This is another collaboration with Toma Alin Gabriel. In this tutorial you will learn how to create a fashion advertisement poster. We’ll be combining multiple images, finding the perfect stock, and unifying it with just the right colors. Let’s get started!

Final Image Preview

Take a look at the image we’ll be creating. Want access to the full PSD files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Psd Plus for just $9/month.

Tutorial Details

• Program: Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours

You can view the final image preview below or view a larger version here.

Resources

For creating this illustration you’ll will need a top quality element from Go Media. Also I would like to thank all the other photographers and artists for the great images that they created: Model, Box, Horns, Bag, Bracelet, Jewelry, Watch, and Phone.

Introduction

Fashion illustrations are unique and special. For this I have gathered a few great illustrations that can inspire you more: BLACC360, Pete Harrison, Bram Vanhaeren, and Alberto Seveso.

This fashion illustration requires a few stock images and the most important one is the model stock that you will eventually have to transform from that innocent woman into a devilish woman. The other elements are just a few things that represent the woman’s must have objects that we created exploding out of a small box.

In the end you will have to add a few colors and some dark effects that will represent a transition between the space scene and the actual background. Then a few more color adjustments and image corrections will make this illustration just as we want it to be.

Step 1

First of all create a new document. If your intention is to print this poster on a large size you might want to consider creating the document using a large size like 1900px by 2600px and 300dpi. Now fill the background with black.

Step 2

Next you need to create a lighting effect over this background. To do this go to Filter > Render > Lightning Effect and use the below settings. Basically you will have to just play around with the numbers until you get some effect that satisfies you.

Step 3

Create a new layer. In this layer you will create a few Lens Flare Effects. To do this go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare like in the image below. Then repeat the step 2 to 3 times to make the effect more powerful.

Step 4

Now you need to create another layer and make sure that you have your background and foreground set to black and white then go to Filter > Render > Clouds. Then set the layer to Soft Light and Opacity to 30%.

Step 5

Now it’s time to apply some color to your background, to do this go to the selected layer’s Color Balance and use the image below for the color reference. You should obtain some sort of reddish color. Next add some Vibrancy to your background. These have all been changed from the Adjustments menu.

Step 6

Import the image with the girl into Photoshop and use the Pen Tool (P) you need to extract part of her body like below and place it into your document.

Step 7

Next you need to double-click the model layer to enter the Blending Options menu. In this menu you will have to add Inner Shadow, Outer Glow and Inner Glow. The images below will give you the exact information you need.

Step 8

Cutting the model and placing it just like that into the background looks kind of strange, and cutting off the next effect you are going to create will not make much of a difference, but it will give the illustration a more interesting look. I am talking here about creating the interior of the model… just a piece of material that will look like the jacket she is wearing.

For this you need to make a selection like below and fill the selection with #2d343e. Now that the shape has been created, you need to make sure the layer is behind the model and double-click on it to enter the Blending Options and add the next settings.

Step 9

It’s time to insert the graphic elements. Start with the circle element. First create a circle using the Eclipse Tool and then multiply it obtaining a square shape like below. Merge all circles into one layer and place the layer below the “model” layer. Also you will need to set the following Blending Mode to the layer: Gradient Overlay 50% and Opacity of the layer at 50%.

Step 10

Use the floral elements that you bought from GoMedia, or one of your choice, and add a few of them into the document. As you can see in the image below, they are not very detailed and cleanly placed but that is not a problem because you will come back and adding details later on as you proceed.

Step 11

Time to add some colors and flares. Create a new layer over all the rest of the layers, and use a big brush size set to white to create a flare like below. Set it to 50% Opacity.

Step 12

To make this more interesting you need to create three separate layers and place them into a folder named “circles.” For each layer you need to create a round selection, then use the brush with different colors and sizes for each of them. Create soft color circles like below. Set the folder to Pass Through and 70%. In the end you will set it to Multiply as you will see that will make the colors more interesting and they will blend in with the rest of the composition better.

Step 13

Let’s add some more elements to the background. Create a new layer and place it behind the model and all the rest of the elements, but keep it above the background layer. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool and make simple lines like in the image below and fill them all with white.

Step 14

With the line layer selected you need to go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur and apply a -90 degree Angle and a 10px Distance. Repeat the step but this time add a 0 Angle and 500 Distance.

Step 15

Next pick the Eraser Tool (set to a big size and with the edges soft) and use it to erase the center and some of the edges of the lines. You will also have to reduce the Opacity of the layer and for a more interesting look duplicate the layer. Move it slightly above the other and decrease the Opacity more for both.

As you do this, you’ll notice the lines starting to disappear, but at the end of this tutorial you will see in the final result that the lines will start to be very visible. That is because in time you can go back and adjust each layer to your needs or maybe apply extra layers on top of them to make them stand out.

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