[Tutorial] Painting A Sky In Photoshop

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Haplo
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[Tutorial] Painting A Sky In Photoshop

Post by Haplo »

A tutorial on how to create a sky image in Photoshop

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6923/banneren3.jpg[/img][/url]

(For Christmas!)Okay, this is my second little tutorial, and I've decided to put emphasis on skies. This could be very useful in [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=15316]atmospheric concept art...[/url]

Step.1

In this case, it's better to make yourself a color palette. This helps being consistent and creating the kind of atmosphere you want! This is not something you'll live and die by; just some guidelines to aid you in your attempt to create the proper environment. In my case, I've picked those colors:

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4974/palettewn0.png[/img][/url]

Step.2

Now with your darkest color, fill a new layer named background. Create another layer named Gradient, then fill it with your some grayish color. Adjust Gradient's opacity until you get an adequate effect. In my case, I entered 40% @ opacity. When this is done, merge background and gradient together.

NOTE! Keep in mind that the more layers there is, the bigger your PSD will be be, and more memory will be used! Take the habit of making compromise between more layers, and less memory VS less layers and less flexibility! This might not be obvious in such a small project, but when you're working on a huge-resolution/hundred-layers project, it becomes clear that the issue needs to be addressed!

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6982/step2sk8.jpg[/img][/url]

Step.3

Create a new layer named clouds. With a very simple brush; size~20, hardness=100% and opacity~10%, take one of your light colors and draw some lines where you think the sun comes through the clouds. Make an especially bright spot, where the sun is directly hidden behind the clouds. Do the same for shadows, with a darker color.

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3313/step3jw1.jpg[/img][/url]

Step.4

Smudge! With a small brush, smudge your clouds layers. Stroke your layer, as if you were painting, along the shapes of your clouds. This will give a more natural effect. For better control, set the smudge tool's strength to a low value, such as 30%. Also use the sponge tool to saturate (well... ~colorize) some areas of your drawing, the dodge tool to lighten and burn to darken things.

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9094/step4jw4.jpg[/img][/url]

Step.5

Now add some detailing. Create a new layer called details and using a small brush size~1, hardness=100%, pick a light yellowish color. Draw some outlines along the edges of your clouds, where they should be lit. Smudge this layer lightly, with a small brush and a small strength. You can repeat this process with different colors until you feel satisfied with the result.

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9261/step54je7.jpg[/img][/url]

Step.6

Finalize your image by adding some layers to adjust the overall feeling of it. In this case, I felt it needed a bit more contrast, so I created a shadows layer and painted some black strokes. I've then applied a 90° motion blur to it, and took the opacity down. It's subtle, but the image feels less empty. Also add some sun-rays and a glare where the sun should be. Use some basic smudge tricks and layer opacity settings...

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/623/step6vm8.jpg[/img][/url]

Then again, the final product might not satisfy you. The colors might seem gloom and lack contrast. You can resolve this issue with some quick colors adjustments. In my case, I've flatten my entire image in a new layer - CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+E, changed the contrast, hue/saturation, duplicated it and set the cloned layer's blending mode to soft-light. Sign your name! ;)

[url=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1484/finalsq7.jpg[/img][/url]
(Try not to forget to delete the damn text layer before flattening the image, as I did :( )


This example was done quickly but this technique can achieve quite amazing results! All resides in experiments and patience. I recommend trying out things by yourself - you'll see you'll become more and more good at it. Sometimes you'll discover ways to do things you wouldn't have suspected... Again, I really hope this helped and post your experiments here! I want to see them! :D

Tutorial by Upsilon
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