Spring is finally here! The flowers are blooming and the cold weather is disappearing, so why not try a fun photo manipulation? In this tutorial, learn how to create this bright spring scene with text effects and more!
Software: Adobe Photoshop CC
Difficulty: Intermediate
Completion Time: 2 hours
Images Used For This Tutorial
Final Effect:
Create the Scene
Step 1
Open a New Document in Photoshop that is 800×600 pixels. Now use the Ellipse Tool (U) to create a large circle with the following settings:
Fill: White
Stroke: 5.5 pt with Blue/Brown Gradient
Now right-click the circle layer and go to Blending Options. Add check marks next to Bevel & Emboss, Stroke, and Drop Shadow with the following settings.
When you’re finished, the circle should look like this.
Step 2
Now let’s move onto the spring scene. Copy and paste your landscape reference onto the document and set it as a Clipping Mask to the circle. Then use the Rectangular Marquee (M) to select the sky and Control-J to duplicate it. Next blur the sky slightly by going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, adding a radius of 3 pixels. This blur will help create great depth of field.
Step 3
Create the bottom layer of dirt by using the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) to select an area from your dirt reference and copy and paste it onto the document.
Set the dirt as a Clipping Mask to the circle again and use the Clone Stamp Tool (S) to make the surface uneven by painting with the dirt.
Creating the Text
Step 4
Type the word Spring, using the Arial Bold font. Right click Rasterize Text then go to Blending Options to add Bevel & Emboss, Stroke, and Inner Shadow.
When you’re finished, position the text into the center of the scene and right-click to Rasterize Layer Style. Begin erasing away the bottom of the text so that the grass peeks through.
Step 5
Let’s start adding some flowers and bugs! Extract your flowers and bugs from the reference pack and copy and paste them onto the document. Duplicate some flowers and position them evenly around the circle.
Step 6
Add brightness to the flowers and scene by setting a new layer to Overlay. Set the Foreground Color to white and paint highlights on the flower, grass, and dirt, using the Brush Tool (B).
On another new layer beneath the flowers, add shadows behind the pink flowers and paint a bright yellow sun with a Soft Round Brush (B).
Step 7
Now use the Brush Tool (B) to add some swirls and dots near the text. Paint one side first, then duplicate and flip it by going to Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal. This will help to make both sides balanced.
Finishing Touches
Step 8
Finish up with a bright lens flare! Merge all your layers together first. Go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Select the Lens Type 35mm Prime with 100% Brightness. Then duplicate your illustration for an even deeper shadow.
And that’s it! Enjoy the first days of spring by creating this fun manipulation. Share with us your results and let us know how you liked this tutorial!