How To Create An Abstract Floral Explosion in Photoshop
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how I used several floral stock images and Photoshop brushes to compose a fantastic abstract composition.
Materials Needed:
- Violin
- Rose
- Blood Drip
- Suddenly Spring Brush
- Smoke Brushes
- Crushed Paper Brush
- Debris Brushes
- Flower tattoos brushes
Step 1: Creating a New Document
First of all, create a new document at 1000x1000px and use a white background.

Step 2: Insert The Fiddle
Make a selection around the violin image. The Easiest way to do this step is by using the Magic Wand tool ( see settings below, make sure you activate the add to Selection button (circled on left) and check the (Contiguous option). Click several times to select all of the background area, which is colored white. Then Inverse the selection (just press Ctrl+Shift+I).

Press Ctrl+C to copy the violin (which is now selected), and then paste ( Ctr+V ) it to the document we created before. Adjust the size by using Free Transform Command (Press Ctrl+T).

Step 3: Add The Leaf Image
Open the rose image. Using Polygonal Lasso tool, create selection around the leaf. See image below.

When you’re done with selection, copy and paste leaf image over the violin’s layer in the other document. Clear the white color around the leaf by using Magic Wand tool (just click the white color and then press Delete). Deselect by pressing Ctrl+D.

Drag the leaf layer (Layer 2) below violin’s layer (Layer 1). Using Free Transform command (Ctrl+T), adjust the size and rotate it to right a bit. Press Enter when you’re done.

Step 4: Color Adjustment
Editing would be simpler if we rename layers by it’s content, so feel free to do so. I’ll refer to layers by name to make things simpler from this point on. Just rename layer 1 to "violin" and layer 2 to "leaf".
Select the violin layer, then press Ctrl+L to bring up the Levels dialog. Adjust Input Levels valueas shown below to increase the contrast. Click OK when done.

Activate the leaf layer, use the Levels command to make increase the leaf’s contrast. Then use Hue/Saturation (Ctrl+ U) command to adjust leaf’s color to make the greens more vibrant, green, and saturated. See image below for details.

Step 5: Arranging Leaves Part.1
Duplicate the leaf layer by pressing Ctrl+J. With the leaf layer copy still selected, adjust the position and rotate it right a bit. See image example below.

Repeat this duplicating process until you get 5 leaf layers. Play around with the size, rotation and position of each leaf layers until you get a very nice layout. Remember, we’re using the Free Transform function, so be sure to touch up on the Transform functions if you’re having trouble.

Step 6: Shadows and Highlights
Click the original leaf layer (It should be the bottom leaf layer). Select the Burn tool. Pick a soft round brush and adjust the brush diameter around 30 to 40 px. Reduce the Exposure value to 25%. Now use it to create shadows like shown in this example.

Now we need to make highlights using the Dodge tool. Make sure you pick a soft round brush and reduce the Exposure value to 25% when doing this.

Repeat this process for all of the leaves layer. You should be end with leafs that have much more depth than when we began.

Step 7: Duplicating Leaves
This kind of illustration always ends with a lot of layers, so it’s a better idea to keep these layers organized within layer groups. Below, you can see the simplest way to create a layer group and rename them after.

Now we’re going to balance the composition by duplicated the leaves on the right of the violin to show on the left as well. Rather than starting from scratch, you can just duplicate the group we just created by right clicking on the leaf right layer group, then choosing Duplicate Group from the popup menu.
Name the layer group duplicate’s: leaf left. With the layer group leaf left still selected, click menu Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal, all leaf layers should be flipped to the left now. Using the Move tool, drag the layer group leaf left so the leaves are positioned on the violin’s left side.

Step 8: Arranging Leaves Part.2
Duplicate layer group leaf left, rename its duplicate to leaf-FL. Drag layer group leaf-FL over the violin layer.

Re-arrange the leaves using Move tool and Free Transform command. Try to make the leaves’s layout like the one below. Because the leaves are different from before, you should re-define the shadow and highlight area of each leave. Use Dodge and Burn tool to do this.

Duplicate layer group leaf-FL, and then rename the duplicated layer group to leaf-FR . Flip the leaves via menu Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal. Place these leaves on the bottom right of violin.

Step 9: Arranging Leaves Part.3
Duplicate leaf-FL layer group once more, then rename the duplicated group to leaf-BL. Drag this layer group below layer group leaf right.

Re-arrange the leaves using Move tool and Free Transform command. Arrange the leaves’s layout like the one below. Again, redefine shadows as needed, and duplicate this group so that there are leaves along the back left and back right of the violin.

Step 10: Adding the Rose
Open the rose image again. Select the rose petals, using any selection tool you like. The fastest way is using Quick Selection tool ( available only in Photoshop CS3/CS4 ), but you can also use Magic Wand or polygonal lasso tool.
When done selecting, copy and paste the rose
image over the leaf-FR layer group. Adjust rose’s size and then place it down with the leaves.

Rename layer 3 (rose’s layer) to rose. Bring up the Levels Dialogue (Ctrl+L), then adjust theinput levels value until rose’s color becomes more vibrant as shown below. If you’re not satisfied with the result, use the burn and dodge tools to bring out the shadowns and highlights in the Rose.

Step 11: Adding a Blood Drip
For my piece, I’d like to add some flare to the Rose with a drop of blood falling from it. Open the blood image, select it using any selection tool you like. When done, copy-paste it over the rose’s layer.

Rename layer 3 to blood. Now drag it down so it placed below rose’s layer. Adjust the blood’s size and then place it below the rose.

Step 12: Expanding Canvas Size
By using Crop tool, make a rectangular selection like this one below. Then adjust the control point so it’s out of the canvas. Press Enter to finish this step (only effective within Photoshop CS above). The canvas should be expanded right now.
If you don’t have photoshop CS yet, expand canvas size from the Image > Canvas Size menu.

Step 13: Shadow layer
Create a new layer above the violin layer. Name the new layer "shadow".

Grab the Brush tool. Pick a soft round brush with 65px diameter size. Set the Mode to Normal and reduce Opacity to 25%. Start drawing shadows for the leaves (make sure you set the foreground color to black) using the Brush tool. See the example below.

Step 14: Using Floral Brush
Create a new layer below the violin layer. Name the new layer to floral. Load the Suddendly Spring Brushes and make sure you set the brush Opacity back to 100%.

Use these brushes to create some flower shape around the violin. Vary the brush size and shape until you get a nice result.

Step 15: Alter the Floral Color
Create a new layer between the floral and violin layer. Name the new layer to floral color. Set foreground color to red and background color to black. Then use Filter> Render> Clouds to create a red and black cloud..

To put the clouds inside the flowery shape( floral layer ), simply press Alt+Ctrl+G (make sure you still have the floral color layer selected). Now floral color has become a clipping mask, the clouds will now appear inside the floral shapes.

Step 16: Adding Debris
Load the Debris Brush. Then Create a new layer above floral color layer (if the new layer becomes a clipping mask, simply press Alt+Ctrl+G to cancel it). Name the new layer, debris. Use the debris brushes to create some debris around the leaves and violin. For better result, vary the brush size and color so it matches the environment.

Step 17: Coloring Background
Grab the Gradient tool. From the option bar, choose foreground to background color and make sure you activate the linear gradient button. Change the foreground color to #C4DF9C and background color to white. Select the background layer, then use Gradient tool to create the gradient (drag it vertically from bottom to top).

Step 18: Adding Paper Texture
Load the Crushed Paper Brush. Pick pure pea green (#8dc63f) as the brush color.

Show the Brush Pallette by pressing F5. Then open the Brush Tip Shape option. Adjust brush Diameter to 1400px and Change the Angle to 90. Use this brush to create the crushed paper texture (still on the background layer).

Step 19: Adding Smoke
Load the Smoke and Ink Brushes. Pick white as the brush color. Now use it to draw some mystic smoke around the violin. If the smoke is too bright, undo your work and then try lowering the brush opacity before you draw the smoke again.

Step 20: Adding Smoke
Load the Flower Tattoos Brushes. Pick some of this brush to create an ornament below the violin. For better result, vary the brush color. You may end up like this example below.

Step 21: Adding Text
Almost done! I’m going to name my piece, and maybe you’ll choose to do the same. Using the Horizontal Type tool, add some text above the ornate markings created previously.

And you’re done! Hope you enjoy the tutorial and learned something new here!
147 Comments
this is really awesome
Flag as inappropriatethank you for sharing
Great tutorial and resources, Thank you!
Flag as inappropriateI enjoyed working with it.
Thanks!
Flag as inappropriateThe brushes are awesome!
Wow! Have tried this with some of my own ideas… Great stuff and so easy to do once you know how.
Keep posting more tutorials like these please! ;-)
Flag as inappropriateOne of the most thorough tutorials I’ve seen. Thank you for including all brushes with it.
Flag as inappropriatevist for basic training of photoshop
Flag as inappropriatehttp://training4free.co.cc/Basic%20training/Basic%20training.html
Thanks for brushes!
Flag as inappropriatecheck out my final result….:D
Flag as inappropriatehttp://rashad-al.deviantart.com/#/d2x5k23
Me encanta este tutorial, solo que necesito la foto de la rosa que ya no está disponible. Gracias.
Flag as inappropriateI love this tutorial. Thank you. :)
http://i35.tinypic.com/1zz5a4x.jpg
Flag as inappropriateThat is my final result of the first one, though I plan to mess around with it more. And I am going to try to get one printed off for a book cover at school. This was a really nice, unique thing. Thanks again!
Hi
Flag as inappropriatevery great tutorial
but plz tell me name of brushes thanks
I finished my version 3 minutes ago, but I exchange the violin for a guitar and I in love with it.
Jayan thanx for the tutorial, I learned a lot of thing and I see a lot of details that i never paid attetion.
Flag as inappropriatewhat version of photoshop is this
Flag as inappropriateBUEN TRABAJO…..ESPERO Q SIGAS APORTANDO BUENOS TRABAJOS.
Flag as inappropriateIt’s very great idea and would be interesting for it!
Flag as inappropriateThank a lots for make me know this idealy !!!
Well done, I enjoyed do this, and added a bit of my own.
http://tinypic.com/r/y185y/3
Flag as inappropriateNice brushes for PS
Flag as inappropriatevery good! Thank you for tutorial.
Flag as inappropriatevery good! Thank you for tutorial.
Flag as inappropriateAwesome, thanks a lot, I love it!
Flag as inappropriateThank you for tutorial.
Flag as inappropriatesuper work…..
Flag as inappropriateits very difficult..bt nice 2 see……….
thank u 4 sharing……….
Super work………
Flag as inappropriateits very difficult to create, bt nice to see………
thank u 4 sharing……..
thx u so much
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I love this! Thank you so much for making this tutorial!! Now I know how to use some of the tools on this program…..there’s so many!! =)
Flag as inappropriatecomplicated!!
Flag as inappropriatethanks!!!!!
Flag as inappropriategreat tut.. you’re my favourite author, i love all of your books. tnx bro, i’m proud with u.. indonesian graphic designer
Flag as inappropriateGreat tip, Thank you for share these!
Flag as inappropriateTut yang bagus bos, tp gambar cari yang free dong. ato stock photo punya km aja. abis imagesnya gak free. jadi susah praktekan tuts anda.
Flag as inappropriatemantap gan.thanks
Flag as inappropriatebest tutorial I ever made!!! very good explanation and stunning :)
Flag as inappropriatewow…superp one..u r great
Flag as inappropriatethnkz…lot..itz nice vrk to lern
Flag as inappropriategreat i never seen before.53
Flag as inappropriategreat i never seen before.46
Flag as inappropriategreat i never seen before.41
Flag as inappropriateits very nice. Great post
Flag as inappropriatewahh..
Flag as inappropriatekeren nih..
thx ya..
gooood,
Flag as inappropriateDia raja desain dari palembang, indonesia
You are really a professional designer …. And Thank God .. Ahmed Lord God, and the religion, but Khalk Slaam … What is type in the Google Alaslaaam?? You’ll find a lot about it .. Peace be upon you .. Subhaan God
Flag as inappropriate不错,不错,赞个
Flag as inappropriatei love it, that is my favorite instrument
great work
Flag as inappropriateI love followin ur tuts there easy to copy thxxx
Flag as inappropriateGreat Tutorial
Flag as inappropriateThank you for sharing… :D
so beeutufull modling i am happy your work and you very dangres man.
Flag as inappropriateotro gran tutorial de una buena composicion, en su ejecucion se aprende autilizar las diferentes herramientas muy didactico.
Flag as inappropriategreat……!
Flag as inappropriateBeatifull! great……!
Flag as inappropriateGreat job Jay. Awesome tutorial!
Flag as inappropriatethanks a lot! had a good time learning it ^^
Flag as inappropriateThat’s very nice. Great tutorial.
Flag as inappropriateBest tutorial ever seen.Very well explained.thanx for sharing.
Flag as inappropriategreat……!
Flag as inappropriatethanks a lot…
Flag as inappropriateThanks a lot~~ I really love it ,your tutorial is so well-orgnized and clear,and at the same time you offered the free material that is going to be used in the work~ I really appreciate your effort ~!!
Flag as inappropriatei’m very interested…it’s very beautifull
Flag as inappropriateBeatifull!
Flag as inappropriateCongratulationz
Nice tutorial
super dooper awesome..
Flag as inappropriateExcellent website.. Nice approach
Flag as inappropriateVery…very…good!!!!!
Flag as inappropriateSimple and beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Flag as inappropriategood but not great
Flag as inappropriatedamn thank you alot ….tahts what i been looking for in like one year
Flag as inappropriatekeren! You make us proud dude
Flag as inappropriateReally cool! I made mine with a guitar hehe http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3707295412_05699079aa.jpg
Flag as inappropriatereally nice piece of art great effort
Flag as inappropriatethanx for you time
peace
its a nice tutorial, thanks.
Flag as inappropriategreat piece. I just wanna know the name of the font used in the header example of this tutorial. Does anyone know which font that is?
Flag as inappropriateVery very nice work, I love the design.
Flag as inappropriateHow can you have such fantasy?
Thank you very much.
Great tutorial! And some very interesting techniques for achieving various effects!
Flag as inappropriateVery cool the tutorial, thx :)
Flag as inappropriateThis tutorial looks awesome. I will try it out tomorrow and let you know how it goes :)
Flag as inappropriatepretty cool.
Flag as inappropriateyes
Flag as inappropriateMuchos gracias amigo!!!
Flag as inappropriateDamn I had been ignorant about these brushes till now!
Awesome design n tip man!
very nice
Flag as inappropriateLoved it, thank you.
Flag as inappropriateomg really nice tut
Flag as inappropriateI don’t really like the text, but the overall design and composition is great!
Featured here: http://www.presidiacreative.com/best-of-the-web-27/
Flag as inappropriateCool job bro…tnx a lot..
Flag as inappropriateGreat work , man.Thanks
Flag as inappropriateGreat tutorial. Instructions are easy to follow and the outcome was awesome. Thankyou!
Flag as inappropriatehey…its a great tut but i do have a question…i’m asking myself whether the suddenly brushes and so on is just for photoshop cs2 or something like that? because i couldnt replace the brushes because it wasnt comptible…i would be relly hapyy if you’ll help me
Flag as inappropriateAwesome tut , keep it up :D .. <3 Tut9.net
Flag as inappropriateawesome tutorial bro
Flag as inappropriategonna try it now :)
Beautiful tutorial!
The result is stunning and I love the way it is explained. Great job!
Flag as inappropriatewow great tutorial.
Flag as inappropriatethe final result looks cool.
thanks everyone! as for the text, i do agree it doesn’t fit the theme :) next time will be better…
Flag as inappropriateThis is amazing, I will give it a try !
Flag as inappropriateGreat tut. Easy to follow and do.
Would be nice to have a bloody font or make the text look like it’s dripping blood :P
Flag as inappropriateWOW! Neat tutorial!
Flag as inappropriategreat work, thanx
Flag as inappropriateWow, very cool Jayan! Some orchestra member needs to get this tattooed on their back, seriously.
Flag as inappropriateI’ve done the tutorial. Thanks a lot!
Flag as inappropriateI’m noob about using psd, but I’ve learn slowly from your website. Thanks a lot!
Yes,
the Result is really nice…
great Techniques, too – good Tutorial
Greets
Flag as inappropriatefrom Germany
Awesome tutorial, and beautiful end result!! Lots of techniques learned here – thanks!!
Flag as inappropriateFantastic tut!!! impressing result
Flag as inappropriateReally Good work.. tHanks
Flag as inappropriateExcellent tutorial. Keep up the good work
Flag as inappropriategreat tutorial, thanks. reminds me of some of apocalyptica album artwork.
Flag as inappropriategood work
Flag as inappropriateim from Indonesia too :-)
the text on the end is a failure :/ whole pict is v.nice but that font :/
Flag as inappropriateI really like the final product, but I don’t like the way that the text just looks slapped on there. A swirly font would fit so much more.
Flag as inappropriatekeren mass…
Flag as inappropriatesharing lagi ya tutorialnya
two thumbs up
That came out extremely well, thanks for the inspirational piece.
Flag as inappropriateGreat tut, thanks !
Flag as inappropriateawesome, the out come is incredible
Flag as inappropriate