This document provides instructions for creating a photorealistic image of hands on fire in Photoshop using layers, brushes, and adjustments. The tutorial guides the user to darken an image of hands, create orange dots to represent fireballs using different sized brushes, use the smudge tool to make tongues of fire, add light effects with masks and adjustments, create sparks with a custom brush, and finish with highlights to make the image more realistic.

1. For DUMMIES A Photoshop Tutorial Charnelle Julian

2. Take a photo of your hands

3. Darken The Image Add an Adjustment Layer called Levels Go to Layer  New Adustment Layer  Levels Select “ Group with Previous Layer” Adjust levels to 51- 1,00- 255

4. Drawing fire Make sure you’re in RGB Mode . Make a New Layer and select a Soft Brush Size . You will make a “dot” using a dark orange color (#993300) with a brush size of 900 You will make a “dot” using a lighter orange color (#449933) with a brush size 700 You will make a “dot” using a lighter color (#ffcc66) with a brush size of 500 You will make a “dot” using a lighter color (#ffff66) with a brush size of 200

5. Creating “tongues” of fire Select the Smudge Tool Pick a small, soft size, and make “fire tongues” Click somewhere inside the dot, click, hold, and drag up Smudge until you are satisfied NOTE: you can change the strength parameter

6. Making fire realistic Realism may be added by adding light on the hands. Go to Quick Mask Mode Select a big, soft brush, and draw where you think the light should appear. Leave Quick Mask Mode . You will see a selection Inverse the selection by going to Select  Inverse Select the hands layer Create another adjustment layer by holding the alt key down and going to image  adjustment  color balance Adjust levels as indicated by the photo to the right

7. Making fire MORE realistic Select the Color Balance Adjustment Layer Mask Using black soft brush, “erase” some lights Using white, add some lights until you feel that it looks good.

8. Creating a special brush Small sparks may be created with a special brush. The brush may be prepared by going to Window  Brushes . Adjust to the specifications as indicated by the photo to the right.

9. Drawing the sparks Create a new layer titled “sparks” Draw some sparks over the fire. Lower the opacity of the layer to 64% Use an orange color used for the fireball

10. Finishing Touches Change to a regular soft brush and use color (#ffffcc) Select fireball layer and make a bright dot inside of it for better effect. Admire your final result!