Design an Angelic Style Owl Warrior with Abstract Patterns in Photoshop

In this tutorial, I will show you the steps I took to create this Angelic Style Owl Warrior with Fractal Brushes in Photoshop. Along the way, I will show you a few interesting tricks in creating some abstract patterns around the warrior, as well as the use of fractal brushes to decorate the image. Have a try!
Here is a preview of the final effect I have for this tutorial: (click to enlarge)

Step 1

Create a new document sized 800px * 1100px with black background, use a soft white brush to paint some ground pattern as shown below:

Add some cloud above the ground. You can use a 30px feather Lasso Tool to draw a selection, then render some cloud with the cloud filter inside the selection. Reduce the layer opacity to around 40 for the cloud layer:

Step 2

Load the model image into Photoshop, select the model with quick selection tool, copy and paste it onto our canvas, resize it to fit:

Use the magic wand tool to remove the undesired parts:


Also erase the edge of the feet a bit with a small soft eraser:

Paint some shadow under the feet with a soft black brush:

Use the grungy brush you downloaded, set the brush opacity and flow to around 40%, paint some texture to the body to make it look a bit dirty:

Step 3

Add the following 3 adjustment layers on the model layer (as clipping mask):
Black and White

Curves

Levels

and here is the effect so far:

Step 4

Create a new layer under the model layer, grab a 1px brush with the following settings:

Use this brush, paint on the edges of the body to create a rough effect:





Once you finish the painting, duplicate this layer and apply the following motion blur settings:

Reduce the layer opacity of this motion blur layer to around 40%, and here is the effect:

Step 5

Use the Fractal brush you downloaded, paint some fractal pattern on the image:

Load the owl image into Photoshop, select the owl head with quick selection tool:

Paste the selection onto our image, cover the human head area, use a soft eraser to get rid of the edges of the owl header:

Add a Black and White adjustment layer as a clipping mask to this owl layer:

and here is the effect so far:

Step 6

Now let’s make too wings with cloud. Use the Lasso Tool (with 40px feather) to draw a selection, render some cloud in it, then warp it as shown below: (to form a wing shape)

Duplicate this wing layer, rotate it and move it to the right:

Create a new layer, grab a soft white brush, paint some highlights on the tip of the Axe:

Use the smoke brush you downloaded, paint some smoke patterns on the body, adjust the brush size when you paint:

and here is the effect so far:

Step 7

Now we can do some final tweaks to the image. Use a 30px Feather Lasso Tool t make a selection on the position shown below:

Maintaining this selection, add a new Levels adjustment layer on top of all previous layers:

Use a 30px Feather Lasso Tool t make a selection on the position shown below:

Maintaining this selection, add a new Levels adjustment layer on top of all previous layers:

and here is the effect so far:

That’s pretty much it! I added a few warm colours onto the image by creating a new layer (with “color” layer blending mode) on top of all previous layers. Here is my final effect: (click to enlarge)

Please feel free to experiment with your own colour combination, there is no need to stick with my colour scheme.
Ok that’s it for this tutorial! Just one last word: always try out different layer blending modes and see what effect that bring you! Sometimes you will be surprised to see some real cool effects :)
I hope you enjoy it and find it useful and inspirational!
Until next time, have a nice day!