This small tutorial is very suitable for people who want to learn mouse drawing in Photoshop but can't get started. It can be used as a starting imitation exercise.
In this tutorial you'll learn how to draw a sunset using simple tools and techniques. We will use Photoshop brush tools, smear tools, rectangular and elliptical marquee tools, and gradient tools. We can see the painting and expression techniques of the sun, sunset sky, grass and palm trees.
1. Create a new document with a width of 200 pixels, a height of 300 pixels, a resolution of 72 pixels/inch, and a black background.
2. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (shortcut key M)
Draw a rectangular selection in the document. Click the New button at the bottom of the Layers palette
, create a new blank layer.
Press the G key and select the Gradient Fill Tool
.Click the gradient bar on the property bar and set the following gradient.
Set the gradient mode to "Radial Gradient" on the property bar.
Place the cursor in the bottom middle of the selection and drag the gradient to the upper left or upper right.
Press CTRL+D to deselect. Your image should now look like this. Rename this layer "bg".
3. Next, let’s draw the sun. Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool (shortcut key M)
Draw a circular selection in the image.
Set the foreground color to "#ffdc04". Click the New button at the bottom of the Layers palette
Create a new blank layer, then press Ctrl+Backspace to fill the selection with the foreground color. Press Ctrl+D to cancel the selection, and name this layer "Sun".
Next select the smudge tool
Paint around the sun to create a light effect. As shown below.
Filter--Blur--Radial Blur. Set Amount to "3", Mode to "Rotate", and Quality to "High".
Left-click the "Sun" layer in the Layers palette and select "Copy Layer".
Press Ctrl+T to Free Transform, and set the width and height to 130% in the property bar.
Set the SUN copy's blending mode to "Overlay" and its opacity to 30% in the Layers palette.
4. Next we draw the grass. Select brush tool
Select a feather brush in the property bar.
Create a new layer
Use a brush to draw grass in the image and name it "Grass".
Next select the smudge tool
Apply a circular motion on the GRASS layer and smooth it.
5. Next we will draw the palm trees.
Select the brush tool
Select a 5 pixel diameter brush from the property bar. Create a new layer
Use a brush to draw the shape of the tree trunk.
Next we will draw branches and leaves. Create a new blank layer
Use the brush tool
Draw the rough shapes of branches and leaves
Use the smudge tool
Paint the layer, roughly as shown below:
Create a new layer
, using a pixel brush tool
draw palm leaves
Use the smudge tool
Smooth a layer
The final effect is as follows:
