human disintegration

8/13/2019 Human Disintegration

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Human DisintegrationEffect in PhotoshopBy Karim Fakhoury,11 Nov 2011


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In this tutorial we will create a powerful, and emotional human

disintegration effect in Photoshop. Let's get started!

Tutorial AssetsThe following assets were used during the production of this tutorial.

Character

Sky

Meteors

Light (Obsidian Dawn)

Splatters

Step 1

Let's start by creating a new document in Adobe Photoshop. Choose the

size of document you prefer, but try to keep it in a vertical shape, with a

transparent background.


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Step 2Then, find a good stock image of a cloudy sky that you can use as abackground. You can also do like I did by interweaving several picturesof clouds to create the background you prefer. Make sure that theclouds are "dark" enough for a final atmosphere that will fit with the otherelements you will be adding to your creation.


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Step 3The next step is very important since you will have to choose thecharacter that will be the main focus of your whole piece. To do this, goto websites like SXC, Fotolia, iStock, etc.., and choose a model thatprojects a strong emotion. Be sure to pick a character that really inspiresyou, as it will be the main focus of your creation and it will play a majorrole in your final outcome. Once you've selected it, cut out the charactercarefully by using the pen tool (P) and place it in the middle, slightlyshifted downwards.


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Step 4Then, using the eraser tool (E) with the "Splatters" shape - which can be

found in the tutorial assets - slightly erase the character's legs.


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Step 5

Now, if you are like me and like to change your character's colors, take

the lasso tool (L) and surround the selected areas from your character

that you would like to modify. Afterwards, create a layer of fill or

adjustment by clicking on the black and white circle situated in the layers

tab. In the said tab you will be able to select the method that suits you

best. I personally recommend changing the colors with a Gradient Map

layer and a Selective Color layer. A tip: avoid fluorescent colors and

choose those that resemble your background's colors.


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Step 6Always with the "Splatters" shape, take your brush tool (B) and, on

another layer, create shapes that go above, but also behind the model,

as seen in the picture bellow. It is important to use the same colors and

shades that you've used on your character to create the desired effect of

disintegration.


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Step 7

There are numerous ways to give a darker aspect to your character and

create the impression that he is possessed. Personally, I usually prefer

to draw intense red veins on his arms, neck and face, as well as slightly

darkening the eyes and mouth with a small black brush adjusted to "Soft

Light".


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Step 8Here, I decided to create a necklace that will later have a supernatural

look, suggesting that the character is flying up due to the strength of the

accessory. Everything is done with a small brush, by using a graphic

tablet.


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Step 9Now this step will give the necklace a supernatural look. In order to

achieve that, you will need to create "power waves" emitting from the

necklace. On another layer, apply a white area on the necklace using a

soft round brush, and then with a smaller soft round shape, erase the

middle of that white area. When it's done, "double click" on the layer to

open the "Layer Style" box and enter the data as shown in the picture.Once you've done all that, duplicate the layer (Command/Ctrl + J) twice

and make them bigger than the previous one. Remember, the more the

wave is away from the necklace, the more it's big and less opaque.


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Step 10To complete the work on the necklace, select the shapes titled "Light"

available in the tutorial assets, select your brush (B), and on another

layer create a white "light beam" effect coming out of the necklace.


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Step 11With the same brush shapes, create a white "light beam" effect coming

out of the model's torso, as shown in the image. This effect will give out

the impression that your character is liberating some sort of supernatural

strengths while disintegrating.


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Step 14This next step will consist in using the blur tool on the meteorites to

make them look either close or far. Those that will be situated at the

same distance as your character will remain untouched. Basically, the

more a meteorite is far from the model, the greater the blur.


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Step 15

Now, take the Smudge tool with strength of 5 to 10% and apply it on

each of the meteorites, using little movements from bottom to top, to

give them a speed effect.


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Step 16To create a source of light coming from above of your character's body,

take a white brush tool (B) with the same "Light" shape used in Step 10

and 11. It is important that the rays coming from above are more intense

than those coming from your character's torso. You can also draw

various small shapes that follow the same rays' movements to make it

look more magical.


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Step 17Once you've completed the previous step, return to your character to

improve it. With the presence of the new light source from above of your

character's body, you must increase the light reflected on its torso and

face area by using a soft round white brush adjusted to "Overlay" mode.


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Step 19

You can always add more "Splatters" if you find that the model does not

disintegrate the way you want it to.


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Step 20To finalize everything, you can return to the colors, contrast and even

intensify the bright areas with the same techniques you've used before.

Basically, this step consists in putting your last personal touch to your

piece! When you feel that your piece is finished, use a sharpness filter,

to ensure a better overall quality, by duplicating your final image and by

going to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen.


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