In this tutorial I will give you some tips on how to create abstract background with colorful bubbles in Adobe Photoshop CS5. You will learn how to add a Layer Style, draw bubbles, apply brushes etc. Layered PSD file included. So let’s get started!
Final Image Preview
Start working by creating a new document (Ctrl+N) in Adobe Photoshop CS5 with the size 1920px by 1200px (RGB color mode) at a resolution of 72 pixels/inch. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill with black color the new background layer.
Use now the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw the next ellipse, use Direct Selection Tool (A) to change the shape as shown:.
Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Gradient Overlay.
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next shape:
Now we have to create above the made shape a new layer, select them both in Layers panel and press CTRL+E to Merge Down. On the rasterized layer we’ll apply the next filter: Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur.
We’ve got the next result:
Using the same Ellipse Tool (U) and Direct Selection Tool (A) we have to represent the next shape, like the next one.
Set Fill to 50% for this layer and click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Inner Glow.
Add Bevel and Emboss:
Apply Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
For the next shape we’ll use several tools. Firstly we’ll need the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw a small ellipse where we’ll insert three anchor points with Add Anchor Point Tool. The Convert Point Tool will be helpful in correcting the shapes.
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Stroke.
Select Fill Type – Gradient and click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Make a copy of the last made layer and use the Free Transform (Ctrl+T) command to stretch it on the right side. Set Opacity to 34% for this layer.
Make a copy of the very first layer containing the shape. Choose after that the Free Transform (Ctrl+T) command to compress a little the copy’s layer, applying different settings for the made layer.
Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Inner Shadow.
Add Outer Glow:
Choose Bevel and Emboss:
Apply Gradient Overlay:
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Using the same method applied before we may represent the next element with the Ellipse Tool (U) and the Convert Point Tool.
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Inner Shadow.
Add Inner Glow:
Apply Bevel and Emboss:
We’ve got the next result:
Insert the mask on the layer by choosing Add layer mask on the bottom part of the Layers panel and choose the Soft Mechanical brush of black color.
Apply on the mask this brush on the left edge, next apply the Smudge Tool (R) to get the same effect as on the next picture.
Make a copy of the last made layer and use the Free Transform (Ctrl+T) command to make smaller the copy’s layer, choosing for it also different settings:
Set Fill to 0% for this layer and click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel to select Inner Shadow.
Add Bevel and Emboss:
Apply Gradient Overlay
Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.
We’ve got the next result:
Insert the mask on this layer and apply the same actions we did with the previous example.
