Photoshop Creative No. 151

We’re leading with layer masks this issue, and a great feature that starts on page 18. In it you’ll learn how to stretch the boundaries of your editing abilities by using this handy tool. When combined with other commands such as blend modes, filters and brushes, you can get some really amazing, versatile effects in no time at all. This issue is also packed full of tutorials on how to make hilarious caricatures, create professional blend effects, mirror, distort and combine shapes to create wonderful illustrations and more. We also take a trip to the wild side with guides to how you can use Photoshop’s tools to create vibrant surrealist art, and show you how you can design your very own children’s books. Plus there’s all the usual reviews, Elements…

Mockups Check out the 10 Men's Wicking shirt mockups worth $37 Textures Use these seamless metal textures in your projects Tutorial files The assets and start photos you need to follow our tutorials On the FileSilo this issue… • 10 Men's Wicking shirt mockups worth $37 • 16 iPhone 5C mockups worth $12 • 54 4D actions worth $13 • 20 grunge textures by Jacobson Design Shop worth $20 • 12 starry night textures by Fire Spark Studios worth $15 • 25 seamless watercolour patterns worth $10 • 10 wood panel textures worth $4 • 10 seamless metal textures worth $4 • Plus all the files to follow the tutorials! Log in to www.filesilo.co.uk/photoshopcreative Register to get instant access to this pack of must-have creative resources, how-to videos and tutorial…

There’s nothing more inspiring than surfing the internet and seeing what other artists are creating, and we encourage you to do so. Here are some of our favourite pictures that caught our attention recently, from some of the world’s most exciting artists and designers. Marie Bergeron www.mariebergeron. com I start with research when creating art. Once I have everything I need, I start a rough sketch in Photoshop, as it gives me the right tools to create mesmerising images from brushes and textures, and I have full control of the options. Amr Elshamy www.hotamr.com I love the theme of science fiction, so with this image I tried to create and photograph a sci-fi scene using some toys and wood crafts. I used Photoshop, of course, to blend it together and…

Claudio Tosi www.photoshopcreative. co.uk/user/MirrorWalkers Image of the issue The original sketch was drawn by hand, replicated on a Wacom tablet. The aim was to enhance the beauty of a traditional sketch using digital tools. For drawing and digital painting I use brushes and pastel textures on shadows and depth. Raphael Andrade www.photoshopcreative. co.uk/user/Raphaell In this composition, I used natural elements using layers and other effects, then merged clouds and water to create the surreal aquarium. Adjustment layers were used to blend the image together when it was all finished. Saurabh Shivalkar www.photoshopcreative.co.uk/user/rawnbrokar I’ve always been fond of colours and textures, and this artwork is an example of that. This was created in Photoshop, with eight different textures and 16 leaves. All these images were blended with brushes. Kevin Baxter www.photoshopcreative.co.uk/user/Onefourall…

We challenged you with these In issue 149, we challenged you to get creative with these four images. You were allowed to use any or all of the pictures, and whatever other resources you chose. Here’s what you created. Challenge entries The best entries and overall challenge winner 1 Simon Ray Stereophonique I used the wheel of the bike to make headphones. The Arc de Triomphe provided the headband over the top. I’ve only used the four images provided in creating this. 2 Bob Parsi Puzzle Solved! I went with a puzzle theme. I used all elements provided. I used a lot of layer adjustments, blending, masking, blurring and much more. 3 Mario Unger Marathon I used some standard editing techniques. The final painterly look was made with Reduce Noise…

ABOUT THE STUDIO Fiasco Design www.fiascodesign.co.uk @FiascoDesign Founded in 2010, award-winning Fiasco Design has built a reputation for producing creative, forward-thinking design work. The studio works within a broad range of disciplines including brand identity, websites, literature, campaigns, animation and many more. For Fiasco Design, simplicity isn’t just a word that gets mentioned occasionally and then forgotten about; it’s an understanding that resonates much deeper. The studio’s creative director, Ben Steers, explains a bit more about how the idea of ‘keeping it simple’ runs throughout how the studio operates: “Keeping things simple is as much to do with how we work as it is our output. Simple doesn’t mean quick or cheap, it means carefully considering our processes and design decisions. If we can find a way to streamline, or…