01.21.2008

Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

This tutorial will show how to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. For this tutorial I will be using Adobe Photoshop CS3. If you have an older version of Adobe Photoshop, you may still be able to follow this tutorial.

Keep in mind that it would be nearly impossible to duplicate this exact object, but this tutorial should give a guide to creating your own unique object. You should end up with something like this.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

The first thing we need to do is download the brush set for this tutorial. You can download the free Trance Brushes from Brusheezy.com by clicking here..

After you download the brushes, extract the .abr file from the .zip and save it.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Open Adobe Photoshop and create a new document 700×700.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Fill the background layer with black (#000000) and select the brush tool.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Load the brush set that you just downloaded by clicking the drop down next to the brush > the arrow point right > then the load option.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Select the Trance Brushes and load them. You will see the new brushes appear at the bottom of the brush set.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Reset the color swatches so that white is the foreground color and black is the background color. Create a new layer and use some of the brushes to create an abstract shape. When you are painting with these brushes, do not drag the mouse like you normally would. Instead click once to create the shape. There is really no science to this. First I will use brush 305 to create this.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Next I will add a few more with #213.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Then I will use 215 to make a tail.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

To complete this shape I will dab a couple times with the brushe that is numbered 380 for me.
<img src="http://teamtutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/easy-abstract-photoshop-tutorial-10.jpg" mce_src="http://teamtutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/easy-abstract-photoshop-tutorial-10.jpg" alt=‘ />

Like I said before, there is no set way to do this, just come up with a shape you like. Now to add a little bit of color I will apple a purple glow. Right click on the layer in the layers pallet and select blending options.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

Apply an outer glow using the color #7200ff.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

I also added an inner glow using the same color #7200ff.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

Apply the changes and you should get something like this.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

Now we are going to distort the image using the polar coordinate filter. Click Filter > Distort > Polar coordinates.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

Make sure that Rectangular to Polar is selected and click ok
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

You will get something like this.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

Where the object is located on the canvas will effect how it is distorted. If you do not like the way it came out, undo the filter and move the object. Then try to apply the filter again. Mine looks ok, but I think it is a little blurry.

I am going to apply the Smart Sharpen filter to sharpen up the image. Click Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

You will have to play with the settings to see what looks the best for you, or you could skip this step completely. Here is what I used.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

This is what my image looks like now.
Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial

That is all it takes to create a simple abstract shape using brushes. If you do a search online you can some great free brushes to play around with. You could also add some text to this and make into a background or something.
adobe photoshop abstract tutorial

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Comments

  1. Photoshop tutorials on February 16, 2008 at 10:21 am

    Great abstract effect! Thanks for submitting it to my site.

    [Reply]

  2. Ilma. Massink on February 17, 2008 at 4:47 am

    This is nice! A quick guide to show how easy it is to make great abstracts. Thanks.

    [Reply]

  3. gamenac on February 18, 2008 at 2:39 am

    Wow, I have to say, I’m impressed. Often, short, simple abstracts end up looking like shit, and are just a way of people getting attention, but this is very nice. I love the effect that you end up with, it has a very nice tech feel.

    [Reply]

  4. 20% Time 2/18 | The Synergetic Effect on February 23, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    [...] I am, or just don’t have anything that I haven’t learned yet.  I finally saw a cool ‘purple abstract’ by John Ward from teamtutorials.com.  So, I got into it, taking loose notes on the tutorial on a [...]

  5. prasanna on February 29, 2008 at 10:54 am

    pls ur t

    [Reply]

  6. prasanna on February 29, 2008 at 10:54 am

    hiiiiiiiii

    [Reply]

  7. Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial « WebTutes.WordPress.Com on March 15, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    [...] SubscribeEasy Abstract Photoshop TutorialTurning a Mannequin Into a Sketched PersonColor a black and white picture!Adding Colors to Black and White PhotosBasic Photoshop Skill: Color ModificationsHow to color a sketchSunset Photoshop TutorialColoring a black and white imageVelvia ColorHand coloring a black and white photograph [...]

  8. sivagami on March 17, 2008 at 12:47 am

    Hi,

    I dont have great idea about photoshop, even then this tutorial was interesting.

    [Reply]

  9. Pan on April 3, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    Hi, I have Adobe Photoshop 5.0 I couldn’t open the uploaded brush, can you tell me how for 5.0? thanks

    [Reply]

  10. ravi on April 8, 2008 at 2:13 am

    hi this is ravi i am very happy on working on photoshop and the other thing is your easy abstract purple tutorials is very good.

    [Reply]

  11. Professional Web Design | Flash Developer | Web Design Romania | Flash Web Design | Professional Website Design on May 10, 2008 at 10:48 am

    Now this is looking good….There should be more Abstract Design Tutorials for people…

    Altought the purple color doesn’t look so good, maybe a blue color would have looked much better….

    [Reply]

  12. Rajita - Logo Design on May 16, 2008 at 3:54 am

    WOW- this is very beautiful… excellent graphics

    [Reply]

  13. jasyfriend on August 19, 2008 at 2:42 am

    Well done my dear

    [Reply]

  14. 40 Cool Abstract and Background Photoshop Tutorials | Photoshop Tutorial on September 7, 2008 at 1:17 am

    [...] Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial How to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. [...]

  15. Vanessa on September 7, 2008 at 6:24 am

    Thanks..
    Excellent tutorial!

    [Reply]

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  17. MvG_da_best on October 12, 2008 at 5:54 am

    This tutorial OWNZ man !
    You really ROCK !

    [Reply]

  18. preenita on October 13, 2008 at 4:01 am

    its really interesting

    [Reply]

  19. marjhun on October 16, 2008 at 12:43 am

    great job….contiue for hardworking and sharing knowledge to others..tnx…

    [Reply]

  20. gofer1971 on October 22, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    Excellent tutorial. Made my first ‘abstract’ in only 5 minutes – and I’m a photoshop newbie! Cheers!

    [Reply]

  21. joe claessen on November 2, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    I found That if You flip this on its side, then duplicate and flip that horizontally, move them apart, you can make an amazing pair of fantasy wings with some added brush strokes

    [Reply]

  22. Kim Richards on December 21, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    this might be a dumb question to post on this tutorial for advanced photoshop,..but how do you get a photoshop program to begin with??
    I make abstract paintings using acrilics, and i have started to make some on my computer using the blah old paint program.
    but this looks so interesting,..i really want to try it!:)

    -♥kimmeh R♥

    [Reply]

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  24. danish on January 10, 2009 at 9:02 am

    hiiiiiiiii…….its very helpful for new photoshop users…….thanks

    [Reply]

  25. marione matta on January 21, 2009 at 6:50 am

    Hello, I was wondering if one of the responsible for these tutorials is Sivagami, a girl who graduated with me at the Academy of Art University in 2000? I would love to reconnect with her. My name is Matta. Please let know.

    [Reply]

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  27. Julie Jang on February 23, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    wow. nice!!!! thaks!!

    [Reply]

  28. Giulio on March 12, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    Hey .. this is a easy but painfull question ( cuz im a bit dumb xD)
    when I do the Outer and Inner glow part .. it glows but in the border of the document ( instead that in the borde of the brush) .. how do i get it right ?? thx and congrats on the tuto xD.

    [Reply]

  29. sivas on March 19, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    very good, thanks

    [Reply]

  30. Nice abstract and background design « Online Free Applications Software Tips Tools Wallpapers on April 14, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    [...] Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial How to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. [...]

  31. EDUARDO on June 18, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    Very nice tutorial.
    Thanks

    [Reply]

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  33. FOK`S on July 3, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    ESTANCHIDAS PERO QUIERO MAS

    [Reply]

  34. andre on July 14, 2009 at 11:59 am

    thanks for sharing with us. It’s wonderfull:)

    [Reply]

  35. Photoshop Background Tutorials on July 31, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    [...] Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial | Team Tutorials – This tutorial will show how to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. For this tutorial I will be using Adobe Photoshop [...]

  36. Softloader on August 4, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Thx for this very nice tut :D

    [Reply]

  37. mb on August 5, 2009 at 3:21 am

    I can’t get color to add, tried to redo many times. He must have left step out.

    [Reply]

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  41. PSP Go on October 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    I have been looking to learn more about Photoshop so this tutorial wasvery helpful. Thanks!

    [Reply]

  42. pwnura55 on October 14, 2009 at 10:23 am

    this helped me thanks very helpful for a noob like me :)

    [Reply]

  43. Katie on November 27, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    Well i like this tuorial..because it tells you in detail everything he does..!
    i like the way it looks and i love purple so its pretty cool.

    [Reply]

  44. vignesh on November 29, 2009 at 5:16 am

    I was very much proud of your performance in this design. I want you to send me your designs to me by mail. please!

    [Reply]

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  47. Jared on December 10, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    I like the method that you used to make this, but I don’t much like the smart sharpen, it looked much better when it was smooth. I bookmarked this site, I hope to learn a few new tricks for Photoshop.

    [Reply]

  48. Seth on December 14, 2009 at 10:19 am

    WOW i empressed my teacher when i showed him this easy shit!

    [Reply]

  49. hans on December 28, 2009 at 10:36 am

    this is a great tutorial for a newbie like me. i almost got it however i am having trouble applying the blending effect, please help on how to apply the blending effect..

    [Reply]

  50. berkeleysamson on January 24, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    wow.. great lesson.. i bough a book about this and this is greater.

    [Reply]

  51. berkeleysamson on January 24, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    i’m a newbie.. i know how to use corel but a little on photoshop, i like this one..

    [Reply]

  52. Megan Fox on January 27, 2010 at 6:33 pm

    I love your Photoshop tutorials John, very easy to follow and understand. The finished picture looks great.

    [Reply]

  53. 40 Cool Abstract and Background Photoshop Tutorials « Agencija 027 S.N.O.B. on March 17, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    [...] Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial How to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. [...]

  54. amin amin on March 25, 2010 at 8:58 am

    This is a remarkable and very useful lessons. Thank you great! I found a lot of new for me.

    [Reply]

  55. Cool Abstract and Background Photoshop Tutorials on April 6, 2010 at 12:37 am

    [...] Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial How to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. [...]

  56. IraQlife on April 8, 2010 at 7:42 am

    Good Work , Thanks For Sharing . :-)

    [Reply]

  57. carlo suza on April 21, 2010 at 12:34 am

    how can i open photoshop new document

    [Reply]

  58. Andres on May 5, 2010 at 10:35 am

    Very nice tutorial, Thanks a lot!

    [Reply]

  59. 40 Cool Abstract and Background Photoshop Tutorials | Tut7 on May 7, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    [...] Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial How to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects. [...]

  60. ujo on May 14, 2010 at 8:30 am

    NICE :)

    [Reply]

  61. fffff on June 9, 2010 at 11:21 am

    :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

    [Reply]

  62. Rick Nash on June 11, 2010 at 7:15 am

    I used to love following tutorials and i learn a lot from them, this tutorial has re taught me the simple methods of using brushes to make some awesome looking images. thanks for the time you put in to write it.

    [Reply]

  63. Külföldi munka on June 19, 2010 at 3:28 pm

    Wonderful read, and excellent points. Cheers

    [Reply]

  64. shimul on July 12, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    Nice……..

    [Reply]