Ultima Abstract

Step 1

To begin open a new document in photoshop of any size, I'm using a 500x500 document for this example.

Get out the Gradient Fill tool ( ). Click here to open up the gradient editor window:

And apply the following gradient settings:

Step 2

Change the gradient mode to "diamond":

And fill the background with your custom gradient, here's what your canvas should look like after performing this:

Step 3

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer.

Go to "Filter->Sketch->Chrome" and apply the following settings:

Result:

Step 4

In the layers pallet, change the blending mode of this layer to "Linear Light":

Result:

Step 5

Press Ctrl + E on your keyboard to merge these two layers.

Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to bring up the "free transform" tool and rotate this piece

45 degrees as pictured bellow:

Result:

Press Return to finalize the transformation.

Step 6

Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to bring up the "free transform" tool again.

Right click anywhere on the canvas, and select "Warp":

Adjust the nodes (small squares) to get the shape similar to that shown below:

Press Return on your keyboard to finalize the transformation, result:

Step 7

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer. Go to "Edit->Transform->Flip

Vertically", result:

Step 8

Change the blending mode of this layer to "lighten":

Result:

Step 9

Press Ctrl+ E to merge these two layers together.

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer.

Go to "Edit->Transform->Rotate 90° CW", result:

Step 10

Change the blending mode of this layer to "screen":

Result:

Step 11

Press Ctrl+ U on your keyboard to open up the Hue/Saturation tool, and apply the following settings:

Make sure "colorize" is checked

Result:

Step 12

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer.

Go to Filter->Stylize->Glowing Edges and apply the following settings:

Result:

Change the blending mode of this layer to "overlay":

Step 13

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer. Press Ctrl + T to bring up the free transform tool, and rotate this item by 15°:

Result:

Step 14

Now press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate the layer again.

And press Ctrl+ Shift + T to repeat the transformation.

Continue to press Ctrl + J and then Ctrl + Shift + T to repeat this process 15 times or until you have completely filled the circle, this varies depending on the size of your document.

Result:

Step 15

Press Ctrl + Shift + E on your keyboard to merge all visible layers.

Go to "Filter->Artistic->Plastic Warp" and apply the following settings:

Step 16

Press Ctrl+ U on your keyboard to open up the Hue/Saturation Tool, and apply the following settings:

Make sure "colorize" is checked

Result:

Step 17

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer.

Press Ctrl + L on your keyboard to bring up the Levels Adjustment tool, and make similar adjustments to those shown below:

Result:

Step 18

Change the blending mode of this layer to "lighten":

Final Result:

Thanks for reading this tutorial!