First, start off with a plain canvas. Black or white. It doesn't matter, but I'm going to start out with white. I like it. And it's default. We need an image source. This will be the image I'm going to use.
Image (click to enlarge)
1) First step is to extract (copy and paste) it onto the canvas. You might want to get the image of Touka's face or other bodily features present in the canvas, so you may have to do an EDIT>Free Transform to capture her appearance. (I merged this layer with the background so I wouldn't accidentally do this.) Here is the result:
Copy and Paste
2) Next would be to apply a gradient onto the canvas. So click on NEW LAYER to create Layer 2, and we're going to do a reflected black/white gradient with the white in the foreground color. My result after applying an overlay. Opacity: 75%, Fill 69%:
Gradient
Result
3) Create another new layer. Next we're going to apply another gradient (linear from this point onwards) for some color addition. I overlay again, with 70% opacity, and 40% fill. Just to liven some purple colored highlights on her. The result gives her a more lively look, but still looks washed out.
Colored Gradient
Result
4) Overlay the default Purple/Orange gradient starting from the right side, and then stretching out far onto the other side of the computer screen to get this effect. Apply the Fill setting at 75%. Results may vary depending on how far you wanna stretch the gradient's path. Remember that you can erase when necessary if you feel you don't like the color shade on a particular area.
Orange and Purple Gradient
Result
5) Afterwards we're going to start with creating the next layer (you should be on Layer 5 by now), and then apply a fill color in a DEEP blue. It doesn't have to be deep, but it can't be very light. The above is a link to the color I used to do this. Apply the blending option: EXCLUSION at a 90% opacity and a 65% fill.
Fill
Result
My Result after some soft brushing
6) Next is a texture appliance. Copy and paste this texture (or a texture of your liking that fits the image), and Color Burn 80% opacity, and 64% fill. If you apply a little soft erasing around parts that appear bright, you don't like, you should have something like this.
Texture (click to enlarge)
Result
7) New layer, and we're going to return to the Gradient tool to apply our next gradient. Select the gradient in Tutorial 7's image, and apply it whatever way you feel, to liven up the image some more. Pin Light it to 80% opacity and 40% fill. Leave it alone and it should look something like this.:
Gradient
Result
8) Create Layer 8, and we'll start to get down with brushing techniques. First we want to apply a brush that has a washed out feel. Make these a dark blue, and start to stamp them around the image itself. Don't worry if you get anything on the image, if you don't want it there, we'll come back to soft erase it. Hard Light this layer.
9) On the a new layer (Layer 9), we're going to continue using some brushing, except a black might be a better choice. Apply an overlay with it in the chosen areas, to give it a darker tone and contrast. Combining it with the brushing before, might give it a better feel, or complete distort the image. Apply this layer as Overlay Your choice on what you want to do.
10) New layer again. Start to apply a deep purple (or color of the image) brush on, and/or around areas that have the specific color surrounding it. Apply a new layer, use a lighter shade of purple, and then start to brush again around the dark purple. Make Layer 10 a vivid light, and Layer 11 as a Linear Burn. This is the result of my brushing work. Looks a bit funky and cracked, but we'll cover up some spots soon.
Combined Brushing
11) Here comes the interesting part of the tutorial. Select Layer 1 (or BACKGROUND if you merged it at the beginning), and duplicate the layer. On Layer 1/BACKGROUND copy, take the smudge tool and select the maple leave brush. Start to apply smudging in over the image by stroking the brush over it again and again. This is what you should have something like after applying a complete smudge. Linear Light it, and erase any parts that seem overly bright, or get in your way.
Result
12) Here comes the part where you have to take in your judgment if you want a bright banner, or possibly a dark banner. I'm going with dark for the sake of convenience that this current banner is bright. Brightness should be set at -20, with Contrast at +25. The depth as a whole looks to be much better, and a not overly-bright or dark.
Result
13) Let's sum this up now with some good ole fashioned text. I'm going to use FONT (pt 11): "Arial" and type in a LEFT BRACKET ([) , then I'm going to type in a RIGHT BRACKET (]). Next I'm going to kick in between them and select FONT: "ELEGANTE" and type up: "system: hystrix" for text. I'm going to bold "hystrix" and make "system" 9 pt. Last, I'll apply a new text layer, and type FONT: "Arial" and insert a Tilde (~), followed by FONT: "Ambient" with text: "TOUKA".
14) You're almost out of the water now. Next is the finishing up stage where you go back into each layer and start to adjust them to your likings. Maybe add a different blending layer? Brush up some more? Do what you have to do now, and hopefully finish up anything you need.
15) This goes without saying, Now we need to place a border around the image to at least give it a feel like it's a finished piece. There are MANY ways you can go about doing this, so I'll leave the creativity up to you.
Finished Product
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