Photoshop Tutorials

How to Create an Amazing Mixed Media Poster in Photoshop

How to Create an Amazing Mixed Media Poster in Photoshop
How to Create an Amazing Mixed Media Poster in Photoshop
Learn how to create this creative composition using a variety of graphical elements. This tutorial will show you how to easily create futuristic shapes with the Path tools and combine them with photos and brushes to create this mixed media poster.

Preview of Final Results

final-results

Tutorial Resources

Step 1

Let's create a blank document similar to these dimensions.
img(1)

Step 2

A subtly textured background works well than a plain one. Locate the paint texture and bring it into Photoshop. Drag and drop it into the composition.
img(2)
Desaturate the texture (Ctrl+Shift+U). You may need to resize the texture to fit the document.
img(3)
Adjust the layer Opacity and blending to make it subtle. Double click on the layer thumbnail to load Blending Options dialog box.
img(4)

Step 3

We now need to create several shapes that will define the overall design and contain other graphic elements. Set the color to #000000. Let's Start off from the middle by drawing a circle with the Ellipse Tool. Choose the Shape layers option on the Options panel. Working with shape layers is very productive and time saving. They are resolution independent and can transform them without losing any quality.
img(5)
Draw this shape using the Rectangle Tool. Edit the corner with the Direct Selection Tool.
img(6)
Press Ctrl+T, rotate the shape by -45 degrees. Use the Info palette see to see the properties.
img(7)
Reposition the shape. Duplicate the layer a couple of times. Stack the layers in this manner.
img(8)
Now construct the bottom side.
img(9)

Step 4

Create another circle outside the main circle. Duplicate the circle ( Ctrl+J ). Scale it approximately by 145%. Hold Alt+Shift while scaling to maintain the center point.
img(10)
We need to punch a hole in the circle. Click on the Vector Mask thumbnail. Copy the path by pressing Ctrl+C and hit Ctrl+V to paste. Press Ctrl+T and scale it down to 80%.
img(11)
Select the inner circle, on the Options Panel click on "Exculde overlapping shape areas" button to punch hole in the circle.
img(12)
We don't need the whole circle but a portion of it. Hide the rest with a layer mask.
img(13)

Step 5

Create another circle bigger than the outer one. Just as before, duplicate the middle circle, place it below the rest.
img(14)
Cut hole in the circle.
img(15)
I want to use this part of the circle, hide rest of it.
img(16)
Create a new layer above the cut circle. Use the Pencil Tool with 1px dia to create the pattern. Select it with the Marquee Tool. Choose Edit > Define Pattern.
img(17)
Clip the pattern layer to the circle layer. The shortcut is Ctrl+Alt+G.
img(18)
Duplicate the circle and delete the Layer Mask. Delete the inner circle.
img(19)
img(20)
Reduce the fill opacity to zero. Then Apply stroke.
img(21)
Hide part of the circle with a layer mask.
img(22)

Step 6

Open up the model stock image in Photoshop. Isolate the subject from the background. Use the Pen Tool to select the subject, pay some attention while selecting the hair.
img(23)
Copy and paste the model into the main document. Convert the layer to Smart Object ( Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object ). Resize the model.
img(24)
Apply Unsharp Mask ( Filter > Blur > Smart Blur ).
img(26)
Ctrl+click on the circle vector mask to load selection. Click on the Add layer mask button to add mask.

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29 comments on “How to Create an Amazing Mixed Media Poster in Photoshop”

  2. Thank you for this tutorials. I get some problems in step 8. I change the blend mode to Multiply and duplicate the head layer and invert it. But it't not work. It becomes draker. I try many ways. But it dosn't show like that.

    Reply

  8. I loved this tutorial. Some parts were hard to understand but searching for the answer got me more familiar with Photoshop. The only thing i really didn't like was the section where you make a blend in Illustrator. I don't know enough about the program to know how to do that. I had to leave it out because I couldn't figure it out. A little more detail on that part would really help. Other than that, great job. Thank you

    Reply

  10. Amazing! I am a beginner in photoshop and I was able to create an exact look alike thanks to your tutorial!

    Reply

  15. SUCH! an interesting and informal tutorial, I know so much more now and first thing tomorrow will design my own version of this and try and expand upon techniques. Brilliant! Thanks for all your effort in preparing this.

    Reply

  18. I enjoyed your tutorial. A few of the steps were confusing as I am learning some of the tools. A few things were not explained, like having to take off the multiply blend mode from the second male head so the invert worked. All in all very nice job!

    Reply

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