Step 35
Now create a new layer below the "paper" layer, name it "shadows 2," and paint some black shadows behind the paper to create a pop effect.
The shadow of the paper is intended to be flipped if you compare it with the man’s shadow, just because this is a constructivist inspired composite, and I wanted to create the illusion that the man is part of the background paper sheet.
Step 36
We’re close to being finished. Select the "paper" layer and adjust its Saturation by -25. Then, in the Layers Palette, grab the entire "Paper" and Drag it just above the "Background" layer.
Step 37
Using an irregular Brush, Dodge the "paper" borders just a little bit to create a soft torn effect.
Step 38
Create a new layer named "so much to do" and use a small Brush to draft some irregular text on it. I’m using my tablet for this, but you can either use your mouse or any hand written Font.
Conclusion
Here we’ve got the final piece. I hope you liked this one and don’t hesitate asking questions if you encounter some confusing or overwhelming steps. Have fun!
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By Alvaro Guzman
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looks intresting….
im the first btw ;D
I didn’t notice that at all, glad you told me.
Awesome Tutorial, but really, people who don’t even read it and post “FIRST” really ruin quality sites like this one.
yes the fact that u made a comment as the FIRST is very interesting.
yeah… NEO-KIDS really can count!
BTW. AWESOME tut! Congrats!
lol guys…
all good..
already read it…
just saw on some other sites this first stuff ;D;D
“just saw on some other sites this first stuff ;D;D”
what the fuck is that supposed to mean? people like you ruin the internet.
cool tut. those feet look so tiny.
I concur.
@g3niuz: Do you feel like a genius now? Unplug your computer and never plug it back in.
Awesome tutorial Alvaro, I benefited especially from the part about isolating and integrating the business dude into the poster.
@colin…: look he was simply typing fast. If your going to talk like an idiot, maybe I should treat you like one.
Very cool result, easy to follow the process. Thank you for a great tutorial!
Amazing!!! I love the way the paper tear looks. Great stuff.
Very nice tut. There are some interesting new ideas for me to try, now. I particularly enjoyed how you created the wall illusion from scratch.
Neo-Constructivist? – Not nearly. The Tut is nice anyway. :)
It’s somewhat like constructivist meets grunge or something.
Now here’s an example of true constructivist design.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QYHdefXaVaQ/SKQ-i33MxwI/AAAAAAAAAw8/wkug5IZ-wV0/s320/capa+Nitzer+Ebb.jpg
anywho… Still a cool tut, and worth working through for some good techniques.
That’s why I dare to name it ‘neo-constructivist’ I know often the constructivist design is geometrical and plain shapes, and those elements are present in the text layers and the man’s shadow. The collage elements of constructivism are present as well.
Anyway I’ll be glad to read your opinions on the subject.. :D
:) I can see where the inspiration comes from for sure!
As a classically trained artist and designer I find it’s really important to know and draw from former movements in art and design.
Wasn’t trying to knock your tut at all. Just figured I’d give the peeps out there a reference point. ;)
This looks really cool, however I feel the type looks a little too bastardized. I think if it was transformed inward more instead of just down, the type might look better. Just a thought, otherwise great tut!
Yeah the type perspective is really awkward!
That’s the only thing that’s bugging me about this tut, overall is cool though.
I agree, doesn’t feel right…
Dammit! I was working on a tutorial with very similair colors and textures. Now I got change it all! Thanks PSDTUST!
P.S. Great tut!
What a great tut and a beautifull result
I have to try these techniques! thank you
You posted the wrong link for the guy looking at his watch.
yes you’re right… here’s the link: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/912665
Thanks :)
Thanks Alvaro and others for pointing out link issue. Got that fixed. Thx.
the link for the guy’s picture is wrong, this one is the correct http://www.sxc.hu/photo/912665
nice tutorial by the way ;D
WHO CARES IF SOMEONE POSTED FIRST AND SAID HE POSTED FIRST………DAMN GROW UP ….I THINK HE SHOULD BE A PROUD MAN
Maybe you’re looking for this key showing an arrow pointing upwards… seems like a caps-lock issue, should be fixed easily… apart from that, reading comments of people complaining about people who postet first that they postet first isn’t amusing as well… not in such a way
In my opinion, the tut is great and there are a lot things to learn, not “just” about creating such a design, but many tips that might be handy in everydays design work;)
agreed!
Nice tutorial
Brilliant and detailed.
Wow what a cool visual. Hopefully i can try and find a way to use some of the techniques here on my work!
The techniques used are helpful indeed, but the tutorial itself is nothing special
this tutorial is awesome! great for newbie like me.
i love ur tuts alvaro sigue asi bro
gracias :D
I love chilly.. Chilly weed is a great name. I remember this one time I ate chili and had gas for hours. I took beano before and there was still gas….
Cool. Easier than I imagined. This older style is great! Cool!
I think this tutorial was very well done and I think the overall visual came out very well. The deconstruction of the steps was very thoughtful and I feel it was fairly easy to follow.
I agree with the earlier points about “true constructivism” but, we are Designers, and Artist, debating semantics is a whole different job we don’t get paid for, LOL.
Thanks again for posting a great tutorial, if I base anything off o this one, I’ll post up a link.
very very good tutorial.
i like the tut’s with videos on :)
makes it easier in a way :)
shame i dont have a wacom :(
http://ChloesArt.deviantart.com/art/So-little-time-126836545
you’ve followed it very well man :D
thank you :)
Yeah, but check this: http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/a-comprehensive-introduction-to-photoshop-selection-techniques/ ;-)
simply nice thinking… ;)
mmmm somewhat ok man….
hi Lawrence, just following you on twitter ;) sorry about the delay :)
Good tutorial, though again, not really constructivism. Constructivism’s art is created through the form and shape of the materials itself and the focus has been traditionally put on the pieces function over form, whether that be physical function or function in a social context. Also the art is generally of a more abstract nature that abstains from involving recognizable imagery. This is a nice looking image, though I would say it fits many more qualifications of collage or another classification of art over constructivism. (Not to be picky!) Well done though!
I disagre.
Gustav Klutsis and El Lissitsky used often photography and photomontage techniques.
Nevertheless, i think it was percieved in a rather flatly fashion than in this tutorial.
http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/463/PreviewComp/SuperStock_463-6882.jpg
Not bad!
I lost a lot of respect for this tutorial after I saw that he used Arial. What self respecting designer who knows anything about typography uses Arial?
Seriously. It is Microsoft’s bastardized version of Helvetica.
I wanted use Helvetica… but if somebody download the source file and don’t have Helvetica installed wouldn’t be able of editing the text… besides is a good practice to use free resources on a tutorial, and Helvetica is kinda expensive… but it worth it :)
Helvetica and Helvetica Neue come standard with Photoshop.
are you sure?… actually I had to buy a complete Helvetica pack since I couldn’t find it on CS3 neither CS4…
Maybe because I’m PC user, I knew Helvetica came built in with the Mac OS, is that right?
If that’s true, that blows. I am using OSX.
Conclusion: Arial for PC and Helvetica for Mac… anyway the best choice is Helvetica on any system…
Wow this guy feels very strongly. A lot of hostility lately.
When people like the techniques but not the result it would be really useful to see their improved versions that they created from the tutorial.
Very nice video tutorial…thank you
yeah well… i like it … thats it…nothing special. but nice and easy to follow…
this is a great idear. i don’t like the look of the textures, but that’s flexible. keep it up!
Very nice! Thanks.
cool style but not really Russian Constructivist in my opinion. My main complaint is the text perspective is really off. the “E” in time is really wide and the “T” really thin. in reality it would be the opposite. it also doesn’t really match up with the man standing.
the color the style are almost the same from the previous tutorial… but still nice tutorial…..
Wonderful tut, thanks!
Nice Tut as ever Alvaro. Thanks for sharing and for comments back too.
ok the end result is ok but there is nothing new in that tutorial.
not new technics with a fairly ok composition means that this tut shouldn’t quilified!
Nice use of textures… Keep up the good work
v nice that the designer comments the comments ;)
hope to see this more in other tuts 2 … lu all
Excellent, many thanks.
And a couple of words about Konstruktivism. When I see the masterpieces created by Soviet Konstruktivist movement artists my breathe is taken, seriously… Konstruktivism is often associated with propaganda and communism, it is not exactly so, those who are interested in history of this movement know that. But, actually what I want to say is that if somebody needs or wants the entire collection of scans of Soviet Konstruktivists posters and book covers let me know, I can give you the link to download. To be honest, once I downloaded it from illegal Russian site, may be it is not good from my side but I could not miss these treasures.
If that text is supposed to be in perspective it fails, things are meant to get smaller when they’re further away, it looks like each letter is being stretched out wider
@ all just chill
WOW! I can’t believe how simple ideas can look so great! I hate this. I need time to create something too :(
great post thanks for sharing
Why the hell do people have to make a fight out of everything. Good on you that you are the first comment! Also this tutorial is amazing! You did a great job with the blending. It made it look absolutely real. Your work is highly professional. It has taught me some tricks. WELL DONE. One of the best tutorials Ive seen yet.
Really cool looking result
Thanks so much for this, great tutorial :)
This is brilliant, i am going to do this now! Thanks for this fantastic tutorial
WoOOoOOw, like the perspective…usually some people get kind of conventional in their method of composing a picture over time..but this is nice..
Toodles Ramon Noodles!
Great tutorial, and fun to work on!
Good tutorial :)
Here is my try awesome tutorial…
http://i40.tinypic.com/2rhw5di.jpg
Thanks a ton!!
nice result! thanks for taking the time of doing it :)