In this tutorial we will be using Filters and adjustment layers to create a space art scene. Photoshop has a slew of Filter options that are useful for all different kinds of effects. Here we will be looking at how to create stars from the Noise filter, a nebula from the Render filter, and a planet from the Distort filter!
Image Used
Step One
First, create a large new document. The bigger the better, we will crop down the scene as we go. Create a Color Fill layer and fill it with a dark teal green color (#041019).
Next, we are going to create the stars in the sky. We will be doing this using a very old trick with the Noise Filter. Create a new layer and fill it with black. Set the layer to screen. Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Set the settings to “Gaussian”, Amount: 44, and check “Monochrome”. Now using the transform tool, enlarge the noise layer till you have something like you see below. Do not worry about blurriness.
Now, we are going to create the nebula clouds. We will be using the Render filter to accomplish this! First create a new layer, above all your previous layers, and with the Elliptical Marquee tool with a high feather (60px or more) create an oval.
Next, we will be shaping and creating the space nebula. With the Warp Tool, pull and stretch at your clouds until you have a base shape for your nebula.
Now with a soft medium to large round brush set to a very low Flow (less than 10) and white, slowly paint in the areas you want to be brighter. Take your time and slowly build up the brightness. Above that create a new layer and set it to “Soft Light”. Now with a very large soft, round brush with the same low Flow, paint white over the nebula and black in the corners of the sky. Here is what mine ended up as:
To finish off the sky we are going to add some larger, brighter stars to out nebula. Create a new layer and set it to “Screen”. With a pale blue star shine brush paint stars throughout your nebula. Next, with a soft, round, white brush paint some white glow on the stars. Like large white blobs.
Finally, we are going to place out planet above out nebula. Grab a planet image (image number #14916059), and extract it from it’s background.
We are going to very easily paint some shadows on our planet. Create a new layer and clip it into your planet and set it to Multiply. Now with a very large, soft, round brush paint a very dark blue (#000416) in the middle and bottom of your planet. You can lower your layer opacity of needed. I set mine to “34%”
Now, we will be using adjustment layers to give out image an over all color and mood. We will be using three differnt adjustment layers to do this. These will be placed above all other layers. The first is a Color Lookup layer set to “Horror Blue” with the opacity set to “43%”. The second is a Color Balance layer set to Cyan:-27, and Yellow:68.
#photoeffects #art #design #tutorial #filter #space #technique #photoshop