img(16)

Ctrl + Enter to turn the path into a selection.

img(17)

Step 13

Add Layer Mask with the selection like earlier.

img(18)

Step 14

Here everything is going to happen. We are going to create the mood, you know that is a bit retro and set the tone for us. Add a Curves Adjustment Layer above the model layer. Modify the curve to get the below result with nice saturated tones. If you feel we are abusing it, don’t worry it’s going to be fine.

img(19)

Step 15

Not so brilliant at this point. But from now on everything we do is going to make the design come alive. We progressively add different elements to our design. Remember we are aiming for some organic look with a retro feel in terms of color and shapes. We are not after nice round smooth finishing. A mix of all those elements would do the job. So keep in mind our objective so we can abide by it.
Lecture is over, just grab the Pen Tool and draw this outline. This is going to serve her jacket. Remember don’t make a perfect selection we are not looking for it.

img(20)

Convert it into a selection. Create a new layer above the model layer. Create this gradient in the gradients palette. Draw the gradient inside the selection.

img(21)

Step 16

Draw another shape with the Pen Tool.

img(22)

Convert into selection and fill color.

img(23)

Step 17

Draw this shape using the Pen Tool just above her jacket. Select the Shape Layers option on the Options Panel before you start drawing. Shape layer is defined a vector path, so it is vector. We can do lot of things with it.

img(24)

Double click on the shape layer thumbnail. Set the color to a nice pinkish red (#ff2847). This is one of those benefits comes with the shape layers.

img(25)

Step 18

Now Make the shape more interesting. Select the Direct selection Tool. Click on the Vector Mask of the shape layer. Now you can grab those anchor points and work with them. Pull some of the anchor points downwards until you got the desired look.

img(26)

Step 19

We have some work in Illustrator. And we need to take the model into Illustrator. To do this Ctrl + click on the model’s Layer Mask. You have the selection now, press Ctrl + C to copy.

img(27)

Step 20

Now open up Illustrator, create a new document and press Ctrl + V to paste. Select the image. On the Options Panel you can find Live Trace button. Click on the small triangle next to it and you will get dropdown menu with tracing presets. Choose Hand Drawn Sketch from the list.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

41 responses to “Create a Colorful Retro Poster in Photoshop and Illustrator”

  1. jim morphy Avatar
    jim morphy

    What a fantastic tutorial

  2. jim morphy Avatar
    jim morphy

    i really liked it practical skills worth knowing

  3. Stanley Avatar
    Stanley

    Some good techniques I just learned here – thank you! I just wish Photoshop had some of Illustrators features so I don’t need to go back and forth. I can copy and paste the illustrator elements into Photoshop CC but the problem is to get Illustrator, you need the full Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Most of my students can only afford the Lightroom and Photoshop plan.

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Nice artwork!

  5. Lileep Avatar
    Lileep

    Nice tutorial but sad how you have to use adobe illustrator for that trace contours thing

  6. Edward Dusenbury Avatar
    Edward Dusenbury

    What is the canvas size for step 1?

    1. Photoshop Tutorials Staff Avatar
      Photoshop Tutorials Staff

      1169×1654 pixels

      Although you can use any canvas size you like, it’s best to use something similar while following the tutorial.

  7. Joshi Avatar
    Joshi

    WELL DONE!! Great tutorial Niranth!

  8. Phones Photos n Tools Avatar
    Phones Photos n Tools

    who else really gets this ?

  9. Phones Photos n Tools Avatar
    Phones Photos n Tools

    totally right couldnt agree more

  10. Phones Photos n Tools Avatar
    Phones Photos n Tools

    <3 Cool post ?

  11. Phones Photos n Tools Avatar
    Phones Photos n Tools

    I agree Amazing info ?

  12. Phones Photos n Tools Avatar
    Phones Photos n Tools

    Yup

  13. Bestonlinegamesnews Avatar
    Bestonlinegamesnews

    Worlds best tips fan

  14. Biddut BD Avatar
    Biddut BD

    nice

    1. Phones Photos n Tools Avatar
      Phones Photos n Tools

      <3 Sweet reply

    2. Biddut Avatar
      Biddut

      tnx

  15. Blogsizzle.com Avatar
    Blogsizzle.com

    Really nice stuff!

    1. Bestonlinegamesnews Avatar
      Bestonlinegamesnews

      Agreed Awesome !

  16. Rob Claridge Avatar
    Rob Claridge

    Can we do the same in Inkscape and Gimp?

  17. Joanna Avatar
    Joanna

    Really covered a lot of different techniques and new shortcuts. It’s cool seeing such seemingly “random creativity” captured and explained step by step.

    I also appreciated seeing vector art combining with textures in photoshop. Merges the gap for me that I have in my head.

    thank you!

  18. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    You should add some bookmark or like buttons!!

  19.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    this is hard as fuck

  20. CaroKaro Avatar
    CaroKaro

    Where can you find the original pictures to do this? I tried on a random picture and i got lost.

  21. Maidul Islam Avatar
    Maidul Islam

    Awesome Post. Lighting is most beautiful.Thanks for sharing such informative post its help me to know deeply Photoshop work step by step.

  22. Kati Avatar
    Kati

    What a fantastic tutorial! :)
    Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Mike Langley Avatar
    Mike Langley

    I hate illustrator i was doing geat up until the hair i surrender…

  24. Retro poster Avatar
    Retro poster

    Oh great explanation. I have ready mate unique retro poster

  25. Joao Avatar
    Joao

    im trying to do this, but i have illustrator cs6 and i cant do it :x
    What version its this?
    cs5?
    Anny help?

  26. Joao Avatar
    Joao

    Que versão é usada no ilustrator?
    eu tenho o cs6 e não consigo :/

  27. shohel Avatar
    shohel

    This Tutorials is very helpful for me.

  28. Dosea Avatar
    Dosea

    Waow this is cool!

  29. Luiz Avatar
    Luiz

    Thank you for this amazing tutorial!!

  30. Brawn smith Avatar
    Brawn smith

    Nice Work , See My Work Too ;)

  31. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    Way to challenging… yup I give up! I Rhymed!

  32. Human Avatar
    Human

    Where Can I Download PSD file?

  33. Rose McCormick Avatar
    Rose McCormick

    Fascinating!!! Got to give this a try. :)

  34. Jose Keim Avatar
    Jose Keim

    What a fantastic tutorial!

  35. Ashraf Avatar
    Ashraf

    Nice Tutorial .. I’m loving it. Thanks

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from Photoshop Tutorials

Get the latest Photoshop tutorials, download and updates delivered to your inbox.

Continue reading