How to create Christmas Wallpapers or Backgrounds

Hello. This is the 2nd tutorial from Christmas series. I will explain how to make a Christmas illustration using Photoshop. So let's begin.

Enjoy your holidays.

Click image to expand.

Create a new document with these dimensions:







Now choose a background color scheme. Use as usual a color fill along with gradient fill.

Click image to expand.

Click image to expand.

Then create a new shape using round shape tool. Create 2 separate shapes on 2 separate layers.

Click image to expand.

Click image to expand.

Then overlay the shapes with rounded gradients (White to foreground). To solve the problem with shapes just create a new layer and fill the gradient directly on it.











Now use a little bit of layer styling on this very layer, not on the shape layer.











And there we have it.

Click image to expand.

Link the shape layer and the gradient layer, link them together and merge using merge linked command.

Click image to expand.

And this what we have now. 2 different non vector layers.



I suggest you to transform the big ball layer to match the lighting.

Click image to expand.

Now what we will do now is a real time reflection. Well you now the reflection in the Christmas ball is like in the mirror. For this we will pick any photo with some interior.

Click image to expand.

Drag it directly to our project area using the move tool (v). it will be on the separate layer automatically.







The dimensions are smaller than I thought so just transform it.











Now apply clipping mask feature.

Click image to expand.

And there we have it our image inside the circle.

Use a layer mask that reveals all to blend the edges a little bit.



And Spherize filter in Filter > Distort menu box.
The layer must be selected.

Click image to expand.

I suggest you to spherize the image several times.



Plus to that change the blending mode to Luminously and opacity level to about 79%-75%.

You can also erase a little bit ob the image to blend the edges.

Click image to expand.

And here we go. This was the first step. Now do the same thing create 2nd clipping mask with the same image.



And round 3 ? the 3rd clipping mask.

Play with opacity and layer modes as well.

paint over it (on a new separate layer) to accent the ball roundness. Spotlights ? with white and shadows with dark blue. Well something like this.



Here is our current layer order. You can see 3 clipping masks. If you're confident in your result just link the 3 clipping masks and you source layer and merge them into 1 single layer.











Create a copy of the big ball layer. We will need it to create a reflection in the smaller ball. So watch.



Select the whole small ball layer and spherize, but our newly created Copy.

Click image to expand.

Create clipping mask.



I've also painted a little bit.

Click image to expand.

With mere PS brush:

Click image to expand.

Now I will create these little metal thingies. Don't even know the name).

For this operation I will use my Wacom tablet. But do know that there are several ways to paint in PS depending on your skills and techniques. Basic color:

Click image to expand.

Midtons.

Click image to expand.

Render the edges.

Click image to expand.

Now I will paint the ribbon.

Click image to expand.

Click image to expand.

A little bit of snow. Can be done with basic brush changing the flow and master diameter.

Click image to expand.

The text. And we are done here.

Click image to expand.

Enjoy your holidays.