Photoshop detailed depiction of Christmas holly leaves
Author：Eve Cole
Update Time：2009-05-30 20:59:21
1. Create a new file in Photoshop, set Width:150pixels, Height150:pixels. Create a new layer, select Pen Tool (P), and draw the basic shape of half a holly leaf. You can refer to the sample picture. 
2. Now we start to adjust the path, select the Convert Point Tool, hold down the [Alt] key (Mac: Option), and click the intersection point on the path. You will see a controllable handle. Move it to convert the straight path into a Gotta bend. 
3. Repeat the second step until all the edges of the leaves become curved. Please do not be too hasty. The effect will be as shown in the picture. 
4. Right-click (Mac: Option-click) on the path you made, select "Make Selection" on the pop-up menu, and set Feather Radius: 0pixels. Now use Paint Bucket to fill the selection area with green, I choose Hex: #4DC847. 
5. Now select the Pencil Tool (B), use bright green, I choose Hex: #00FF00. Draw the stem on the leaf. When you draw, be careful to ensure that the entire leaf is selected, so that you will not draw the stem. Go outside the leaves. The result should be similar to the sample picture. 
6. Select the Rectangualr Marquee Tool (M), hold down the [Alt]+[Ctrl]+[Shift] keys, and copy the leaves (drag the selection area to the appropriate position). The effect is as shown in the sample. 
7. Flip the selection area and choose Edit>Transform>Flip Horzonal. Now fuse the two halves of the leaf. You can use your mouse to move the selection to your liking, but I recommend using the arrow keys on your keyboard for more precision. 
8. Execute the menu Select>Diselect command to cancel the selection, use Line Tool (U), select a dark green color, hold down the [Shift] key, and draw the stem in the middle of the leaf. 
9. Hold down the [Ctrl] key (Mac: Command) and click on the layer where the leaves are located, so that you can select the leaves. Execute the menu Select>Modify>Contract, set Contract By: 8pixels, and then click OK. 
10. Hold down the [Alt] key (Mac: Option), use the Rectangualr Marquee Tool (M), and select half of the leaf. Now your image should look the same. 
11. Now we start to make the shadow part of the leaf. Select the menu Select>Feather, set feather Radius: 2pixels, and press OK. Set the foreground color to dark green, I used Hex #136023. Now select Edit>Fill and set Use: Foreground Color; Opacity: 40%. Then deselect the area (execute the menu Select>Diselect command). 
12. Now we have the final effect. Repeat steps 9, 10, and 11, but this time select the other side of the leaf. When executing the Edit>Fill command, set the foreground color to Hex #00FF00. 
13. Hold down the [Ctrl] key and click the layer where the leaf is located to select the entire leaf. Set the foreground to dark green, execute the menu Edit>Stroke, and set Width: 1px; Location: Center. 
14. Now you just need to copy more leaves and rotate them. 
