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Happy Halloween Ideas

Today, I’m going to show you how to create Halloween illustration using simple tools and techniques like Pen Tool, Brush Tool, Layer Style, etc. in Adobe Photoshop. Layered PSD file included. Let’s get started!

Final Image Preview

Create Halloween illustration in Adobe Photoshop

Start working by creating a new document (Ctrl+N) in Adobe Photoshop with the size 1280px by 1024px (RGB color mode) at a resolution of 72 pixels/inch. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to fill with black color the new background layer.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Find a stock photo with a pumpkin and remove the background using your favorite tools like Pen Tool (P), Magic Wand Tool (W), Magnetic Lasso (L) or even a simple Filter>Extract.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Insert it on a new layer in our main document.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Inner Glow.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

We’ve got the next result:

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Next choose the Pen Tool (P), set the drawing mode on Shape Layers in Options bar and draw the next shapes as shown.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Next we’ll add the same Layer Styles for each layer contain the shapes. Click on Add a layer style icon from bottom part of the Layers panel and select Inner Shadow.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Add Outer Glow :

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Select Inner Glow

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Set Gradient Overlay settings:

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Click in the color bar to open the Gradient Editor and set the color stops as shown. Click OK to close the Gradient Editor dialog box.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Add Stroke

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

As a result we’ve got the shining light inside of the pumpkin:

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3
Click the Horizontal Type tool (T). Select a font, size and color in the Character panel. I have used Curlz MT Regular font. Click in the image and type Think Halloween words. Press Enter to apply the text.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3
Next select the Soft Round brush from Brush Tool (B) and set the Opacity to 10% in the Options bar.

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Try to draw on a new layer the coming outside light of the pumpkin:

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Create a new layer under the layer containing the pumpkin and try to insert some light under this pumpkin, with the same brush’s used above:

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

Design abstract background of a Halloween Pumpkin in Photoshop CS3

This is the final result!

View full size here.

Download free Layered PSD file.

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