123RF Tutorial Creating an Enchanting Ice Fairy - Part 1

In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to create an ice fairy in an oceanic environment. Due to the length and complexity of this tutorial, it was divided into 3 parts. This is the first part of a three part tutorial on how to create an enchanting Ice Fairy.
 
Here's the rest of the tutorial. Enjoy!
Final Image:





Step 1
First and foremost, open the main image. Press W to use the Magic Wand tool and hold Shift to select the white background. Once done, press Ctrl + Shift + I to inverse the selection. Next, click on the masking icon as shown below in the Layers' panel. You should be able to see the model on a transparent background by now.
Image ID: 5371315 © Sergey Anatolievich Pristyazhnyuk 123RF.com



Step 2
Select the “mask” layer and press New Layer icon to create a New Empty layer.


Step 3
Click the arrow icon on the layers' panel and select Merge Layers or press Ctrl + E to combine “mask” and “layers 1” together.


Step 4
There are a few unnecessary elements on the model's body that can be removed by using Clone Stamp Tool (press S) or Patch Tool (press J).


Step 5
“Layer 1” will be an important layer in which we will be using regularly throughout the tutorial.
Select “Layer 1” and press Ctrl + J to duplicate another copy of “Layer 1”.


Step 6
Next, go to Filter > Noise > Median.


Step 7
Set Median radius amount to 5 pixels.


Step 8
Click on the masking icon to add a new layer mask. Press B to use Brush tool for masking. You can always press “\” to check your masking areas. The red highlight are areas which will be enhanced on the model.


Step 9
Go to Filter > Artistic > Cutout. The setting is Number of Levels:8, Edge Simplicity:0, Edge Fidelity:3.


Step 10
Go to Filter > Noise > Median again and set the Radius to 23 pixels.


Step 11
Set this “Layer 1 copy” opacity to 60%.


Step 12
Press and hold Shift to select “Layer 1” and “Layer 1 copy” in Layers panel.


Step 13
Press Ctrl + E to merge this two layers. Note: We might need to use “Layer 1” again in later steps, so duplicate it before merging or save it to another new file for back up purposes.


Step 14
Press Ctrl + J to duplicate another layer.


Step 15
Go to Filter > Liquify to adjust the edges of the toning so it is smoother.


Step 16
The red circles are areas which I have made changes using Liquify.


Step 17
Press Ctrl + B to use color balance to change the object color and follow these settings – Shadows:-52,+13,+40; Midtones:-42,+9,+73; Highlights:-38,+7,+58.


Step 18
Press Ctrl + J to duplicate another layer.


Step 19
Double click the foreground icon and set the color to R:146, G:203, B:252.


Step 20
After that, double click the background icon and set the color to R:55, G:107, B:212.


Step 21
Go to Filter > Artistic > Neon Glow.


Step 22
Set the Glow Size to 3 and Glow Brightness to 25. Click on the Glow Color to change the color to R:55, G:55, B:129.


Step 23
In this layer, change to Overlay mode and Opacity to 70%.


Step 24
Bring “Layer 1” out and put it under “Layer 1 copy 2”.


Step 25
Select “Layer 1 copy 2” and change its Opacity to 70%.


Step 26
Select “Layer 1 copy 3”.


Step 27
Go to Filter > Artistic > Plastic Wrap.


Step 28
My setting for this Plastic Wrap effect is Highlight Strength:8, Detail:10, Smoothness:14.


Step 29
Press Ctrl + J to duplicate “Layer 1 copy 4” and set this layer's mode to Pin light and Opacity 70%.


Step 30
Press and hold Shift to select “Layer 1”, “Layer 1 copy 2”, “Layer 1 copy 3” and “Layer 1 copy 4”. Press Ctrl + E to merge these layers.


Step 31
Press Ctrl + J to duplicate another layer.


Step 32
Go to Filter > Sketch > Chrome.


Step 33
In the Chrome palette, set your Details to 3 and Smoothness to 8.


Step 34
Go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance or press Ctrl + B.


Step 35
Follow these settings in Color Balance palette – Shadows:-36,+7,+31; Midtones:-41,0,+57; Highlights:-23,0,+48.


Step 36
Go to Filter > Artistic > Plastic Wrap.

Step 37
Key in these settings for Plastic Wrap effect. Highlight Strength:5, Detail:8, Smoothness:4.


Step 38
Set this “Layer 1 copy 5” to Overlay mode and 25% of Opacity.


Step 39
Click on Masking icon to create layer mask and press B to mask the darkest area. I prefer to enhance the darkened area because it can create a depth of field on the object and maintain the quality of the focus point at the same time.


Step 40
Select these two layers by pressing and holding on to the “Shift” key.


Step 41
Press Ctrl + E to merge layers.

Step 42
Press W to select Magic Wand tool and set the Tolerance amount to 12. Press and hold Shift to click on the highlighted areas.


Step 43
Click on the icon to create a new empty layer.


Step 44
Click on the Forground Color to change the color to R:193 G:238 B:248.


Step 45
Press Alt + Delete to fill color and set the Opacity to 50%.


Step 46
Press and hold Shift to select “Layer 1” and “Layer 1 copy 5”.


Step 47
Again, you can press Ctrl + E to merge the layers

...to be continued

Remember, this is the first of 3 tutorials! Stay tuned to see the rest of it soon!