Design an awesome Christmas tree in Photoshop
Christmas holidays are almost here. In this tutorial, you’ll go through easy steps and techniques to design a simple illustration for Christmas Holidays. You will learn how to create an awesome Christmas tree perfect for greetings, post card, or even wallpapers.
Inside the archive you will have also a set of Star brushes.
The download ( PSD and the brushes are available only for VIP members )
Register for a VIP account and download our huge collection with 70.000 Items.
This is my final result with a different background color
I will create a new document with the following size: 1000 x 1000 pixels
I will duplicate the background layer. To duplicate the layer you need to select the background layer, and then press on CTRL+J. On this new layer I will add a gradient. You can find over 27.000 Photoshop gradients in the following pack: Download Photoshop Gradients.
I will create a new layer above all layers ( press CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+N ) and with Brush Tool I will draw a dark area at the bottom of the image. I will use a smooth round brush.
I will change the opacity value for this layer to 50 %
I will use a set of custom star brushes. The set of brushes is included in the .zip file (you will be able to download it only if you are a VIP member )
Load the set of start brushes.
First you need to click on the small arrow, and then you need to choose Load brushes. Browse your computer until you find a .abr file ( with the start brushes ).
After you have the brushes in place you need to create a new layer ( press CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+N ) and with the second brush from this set draw some stars over the document
On top of your layer palette you can change the blending mode for this layer to Overlay, and in the same time it is very good if you reduce the opacity to 50 %
I will select Pen Tool and I will create a strange path. Try to make this path like a Christmas tree. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Now comes the funny part. Create a new layer on top of all layers ( press on CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+N ). Select Brush Tool, and use the following settings.
Be sure you have the right layer selected, and this path, and after that press on the ” Stroke path with brush ” button from the bottom of the Paths panel.
From the previous image I am sure you will like the result even if you see only a small corner from our Christmas tree.. Here is a bigger version.
Select another brush from this set, and change the size of the brush between 100 and 200 pixels. Be sure you uncheck the Shape dynamics, and scattering check boxes. . On a new layer draw another stars with different sizes
On top of the Christmas tree add another star. This time use a bigger one.
I will select Pen Tool one more time and I will create another path
I will select Brush Tool, and I will choose another brush.( the name of the brush is Fuzzball ) You should have this brush already inside Adobe Photoshop.
I will use the following settings for the star brush.
One more time I will make sure I have the Path selected in my paths panel, and I will create a new layer. I will press on “Stroke path with brush ” button from the bottom of the paths panel.
This is my result
I will duplicate this layer several times and I will place it towards the top of the Christmas tree. In the same time I will modify the size of the layer ( press on CTRL + T ) and I will rotate the layer to the left.
If you want to enhance this Christmas background I recommend you to download the following sets of vector snowflakes
Download 42 vector snowflakes
This is my final result. I will show you different versions with different backgrounds.
Click on the following image to see the full size Christmas tree
Want access to the full PSD files and All downloadable design sources, including this one? Join Grafpedia VIP Membership for just $49 per month.
We are the best web host company providing quality services to our clients. We have excellent virtual private server packages for you hosting needs and we can also provide you top wireless internet providers contacts to get best packages.
What a talent you have… i salute man… this entry is the best, the way you diliver the message.. cool.. i like the creativity..
nice tuto
Can’t wait to give it a try! Thanks for sharing.
Amazing man. Simply amazing.
Nice tut…
Great tutorial
WOW! That is an excellent tutorial. I love the simplicity of the tutorial.
I like this! thanks
Simple and beautiful
Amazing Tutorial. I will use this in christmas mailer. many thanks for the post its going straight into my bookmarks….
Very satisfying, thank you! Here’s my results: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55922608@N00/4188833422/
I did have a bit of a problem with the Pen element, which kept trying to fill it all in, until clicked the path option for it.
Pen (!)
Just amazing! kind of problem without your brushs *shame over me*
I now have something for my Christmas cards. Thank you.
Haha nice tutorial!
Best Christmas Tree tutorial I have seen yet! Check this Christmas Tree vector collage tutorial http://bit.ly/73u6ub
Select the Pen Tool and then at the top of your screen choose the second button ( Paths )
This will fix your problem
I like this! thanks
desinator
Well done. Inspired me to get on those custom Christmas Card designs!
the design is very cool i love your design, i love your tutorial can you mail me more of your tutorials please
Very nice! While I love the clean, simple effect in this tutorial – it really sparkles – I only followed the steps loosely and I added a couple of my own. Background texture and lighting effects layers were added to my rendition to give the tree a little more warmth and depth. Here’s a downsized file: http://bit.ly/6jGysU
Cheers!
well down!
great tutorial !!!
MErry Christmas
NICE….thank for your tuto…..learning….^^
well i have a little problem: i do all the things, but with the path… it doesn’t show me the “Stroke path with brush” and i selected the Pen Tool corectly… i still don’t understand why at my doesn’t show. pls help me. tnx
After you create the path you need to select the Brush Tool, and the button will be active. Does this help ?
i tried it but it doesn’t >.< i wish i could resolve this one
I finally rezolve it. Tnx a lot… i had to rasterize the tipe and the push that button >.<
1. select Pen Tool and draw a path
2. Make sure you have the path selected in the Path Panel
3. Select Brush Tool
4. press on the small button
I am glad you fixed the problem
It is best. I am wordless.
Nice info for a beginner. I hope to keep learning and one day have a site to teach ppl techniques like this.
Nice info for a beginner. I hope to keep learning and one day have a site to teach ppl techniques like this.