Create a Glossy Volt Icon in Photoshop
First of all I would like to thank Negreu Andreas for collaborating with me in creating this tutorial. This is an inspiration from the Bolt movie poster. In this tutorial you will create a glossy thunder logo using a few layers and some white shapes that will make the thunder more interesting and glossy.
Quick Nav:
Step 1: Create a new document
First of all create a new white document 1000×600 and then create the thunder shape using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).
Step 2: Apply Color
Create a new layer and with the selection still activated fill it with #ff9c00.
Step 3: Create the 3D effect
Next you need to duplicate the layer two times and change the color of these 2 layers to #ffc66c. Also move them behind the first layer and place them like in the image below.
Step 4
Next you need to merge the two layers you just created in step 3 and using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) make selections like below and fill them with the same color as the shape.
Step 5: Add shadows
Using the Burn Tool set to Shadow and 60% Exposure you need to draw over the corners of the layer created in step 4.
Step 6: Darken shape
Again using the Burn Tool (O) you need to select the first thunder layer and burn the corners of the shape.
Step 7: Add stroke
Hold down Command key and then click on the first shape layer thumbnail to make a selection around it, create a new layer above this then with the Lasso Tool (L) select and press the Right + Click on the screen and create a 3 px stroke with this color #ffab45.
Use the Blur Tool (R) to soften the edges of the stroke.
Step 8
Create a new layer on top of all the layers and using the Brush Tool (B) set to the same color used for the stroke #ffab45 you need to draw on all the corners of the thunder.
Step 9: Shadows
It is time to add some more intense shadows. For this select the layer behind the original thunder shape and using the brush set to #800300 draw on the corners like in the image below.
Step 10
Duplicate the stroke from step 7 and go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and set it to (brightness -150, contrast +30). You will also have to move the new layer right a few pixels like below.
Step 11
Use the Eraser Tool (E) and erase the corners of the stroke and use the Blur Tool (R) on the stroke to make it blend in with the other shapes.
Step 12: Light colors
Create some more light colors on the thunder using the Brush Tool (B) set to #ffa93c. Make a selection like below, create a new layer on top of all the layers and start adding some color. Remember to use a soft brush for this.
Step 13
Create a new layer and make a selection like below. Draw with the Brush Tool (B) set to #6b000 and set the layer to Overlay.
Step 14: Improving the shape
Next you need to work some more on the layer behind the original thunder shape. You need to change the shape of the layer a bit by making some selections like below and drawing over the layer with some more colors and shadows.
Step 15
Create a new layer and make a selection like below and using the Brush Tool (O) draw on top of the selection with #e20001 and on the bottom of the selection with #ffa739.
Step 16: Details
Use the Eraser Tool (E) and erase the corners of the stroke.
Step 17: Add Gloss
It is time to add some more gloss on the shape. Create a new layer on top of all the layers and make different selections like below, then using a yellow color and a soft brush you need to simply draw some faded shades of light on the shape then set the layer to Overlay or Soft Light. You can also erase some parts of the gloss and make it fade out. In the end add some final strokes, smudge them and lower the opacity.
Remember that you will have to create different selections for each gloss you apply.
184 Comments
concise, but highly informative.Thanks
Flag as inappropriatevery nice
Flag as inappropriatethank you for sharing us
Flag as inappropriateSuitable for persons who searching nice and specific logo. If I did see before this tutorial I’d like to determine this icon/logo for my friend’s site.
Flag as inappropriategreat! thank you!
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial. Many thanks. LC
Flag as inappropriatevist for basic training of photoshop
Flag as inappropriatehttp://training4free.co.cc/Basic%20training/Basic%20training.html
This is excellent , thank you.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial.
Flag as inappropriateI also loved the “home made” techniques.
Keep it up!
Hey your website is awesome!
Flag as inappropriateReally enjoyable tutorial, Thank you! LT
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial, has given me some good techniques and tips, Thanks
Flag as inappropriateGreat Post !
I enjoyed reading it…
| Web Design | Web Development | WebProject |
Flag as inappropriateawesome tutorial! kinda long, i feel like i could have achieved something of equal value without as many steps, but still very good. The design looks awesome! good job
Flag as inappropriatei like the tut’s:)
Flag as inappropriatethank’s…
I am not so sure to spend such a long time on the design. Thats’ probably because I am not a designer myself, but give me coding I will do it for as long as it takes.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial.I will try it now ;)
Flag as inappropriategreat post! let me try this one!
Flag as inappropriate________________________________
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Very nice outcome. just what i needed for my site thanks for sharing :)
Flag as inappropriatethanks it is so beautiful
Flag as inappropriatehallo;
Flag as inappropriatethanx for the nicht tut,can you tell me wich Gradient you used for th Background?
thanx
this is really nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flag as inappropriatethank you……………………………………………..
“wonderful………………………..”
Flag as inappropriateHello from KOSOVA,great tutorial I like it a lot
Flag as inappropriatethanks for sharing. So mush124
Flag as inappropriatethanks for sharing. So mush117
Flag as inappropriatethanks for sharing. So mush112
Flag as inappropriategreat i never seen before.
Flag as inappropriategreat tutorial thanks a lot, i like it
Flag as inappropriatenice tutorial thanks for sharing this article
Flag as inappropriateit really seems like you could have just made a gradient and color the top “volt” shape then made two more and added them on as so then just put the shadow and gloss on i see same results in half the time
Flag as inappropriatethanks now i understand
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial, technique can be adapted to other designs. Really useful!
Flag as inappropriateVery nice result! The idea is also great!
Flag as inappropriatebravo
this is just fantastic. very very well done!
Flag as inappropriate3d effect could be also achieved by pressing CTRL + ALT and Left arrow.
Flag as inappropriateThank you for the well laid tutorial. I am glad I’ve come accross this post. Have been searching for a simplified tutorial for a while now :D
Flag as inappropriateVery nice
Flag as inappropriateWell written, good tutorial. I picked up some new Photoshop techniques after reading this article. Thank you for the knowledge.
Flag as inappropriatethankes man
Flag as inappropriategood work
Thank you. I can’t wait to try it, and of course I’ll have to come back and let you know how great it turned out!
Flag as inappropriateThanks again for sharing.
Always looking for a “tut challenge”………of one degree or another.
I will Do It Thanxsssssss
Flag as inappropriateReally great tutorial, but step 17 isnt explaind very well. Its a little confused
Best Regards,
Flag as inappropriateTHANX
Flag as inappropriateDavid Leggett – Maybe you could give me some direct advice about our site? : ]
>Thanks,
Flag as inappropriatechris help me (please mail me)im just sarted
Flag as inappropriatethanks it is so beautiful
Flag as inappropriateCool! thanks so much!!
Flag as inappropriatethanks alot… great tut :D
Flag as inappropriateI am trilled, I always wanted to do this kinda paintings with icons in photoshop. This is my next project.
Thanks for the tut. dude
Flag as inappropriateWow amazing tutorial! Great work!
Flag as inappropriateThanks for ur tutorial Detail. Thanks millions.
Flag as inappropriategood!!
Flag as inappropriatelove the glassy finish!
Flag as inappropriateNice tut, I have always wondered how people made really glossy icons, this revealed some things to me, thank you.
Flag as inappropriatenice
Flag as inappropriateIt looks great texture!
Flag as inappropriatewowwww..
Flag as inappropriatethis tutorial is so bad written. i mean, i appreciate you work, but dude, did you ever read this??
Flag as inappropriatebravoooooo
Flag as inappropriatenice !!!!!
Flag as inappropriatebut quite tedious….
very detailed.. pretty nice tutorial..!
Flag as inappropriateWhat? Constantin again? Minutes ago I whas reading your tutorials at PsdTuts+ ! You are awesome, man!
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial, although a wee bit hard to follow at points, it’s a clear and thoughtful tutorial. Keep it up.
Flag as inappropriatea bit quite hard, but great result… great job man!
Flag as inappropriatei am gr8 fan of photoshop was looking for some gud tutorials ,i found this ,sounds intresting and in a simplified way,sounds really in a easy steps gr8 post .
Flag as inappropriateNice tut ! I’ll try now :D
Flag as inappropriateNice Tut.
Flag as inappropriatenice tutorial. you can add your tutorial on http://www.tutorialriver.com
Flag as inappropriateHey, I didn’t quite understand the step 7 (the stroke creation) : I create a new layer with the selection of the first shape active, but then lasso tool and “Right+click” ?? What does that mean ?
Flag as inappropriateafter you made your selection arround the shape use the lasso tool and press Right click on the screen then chose stroke. Simple
Flag as inappropriateI just realized that the protect tones option has to be unchecked (which was marked by default) in order to have the desired effect.
Flag as inappropriateGood looking icon… great tut…downloaded..
Flag as inappropriateu set the burn tool in Shadow mode? srry
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial, but when I was trying to use the burning tool it actually didn’t work. The color it appeared was too pale, not like the reddish effect you have. How can i accentuate those corners the way you have it?
Flag as inappropriateu set the burn tool on EXPOSURE mode?
Flag as inappropriateThanks so much for the tutorial. The gloss effect is really something I need to get good at
Flag as inappropriateConstantin Potorac when i open your site, my Avast says that it contains virus! :(
check it out….
Usually a great tut, thanks for sharing!
Flag as inappropriateI assure you there is no virus there… have no idea why it says that. I am using a mac so there are no viruses on my mac. :D
Flag as inappropriateIt’s just your virus software Lawrence. Some folks used to have this same problem with Tutorial9 a while back. It’s poor virus software that relies on strings of text to detect malware, and it VERY OFTEN gets it wrong. For us, it was the word “admin” or something that triggered it.
Flag as inappropriateits true lawerence, try some other software.and update regularly.iam using avira antivirus.use it.
Flag as inappropriateAh Mr.Potorac, you’re on T9 too…gr8 to see u here! Looking forward to some gr8 tuts!
Flag as inappropriateAwesome! tnx
Flag as inappropriateGreat tut! Just love it! Thanks Constantin
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial, thanks!
Flag as inappropriateIt is definitely great tutorial.. Thanks!
Flag as inappropriateI’m trying it out right now. Looks good, and fun too. Only thing–its lightning, not thunder.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial. Very well detailed…Thanks!
Flag as inappropriateThank you all for the support ;)
Flag as inappropriateA very long process for what looks so simple but great! You are a very patient person. As much as i’d love to, i don’t have enough time to create mini photoshop masterpieces like yourself :(
Flag as inappropriateDUDE – this is beautiful. I’m going to take these ideas and apply then to my next project – thanks!
Flag as inappropriateI am a big fan. I’d like to see a tutorial the word “Volt”.
Flag as inappropriatevery cool, love the techniques
Flag as inappropriateGood one…
Flag as inappropriateThank you Andreas for the hard work ;)
Flag as inappropriateCongrats for this tutorial
Love the glossy style ! Keep on !
Flag as inappropriatewonderful tutorial man…u just keep good with the final result but the overall idea is amazing
Flag as inappropriatethanx and added to my blog
Sexy.
I never realized how much work goes into creating a high quality icon.
Flag as inappropriateHey Constantin, great job on the tutorial. Clear and concise and didn’t leave me asking any questions! Looks sleek and professional as well :) Definitely a unique way of going about doing this over just using traditional vectoring and such. Thanks again! – Dave
Flag as inappropriateNice work Constantin. The company I’m starting actually has a lightning bolt in it’s logo. This one definitely has way more detail than my logo and provides some stellar inspiration to enhancing mine before launch.
Thanks!
Flag as inappropriateVery nice tutorial, thank you :D
Flag as inappropriate^_^
Flag as inappropriate