How to Create Abstract Cosmic Artwork using simple techniques

in Photoshop CS5
May 22, 2012 | 12 Comments

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Today, Ill show you a few quick techniques for creating abstract cosmic artwork
in Photoshop CS5 its all about layering, using brushes and working with
blending modes. Lets get started!

Final Image Preview

Start working by creating a new document (Ctrl+N) in Adobe Photoshop

CS5 with the size 1280px by 1024px (RGB color mode) at a resolution of 72
pixels/inch. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill with #44082A color the new
background layer.

On the next new layer well use the Soft Round brush from Brush Tool (B).

Use this brush to paint the background as in the picture below with the
color #C22A3F.

Create a new layer again and use here the Soft Round brush mentioned above
to continue painting the background with the color #822957.

Create a new layer and fill it with #74164D color, applying the Paint Bucket
Tool (G).

Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of
the Layers panel and then apply the next filter on the mask Filter > Render >
Clouds.

Find a stock photo with a model represented on it, I used

this photo from Shutterstock. I would like to thank the author of this photo, or if
you prefer, you can substitute similar image of your own.

Remove the background using your favorite tools like Pen Tool (P), Magic Wand
Tool (W), Magnetic Lasso (L) or even a simple Filter>Extract and insert it on
a new layer in our main document.

Set the Blending mode for this layer to Hard Light.

Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of
the Layers panel and choose the Soft Mechanical brush of black color.

Paint in the mask using this brush with different diameters to hide the models
layer as it is represented below:

Create a new layer and select the Soft Round brush.

Use this brush to paint the background as in the picture below. The brushs color
is #F941FF. Place the layer under the models layer.

Create a new layer and use again the Soft Round brush mentioned above to
make darker the background around the model. The brushs color is #3A0822.
Place the layer under the models layer.

On the next new layer we must create the next selection, using the Rectangular
Marquee Tool (M) and place the layer under the models one.

Select the Soft Round brush to paint inside of the selection with white
color (brush Opacity 15%).

Press Ctrl+D to remove the selection. Weve got the next result:

Using the Free Transform (Ctrl+T) command, we have to incline the created
layer.

Make four copies of the last made layer and use again the Free Transform
(Ctrl+T) command to place the copies as in the picture below.

Now we have combine in a group all the lines layers (press CTRL button to
select the necessary layers and hold on the left mouses button while dragging
the selected layers on Create a new group icon from bottom part of the Layers
panel).
Insert the mask on the group by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of
the Layers panel and choose the Soft Mechanical brush of black color.

Paint in the mask using this brush to hide the lines edges as shown.

Set the Blending mode for the made group to Color Dodge.

Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and
select Drop Shadow.

Add Gradient Overlay:

Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as
shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.

Weve got the next result:

Make also four copies of the last made layer and choose the Free Transform
(Ctrl+T) command to make smaller each next copy, placing them as below:

Combine in a group all the squares layers (press CTRL button to select the
necessary layers and hold on the left mouses button while dragging the selected
layers on Create a new group icon from bottom part of the Layers panel).
Make sure you have the group selected in Layers Panel and hold CTRL button
and click on the models layer to make a selection.

Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of
the Layers panel and finally press CTRL+I to cut out the squares.

Now we need to erase the squares behind the model, select the Soft
Mechanical brush of black color and paint in the mask to remove squares from
left side.

Weve got the next result:

Using the Line Tool (U) (set Weight 1 px in Options bar) we must represent
many rays of white color, which layers should be placed under the models layer.

Set Blending mode to Overlay for each rays layer.

Combine in a group all the rays layers (press CTRL button to select the
necessary layers and hold on the left mouses button while dragging the selected
layers on Create a new group icon from bottom part of the Layers panel).
Insert the mask on the group by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of
the Layers panel and choose the Soft Round brush of black color.

Use this brush to paint in the mask to hide the rays in the immediate zone of the
models hair and face and also the rays edges.

Click Create new fill or adjustment layer from bottom part of the Layers
panel and click to Curves to adjust the curve shape as shown to make a little
color corrections.

Weve got the next result:

Create a new layer and select the Soft Round brush.

Use this brush to paint the background on the models right side as it is shown
below. The brushs color is #A5004F (brush Opacity 15%)

Create a new layer again and use the Soft Round brush to make darker the
canvas edges, the brush color is #340E21 (brush Opacity 20%).

On the next new layer well select the Soft Mechanical brush.

Use this brush to make lighter the models body, brush color
is #8ADE00 (brush Opacity 10%).

Set the Blending mode for this layer to Linear Dodge.

Use this brush to represent four small circles of white color (brush Opacity
15%). We have to make smaller the diameter of each next circle. Place the layer
under the models one.

Set the Blending mode for this layer to Overlay.

Using the Ellipse Tool (U), we have to represent an ellipse of white color.

Set Fill to 25% for this layer and change the Blending mode to Overlay. Click
on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Inner
Glow.

Weve got the next result:

Make a copy of the last represented layer containing the ellipse and use the Free
Transform (Ctrl+T) command to enlarge the copy, moving it to the left a little.
Well change also the Blending mode to Hard Mix for the copy, also add
the Drop Shadow:

Weve got the next result:

Combine in a group all the layers containing the ellipses (press CTRL button to
select the necessary layers and hold on the left mouses button while dragging
the selected layers on Create a new group icon from bottom part of the Layers
panel). Set Opacity to 47% for the group.

Make sure you have the ellipses group selected in Layers Panel and
hold CTRL button and click on the models layer to make a selection.

Insert the mask on the ellipses group by choosing Add layer mask on the
bottom part of the Layers panel and press CTRL+I. This way the ellipses will be
cut. Use the Soft Round brush of black color to paint in the mask the same way
we did with the rays and the squares.

Click Create new fill or adjustment layer from bottom part of the Layers
panel and click to Curves to adjust the curve shape as shown to make a little
color corrections.

Weve got the next result:

Create a new layer and select the Soft Mechanical brush.

Use this brush to paint the models waist on the left side. The brushs color
is #40274E and also on the waists edge and on the legs lowest part
(brush Opacity 10%).

Create a new layer and select the Soft Round brush of white color to represent
many stars.

Apply different diameters for the brush and different Opacity value.

Create a new layer and use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill the layer
with white color. Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on
the bottom part of the Layers panel and apply on the mask the next filter Filter >
Render > Clouds.

Set the Blending mode for this layer to Overlay.

Make a copy of the layer weve got. Create a new layer above the copied one
and select both layers in Layers panel. Then press CTRL+E to Merge Down.
Insert the mask on the rasterized layer by choosing Add layer mask on the
bottom part of the Layers panel and choose the Soft Round brush of black
color (set Opacity to 20% in Options bar).

Use this brush to paint in the mask to hide the top part on the layer, around the
model as it is shown below.

Click Create new fill or adjustment layer from bottom part of the Layers
panel and click to Curves to adjust the curve shape as shown to make a little
color corrections.

Weve got the next result:

Our Abstract Cosmic Artwork using simple techniques in Photoshop CS5 is

finished!
View full size here.
- See more at: http://designstacks.net/how-to-create-abstract-cosmic-artworksimple-techniques-photoshop-cs5/3#sthash.a7G73C9o.dpuf