"The Pain" - Create this Eerie Abstract Photo Manipulation

Step 8

The model looks so saturated against the background. So I use some adjustment layers with Clipping Mask option to correct the color and brightness of model. Make a Hue/Saturation layer above model layer with settings below ( Layer-New adjustment layer-Hue/Saturation) and down saturation to -100:

As you see, model is desaturated but lost the contrast. So I make a Levels layer ( with Clipping Mask) to fix it. Go to Layer-New adjustment layer-Levels. Change value of midtones and highlights ( down the midtones but increase highlights) :

This is result we get:

Step 9

I want to change the brightness and darkness on some parts of model and background so I create a new layer and use soft black brush with different opacities. Paint around background edges, model and set the mode to Soft light 50%:

A new layer and I use soft white brush to paint on the bottom left of background as I want to brighten it a bit. I set the mode as Soft light 50%:

Step 10

Open cobweb texture. Drag it into our picture and resize it as shown below:

Hit Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+U to desaturate it as we did in step 1 and change the mode to Screen 100%:

Add layer mask and erase any rough edges:

Step 11

Duplicate this layer twice and place them around model. You can flip or transform it to get your desired effect. You can see my result below:

Step 12

To make model look like being covered by cobweb, make a new layer and choose color for brush as white. Use cobweb brush, number 927 painting on the left side of model then put the mode as Soft light 100% :

Step 13

Use cobweb brushes again with number 968. Paint on the right side of model:

Hit Cmd/Ctrl+T to transform it then hit Warp modes:

Warp it to make it look like covering model shoulder and arm:

Set the mode as Soft light 100% and add layer mask and erase selected part:

Step 14

Create a new layer and set foreground color to black. Use a spider from this brush set ( I choose number 1068, you can do your own or you can use spider image) and paint on cobweb area on the top left. Transform it as the screenshot below shows:

Step 15

Create a new layer and choose another spider ( number 200). Transform it and place it on model shoulder:

Look at the model you can see show the shadow done. So we should add an underneath shadow for this spider. Right click this spider layer, choose Blending options:

Step 16

Open wire stock. Extract the one you like and move it into our canvas, remember to resize it to fit the size of background:

Add layer mask to erase the part on model:

Step 17

Lower opacity of this wire to 40%:

Add a Hue/Saturation layer with Clipping Mask for this wire, down saturation and lightness:

Duplicate this wire and apply Hue/Saturation layer ( Clipping Mask) with the same settings. Move it down, apply Flip Horizontal and Vertical. Name them as "wire 1", "wire 2":

Step 18

To get a look that the wires stabbing through model arms, make a new layer and I use brush with color #898887. Paint with small brush on intersections between wires and model arms:

Change the mode to Color Burn 40%:

Step 19

Open bandage stock. Extract one of them and place it into our picture, transform it as shown below:

15 comments on “"The Pain" - Create this Eerie Abstract Photo Manipulation”

Linda A Perdue says:

May 17, 2020 at 4:02 pm

I think the instruction is pretty good however when I enter some of the values for the blood colors they don't look like yours ....not sure if that is because I have an older version or what.

1. Photoshop Tutorials Staff says:
  
  May 18, 2020 at 4:48 am
  
  Which step are you not getting the right color for?
Anonymous says:

May 15, 2020 at 9:18 pm

You can turn this artwork into a symbolism of the Hong Kong police force by putting the blood in one eye only.

Anonymous says:

May 15, 2020 at 8:08 pm

Where is the pain? She looks pretty comfortable! lol

jaferszm says:

September 19, 2015 at 12:34 am

cool

Maidul Islam says:

September 22, 2014 at 12:53 am

Wonderful tutorial..Thanks for sharing.

alida stone says:

February 12, 2014 at 1:24 pm

your work is amazing .....well done xx

ayatay says:

July 20, 2013 at 10:55 pm

it was great.can you please send this instruction to my email.

Varun says:

November 7, 2012 at 9:23 am

cool!

Ferobanjo says:

October 31, 2012 at 5:38 pm

yes girl.

MichelleBuckley says:

October 13, 2012 at 8:45 am

wow what a great tut, thank you very much <3

Kenneth Sørensen says:

October 7, 2012 at 7:19 pm

Great tutorial, thank you very much :) Easy to follow and an awesome result! Cheers

Vu Quy says:

September 4, 2012 at 7:15 pm

Can't download the model stock, please reupload it! Thanks for the tut!

YąħĬǻ Đķ says:

August 20, 2012 at 10:18 pm

i love it^^

valky says:

August 4, 2012 at 8:46 am

excellent! better remove the earring and ring,redo the nails pure black