Forum Icon

Open a new file (File>New), having 450x450 px and 72 dpi.

Using the Ellipse Tool (U), try to draw next the primary layer of the icon to be.

The layer's parameters:

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Blending Options>Stroke

Make a copy of the new made layer and select the Free Transform option to make the copy smaller a little, changing also the copy's parameters:

The layer's parameters:

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Blending Options>Stroke

Gradient's parameters:

Selecting the same instrument, it's possible to create an element that we'll consider to be the ball's volume. Change the shape a little, moving the tops also with Convert Point Tool.

The layer's parameters:

Blending Options>Inner Glow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Apply the already well known instrument (Ellipse Tool (U)) to represent after that a flare, covering the right ball's half. Erase the unnecessary top, selecting previously the Delete Anchor Point Tool

The layer's parameters:

Fill 0% on the layers.

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Then we'll select the Custom Shape Tool (U) just to choose from the next shown table the corresponding cliche for what we want to represent next.

Place the new figure on the central picture's part.

The layer's parameters:

Fill 0% on the layers.

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Blending Options>Stroke

Gradient's parameters:

Insert the ball into a made ring by the same Ellipse Tool (U). Firstly we'll represent the outside ring's borders and then press the Alt button to cut out its middle part.

The layer's parameters:

Fill 0% on the layers.

Blending Options>Drop Shadow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Now we have to make a copy of the earlier made cliche with the Custom Shape Tool (U) to change its parameters. The color should be black (erasing the unnecessary layer's parameters).

The left top must be moved with the Convert Point Tool, the way it is indicated on the next picture.

The layer's parameters:

Fill 85% on the layers.

Apply the earlier described method of moving the tops and select the same Ellipse Tool (U) to draw a flare on the left lowest part of the icon.

The layer's parameters:

Fill 0% on the layers.

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

The icon is finished!