How to Create an Elf Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop

Step 26

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer to give these parts some warm tone.

Step 27

Make a Curves adjustment layer to brighten these parts. On this layer mask, paint on some details in the middle so they won't be highlighted too much by this adjustment layer.

Step 28

Open the headpiece 2 image and the headpiece only to add to the model's forehead. Convert this layer to a Smart Object and add a mask to this layer to remove its both sides , leaving the middle part with the jewelry visible only.

Step 29

Apply the Unsharp Mask filter with the following settings to sharpen it:

Step 30

Apply the Drop Shadow effect as done with headpiece parts 1.

Step 31

Make a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and change the Saturation values:

Create another Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and alter the Red settings. On this layer mask, paint on both sides of this part.

Step 32

Add a Curves adjustment layer to brighten this part.

Make another Curves adjustment layer with the same purpose.

Step 33

Create a new layer on top of the layers, change the mode to Overlay 100% and fill with 50% gray. Use the Dodge and Burn Tool to paint more details , lighting and shadow for the headpiece on the forehead.

Step 34

Open the decoration image and take the top only to add to the middle of the armor. Use a layer mask to erase the bottom and the top of this part.

Step 35

Make a Color Balance adjustment layer to give this part some warm color.

Create a Curves adjustment layer to darken both sides of this part. Paint on the middle to keep its lightness.

Step 36

Make a new layer and use a small brush with the color #4dfeee to spot on the jewelry.

Step 37

Open the jewelry image and take the jewelry of the third one to add to the middle of the decoration on the armor. Use Ctrl+T with the Warp mode to tweak it to fit the form of the middle.

Step 38

Make a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to change the color of the jewelry.

Create a Curves adjustment layer to bring more light to the jewelry. On this layer mask, paint on the contour and middle to reduce the light there.

Step 39

Open the arrows image and take the arrows only to add to the left shoulder of the model. Add a mask to this layer to remove the part on the shoulder to make the arrows appear behind the shoulder.

Step 40

Take a part from the cincture from the arrow image to add to the left shoulder of the existing model and use Ctrl+T to change its form as shown below:

Use a layer mask to erase some details on it . Don't worry if it looks bad, we'll cover it by the hair later.

Step 41

Make a Curves adjustment layer to brighten this stripe. On this layer mask, paint on some details to reduce the light there.

Step 42

Create a new layer, change the mode to Overlay 100% and fill with 50% gray. Use the Dodge and Burn Tool to refine the light and shadow on the stripe.

Step 43

Make a group for the arrows and the stripe and change the group mode to Normal 100%. Add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to desaturate them.

Create a Curves adjustment layer and bring the lightness down. Paint on the outer side of the arrows so it won't be affected by this adjustment layer.