Categories Learning Guides ExpertHelp New! PHOTO EFFECTS It’s Time to Create a “Neo- Constructivist” Poster with Photoshop by Alvaro Guzman 22Jun 2009 @ 134 Comments Hse we Fb @O Constructivist graphic design is often associated with communist politics and propaganda, but it’s more than that, Constructivism is about using bright colors, playing with lightness, perspective, geometrical forms, besides photomontage techniques and digital collage. This time I'l dare to name this tutorial a 'Neo- Constructivist’ design. It's time to get started! Final Image Preview Take a look at the image we'll be creating. You can view the final image preview below or a larger version here.Video Tutorial Our video editor Gavin Steele has created this video tutorial to compliment this text + image tutorial. Step 1 Open Photoshop and create a new document 1200px width by 1600px height, with an RGB color, and 72dpi. Then go to Create a new fill or adjustment layer in the Layers palette, select the Gradient Option and set the colors from #7D0000 to #480000, Set the angle value to 17 - 20° and hit OK.Gradient: F style: [Linear soe: (7) [a scale: [100 [>] % Reverse I Dither Align with layerStep 2 Now, add a texture over the background, grab this image and paste it into a new layer named "Texture" above the Gradient layer. Then, change its blending mode to Linear Burn. [Layers x [channels Pathe) 2 [Format Tel onset: [10056 [> tek Bb @ rh [oT es es Gradient FilLayers x [[channels_| Path [linear Bum] Opacty: [room [>] lok a @ ra Goo] es Step 3 Select the "Texture" layer. Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide Alll. After selecting the layer mask, grab the Gradient Tool (G), set the gradient colors to Black to White (#000000 - #FFFFFF) and set the Reflected Gradient Option on the top panel. Fill the layer mask with a slightly oblique Gradient (see image below) and use a big Black Brush (Opacity and Flow at 50%) to hide a little bit of the "Texture" layer’s bottom right. Mode: [Narmal Fy] opacty: [ano [>Layers = [Channels Paths [licear Brn fe] Onscty [10056 > Lok: gs @ rit [rose Tr coy Grackent Fil 1 Mode: [Normal 1a] (pact Flow A» Layers [channels | Paths [Linear Burn =] Opacty lock: sk @ Grackent Fil 1Step 4 Now, increase the contrast of the "Texture" layer by adjusting its Levels (Command + L), as shown below. + Channel: | RGB x leq Input Levels _ cancel | toad. | Save. —J 0 fo75 255 Output Level: a . Step 5 Let's add one of the main objects in the design, this 0 255) Auto Options. 444 M Preview Paste the image into a new layer named "man," and extract his shape from the white background.Layers [channels | Pathe [Remar TE] onset: [isos lok: OX @ rit [0098 D] oth (ag Gradient laLayers x [Channels | Paths (Normal =] Opacty lok Of + @ ill: [300% [> oi? ag = Gradient Fld Eackgrousd Step 6 Select the "man" layer and chose the Move Tool (V), and ensure the Show Transform Controls is checked in the Options Panel. Next, Command-click the top- left corner and drag it a little bit to the left, then repeat that but with the right corner this time. This will create a perspective illusion, like if we were looking at the guy from above. Then grab the Burn Tool (O) and darken a little bit of the guy's right side. Cu ees]UsStep 7 Il try this experimental way to increase the man’s color and contrast. Duplicate the "man" Layer, and go to Filter > Other > High pass, set the Radius to 10px, and hit OK. Now change "man copy" Blending mode to Overlay. Then, merge both "man’ layers and Dodge the left side of the resultant layer a little bit.Gradient Fila =| 0% +f Radius: [FM] pinels —$a—___—. OK Cancel PreviewStep 8 Now, we'll add a projected shadow. Duplicate the new "man" layer, put the copy behind the original, and name it "Shadow." Move it a little bit to the right. Using the Free Transform options, Command-click the middle-top control point of the "Shadow" layer and move it to the right, then play with the transform options to make the shadow look like the image below. Next, go to the Hue/Saturation window (Command + U) and turn down the "Shadow" layer’s Lightness to -100.Saturation: ——— — Lightness: _—————— Cancel oad Save T Colorize 7 PreviewStep 9 Select the "Shadow" layer, then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 5px. Then duplicate the "Shadow" layer, make the copy bigger than the original and reduce its Opacity to 25%. Finally, change the "Shadow" layer’s Opacity to 75% and merge both. OK Cancel Preview eh el Radius: pixels —Step 10 Select the Eraser Tool (E) and delete the extra shadow in front of the man’s feet.Step 11 Next, we'll add the main text layer. Using the Type Tool, type the word "TIME" using Arial Black for the typeface. Set it to a Size of 300pt and place it below the "Shadow" layer. Select the Type Tool and on the Options panel press Create Warped Text. In the Dialog, set the Style as Arc, Bend to 0%, Horizontal Distortion to -60% and vertical Distortion at 0%. I'm using some guides by the way to mark the horizontal middle point.‘Character x [Paragraph r | Twn =] ft [oar = ay fo =] ae IT [io a a3 [op cob 22 thts [erat usa style: [C7 arc a @ Horizontal © Vertical Bend: a % —~ Sa Horizontal Distortion: (eal) Vertical Distortion: 0 OK CancelStep 12 Next we'll skew the text just a little bit. Using the Move Tool select the "Time" text layer, and activate the Free Transform Options (Command + T), then Command- click the left-middle Transform Point, and move it a little bit down, Now Command- click the middle-right point, but this time move it up a little bit. Try to get something like the image below. Once you're happy with the result, hit the Return key or Commiit the transformation from the Options Panel.Step 13 Let's work a bit more on the "Time" text layer. Add the following Layer Styles: a Gradient Overlay (#8D6009 to #522300) with an Angle of 36°. And a full, big Drop Shadow (set the values shown below). Ems ici ae J Sradient Overay Gradient Blending Options: Default Blend Modes [nevmar = Cancel Drop Shadow Opacity: as [AY New Style, Ttnmer shadow Gradient E] F everse Meee T Outer Glow style: [near 9] align with Layer TP tnner Glow TF Contour Sealer ——— fin Tresture P satin F Color Owerlay T Pattern Overlay P Stroke Styles yep 5 Structure Anal [iat 1° Use Global Light Preview Spresdt co———— [__ Set ae [TT contour Pteture Quay Tsain [ conteve: | lel 7 setaeF Calor Overlay Lal * IF Gradient Overlay ee = _* TF Pattern Overlay M Layer Knacks Out Drop Shadow F stroke Step 14 Add another text layer, type the words "So Little” and place it above the "Time" layer. Warp it using the Arc Style and set Horizontal Distortion to -50, commit the distortion, and hit Command + T to show the Free Transform Options. Command-click themiddle-right control point and move it a little bit down. Try to match the text baseline with the "Time" layer’s top line. Then, Commit the transform. Character x [Baragraph ‘vil =] [ex mone] ot [eae = 5 =] ay fo = 100% 43 [apt Color Se rh = © [Faun use Style: | C7 arc 2 7 OK © Horizontal © Vertical Cancel Bend: Horizontal Distortion: SO % ‘Vertical Distortion:Step 15 Next, copy the "Time"Layer Styles (Alt-click or Right-click over the layer miniature > Copy Layer Style). Select the "so little" layer and paste the layer style (Alt-click or Right-click over the layer miniature > Paste Layer Style). Then, Double-click over the Gradient Overlay style of the "so little” layer, and adjust the gradient colors to:#3A0303 - #2A0000. Hit OK, and see how it looks. It's very important to have a kind of dark color on the gradients because we'll light them by using a texture forward. To finish this step, grab the two layers and put them in a Group named "text." A quick way of do it is to Click over the "Time" layer, then Shift-click the "so little" layer to select both, and hit Command + G to group them. Ena Styles Blending Options: Default F Drop Shadow inner shadow F outer alow TF tnner Glow TF Bevel and Embors PF contour Pterture F satin F Calor Owerlay or T Pattern Overlay P stroke Gradient Overlay Gradient Blend Mode: |Nepmal * Cancel Cpacty! —— [IT New Stile rien eli Rewerse F Preview Sivts [lnew x] Alon wth ayer anaes ( >) Seale: <<, [inoStep 16 Now we'll create the good old text reflection. Convert the "Text" folder into a Smart Object (Right-click over the Folder miniature and select Convert to Smart Object). Then Duplicate the Smart Object, you can use the Move Tool, select the "Text" ‘Smart Object, hold down the Alt key and drag a copy. Select the Copy and go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical.Step 17 Select the "text copy" layer, hit Command + T to enable the free transform tools, click over the right middle handler and move it up. Try to match the baselines. Finally, move the "text copy" Smart Object below the "text" Object in the Layers Palette.Sone Step 18 Select the "Text copy" layer and go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All. Then Fill the layer mask with a diagonal Black to White gradient, as shown below.Step 19 Here comes the light, grab of a nice piece of grunge paper and paste it into a new layer above everything and name it "Top texture.” Hit Command + U to adjust the Hue / Saturation values and turn down the Saturation amount to -100. Now change the "Top texture" Blending Mode to Overlay. Lock the "Tan texture" laver hy clickina in the tiny crngs arrnwe af the | avers Palette: if vaispop weaune sayer ey ow fe ny wives atruHe UF ure Layers Faun, you don't do that, you'll be unable to click/select any other layer below it.{ayers = (channels: | Paths.) 10096 [> 10096 [> Step 20 Duplicate the "man" layer. Since the man isn't matching the colors of the background, nor the text, we must adjust his colors. Select the original "man” layer and go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Photo Filter, select Warming Filter 85 from Filter options, and hit OK. You'll see that the Adjustment layers are applied tothe entire document. You must create a clipping mask to apply the adjustment just for the "man" layer. You can do this easily by Alt-clicking in the line between the Adjustment Layer and "man" layer. Top Texture © Fiter: [Warming Filter (65) a Cancel © Colors Preview Density 72% Preserve LuminosityOPTION - CLICK (MAC) man ALT - CLICK (PC) Step 21 Select the "man copy" layer and move it some pixels to the right. Now go to Hue/Saturation options (Command + U) and turn down the lightness to -100. Edit: | Master =| ——F Hues oD Cancel Saturation a ——|_————Lightness: T Colorize PRP We tovew B] | Photo Fite pee Step 22 Next, we'll blur the black silhouette, Select the "man copy" layer and go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, set the distance to 800 pixels and the angle to 20°, then hit OK Now, duplicate the "man copy" layer two times, you must have something like the bottom of the image below. Then select the three "man copy X" layers (Shift-click the layer miniatures to select) and merge them by pressing Command + E. Name the resultant layer “shadow blurred.” x! r OK Cancel Preview aeTop Texture rman copy 2 Qa g Photo Fie |Galg 6 KE] esreer [Fes Step 23 Move the "shadow blurred” layer above the Photo Filter layer. Then use a big, soft Eraser (E) with Opacity and Flow set to 50% to delete the shadow over the man’s face and body. @ a|9| a Photo Fike Top Texture Photo Fie [FosStep 24 Following, we'll reveal a little bit of the paper texture of Steps 2 and 3. Select th"Texture" layer in the layers palette, and click over the Layer Mask Miniature. ct the Brush Tool (B), and u: big, soft brush with a Hardness of 0%, Opacity and Flow at 50%, and set the foreground color to White (#FFFFFF). Now paint some spots below the man’s feet.Step 25 Put both "Texture" and "Gradient fil” layers into a folder named "Background." Duplicate the folder and Merge the copy. Always leave a copy of the first layers in case you'll need to rollback later.Step 26 Now we'll cut a piece of the background. Use the Lasso Tool to make an irregular selection. Then go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All, in the layer mask, use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill the selection with Black (#000000). I'm adding a nporary black fill layer below the "Background layer to see how it looks.Step 27 Tired yet?... neither am |. now open select just the newspaper and paste it into a new Folder below the "Background" layer and name it "Newspaper."Place one more copy of the newspaper, but rotate it some degrees to make it look different than the first instance. Use the Burn Tool (O) to Burn some parts of the paper sheets, making some areas darker. Now Merge the "Newspaper" folder (Command + E). DB NewspapersExporureStep 28 Since the paper's colors aren't matching the scene, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Photo Filter to adjust them. Select a Color Filter (#E4AD04) with a Density of 66%. Apply it just to the "Newspapers" layer by creating a Clipping Mask (Alt-clicking between both layers) | © Fitter: [ warming Filter (85) Ré Cancel Density: Preserve Luminosity sua Photo Fie Step 29 Now we'll create a tom effect on the paper. First, hold the Alt key and Click the Layer mask of "Background" layer, then use the Magic Wand Tool (W) to select only the black area of the mask. Click over the background layer again to make it visible once more. Then, go to Select > Modify > Expand and expand it by 6 pixels. Click over the "Background" Layer miniature and move to the next step.Ree ete Care Raed OO a Os Peg ae re 7 = Gime x a Expand By: |6 pixels Lo] CancelStep 30 Press Command + U to show the Hue/Saturation options, turn down the selection’s Saturation to -100 and hit OK. You'll see that the expanded selection is gray now. Select the Dodge Tool (0) and use an irregular Brush (Chalk is perfect), set the Exposure to 25%, and apply the Dodge to the gray border randomly. (eee Exit: [Master x Hue: Saturation: Lightness: _ P Colores 7 & 2 W Previewangst Figtones Ty ExposureWatlantecht jnionbus fanet y Step 31 To increase the realism of the background papers, we'll add some shadows over the "Newspapers" layer. Create a new layer above the Newspaper's Photo Filter and name it "Shadows." Use a big Black Brush (B) with a size of 200px, Hardness of 0%, and Opacity and Flow set to 50%, and paint some shadows near the torn paper. You can play with the Brush sizes to improve the effect. Mode [Ramat] nasty: [5082 To] row Al Photo Fie ruth: Mode: oma Te] Opsety fea meStep 32 Open this picture, extract the paper shape and paste it into a new layer named "paper" above the "Top texture” layer, Place the piece of paper at the bottom right of our design.Top Texture shadow blured Step 33 Now, we'll create the illusion of this paper coming from behind the torn paper. Alt- click the "Background" layer’s Layer Mask. Then use the Magic Wand Tool to select just the Black area, and click the "paper" layer miniature to select it. Next, grab the Lasso Tool, hold down the Shift Key to add the selection to the existing one, then make a selection covering the entire paper shape. Finally, invert the Selection (Command + Shift + |) and Delete it. Ce Re aC PO aa Cre tees uyz ey E a i} EYStep 34 Let's add some shadows. Create a new Layer above the "paper" layer and name it "shadows." Put both into a new Group named "Paper." Then using a big Soft Brush, paint some shadows at the bottom. Repeat the previous Selection steps (Step 33) in order to delete the paper's extra shadow. oe: [Rowe pactStep 35 Now create a new layer below the "paper" layer, name it "shadows 2," and paint some black shadows behind the paper to create a pop effect. The shadow of the paper is intended to be flipped if you compare it with the man's shadow, just because this is a constructivist inspired composite, and | wanted to create the illusion that the man is part of the background paper sheet oe: [Rowe pactshadows Paper Step 36 We're close to being finished. Select the "paper" layer and adjust its Saturation by -25. Then, in the Layers Palette, grab the entire "Paper" and Drag it just above the "Background" layer. Edit: [Master >] ————_> rs Cancel er Saturation: Save es Lightness: —— 7 Colerice 2 BP we previewStep 37 Using an irregular Brush, Dodge the "paper" borders just a little bit to create a soft torn effect.Advertsemen Step 38 Create a new layer named "so much to do" and use a small Brush to draft some irregular text on it. I'm using my tablet for this, but you can either use your mouse or any hand written Font, Mode: [Formalshadows Paper shadows?Conclusion Here we've got the final piece. | hope you liked this one and don't hesitate asking questions if you encounter some confusing or overwhelming steps. Have fun!IMAGES FROM $1 AdvertsomentDifficulty: Intermediate Length: Medium Categories: Photo Effects Designing lustration Adobe Photoshop ‘Translations: Tuts* tutorials are translated into other languages by our community members—you can be involved too! Translate this post Download Attachment ¥ About Alvaro Guzman GRR Avaro Guzman from Bolivia, Web developer and Graphic designer. For me digital design is a + Expand Bio Advertisement Suggested Tuts+ CourseCreating Animal-inspired Fantasy Creatures Related Tutorials How to Create a Detailed Lighthouse Flat Icon in Affinity Designer Design & llustration| Create a Marvelously British Scone Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop Design & llustration| Create a Detailed Flour Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop Design & tlustration Jobs PHP Coder with Magento Knowledge at Yoginet Web Solutions in New Delhi, Delhi, India Front-End Designer Webdev at WebDevStudios in Philadelphia, PA, USA Envato Market Item make EXT oe CE) DearieJoin the discussion... arash « 0 heeeeeeeeeeey veryyy nice .i 1000000000000000000000000000000000ve U 1 + Reply + Share > soulboy + 8 years Very well explained tutorial, enjoyed every bit of it, i think mine tumed out ok. | ama painter & decorator, but i love doing photoshop stuff. Thank you. 1 + Reply + Share > Mary Eddington - > Use, whenever possible, visuals like photos, drawings, etc. - they eliminate the need for translation 1 + Reply + Share» tonella - 6 yer ac0 | like ur work and | tried something similar. Here is my vision for time http:/tonela. deviantart. com/a 1 + Reply + Share > Andy + Sycarsaq | paid just so i could download the source files of this project, only to find out they are water marked with "stock image". frustrated + Reply + Share > Grant Friedman Ancy + 9 yo: =~ Andy, we don't distribute the stock photography for the images used in the tutorials. If you want the photos, youll need to download them from their respective stock sites. 90 Ben Ingberg - 3 90 This tuturioal is to hard for me.. apparently Im too stupid + Reply + Share» vallorand - 8 years a0 how do | remove the man from its background?? + Reply + Share >Danny Dots - 3 yo 1g Okay the tutorial is amazing and all. But | have one BIG problem. At the part where | select brush and "colour" in the gradient line, it doesnt colour in the line, it makes it dissapear! What do | do? Is there a setting that needs to be changed or something? | choose brush, and change it 450 pixels with 0 hardness, and it STILL colours in the paper and not the gradient line. Help? + Reply » Shae» CINITrIQS - 4 y Great tutorial, took me longer than you guys and it just shows | still have a lot to learn Here is my attempt at it: http://cinitriqs.deviantart.co. Used some different textures and a lower res version of "the man" but | tried to keep it as close to this tutorial as possible. + Reply + Share > Nate Cook - 4 yoorsag Fantastic tutorial! :D Here's my version. | left out the newspaper part because | didn't leave ‘enough room undemeath my feet http://53 tiny pic.com/9k362h. + Reply + Share > Miguel « 5 yc Excelente tutorial Alvaro te felicito y gracias por compartir un saludo desde Venezuela + Reply + Shae» ravena « amazing design really u r amazing designer + Reply - Share > Alex » 5 yo THIS IS AWESOME! Hove doing this kind of thing on photoshop. | tried to recreate it with my own picture, but the end result was very bright. | used all the same colors as you, but especially when | put the second texture as overlay the picture became EXTREMELY bright. I dont know how to fix this. Is there some way that my color setting could have gotten messed up? How would | fix them? Thanks again, This tut rocks! Reply + Share > Great tutorial, learned alot and had fun doing it. Thanks for the lesson. + Reply + Share > Samrakchan + 5 yoorsgrail! + Reply + Share» Niclas + 6 yoo Cool tutorial! Thaving problem with the gradiant in the first step. When i type the same values as you i's becomes green instead of red. s ago Help please! + Reply + Share > e Marianne » 6 yoarsa90 Very nice TUT!!! Please... more again --)) Thanx a lot!! + Reply + Share > ani - 6 years ago great work man innovative and .... real ... thank you + Reply + Share > femm + 6 yearsago Wow, nice work and | often read and use your tutorial to create some nice work. + Reply + Share > go very very very good tutorials tanks so much + Reply + Share > hamed + 6 ye: + Reply + Share > Nice tutooo! Thanks!!! + Reply + Share > =_ =_ e SquirrelXss. + 6 yoors ago Killer tutorial, thanks for the effort, and the time to teach newb's like myself. = =_ e sa3d3x - 6 yoars ago thaaanx a lott for ur tutorial =_ here's my try : http://www. flickr. com/photos/s. + Reply + Share >LadyUranus - 6 year This was a great tut. My only suggestion is that you continually refer to what layer you're adjusting-- for example, continue to say "change the opacity of the MAN layer” instead of “change the opacity of that layer as well.” When I go back and forth between Firefox and PSD | get confused. + Reply + Share > Sydney Architectural photograp - Thnaks Alvaro, introduced me to some nice new techniques. + Reply + Share > jerm - oye The way you teach is so hard >.< and every tut is not so specific. + Reply + Share > Ofer - 6 0 Wow, i looked for this kinda tutorial all over the place... Thanks, + Reply + Shae > Nyamutale Send to me as a PDF piiz thnx, great stuff men, muhux2004@yahoo.com. Thats my email add, + Reply + Share > Wouter - 6 a Hoved this tutorial... Had fun making it, turned it into a wallpaper Was a bit to lazy with the torn paper edges... but meh :P http://30.tinypic. com/2iig3me. + Reply + Share > Claire - Sy | really love this! What's the font you used for the "so much to do" phrase? + Reply + Share > Alvaro Claire + 6 yer «=m hand made, using my Wacom Tablet + Reply + Sha Leon - 6 yoo Great Job, dude! ;) + Reply + Shae > Adam «6 yoojo je je } Mian, 1 Coa read inis Site 1oF Nour: + Reply + Share > Reda - 6 yoars a00 woooow + Reply + Share > Ryuu 6 it's awsome!!! Nice tut. I want to try. + Reply + Share > 8 a Michael - 6 yoors ago Ok tried it. This is my first photoshop in my life :D http://img233.imageshack.us/im. + Reply + Share > Alvaro \Vichael + 6 =m Great outcome for a first try! + Reply + Share > CARIZZA « 6 yoa's ago waaaaaaaaaahhhn! very cooooolll! i love it! + Reply + Share > Vidiya + such amazing work there, really appreciated :) + Reply - Share > years ag0 Steff - 6 yo: ot My final result: htp:/img12.imageshack.us/img... Thanks for the tutorial! + Reply + Share > mazzi - 6 ycors a0 I find the tut nice, but not fully explanatory. Grab this image is easy to say, but to put it in photoshop? + Reply + Share > Beau + 6 yearsago ‘Sweet project! 'm brand new to Photoshop and this is my first project! i think it turned out really well. thanks for the help! here's my finished product http://img1 1 imageshack.us/img. + Reply - Share >Johnny C. + 6 y¢ o Great Tut, even for a PS Nub :D The end result looks professional and polished, and it only takes an afternoon to complete ;-) + Reply + Share > e Ojo Adeshina - 6 thanks for the tutorial its great, but what is tablet that u write you own (so much to do) okay. + Reply + Share > Eric Shafer + 6 yo: Interesting poster with some great techniques used in the creation. Featured here: http://www.presidiacreative.co. + Reply + Shar @ Ave A Bicshater 6 Thanks for the feature : + Reply + Share > e Amincool - © Ido This. It's so coooo00001 ) + Reply + Share > hey man nice tutorial! 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