Getting Started
Open a new PS document with canvas size 1920 x 1080px.
Start by adding a Solid Color adjustment layer … set it to any light color for now. Delete the Background layer.
Blobs for Photos
Add a group/folder… rename it “photos”.
Add a new blank layer, rename it “blob 1”
Select the Brush tool and go to the Brushes panel on the top/right… go into the Blob Shapes folder. Choose a brush.
Choose any bright color (this will be replace with a photo later). Click in the top/middle area (make sure you are not too close to the edge)…
Repeat for more blobs, naming each layer until you have 7 blobs…
Photos
Find a good quality photo on Google and copy it. Select the folder or one of the blob layers, then paste it in (CTRL+V). Move it so it’s above the blob you want it to replace. Rename the layer to something descriptive…
Hover between the layers with the ALT key and click to turn it into a clipping mask.
Your layer should look like this and you should see the photo only inside the blob.
- CTRL+T to resize/rotate the photo to fit the blob shape as needed.
Repeat for other photos until you have something like this…
Drop Shadow
Collapse the photos folder.
Add layer style Drop Shadow (increase the size to about 50).
Background Blobs
Select the bottom “Color Fill” layer. Add a new layer above it.
CTRL+G to put the layer into a group. Rename the folder “blobs”.
Select the Brush tool. Choose any color. Choose any blob shape… resize/rotate it and click to add it near the edge of a photo – using brackets [ and ] and arrows.
Add 6-8 more blobs, each in it’s own new layer. Rename each layer “1”, “2”, etc.
Select the folder and add the Drop Shadow style to it.
Then collapse the folder.
Finishing Touches
Art Deco Brush
Select the bottom Color Fill layer, then add a new layer, rename it “art deco”.
Select the Brush tool and reset/switch colors to white/black.
Choose one of the Art Deco brushes. Click on the canvas. If you don’t like it, CTRL+Z and try another one.
When you’re happy with your choice, Reset the Brush tool.
Pattern
Select the photos folder and add an adjustment layer …
Select Pattern … use the drop-down menu to choose the first one in the Canvas section.
Change the layer blend mode to Multiply.
Desktop Background
Make sure your file is saved, then go to File > Save a Copy …
Change the file type to JPEG.
Go to your COMP 8 > Photoshop folder and right-click on the image … Set as Desktop Background. Keep your PS document open and get it checked.
