In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a beautiful, vibrant, Retro-Pop abstract wallpaper. You’ll also learn how to add some wonderful texture to your designs and make some abstract shapes!
What We’re Making
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to recreate this wallpaper style:
Preparation
You’re going to need a few things before getting started with this tutorial:
- RNS Bobo Dylan Font - Grab this awesome, free block font from Impactolaser.
- Old Paper Stock Photo - We’re going to use this stock photo to add texture to our wallpaper. You’ll need a stock.xchng account to use it, which is free and quick to create.
Once you’ve got the font installed, and the stock image ready, open up Photoshop and get started!
Step 1
Begin by creating a new document. I run on a 1920×1200 display, so I’m going to create a new, 1920×1200px document.
Using the Paint Bucket Tool, fill the background layer with a dark color, such as #22282c.
Step 2 - Adding Texture
It’s actually very easy to add some basic texture to our design using a stock photo like the one we’ve chosen for this tutorial. Create a new Layer, and Copy-Paste the stock photo into the document.
Now, Transform the layer so that only the texture covers your entire working image area. For me, this involved rotating it, and scaling it down a bit so that no white was visible, and the texture covered my entire canvas.
Once you’ve properly fitted the texture over the canvas, Desaturate that layer (Image > Adjustments > Desaturate).
Set this Layer to Overlay.
Enhancing Texture
Often times after resizing, an image may lose a bit of it’s sharpness, resulting in texture that lacks in effect. To fix this, sometimes I’ll use the Smart Sharpen Filter (Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen) to bring back the sharp touch.
Step 3 - Adding Text
Create a new layer underneath the texture layer. Using the Horizontal Type Tool, add some text into your document with the font you downloaded earlier. I simply typed ‘Retro’ using a 142pt font. Make the color of your font a light green (#5ee67b).
As you can see, the texture layer we created earlier will automatically add a light texture onto anything underneath it (Unless it is pure white, or pure black since we are using the Overlay filter).
Step 4 - Begin 3D Type Effect
Duplicate your type layer. On your new type layer, change the color of the text to #3aad53, a slightly darker green.
Move the new type layer beneath the light green one. Now use the Move Tool to position it to the lower right of the original layer. Hold Shift while moving the layer so that it moves at exactly a 45* angle.
Step 5 - Filling in the blanks
We have a few gaps in our type that need to be fixed to give the full 3D Type effect. To fix these, we’re going to create some new shapes with the pen tool.
But first, we need to convert the lower type layer to a shape layer (Right Click Layer > Convert to Shape). Now that it’s a shape layer, we can add additional shapes directly into it with the pen tool.
Click the Vector Mask Thumbnail for your new shape layer to display the vector mask.
Grab the Pen Tool from the toolbox. In the Options Bar, make sure Add to Shape Layer is selected. Now when you draw shapes with the pen tool, those shapes will be added to the currently selected shape.
For this next step, you may want to zoom in a bit for best results.
Wherever you see areas in your design missing a 45* angle for the complete 3D effect, draw in a block with the pen tool. Start by making a single point where the angle should start, and then while holding shift, create a new point at the adjacent point of the other type layer. The diagram below better illustrates how to go about filling in the blanks.
Continue this process for all the additional blanks you notice. Once your finished, you should end up with a design like the one shown below.
Step 6 - Add a Shadow
Add a Drop Shadow Layer Effect with the following settings to your lower text layer:
This will add a nice bit of depth to your design, as shown below. You may need to adjust some of the settings to your liking if you’re working with different dimensions from what I’m using.
Step 7 - Adding a Splash of Color
Create a new Layer JUST above the background layer. Using the Pen Tool, we’re going to draw some funky shapes that will collectively add a nice splash of color in our design. You may want to look over our Pen Tool Basics Tutorial before proceeding if you’re not familiar with it already.
With a bright colored foreground color (such as #e65ee4), draw a swirl using the pen tool. If you are having trouble with the shape, try using the one shown below for reference:
Step 8 - Duplicate, Position, Repeat
Instead of making a bunch of custom swirls (Which would actually work great, it’s just time consuming), we can duplicate this swirl layer, transform it, and reposition it to add lots of swirls to the image. Here is an example of the single swirl we created duplicated and repositioned 3 different times.
Now, Duplicate the swirl again, and change the color of your new swirl to a different bright color, such as #5e9ee6. Again, duplicate this new colored swirl and reposition it once or twice.
Step 9 - More Shapes!
The swirls are a great addition to our design, but too many might make things a bit boring eh? Try adding additional shapes with the Custom Shape Tool, or various other shapes. I’m going to use the Ellipse Shape Tool to create a bunch of multicolored ellipses around the text. I’ll also build a new ribbon shape and throw a few of those into the mix.
When placing the shapes, try overlapping some of them to create new shapes and styles altogether. You can also experiment with different blending modes to mix colors. I find the Lighten blending mode to work very well!
Step 10 - Scribbles
Using a 1px, 100% Hard, White Brush, scribble some lines behind your text (on a new layer). Try to make one continuous scribble throughout your painting, and put some effort into making it as messy as possible.
It’s a bit of guess work getting things to look alright, but after a try or two you’ll probably have something that looks decent. Set this layer to Overlay. For a more powerful effect, duplicate the layer, and add some new scribbles on that new layer.
Step 11 - Add a Soft Glow
Select every layer in your layers palette that has been used in the text, shapes, and scribbles (so essentially, everything except the background and texture layers). To do this, hold control while clicking each individual layer. Now duplicate these layers (While selected, go to Layer > Duplicate Layers…), and immediately after doing so, Merge the newly duplicated layers (Layer > Merge Layers or Ctrl + E).
Place this new merged set of layers on JUST below the texture layer. Set it to Overlay and apply a Gaussian Blur of 20-40 (Filter > Gaussian Blur).
Step 12 - Final Touches
We’re essentially finished with the effect, and it looks pretty darn good! We can finish things off with a few polishing touches, or stop here and admire our work!
If you choose to continue, there are a few things I could suggest:
- Play with Shading and Highlights - It might look nice if we go over some of our layers with a soft white or black brush, and add some shading + highlights to our text and shapes.
- Add Flares - Add some flares to the text and shapes to make them sparkle. I’ve written about creating flares towards the end of my 5 Essential Photoshop Reflections Tutorial.
- Keep Playing with Shapes - Add lines, stars, and other shapes and see if you can create something truly wonderful. I actually added some long diagonal lines extending off the canvas in my final wallpaper.
- Add a Vignette - Emphasize the subject by fading out the graphic into a dark color. Works great on my dark colored monitor!
As usual, you can grab the Sample PSD here to see how we went about doing certain things! Good luck, and enjoy!
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Cool!!! Two Thumbs UP Great Design!
Thanks bl4kdev1l =) Appreciate the feedback mate!
David,
On the PSDTUTS User Community Links I accidently hit delete on this submission. Feel free to submit it again, as I meant to approve this tut. Good job!
No worries Sean =) Appreciate you letting me know!
This was awesome David, the outcome is stunning
Ok so I finally dared to post a comment and say that this is such a beautiful tutorial with amazing result!
This is my favorite site.I’ve learned so much things about PhotoShop from here.
Thank You!
Thanks Ouchast and Roxi! I appreciate your kind words, and am very glad to hear that you like the effect shown here. If you ever have any ideas for how we can make things easier for you, I’m all ears!
This looks like the Trapper Keeper I had in fifth grade.
David. It’s all set. Thanks for resubmitting.
Looks amazing, nice stuff. also loving your avatar, looks cool.
Great stuff
Thank you so much for this tutorial, Ive been waiting for it for a long time.
“…scribble throughout your painting, and put some effort into making it as messy as possible.” -Best part of the tutorial.
Also I noticed a miniature smiley on the bottom of this site.
YAY its released cant wait for the coldplay apple commercial one
Thanks folks =) Let me know if any of you run into issues with the tutorial!
@ CJ.H - Haha =) Sometimes when I’m writing I HAVE to let some of my sarcastic nature slip in, otherwise my job becomes just another desk job. Well, not entirely, since I get so much interaction with the community, but you can probably imagine that writing can get tiresome
Oh, and the smiley is a nice touch to our site, but we’re not like, the first site to do something like it. It’s actually something Wordpress uses to help us track our statistics. That said, I very much enjoy him.
@ Tyler - That tutorial is finished, and being scheduled actually, so you shouldn’t have to wait a whole lot longer! You can still catch Fabio’s on PSDTUTS while you wait.
I really loved this tutorial. I learned alot of things I could definitely use in future projects. I did this with my name instead though and I went off on my own creativity so it looks quite a bit different but it came out beautiful. There were a few parts I got stuck on, when I got to the 2nd layer of text I think photoshop automatically made this next layer a non text. since it was a copy im guessing my first layer wasnt either. Just leave a hint saying make sure your layer has the T for text symbol otherwise you cannot convert to shape. It took me a while to figure this out actually.
and I think this goes with the next part. I had a difficult time I actually did not get as accurate but on my 2nd text layer. I hit shift but when I made a the new paths they did not align with the first set of text. But that might have to do with the layers not being exactly the same. This could all be my problems only. Just a black bold hint at the end of that part would probably help other noobs out as well 
Thanks a bunch! & happy photoshopping!
When drawing the swirl, how do you just drag out the handles? Cause I just can’t drag them out to both sides! I can make this shape only in Paths not Shape Layers. I don’t get it?!
or do I actually have to choose Paths?
got it!
Still I do have a problem….I don’t have color?!
this is a great tutorial. maybe you can put something about abstract wallpapers.
You should try using the 3D extrude tool in Illustrator, you can use it with any typeface or shape…gives that same text effect…but you can import it as a vector smart object :).
COOL
Hi, I am entering a contest for a band t shirt and this would be PERFECT for it. I don’t have photoshop though. If mine is selected, i will give you $100. Email me so we can talk more!
cheezitimposter@gmail.com
It looks great. There is a great sense of focus on the Retro text and plenty of empty space for icons. The tutorial teaches some good concepts and leaves plenty of room for creation. One of the best tutorials here yet.
Hey Mr Leggett,
great tutorial, I love it, exactly the kind os style i want to achieve, kind of neo retro
The website link leads to my version of you tut, feel free to leave feedback
keep up such good work,
++
It’s like the London 2012 Olympics logo.. but better!
Thanks…I made this for my wife from your tutorial!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2590859525_18ae64a2e3_o.jpg
Damn i luv thi1 !!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbdesign/2591985779/
Loved it!!!!
Thank you SO much!!
Wow superb!! Keep em comin!!
im having alottttt of problems i cant get right in the 1st step lol anyone help
@FBdesign: Love the designs you’ve done in the background FBdesign. They’re very… dare I say… poppy.
@franklin: What’s going wrong in step one mate? I’m sure we could help if we had a better idea of what the problem is.
This is simply amazing!! I’m going to try it now!!
Here is my attempt! I couldn’t really do the scribbles so I opted to use the brushes that you recommended on here, I’m happy with it tho. thank you so much for this tut!!! I love this site!!
http://www.daydesignz.com/showcase/wallpaper.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliverprobert/2862058267/in/photostream/
Great tut! My outcome looks AWESOME! Only one thing though, the font you posted is not the font you used. The font you used is found here http://www.dafont.com/rns-bobo-dylan.font?nb_ppp=50
sorry didn’t remove the bbcode
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm168/jdoog1234/Sigs/Abstract.png