Xpert Photoshop: Create a Surreal Scene with a Cool Snail that Flies

Tutorial Resources

cloud - le-scud
stormy sunset - night-fate-stock
Wots up world - priwax
Sorrow 15 - Kuoma-stock
rocks 2 - consideritfox
stones - peppilou80
Autumn Leaves - LinwoodStock
Grey Horse English Riding - Tamino1
Fish Stock 1 Shoofly-Stock
Tree 06 Stock FrostBo
Rock stock PirateLotus-Stock
Temples Punkystock
Tree stock lillyfly06-stock
Moss on concrete stock.xchng
Birds of a Feather - midnightstouch (Brusheezy)
metal texture 15 - wojtar-stock
2.07 Ribbon Dancing - vampbabe-stock
Mountain Goat : 03 - taeliac-stock
Rock stock - PirateLotus-Stock

Step 1: Create a New Image File

Create a new file with a width of 3000 px and a height of 3500 px at 300 dpi (Dots per Inch). Background Contents should be White.

Step 2: Create the Sky

First off, let’s open the cloud stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sky from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the cloud and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Sky 1".

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the “Sky 1” layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now go to Image > Adjustment > Brightness/Contrast.Do all these settings below :

The result should be similar to this:

Now, let’s open the stormy sunset stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sky from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the stormy sunset and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Sky 2".

Now that you’re done, activate the Eraser tool (E) and input the following:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now, let’s Erase:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 3: Enhance the Color of our sky.

In this step, we will be retouching our image. Let’s start by creating a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

Cyan: -30
Green: 20
Yellow: -14

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Color Balance adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window:

When the Color Balance box opens, input the following:

Brightness: 50
Contrast: -25

Now create a Curves adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window:

The result should be similar to this:

Now once again create a Brightness/Contrast layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window:

When the Color Balance box opens, input the following:

Brightness: -15

The result should be similar to this:

Step 4: Fix snail in canvas

First off, let’s open the Wots up world stock in Photoshop. We will be using the snail from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Wots up world and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the snail and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Snail".

The result should be similar to this:

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the “Snail” layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now time to give some retouch to the snail.Activate burn tool and use it on the snail as shown below:

Brush size: 300px
Range: Midtones
Exposure: 25

The result should be similar to this:

Step 5: Fix Girl in canvas

First off, let’s open the "Sorrow 15" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the girl from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Sorrow 15" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the girl and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "girl".

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) while the “Girl” layer is selected and Right click on girl image and Flip Horizontal :

The result should be similar to this:

Once again activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) while the “girl” layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window: When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following: Saturation: -25

Now , after Hue/Saturation adjustment we can see ,it has take place on the whole canvas but we want's it only on our girl image.So,let press (Alt+ left click)in between of both layer's which are Girl layer and Hue/Saturation layer to make a mask over girl layer.See as below:

Now create a Curves layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window When the Curves box opens, input the following:

and once again do that masking

The result should be similar to this:

Let's do some retouching with girl.Press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around girl's dress and then press (ctrl+j) to make a duplicate copy of dress.Name it "Dress".

Now create new color balance adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Dress layer and color balance) to make a mask.

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Dress layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 6: Add some Moss to snail shell

First off, let’s open the "Moss on concrete" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Moss from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now open Color range.For that go to Select > Color range.

Put these values as below:

Invert the selection for that press (ctrl+shift+i) and move it to main canvas.

Place the "Moss" stock below of "girl" stock.See as below:

Now activate Erase tool (E) with these settings Now let's erase :

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now let's erase :

Change the layer mode to "Overlay".

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Dress layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 7: Add rocks in shell

First off, let’s open the "rocks 2" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the rock from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "rocks 2" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the rock and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "rock 1".

Scale it small and place over "moss" layer.

Now Add layer mask to the "rock1" and activate brush tool (b) with these settings:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now paint:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (rock1 layer and Curve) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, let’s open the "rocks 2" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the rock from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Scale it small and place over "moss" layer.

Now Add layer mask to the "rock2" and activate brush tool (b) with these settings:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now paint:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (rock2 layer and Curve) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, let’s open the "stones" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the stone from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "stones" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the stone and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "rock 3".

Scale it small and place over "moss" layer.

Now Add layer mask to the "rock3" and activate brush tool (b) with these settings:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now paint:

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (rock3 layer and Curve) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 8: Add Shadow

Now activate brush tool (soft bush) with these settings

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

And paint the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, let’s open the "stones" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the stone from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Scale it small and place over "moss" layer.

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (stone1 layer and Curve) to make a mask.

Now create new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (stone1 layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, let’s open the "stones" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the stone from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Scale it small and place over "moss" layer.

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (stone2 layer and Curve) to make a mask.

Now activate brush tool (soft bush) to make shadow with these settings:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

And paint the highlighted area.

Now activate Gaussian blur for that go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur.

Put these settings as below :

The result should be similar to this:

Step 9: Add shadow and some more elements to girl

Go back to "dress" layer and add layer mask to it.and press(d).

Now activate brush tool (soft bush) with these settings:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

And paint the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, let’s open the "stones" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the stone from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Scale it small and place over "Dress" layer.

Now activate brush tool (soft bush) with these settings:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

And paint the highlighted area and change layer mode to "overlay".

The result should be similar to this:

Now Duplicate the "stone texture" and cover the other part of dress.Name it "stone texture2"

Get back to "stone texture1"

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("stone textur1" layer and curve) to make a mask.

Get back to "stone texture2"

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("stone textur2" layer and curve) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 10: Add Ribbons to girls dress

Now open, 2.07 Ribbon Dancing in Photoshop. We are using the ribbon from this stock image so we need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now open Color range.For that go to Select > Color range. Put these values as below: and change layer name to "ribbon1" and "ribbon2".

Now,remove the unwanted area from the "rebbon1" by the help of eraser tool.

The result should be similar to this:

Activate "rebbion2".Now,remove the unwanted area from the "rebbon2" by the help of eraser tool.

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette of both layers ("Rebbion1/Rebbion2").Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rebbion1/Rebbion2" layer and Hue/Saturation ) to make layer masks for both.

Now create new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette of both layers ("Rebbion1/Rebbion2").Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rebbion1/Rebbion2" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make layer masks for both.

Now create new Solid color adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette of both layers ("Rebbion1/Rebbion2").Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rebbion1/Rebbion2" layer and Solid color) to make layer masks for both.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 11: Add Leather belt to snail

First off, let’s open the "Grey Horse English Riding" stock in Photoshop. We are using the metal ring from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Grey Horse English Riding" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the metal ring and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Ring".

Put it above snail.see below :

Now we need that leather belt so press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the belt and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "leather belt".

Place it like this see below :

Now by the use of pen tool draw the other part of belt and name it "leather belt2".See below :

The result should be similar to this:

Now we will do a duplicate copy of our "leather belt2" for that press (ctrl+j) and change the name to "leather belt3".Now erase the waste part of leather belt.See below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new curve adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Leather belt3 layer and curve) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Make shadow of belt with the use of soft brush tool.See below:

Brush size: 100px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now, let’s Erase:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 12: Add Leaves

First off, let’s open the "Autumn Leaves" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Leaves from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Autumn Leaves" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the Leaves and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Autumn Leave1".

The result should be similar to this:

Now make a duplicate of autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl+j) and name it "autumn leaves2".

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (autumn leaves2 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves3.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves4.

Now create new Color balance adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (autumn leaves4 and Color balance) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves5.

Now we do some blur on our image for that go to Filter > Blur > "Gaussian blur".

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves6.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves7.

Now create new Color balance adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (autumn leaves7 and Color balance) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves8.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves9.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's make 3 duplicates of autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name them as autumn leaves10,11,12.

The result should be similar to this:

Now one more time's duplicate autumn leaves1 layer (ctrl/cmd+j) and name it as autumn leaves13.

Now we do some blur on our image for that go to Filter > Blur > "Gaussian blur".

The result should be similar to this:

Step 13: Add Fish

First off, let’s open the "Fish Stock 1" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Fish from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Fish Stock 1" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the Fish and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Fish1".

Now activate Transform tool (ctrl+t).See as below.

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Fish1 layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

Now create new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Fish1 layer and Curves) to make a mask.

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Fish1 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now duplicate "Fish1" layer and repeat all above adjustments layers on them also.See as below:

Step 14: Add Sky mountains

Once again, let’s open the "rocks 2" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the rock from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now activate Transform tool (ctrl+t) and scale it down.See below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Mountain1 layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Mountain1 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

let’s open the "Tree 06 Stock" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the tree from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now activate move tool (v) and move tree stock to our main canvas.

Put it over "Mountain1"layer and name it as "tree1":

Now that you’re done, activate the Eraser tool (E) and input the following:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now, let’s Erase:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Tree1 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, let’s open the "Mountain Goat : 03 " stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Goat from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Mountain Goat : 03 " and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the Goat and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Goat".

Place it over "mountain1" layer.See as below:

Now create new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Goat layer and Curves) to make a mask.

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Goat layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now it's time to add some shadow.So activate brush tool (b) with these setting's:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

Now, let’s Erase:

The result should be similar to this:

Now we are going to add a kind of soil tail in our mountain.

Activate pen tool (p) and draw the shape like this see below:

Activate burn tool and do some Shades with our "soil tail".Put these settings as below :

Brush size: 200px
Range: Midtones
Exposure: 20%

The result should be similar to this:

let’s open the "Rock stock" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Rock from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Rock stock" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the Rock and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Mountain2".

Activate Transform tool (ctrl+t) and scale "mountain2" stock small.See as below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Mountains2" layer and Curves) to make a mask.

Now create new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Mountains2" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

Activate burn tool and do some Shades with our "Mountain2".Put these settings as below :

Brush size: 200px
Range: Midtones
Exposure: 20%

The result should be similar to this:

let’s open the "Temples" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Rock from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "Temples" and press P to activate pen tool and then make a selection around the Rock and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "rocks".

Place it over "mountain2" layer and name it as "rocks".

Now that you’re done, activate the Eraser tool (E) and input the following:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Now create new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Rocks layer and Curves) to make a mask.

Now create new Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Rocks layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Rocks layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

Now create new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Rocks layer and Curves) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now that you’re done, activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

let’s open the "Tree stock" stock in Photoshop. We will be using the Tree from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now open Color range.For that go to Select > Color range.

Put these values as below:

By the use o eraser tool remove extra part.see as below :

Now create new Curves adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (tree1 layer and Curves) to make a mask.

Now create new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer from the bottom of layers palette. Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's (Tree1 layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.

The result should be similar to this:

Now it's shadow time :P.

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

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Use pen tool to draw these natural ropes.Use (484848) as foreground color.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 15: Add Birds

In this step, we will add Birds to our image. To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "Birds". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set: "Birds of a Feather". To load them, simply, right click on our canvas through any layer and then click on the drop-down button as shown below:.

This will prompt the contextual menu to pop up and once you see that, just click on Load Brushes.

You will now be prompted to this directory: Adobe Photoshop > Presets > Brushes so make sure that you have put the brushes within this folder. Now locate the brush set and click OK. Right click on the canvas again using your Brush tool (B) and now you'll notice that you have lightning brushes. Now, let's choose a brush:

With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%
#: 00000

Now, let's paint Bird in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%
#: 00000

Now, let's paint Bird in highlighted areas:

Reduce the opacity to 75.

Now that you’re done, activate the Eraser tool (E) and input the following:

Brush size: 400px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Step 16: Create a Vignette

In this step, we will learn how to create a vignette which will help enhance the focus on our subject. Create a new layer name it "vignette".Fill it with white color.

Now go to Filer > Distort > lens correction.

Now use these settings:

Vignette amount: -100
Midpoint: 10

The result should be similar to this:

Change layer mode to "Multiply".

Reduce it's opacity to "65".

The result should be similar to this:

Step 17: Add texture

let’s open the "metal texture 15" stock in Photoshop. We are using it as a texture for our image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the "metal texture 15" and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Texture".