Learn how to create a secret haven in the sky! This Photoshop tutorial will show you how to create this surreal scene where boats pick up travelers and fly them to a secret mountain passage in the sky. This tutorial will show you how to blend images seamlessly and work with lighting and shadows.

Preview of Final Results

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Traveling House.zip | 74.76 MB

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How to Create a Fantasy Haven for Travelers in Photoshop

Tutorial Resources

• look through - ronykjose
• Sunset beyond hill 3 - night-fate-stock
• walking together - cornetta
• ship 12 - Alegion Stock
• ship 2 - Alegion Stock
• Swing Stock 2 - shoofly-stock
• bird brushes II - lpdragonfly
• Paper Texture 1 - wojtar stock

Step 1: Create a New Image

We will start by creating a new image file, go to the Menu bar and click File > New, and then input the following values on their respective fields:

• Presets: International Paper
• Size: A4
• Width: 3508 pixels
• Height: 2480 pixels
• Resolution: 300pixels/inch
• Color Mode: RGB Color; 8 bit
• Background Contents: Transparent

Step 2: Create the Foreground

In this Step, we will be creating the foreground of our image, which would be inside of a cavern overseeing the sky. To start, let's open the stock image: 1157664

Once it's open, activate the Move tool by pressing Von your keyboard. Once activated left-click on the stock image and then while the Move tool is activated, drag it to our canvas. Upon moving to our canvas, position it here:

We positioned it there for a reason, now activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then resize it as shown below:

The result:

Next, we would need to distort the image so it would appear symmetrical. To do that, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then right click on the canvas to show the Transform tool's contextual menu. See image below:

Now, to Distort the image, follow the instructions as shown below:

The result:

Next, let's scale the stock photo up to make it appear more symmetrical. To do that, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then resize it as shown below:

The result of that should be similar to this:

Now, to balance the width of the walls, we would need to pull the image to the left to make both wall sizes equal or proportioned at least. Activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then resize as shown on the image below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now, we would need to remove the background of this image which we would be replacing with a sky in Step 2. To remove the background from this image, we would need the Polygonal Lasso Tool.

Once the Polygonal Lasso Tool is activated, use it to create a selection area around the background as shown below:

Once you've connected with the starting point of the Polygonal Lasso Tool, a series of broken lines will appear around the area you've selected. You may now press DELETE to remove this part of the image.

The result should be like this:

Step 3: Create the Background

Now, we will add the sky to complete our background. Open the stock image: 1263409

Next, activate the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M).

Once activated, use it to select the sky of the stock image. See image below:

Now, that a selection area has been made, drag this sky now to our canvas using the Move tool (V). Put this layer now below the foreground layer in the layer window by left-clicking on it and then dragging it below the foreground layer.

The image should be positioned as shown below:

Next, we would need to change the Color of the sky so it would blend in well with our foreground; to do that, make sure that the active layer is the sky and then go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance. Once it is open, input the following values on their respective fields:

• Color Levels: +35, 0, -55
• Tone Balance: Midtones
• Preserve Luminosity: Check

The result of that should be similar to this:

Step 4: Enhance the Light of the background and foreground

Now, in this Step, we will be revamping the light of our background and of the foreground as well. To start, let's create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and then name it: "Light 1".

Make sure to put this layer above all the layers that we've created so that the effect created will cover both the foreground and background layers.

Next, activate the Brush tool (B) but before we start, make sure that the active Brushes are the default brushes. The default Photoshop brushes are shown on the image below, if that's not what you see, then follow the instructions below:

Right click the canvas while a layer is selected and while the Brush tool (B) is activated and then click on the button highlighted below:

Then click on "Reset Brushes" from the contextual menu.

Now, that that is done input the following settings for our Brush tool (B):

• Brush size: 1000px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 15%
• Flow: 100%
• #: fffbc9

Note: The "#" means the color of the brush.

To change the brush's color, simply do the following:

After clicking the Foreground tool, the Color Picker box would open. Once open, input the following on the # space:

• fffbc9

Now, it's time to paint:

The result:

Next, let's darken some parts of the image. To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and then name it "Darken 1".

Activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following:

• Brush size: 1000px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 25%
• Flow: 100%
• #: 000000

Now, let's paint:

The result of that should be like this:

When you're done, select all the layers that you've created and press Ctrl/Cmd + G to group the layers. Once grouped, rename the layer to "Background".

Note: To rename a group, simply double-click on the words "Group 1" to prompt a text box to appear and then you may be able to rename it. See image below:

Step 5: Add the Father and the Daughter

In this Step, we will add the traveling father and daughter. To start, let's open the stock image 767369. Activate the Magnetic Lasso Tool (L) and then create a selection area around the father and daughter. See images below:

Once you've made the selection area, activate the Move tool (V) and drag the selected image to our canvas. Drag it and position it as shown on the image below:

Next, we would need to lighten the father and daughter to make it blend seamlessly with the rest of the background. To do that, we would need the help of the Dodge tool (O).

Once the tool is activated, input the following settings for it:

• Brush size: 90px
• Hardness: 0%
• Range: Midtones
• Exposure: 25%

Now, let's lighten them up:

The result of that should be similar to this:

Next, we will darken them. Activate the Burn tool (O):

Once activated, input the following for its settings:

• Brush size: 90px
• Hardness: 0%
• Range: Midtones
• Exposure: 25%

Now, let's Burn them:

The result of that should be similar to this:

Next, to make the father and daughter look more realistic on its background we would need to give them a shadow. To do that, we would simply need to duplicate the father and daughter layer. Do that by left-clicking on the layer and then press Ctrl/Cmd + J and a duplicate layer would appear above the father and daughter layer; left-click on this layer and drag it below the original layer.

Now, left-click on the duplicated layer and rename it to "shadow". To rename it, just double click on the text near the layer and a text box would appear, then you may now rename it. See image below:

Once that is done, let us now proceed to Transforming the duplicated layer into the shadow of the father and daughter. To start, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) but make sure that the duplicated layer is active, and then follow the instructions shown below:

The result:

Now activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then right click he canvas to bring up the contextual menu; now click on Distort.

Distort the image using the instructions shown below:

Next, we will be turning it to real shadows. While the duplicated layer is selected, go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and input the following once open:

• Brightness: -100
• Contrast: -100
• Use Legacy: Check

The result of that should be similar to this:

Next, change the Opacity of this layer to 70%. See image below:

The result:

Next, let's further enhance the lighting of the father and daughter. Let's make them look like they're really in the image; to do that, click on the father and daughter layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Once done, input the following:

• Brightness: -15
• Contrast: -30
• Use Legacy

The result of that should be similar to this:

Select all the layers that we've created and group them (Ctrl/Cmd + G). Name this group to "Father and Daughter".

Step 6: Add the Flying Ships

In this Step, we will be adding the flying transports for the father and daughter. To start, open the stock image "ship 12" by Alegion Stock. Once open, you'd notice that this file has a transparent background and what does this mean? This means that you wouldn't have a tough time to remove the background of the image because you can just activate your Move tool (V) and drag this image to our canvas. Make sure to put this ship above all the groups and layers we've created.

Move and position the ship in this area:

Rename this layer to "ship 1".

Now, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then resize it as shown below:

Next, activate the Transform tool once again and rotate it as shown on the image below:

The result of that should be similar to this:

Once done, change the layer opacity to 50% to make it blend with the glaring light on the background.

The result:

Next, let's open "Ship 2" by Alegion Stock. Activate the Move tool (V) and drag the ship to our canvas. Position it as shown on the image below:

Rename this layer to "Ship 2".

Now, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and resize it as shown on the image below:

Activate the Transform tool once again and rotate the image as shown below:

Once that's done, change the layer's opacity to 40% on the layer window.

The result of that should be similar to this:

When you're done, select both ships and then group them (Ctrl/Cmd + G). Name this group to "ships".

Step 7: Add the Floating Swing

Now, we will be adding the mysterious floating swing which would take the travelers to their destination. To start, let's open the stock image "Swing Stock 2" by _____. Next, activate the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) and use this to select the swing as shown on the image below:

Activate the Move tool (V) and drag the selected swing to our canvas. Position it on the location shown below:

Rename this layer now to "swing".

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and resize the image as shown below:

Next, we'll make this swing blend in with the rest of the images by lowering its Opacity to give the illusion that it is in a far distance. Change the "swing's" opacity to 50%.

The result:

Now, we will be extending the rope into the far reaches of the sky. To do that, activate the Rectangular Marquee tool (M) and then select the rope of our swing.

Duplicate the selected layer (Ctrl/Cmd + J) and then activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to resize the rope as shown on the image below:

The result should be similar to this:

Group this layer and rename it now to "Swing".

Step 8: Add the Birds

In this Step, we would be adding the birds. To start, create a new layer above the "swing" group (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and then name this layer "birds".

Once you're done, activate the Brush tool (B) and then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu, once the menu is up, click on the button shown below:

Next, click on Load Brushes:

Locate "bird brushes II" by lpdragonfly to the location you've saved it into. Once open, you'd notice that the brushes you have on the Brush tool's (B) contextual menu are of birds.

Use the following brush:

Next, input the following settings for the Brush tool (B):

• Brush size: 250px
• Hardness: Default
• Opacity: 50%
• Flow: 100%
• #: 000000

Now, let's paint:

The result:

Step 9: Enhance the Image's Feel using Textures

Now, we will add a texture to our image to enhance the feel and the color as well. To start, open "Paper Texture 1" by wojtar stock. Once open, activate the Move tool (V) and then drag this texture to our canvas. Make sure to put it above all the layers and groups that we've created.

Position and move the texture as shown on the image below:

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and resize the texture as shown below:

Now, we will change the Blending mode of the texture to enhance its overall feel. Let's do that by left-clicking on "Normal" from the Layer window and then change it to "Soft Light". See images below:

Next, change the Opacity to 40%.

The result of the 40% Soft Light blending mode should be similar to this:

Step 10: Enhance the Overall Color of the Image

Now, in this Step we will be giving the overall image a retouch. To start, let's create a Solid Color adjustment layer. To do that, first click on the "Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button".

Once this button opens, click on "Solid Color".

Now, input the following on the Solid Color # box:

• #: 000031

Now, change the Blending mode and Opacity of those layers to the following:

• Blending Mode: Exclusion
• Opacity: 40%

Next, let's create another Solid Color adjustment layer from the "Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button".

This time, input the following:

• #: 573814

Change the Blending mode and Opacity to the following:

• Blending mode: Soft Light
• Opacity: 40%

Next, let's create an Exposure adjustment layer from the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button.

When it opens, input the following:

• Exposure: 0.00
• Offset: +0.0015
• Gamma Correction: 1.20

Next, let's create a Photo Filter adjustment layer.

Once open, choose the following filter:

The image should now be similar to this:

Download the PSD

Traveling House.zip | 74.76 MB

Download from Website

Authors Comment

Thank you for visiting this page and using my tutorial, if you want to see more of my art works, give me a shout at my website: https://www.wix.com/theflickerees/michaelVmanalo or you can check out my blog:

- Michael Vincent Manalo