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Abstract Blitz

This Abstract Blitz tutorial is a great way to showcase your Photoshop skills and become familiar with commonly used tools. The end result has soft lines combined with great lighting to bring out the contrasting colours.

Step 1

Open up PS, go to File > New, and create an 800 x 600 image with a white background.

Step 2

Next make a new layer by going to Layer > New > Layer, and then click the floodfill bucket icon and make the top layer black.

Step 3

Go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Set the brightness to 100%. Move the crosshair on the image so it’s near the top right hand corner. Set the Lens Type to 50-300mm Zoom. Press Ok.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 4

Now go again to Filter > Render > Lens Flare, but this time move the crosshair so it’s in the bottom left corner, and set the Lens Type to 105mm Prime.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 5

Then go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and make the Brightness 80 and the Contrast 0. Click Ok.

Step 6

Go to Filter > Distort > Twirl and set the Angle to 800.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 7

Then go to Filter > Artistic > Plastic Wrap and set the Highlight Strength to 20, the Detail to 12, and the Smoothness to 9 and press Ok.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 8

Next, find Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates and set to Polar to Rectangular. Then, Edit > Fade Polar Coodinates and set the Opacity to 94 and change the Mode to Colour Burn and press Ok.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 9

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, and mess around with the settings till you find a colour you like.

Step 10

Go to Layer > Duplicate Layer, then Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal. Then you need to set the blending mode to Lighten.

On the right of your screen, you should have a tiny menu. Click the drop down called Normal on the Layers palette. Where it says Normal in the drop down box beaneath the title, select Lighten.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 11

Go to Layer > Flatten Image, then Layer > Duplicate Layer. Go to Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical and set the blending mode for the new, top layer to anything you like, but I recommend Screen to start with, just so you know you can make this tutorial work first!

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 12

That’s it! Try using some of my other tutorials to make your image more original, or colourise it for a different effect. You could use grids, lights, text, anything you want.

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial

Step 13

Optional: Go to Filter > Distort > Polar Co-ordinates. Choose Rectangular to Polar. Then go to Layer > Duplicate Layer. In the layer palette, change the layer from Normal to Screen. You should have this:

Abstract Blitz Photoshop Tutorial