Step 32

Now it’s time to hide the lower area of the Flour Shaker shadow, so we’ll need to apply a Mask to our shadow layer set, and make a gradient in the Mask itself. To access a Mask view, ALT + click on your Mask preview icon to enter. To exit a Mask view, just ALT + click on the Mask icon again or select another layer. Apply a gradient similar to my screenshot below.

When applied and pleased with the result, it should look similar to to my screenshot

We’ll need to add a second shadow, to make the edges close appear darker, and we’ll do this by duplicating our Underwater Shadow layer and renaming it Multiply. Set the blending mode to Multiply and place the layer in a new layer set named inner shadow within the shadow layer set.

Let’s add a Mask to our Multiply layer and only keep the shadows closest to our Flour Shaker boat visible. I’ve taken a screenshot how my Mask looks like, followed by how the result looks like. When done and pleased with your result, we’ll head on to the next step

Step 33

To add more realism to the flour shaker boat, we’ll need to add some water reflection. So start by hiding our boat layer set, and make a selection of the sea similar to my screenshot. Do a Copy Merged by using shortcut Command/Ctrl + Shift + C and Paste in place with shortcut Command/Ctrl + Shift + V. Rename the new layer Water Reflection and put it in a new Layer set named Boat Reflection. We’ll need to add a Mask on our new layer set, and we’ll create one based on the Flour Shaker layer. Make a active selection by Command/Ctrl + clicking on the layer preview icon, and then deselect the lower half under water, by using Command/Ctrl + ALT + Shift + click on the Mask preview icon, attached to the Flour Shaker layer. Having the selection active, select the layer set Boat reflection and make apply a Mask.

Use the Transform tool on the Water Reflection layer and move it like I’ve done on my screenshot.

While having the Transform tool still active, now select the Warp mode icon in the far right corner. Select the drop-down menu on the far left side, and choose Arch instead of Custom, and put a 25% value in Bend Field. When done, select the Boat Reflection set layer Mask, and use the Brush tool, to Mask out the Flour Shaker handle, so it doesn’t have the water reflection visible.

When done, double click on the Water Reflection layer to open up the Layer Style filter dialog. Under General blending, set blend mode to Soft Light. In the bottom of the dialog window, under the feature Underlying Layer set the arrows as show on the screenshot below. To separate the arrow and make a soft transition, you hold down the ALT key and drag one of the sliders, place the left black slider on 47 and right 144. When pleased with the result, select OK.

Now select the Water Reflection layer and apply a Mask to it, and use a Brush tool, with big soft brush, to remove the hard edges atop of the water reflection, try to get a soft transition from visible to the hidden.

Step 34

There is one more detail I almost forgot to add, it’s to make the Flour shaker pattern under water more visible. This one is very easy to make and we’ll need to duplicate our Flour Shaker layer, and move it above the Underwater shadow layer in the shadow layer set. When in place, use the Underwater shadow layer as a Clipping Mask, shortcut Command/Ctrl + ALT + G. Change the blending of our Flour Shaker duplicate layer to Overlay and set Opacity 45%

Step 35 – Time to import Ben Gray

After all the hard work, it’s finally time to import one of the furry buddies, and let’s start out by importing our good friend Ben Gray.
We’ll be needing a new layer set, which we’ll name Crew and inside the Crew set, we’ll be creating a new layer set, called Ben Gray

We’ll need to Flip Ben Gray Horizontal and move him in place, let’s do it via the Transform tool, so select the layer and use shortcut Command/Ctrl + T. Use the transform option in the upper left corner and fill in the following values.
X: 1220px Y:1425.50px W:-98.39%% and H:98.39%%. or place him similar to my position.

Next step is to Mask out the area beneath Ben Gray’s arms, so he’ll look as if he’s inside the Boat. Apply the Mask on our newly created layer set Ben Gray, and use a small brush and try to get a furry look on his arms, when you hide Ben’s stomach. You can see my Mask for comparison, followed by my result.

Step 36

Next step we’ll focus on adding shadows to Ben Gray, so his arm will cast a shadow upon the flour shaker. Start by creating a new empy layer, name it R Squirrel Soft Shadow and set the blending mode to Multiply. Place the new layer in the layer set Crew and make sure it’s beneat the Ben Gray Layer set.

Use a soft brush and set the color to #11263b and paint a shadows inside his arms. I’ve marked the area where the shadow cast should be, and see next screenshot for final comparrison.

When finished and pleased with the result, we’ll create a new shadow layer named R shadow hard and set blending to multiply. Place the new layer above our previous one. We’ll need to use a brush with a bit harder edge, so set the softness about 20-30% and use the same color #11263b for the shadow. Paint a hard shadow close to Ben Gray’s body and try not to overdo it, since the shadow should only appear strong in dark areas closest to the body and Flour shaker.

Step 37

Now we’ll make Ben Gray appear brighter (not more clever sadly) and we’ll do so by applying a Curve adjustment layer. Select our layer Squirrel-Ben Gray and go to the adjustment layer palette and select the Curves icon, and use the Squirrel-Ben Gray as a clipping Mask.

As you can see on my previous screenshot, I’ve made 2 points on my curve, one at the dark tones and I’ve placed it around output 48 and input 47. The second point on the curve, I’ve dragged upwards to about output 200 and input 189.

I want to adjust the light on Ben Gray, and we’ll do so by adding a Shading layer. Select the curves 1 layer, and then create a new layer with the layer dialog window (Command/Ctrl + Shift + N). Name the new layer Shading + Clip layer, set the blending mode to Overlay, choose fill with “50% gray, and make sure to check the Use previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask feature.

By creating this layer, we’ll be able to adjusted the lightning and shadow without destroying pixels on the Squirrel-Ben Gray layer. Everything brighter or darker than 50% gray will become visible on the layers beneath the shading layer.

The layer is now ready, so select the Dodge Tool, set the Range to effect Midtones and exposure 40 or lower. Define a soft brush for the Dodge tool, and start painting highlight on Ben Gray. I’ve made some arrows to indicate which areas to lighten.

(A tip using the dodge tool: The dodge tool functions to brighten up areas and if you want to darken the area, you can easily do so by holding down the alt key. By holding the ALT key, you’re acutely telling Photoshop you want to use the Burn tool, and when you let it go, you’re back in dodge mode

This is how my Shading layer looks like after painting highlight, yours doesn’t have to be precise, just so long your pleased with the result

Step 38

As you may notice, Ben Gray is missing his cute Whiskers, so we’ll need to paint some new ones. Create a new layer named Whiskers and place it above the Shading + Clip layer, make sure it’s not a clipping Mask. Select a small brush, about 3-4px size and hardness about 30-40%. Select a nearby dark color with the color picker tool (shortcut ALT + click, when the Brush tool is selected). Now start painting away and make sure you connect your whiskers to Ben Grays original ones. See screenshot for comparison.

Step 39

For this step, we are going to adjust Ben Gray’s light, by using Layer style filter Bevel and Emboss. Let’s make an active selection of Ben Gray, by Command/Ctrl + click on the Squirrel-Ben Gray layer preview icon. With the selection active, hold down Command/Ctrl + Shift and click on the Ben Gray layer set Mask, which should leave only a active selection of Ben Gray visible area, as in my screenshot.

With the selection active, let’s create a new layer and name it Ben Shading, set the blending to Overlay. Place the layer above the Whiskers layer and use the fill option (Shift + F5) and choose 50% Gray. Now open up the Layer style dialog, and select Bevel and Emboss.

Set the style to Inner Bevel and technique to Smooth. Adjust the Depth to 100%, Direction to UP, Size to 49px and Soften 0px.

Under Shading, set the Angle to 81° and Altitude to 26°.

Set the Highlight Mode to Soft Light at 100% and Shadow Mode to Multiply 18%.

Step 40

One final step, before we are ready to shift focus upon Ben’s friend, Eddie the Nut. We are going to apply a Shadow/Highlights on Ben, so make sure you select the Squirrel-Ben Gray layer and go to top menu Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlights..

Under Shadows, set the Amount to 20%, Tonal Width to 50% and Radius 30px.

Under Highlights, set the Amount to 4%, Tonal Width to 50% and Radius 30px.

Under Adjustment, set the color correction to + 20 and midtone contrast to + 7.

Let’s place our layer sets Ben Gray and Ben Gray Shadow into a new layer set named R Squirrel. Always good to keep our layers clean, especially if you are collaborating with another Photoshop nerd ;-)

Step 41 – Eddie The Nut

Let’s place our PSD file of Eddie The Nut on our canvas, Photoshop will auto-scale him down to fit the canvas. While the transform tool is active, write the following values into the fields.

X: 587.17px Y: 1134.19px W: -50.82% H: 50.81% and press Enter key to accept. Eddie the nut should now be placed onto the Tin can and flipped horizontal like my screenshot. You can also try to place him as you like, if you prefer a different placement.

Next step, we’ll do as we did with Ben Gray, Mask off the lower half of Eddie, to make him look as if he’s inside the Flour Shaker. Create a new layer set named L Squirrel and create a new layer set within, named Eddie The Nut. Place our Eddie layer Squirrel-Eddie the Nut inside the Eddie The Nut layer set, and apply a Mask to the set. Now hide the lower half of Eddie by painting with 100% black in the Mask, and when done, your result should look similar to mine.

To make Eddie look as if he’s behind Ben Gray, we’ll need to create a new layer named Shadow, set blending to Multiply and use a clipping Mask based on Squirrel-Eddie the Nut layer. Use a Soft brush to paint a darkish color (I went for a dark gray color) and I’ve marked the area which you need to darken.

Now Let’s create a new Shading layer above the Shadow layer. Name the new layer Shading + Clip layer, set the blending to Overlay and fill it with 50% gray (shortcut shift + F5 for fill), use the Shadow layer as a clipping Mask. I’ve marked out the areas which need to be brighten and we’ll use the Dodge tool, with range set to Midtones to brighten Eddie. The next image shows my result.

As we did with Ben Gray, we are going to adjust Eddie’s light by using Layer Style Filter, Bevel and Emboss. Lets make a active selection of Eddie the Nut, by Command/Ctrl + click on the Squirrel-Eddie the nut layer preview icon, which should only leave a selection left, like on my screenshot. With the selection active, let’s create a new layer named Eddie Shading, set the blending to Overlay. Place the layer above the Shading + clip layer and fill it with 50% gray.

Since we’ll be using the same values, as the Bevel and Emboss filter we applied to Ben Gray, we’ll save some time and reuse the effect. Locate the Ben Shading layer and right click on it and select Copy Layer Style. Go back to our newly created Eddie Shading layer and right click to apply Paste layer style. Your result should look like my screenshot.

Step 42

As we did with Ben Gray, we’ll also be adding some shadows to Eddie. Let’s start by creating a new layer and name it L shadow soft, set blending to multiply and opacity 20%. Place our newly created layer in a new Layer set named Eddie Shadow, make sure it’s below the Eddie the Nut Layer Set.

Select a soft brush with a dark color, and start painting the shadows, I’ve highlighted the area which I applied my shadows to. Result is in the next screenshot

When pleased with the result, let’s create a new shadow layer named L shadow Hard, set blending to multiply and opacity 100%. Place our newly created layer above the L shadow Soft layer.

Select a brush with hardness about 20% and choose a darkish color. I’ve yet again highlighted the area which I’ve applied my hard shadow to. Result is in the next screenshot

Step 43 – Time for Eddie’s Hat

Let’s import the Elegant hat on the scene. We’ll need to adjust it to Eddie’s head by using the Transform tool, I thought it would be fun to place it on Eddie’s left ear. You can see my Transform detail on my screenshot, yours doesn’t have to be 100% similar.

Select the Transform object function via Command/Ctrl + T and you can choose to use my values as seen in the screenshot. X: 721.37px, Y: 996.49px, W: 20.84%, H-20.84% and angle 35.71. When done, put the tophat0007 layer in a a new layer set named Hat, and place it in L Squirrel Layer set.

I’m not pleased with the light of the hat, so we’ll adjust it, to make it fit better Eddie. Choose our tophat0007 layer and let’s use the Shadow/Highlight feature, under top menu Image > Adjustments. Set your Values as shown on my screenshot and click ok.

While having our tophat0007 layer selected, let’s apply an Unsharpen Mask and apply the same values shown on my screenshot.

Now it’s time to apply Shadows beneath Eddie’s Elegant Hat, and let’s start by creating a new layer named Shadow Soft and place it beneath the tophat0007 layer. As you can see on my screenshot, I’ve painted the shadow under the hat, using a 100% black color and with a soft brush. I’ve let the color cover a bigger area in the lower right area, to make it look as if the hat is tilting forward.

When done painting and pleased with the result, we’ll adjust the layer opacity to about 42%, to make it look softer and not so dominant as before.

Now let’s create a new shadow layer above our previous one, and name it Shadow Hard. I’ve highlighted the area, which I’ve painted with a 100% black color, and used a brush hardness about 15%. You can see my result in the following screenshot

Step 44

Now we’ll start focusing on the shadows on the hat itself, so we’ll start by creating a new layer named Hat Shadow, and use the tophat0007 layer as a clipping Mask. Select a soft brush and use the color picker to choose a dark color from the hat. I’ve gone for the dark area on the lower right side. As you can see on my screenshot, I’ve highlighted the area which I’ve painted, and make sure you cover the white line on the bottom of the hat. You can see my result on the following screenshot.

Let’s create a new shadow layer above the Hat Shadow and name it Hat Right side shadow, set the layer opacity to about 42%, and remember to set it as a clipping Mask. You can use the dark color, which you used on the previous layer. I’ve highlighted the area which I’ve painted and I’ve also a added shadow on the bottom of the hat. See my result on the following screenshot.

When pleased with the result, let’s head on, and add a new Shading Layer. Create a new layer and name it Shading + clip layer, set the blending mode to Overlay and opacity set to 46%. Use the Dodge Tool to lighten and darken the areas, and set the Range to midtones. You can see on my screenshot which areas I’ve painted on.

Note, you can only see yours similar to my screenshot, if you change the blending to normal and set paucity to 100% again, just remember to revert the settings when, if you choose to do so

See my result on the following screenshot.

Now we are done correcting the shadows of Eddie’s hat, so let’s change the color to add a fun look. We’ll do so by applying a Selective Color adjustment layer and remember use a clipping Mask, as you did with the shadow layers.
First go to the Neutrals color range and adjust the Cyan -2%, Magenta -21%, Yellow -31%, and check Absolute.

Next go to the Blacks range and adjust your Cyan + 12% and check if you remember to set it to Absolute. The following screenshots shows the result

Step 45 – Ben’s Faroese Hat

Since Eddie the nut got a fancy hat, I believe his jealous friend Ben would love to get one of his own, so let’s place our Faroese hat onto the scene. You can see on my screenshot how I’ve placed the hat, and you’ll noticed that I’ve skewed the hat too. You’ll need to use the Transform tool to skew the hat, and by holding down Command/Ctrl keys, you can drag each corner, to achieve a similar result. When pleased with your result, place the layer in a new layer set named Ben Hat within the R Squirrel layer set.

Now we are going to change the light of the hat, so open up the Shadow/Highlight… feature, and use the following values as in my screenshot.

After applying the shadow/highlight, we’ll apply a Mask to our hat layer. Reason for this is we are going hide the hat area, covering Ben’s Right ear, so it’ll look as if he’s acutely wearing a hat.

When pleased with the result, we’ll be apply a Shading Layer. Create a new layer and name it Shading + clip layer, set blending to Overlay and use the Faroese Hat Layer, as a clipping Mask. You’ll need to use the Dodge Tool and range set to midtones. You can see on my Shading Layer, that I’ve brighten all the outer edges, except the one by Ben’s ear and the lower area, in contact with his head. These areas I’ve applied a shadow to instead. The following screenshot shows my result.

Now it’s time to apply shadows beneath the Faroese Hat, and let’s start by creating a new layer named Shadow Soft, and place it in a new layer set named hat shadow. I’ve added a Mask to the layer set, which is based on the squirrel-Ben gray Layer, reason is to avoid shadows being visible on the ocean.

As you can see on my screenshot, I’ve marked the area to be painted. I’ve used a dark color from Ben’s eye to paint my shadows, and be sure paint a light shadow close to his. Following screenshot shows my result.

Next we’ll focus on adding a hard shadow below the edge of the hat, and I’ve again marked the area I’ve painted on. Create a new layer named Shadow hard and place it above the previous one, use a brush with hardness about 15%. Following screenshot shows my result.

Step 46 – Let’s add a flag

Since Ben is wearing a Faroese hat, I thought it would be fun to give him a flag, since Eddie is enjoying a hat and nut. In your source folder, which is included in this premium zip file, there should be a folder named Source, with a Flag.psd. Let’s place the Flag.psd on our scene and place it in a new Layer Set named Flag, and place it above the Ben Hat Layer Set. You can see on my screenshot, where I’ve placed my flag, try to get a similar result. I’ve also added a Mask to the Flag layer, to hide the lower edge so it’ll look as if Ben is holding it.

Next we’ll of course be adding shadows, so create a new layer named Shadow and place it beneath the Flag layer. Choose a soft brush, set the opacity to about 35% and select a darkish color, and start painting away. You can see screenshot for my result.

Step 47 – Back to the flour shaker

As we place our elements on the scene, it makes it easier to see which areas need fixes. I’ve noticed the Flour Shaker could use a light adjustment, and we’ll fix it by adding a Shading Layer. Open up the Boat layer set, and create a new layer named Shading + clip layer. Set the blending to Overlay and use the Flour shaker layer as a Clipping Mask. We’ll be needing the Dodge Tool again to lighten and darken the areas. See my screenshot for areas to adjust.

This is how the result looks like after shading layer is applied.

Step 48 – Focus on the ocean

Now we’ll focus on the ocean and add the final touches, before we start on the final part of the tutorial, which is to color effects. Let’s start by creating a new layer set called Fixes and place it beneath the Boat Layers Set. Create a new layer within Boat Layers Set, named Fixes, and choose a darkish ocean color for the Brush tool, with a soft brush set to about 15% hardness. As you can see on my screenshot, I’ve marked the areas, which I think could need some fixes. I want to tone down the white highlights and paint shadows on the nearby waves, touching the Flour Shaker. See next screenshot for my result.

Now let’s adjust the lightness and shadows on the waves surrounding the Flour Shaker. We’ll need to create a new layer and name it Shading layer, set blending to Soft Light. Select the Dodge Tool and set the range to Midtones. You can see on my screenshot how my Shading layer looks like, after painting with the dodge tool. Try to achieve a similar effect and see following screenshot for my result.

Step 49

Now we’ll focus on the final ocean detail, we’ll make our furry friends and boat, seem as they are reflecting on the ocean! You’ve got to love small details right?

Let’s start by creating a new Layers Set named Reflection set and place it above the Boat Layers Set. Now select the 2 Layers Sets named Crew and Boat, by holding down the Command/Ctrl key and click on both sets. Now hold down shortcut Command/Ctrl + ALT and Drag and Drop the sets into the Reflection set, you’ll notice as you drag your hand tool will change to 2 arrows, indicating your duplicating the sets. When the sets are in place, Merge both sets into a single layer, by using shortcut Command/Ctrl + E. Rename the Merged layer to Reflection.

Select the Reflection layer and convert it to a Smart Object, by right clicking and select Convert to Smart Object. Now we’ll use the Transform tool to rotate them 180° degree, change the value of Width in the transform bar to from -100% to 100%, to make a Flip layer horizontal. Now use the Command/Ctrl key to skew the layer, by dragging the corners while holding the shorcut key. Try to get a similar look to mine or better, I’ve tried to connect the left side to the Flour Shaker and right side to the handle. Let your transform selection be active for the next step.

Just below your top menu, go to the Transform Tool bar and click on the button on the far right, to change to Warp Mode, I’ve highlighted it for you in my screenshot. In Warp Mode, you can now bend the layer by using the handles on the edges, and also by Click’n draggin the middle sections. Try to achieve a similar look as mine, and when done click ok to accept changes.

Now we’ll focus on making our reflection blend in with the water, and we’ll do so by using the old channel we created, named Blue + RED + Linear light. Command/Ctrl + click on the channel to make a active selection of the whites, and then Invert Selection by using shortcut Command/Ctrl + I. Select our Reflection Set in the layers palette, and apply a Mask to the set, using our current selection.

Now we’ll select our Reflection layer and adjust the Opacity to 65% and we are done working with our elements! wooo!

Time for color effects!

Step 50 – Time for Color Effects!

Let’s start by creating a new Layers Set named Color and place it at the top of the layers palette. Create a new adjustment Curve layer, set the blending mode to soft light and opacity 20%. In the Curves window, drag the middle curve upwards as in my screenshot to lighten the image. The following screenshot shows the result. I’ve named the curve layer Curves – Soft Light

Now let’s use the Calculations… feature under the top menu Image. Under Source 1, set layer to Merged and set Channel to Red, do the same for Source 2. Set the blending to Overlay and Opacity 100%. Finally set the Result to Selection.

We’ll now have a active selection based on the channels, and we’ll use it for a new Adjustment layer Curve. When creating the Curves Adjustment layer, the active selection, should automatically be turned into a Layer Mask. As you can see on my screenshot, I’ve made a S form with my sliders, try to get a similar result. When done, lower the Curves adjustment layer Opacity to 80%. I’ve named the curve layer Curves – Based on RED RED Overlay

Now let’s select the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the tools palette and make a oval selection similar to my screenshot. We’ll be using this to make a Vignette effect.

When pleased with the result of your selection, let’s add a Feather to our selection, by using shortcut Shift + F6 or going to the top menu select > modify > Feather. We’ll be adding a Feather radius 250 pixels as shown on my screenshot. The following screenshot shows the effect it does to your selection.

With our selection active, let’s Invert Selection by using shortcut Command/Ctrl + Shift + I, and afterwards create a Curves adjustment layer. Set the blending mode to Multiply and adjust the Curve downwards as shown on my screenshot. Following screenshot will show the result of applying our Vignette effect.

Now let’s give the image a blue tone by adding a Gradient Map adjustment layer. Click on the gradient color and there should open up a color adjustment similar to my screenshot, adjust the colors of the gradient as on my screenshot. When done applying the Gradient Map, let’s change the blending mode of the layer to Overlay and set Opacity 20%.

Now we’ll apply our final adjustment layer before finishing our tutorial. Add a Selective Color adjustment layer and adjust the Colors Red, Yellow and Blue as shown on the following screenshots. Remember to check the Absolute button.

Conclusion

I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial, learned some new tricks and most important of all, had great joy doing it.