moon11

Fill this selection (Shift+F5) with black and convert it to a Smart Object. Flip it vertically (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical) and use Cmd/Ctrl+T to transform this shadow and lower its opacity to 70%:

moon11a

Use a layer mask to reduce the shadow of the further branches from the ground:

moon11b

Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 3 px:

moon11c

Step 12

On a new layer (under the tree ones) use a soft black brush with the opacity about 60% to paint more shade around the tree bottom:

moon12

Step 13

Select the tree, branch and shadow layers and press Cmd/Ctrl+G to make a group for them. Change the group mode to Normal 100%. Create a Curves adjustment layer above the tree layers and down the lightness:

moon13

On this layer mask use a black brush to reduce the shade on the parts which are dark already:

moon13a
moon13b

Step 14

Make another Curves adjustment layer to brighten the dark parts a little:

moon14

On this layer mask use a black brush to reduce the lightness of the parts which are bright already:

moon14a
moon14b

Step 15

To fix the light on the tree trunk I made a new layer above the tree one, changed the mode to Overlay 100% and filled with 50% gray:

moon15

Use the Dodge and Burn Tool (O) with Midtones Ranges, Exposure about 20-30% to refine the light/shade on the tree. You can see how I did it with Normal mode and the result with Overlay mode:

moon15a
moon15b

Step 16

Place the mode image beside the tree root and remove the white background using a layer mask (you can use your own image):

moon16

Make a new layer under the model one and use a soft black brush to paint the shadow for her:

moon16a

Step 17

I used Hue/Saturation to reduce the saturation of the model :

moon18

Step 19

I made a new layer with the same settings like in the step 15. Use the Dodge and Burn Tool to refine the light/shade on the model:

moon19

Step 20

It’s time to adjust the contrast and color of the whole picture and change the time from day to night. Create a Curves adjustment layer on the top:

moon20

On this layer mask use a soft black brush with the opacity about 20-25% to erase the midground:

moon20a

Step 21

I used Levels to increase the picture contrast:

moon21

Apply brush masking on the layer mask (the midground and model):

Pages: 1 2 3

17 responses to “Create a Surreal Artwork of a Tree with Moons in Photoshop”

  1.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    What does it mean by “Curves (Clipping Mask)” in step 7

  2. Flo Avatar
    Flo

    realy nice explained! thanks a lot =)

  3. Narendra Avatar
    Narendra

    Always love your tutorials Jenny

  4. Irina Avatar
    Irina

    Thank you for a lovely charming lesson. It’s my pic http://j-p-g.net/if/2015/11/28/0852252001448714236.jpg

  5. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Thank you! Amazing tutorial.

  6. Seumun Young Avatar
    Seumun Young

    Great tutorial.

  7. dunkey Avatar
    dunkey

    i have seen better, but it could be worse. dunkey aka dunc. west side is my hood

  8. dunkey Avatar
    dunkey

    realy good its alright

  9. akell Avatar
    akell

    very nice …good explanation

  10.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thank you so much

  11. Navneet Avatar
    Navneet

    tutorial is good but shadow is missing on book

  12. not a perfect tutorial Avatar
    not a perfect tutorial

    i dont understand not enough detailsssssss

  13. sundar Avatar
    sundar

    Good tutor.

  14. Vanessa Pádua Avatar
    Vanessa Pádua

    Perfect tutorial *-*

    1. not a perfect tutorial Avatar
      not a perfect tutorial

      how

  15. Freebies PSD Avatar
    Freebies PSD

    Very good tutorials

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