Learn about special effects while converting an ordinary orb into a fantasy art piece in this Adobe Photoshop tutorial.

Let抯 create a new file, having 1024x768 px and 72 dpi which must be processed with the Paint Bucket Tool (G) and the color #BBC2BB



Next we shall select the Rectangle Tool (U) to represent the next demonstrated element:



Set the next parameters for the last made layer by clicking on this layer on the layers?panel. Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 



Make a copy of the last created layer, setting different parameters for the new copy ?layer. Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 



Use now the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw the basis for the rounded element抯 body, so called emoticon. The layer抯 color is #3464AE

 

The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Inner Shadow

 



Use the same tool for representing the highlight on this figure, colored with #8AD5FF



The layer抯 parameters: Fill 50%
Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Stroke

 



Press Alt button and then make a mouse click between the highlight抯 layers and the emoticon抯 layer (on the layers?panel).

 



Make a copy of the highlight抯 layer and choose after that the Free Transform option to place the copy the way demonstrated below:



Press Alt button as we did earlier, making simultaneously a mouse click between the layers (on the layers?panel).

 

The layer抯 parameters: Blending mode-Color Burn



Select again the known instrument ?the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw the next highlight on the rounded element.



The layer抯 parameters: Fill 0%
Blending mode-Soft Light
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 



Using the same instrument, try to draw the next highlight for our picture.



The layer抯 parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 

Selecting the same Ellipse Tool (U), it抯 possible to represent one more highlight of white color.



The layer抯 parameters: Fill 10%
Blending mode-Hard Mix



Next we have to make the eye for the emoticon, applying the well ?known Ellipse Tool (U).



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 



Make a copy of the last represented layer and choose Free Transform option to place the copied layer the same way shown below, changing also the parameter for the new layer.
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 

 

Select again the Ellipse Tool (U) and continue drawing the emoticon抯 eye. The layer is of white color this time.



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Select the previous instrument to draw the next layer belonging to the eye. The layer has this color - #DCDCDC



Applying the Ellipse Tool (U), it抯 possible to draw the pupil of the eye of black color.



Getting the final result is possible when combining those three layers of the left eye in a single group (press CTRL button for marking out the appropriate buttons and then hold on the left mouse抯 button to take the marked layers on Create a new group option). Make a copy of this new made group and choose Free Transform option for situating the copy on our emoticon抯 right side.



Pass to represent the left nose抯 nostril, applying the same Ellipse Tool (U).



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 

 

Applying the previous tool, try to create the next layer, belonging to the nostril.



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 

 

Combine in a group all the layers composing the nostril (it抯 necessary firstly to press Ctrl button for choosing the appropriate layers and then hold on the left mouse抯 button to move down the marked layers on Create a new group solution). Make a copy of the new made group and choose Free Transform option to place the copy as it is indicated next image:



It抯 time to use the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw the emoticon抯 mouth. For the beginning we抣l draw the element抯 basis and then press Alt button while using the same tool, to cut out the unnecessary elements. The layer抯 color is black.



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss



Blending Options>Stroke



Gradient抯 parameters:

 

 

Create a new layer and use on it a standard brush (Brush Tool (B)) with the color #626469 for drawing the teeth.

 



Press Alt button and make a mouse click between the teeth?layers and the mouth抯 one (on the layers?panel).

 



Using the Ellipse Tool (U), we抣l try representing the emoticon抯 hand. It抯 necessary to create firstly the basis of the element we want to draw and then press Alt button when using simultaneously the same tool, to cut out the unnecessary elements of the hand. The layer is of the color #5E9CD7



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Inner Shadow



Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss

 



Make a copy of the last made layer and select the Free Transform option to turn it around and place it as the picture from below indicates it. We have to change also the parameters for the copy ?layers.
Blending Options>Inner Shadow

 

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient抯 parameters:

 



Next we shall draw the emoticon抯 legs. In this case we抣l take the same Ellipse Tool (U), represent the primary layer and then press Alt button to cut out that part demonstrated below, applying simultaneously the mentioned above tool. Next using the Rectangle Tool (U) and keeping pressed Alt button, we抣l cut out one more part from the bottom, as it is indicated on the next image. The layer has this color - #5A93C8



The layer抯 parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss

 



Make a copy of the leg抯 layer and choose then Free Transform option to turn around the copy, placing it the same way shown below and changing the parameters for the copy ?layer with those demonstrated next table: Blending Options>Bevel and Emboss

 

 



The emoticon is finished!

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