Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop

Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a dreamy woman portrait using adjustment layers, masking and colors.

Final Image

Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Tutorial Details

  • Program : Photoshop CS3 +
  • Estimated Completion Time : 60 minutes
  • Difficulty : Intermediate

Resources

Step 1

Create a new 1500×1500 px document in Photoshop and fill it with white. Browse the flower background and add it to the white canvas as shown below:
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 2

Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and change the radius to 67.4 or any similar values to make the background much blurred.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 3

Open the model image. Drag this image into our main canvas using the Move Tool (V) and resize it to fit the size of the existing document.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 4

Click the second icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to add a mask to this layer. Use a soft black brush to remove the background around the model image. The remaining background will be blended later.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 5

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation and set it to Clipping Mask . Change the Saturation value to -14 :
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 6

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer and change the Midtones settings. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the model’s skin not to make it too red.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 7

Make a Curves adjustment layer to brighten the model. Paint on the front of the model as we aim to make the main light from behind her.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 8

Create another layer and use a soft brush with the color #ab4859 to paint on the lips to make them more vibrant. Change this layer mode to Soft Light 100% .
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 9

Use a Curves adjustment layer on top of the layers and reduce the lightness. On this layer mask, paint around the model so she is not affected by this adjustment layer.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 10

Make a Color Fill layer on top of the layers and pick the color #170834 . Change this layer mode to Exclusion 100% :
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 11

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer and change the Midtones and Highlights settings:
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 12

Add a Levels adjustment layer to make the top of the background a bit darker. Use a soft black brush to keep the brightness of the rest.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 13

Place the bokeh image onto the main document and change the mode to Screen 100% .
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 14

Add a mask to this layer and use a soft black brush to remove the bokeh on the model’s chest.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 15

Apply a Gaussian Blur of 37 px to this layer.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 16

Make a Curves adjustment layer to darken the effect. On the layer mask, erase the model area as shown below:
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 17

Create a new layer and paint on the area beside the model’s head with a soft brush and the color #230c01 to create more light. Change the layer mode to Linear Dodge 100%.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 18

To make the light stronger, create a new layer and paint with the color #ab4859 and alter its mode to Screen 100%:
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 19

Use another layer and a soft brush with the color #6c6989 to change the light at the bottom of the image. Change the layer mode to Linear Dodge 100%.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 20

Add a Levels adjustment layer to darken the background. Use a soft black brush to erase the effect on the model.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 21

Make a Vibrance adjustment layer to enhance the background. Paint on the model area so it’s not affected by this adjustment layer.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11

And We’re Done!

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial.
Create a Dreamy Woman Portrait in Adobe Photoshop 11