Hello, today the topic of our tutorial will be the holidays that are coming very soon. So enjoy the process thinking about Christmas time.

We will do a lot of experiments with the brushes.

Let’s begin. Create a new document with these dimensions.

Fill the background with some color, then create a new layer for other color or gradient.

I chose this gradient:

Set the mode to linear light. You should get this beautiful green color.

I really like these Photoshop Polar Coordinates. Filter, even if it basically has no options. Good for background.

Use Filters>Distort>Polar Coordinates.

Good!

I really like to change the composition.
So just transform this layer and Flip it.

You are actually having all layers to play with but only horizontally. See?

Now flip the layer creating some kind of recognizable tree silhouette.

Now you’ll se how is very convenient to have this on the separate layer. Create a copy of this layer. Bring the fill to 70%-79%.

See these cool waves in the center; I’ve dragged the layer horizontally.
Now create anew layer mask that reveals all (the effects on white).

And there we go.
It gives a certain effect that those lines stay on background.

Now select the foreground green to set the basic shape to paint on. I will use color range.

A little more:

IF you do complex selection or work paths it is better to save them, just in case.

Now further the selection and begin to paint.

I will use a lot of brushes here.

Different brushes give different effects and edges ass well. You got to know with what brush what to paint.

Changing the spacing.

I’ve just found the brush I want.
So if you like just continue painting with this brushes, I would like to use this one.
I’ve erased all as you can see.

I think it gives a very good effect.

Blur the edges.

Blur settings.

Yea, something like this!

Now create another layer and begin to add details to our Christmas tree.

Make them glow.

And some contours with basic 1px brush.

Here we have it.

Now let’s practice a little bit with new Alpha channels that are basically like masks.

Switch to channel box and tap on create a new layer icon in the bottom of the screen.
If you are now in channel box PS will create a new Alpha channel.

Use gradient:

Fill this are with black. Don’t worry it will not affect your painting.

Switch again to layer box. And load the selection.

Chose Alpha 1.

And here we have it. See the Alphas act like masks and gradient overlay just defines the edges and further color of effect blending.

Further a lot.

And overlay with gradient.

Do it several times. See how the right section just fades out. Thanks to Alpha channels you can reach this effect.

 Some notes and here we have it.

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First Christmas series tutorial is finished.
Only on EyesOnTutorials.com!