Golden Flower Effect

In this tutorial you learn how to use a variation of filters and tools within photoshop to create a very nice Golden Flower effect that works great as a desktop, or signature background.

Here is an example of the final outcome:

Note: This tutorial uses features and techniques that are only available in Photoshop CS and CS2 // this tutorial will not work for those of you using Photoshop 7 and older.

Step 1.

Create a new document in photoshop of any size. I will be working with a 400x400 document. Fill the background with black (#000000).

Step 2.

Set your foreground color to #FD67FF. Get out the Custom Shape Tool ( ) and select the Circle Frame as I have done here:

And select a circle similar to what I have done here:

Step 3.

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer. Click the "Shape Color" selector in the layers palette next to this new layer and change the color to #EF00F2.

Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to get out the Free Transform Tool. Place your cursor near the top right corner node (box), hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, and scale this circle down a little as I have done here:

Step 4.

Move this layer behind the previous layer by clicking on it in the layers pallet and dragging it below all other layers (except the background layer).

Create several duplicates using the same technique slightly darkening the color each time so your canvas looks similar to what I have here:

Step 5.

Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click each of the circle layers so that they all are selected (they will appear blue in you layers pallet). Once this is done, press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate these layers.

Go to Edit->Transform->Flip Horizontal.

Note: You may need to press the 'V' key on your keyboard to get out the Move Tool ( ) and position the duplicate circles as shown below.

Result:

Step 6.

Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click each of the circle layers so that they all are selected (they will appear blue in you layers pallet). Once this is done, press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate these layers.

Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to get out the Free Transform tool. Select "Inflate" from the preset warp shapes menu in the Tool Bar.

Adjust the settings as I have done here:

Step 7.

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

Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to get out the Free Transform Tool, and rotate this duplicate layer approximately 45 degrees.

Press Ctrl + Shift + T on your keyboard 4 or 5 times to repeat the Transformation. Your canvas should look similar to this:

Step 8.

Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click each of the circle layers so that they all are selected (they will appear blue in you layers pallet). Once this is done, press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate these layers.

Go to Image->Adjustments->Invert (or press Ctrl + i) to invert the colors.

Go to Filter->Blur->Radial Blur, and apply the following settings:

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Light:

Result:

Step 9.

Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click each of the circle layers so that they all are selected (they will appear blue in you layers pallet).

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

Note: Make sure the "Colorize" box is checked.

Result:

Step 10.

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

Go to Filter->Brush Strokes->Ink Outlines, and apply the following settings:

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to "Soft Light":

Result:

Step 11.

Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click each of the circle layers so that they all are selected (they will appear blue in you layers pallet). Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard 2 times to duplicate this layer twice.

Click on the topmost layer in the layer pallet (the 2nd duplicate) and press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to get out the Free Transform tool.

Place your cursor near the top right node (box) hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, click and drag inward toward the center of the shape to scale this shape down in size and position it near the center.

Repeat this process with the layer below this one (the first duplicate layer) and position it near the center as well as I have done here:

Step 12.

Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click each of the circle layers so that they all are selected (they will appear blue in you layers pallet). Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer.

Press Ctrl + Shift + U on your keyboard to desaturate this layer:

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to "Vivid Light":

Here is my final result: