Design a cool Christmas wallpaper from scratch. A Well explained & Easy to follow Tutorial!



Create a new file (File>New) that would have 600x800 px and 72 dpi. 

Take the Rectangle Tool (U) and represent the background of the picture we want to get on the final stage.



Set the next parameters for the made layer by making a mouse click on this layer on the layers??? panel: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient???s parameters:

 



Using the Pen Tool (P), try to make now a snow hillock of white color which shape may be corrected with the Convert Point Tool.



The layer???s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Applying the previous instrument, it???s possible to picture two more snow hillocks, having the same parameters:

 



Select the Ellipse Tool (U) for drawing the primary layer of a snowman of white color, which shapes may be corrected with the already known Convert Point Tool.

 




The layer???s parameters are the same with those of the snow hillocks. Blending Options>Inner Glow

Using the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool for appropriate corrections, try to draw now the snowman’s jacket, having the color #0F4C54



Set the next parameters for the last made layer: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



It’s time to insert the button on the drawn jacket, applying the Ellipse Tool (U). Firstly we need to represent the button itself and then, pressing Alt button while using the same instrument, we have to make four cuttings on the button, as it is represented below:

 



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

 



Select the Ellipse Tool (U) to represent the snowman’s head of white color too.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 

Using the last applied instrument, on this stage we’ll draw the snowman’s eye:



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

 



Make a copy of the last made layer and choose the Free Transform option to place the copy exactly the way shown below:



Next we shall draw the snowman’s nose with the Pen Tool (P), which shape may be corrected with the same Convert Point Tool.



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

 



It’s time to represent the snowman’s mouth, applying the Ellipse Tool (U) and the color #6A6B6D. Firstly represent the basic element of the mouth and then select the Convert Point Tool to low down the top part of the ellipse. Press then Alt button when using the Rectangle Tool (U) to cut out the unnecessary parts. The instrument may be turned over with Free Transform option.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Shadow

 



Next we have to represent the snowman’s right arm of white color too. In this case we’ll take also the Pen Tool (P) and Convert Point Tool for applying the necessary corrections on the drawn element.

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



On the made hand we’ll add the mitten with the Pen Tool (P) which shape may be corrected with the Convert Point Tool.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

 



Use the last applied method for drawing the left arm, placing this layer lower than the layer containing the snowman’s jacket (on the layers’ panel).



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Select the last applied method to represent the second mitten:



The last mitten’s layer’s parameters are the same with the first one:



Next we have to picture the hat on the snowman’s head, applying the Pen Tool (P) and Convert Point Tool for introducing the appropriate corrections on the hat’s shape:



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

 



We shall represent on the hat a small hatband, choosing the previous tools too.



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

 



It’s time to make the scarf for the snowman. Select firstly the Pen Tool (P) to represent the primary layer, colored with #F3CE58 and then the Convert Point Tool will be helpful in making the corrections on the scarf’s size. This layer needs to be placed lower than the head’s layer on the layers’ panel:



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Let’s represent several stripes on the scarf, choosing the Rectangle Tool (U) and Convert Point Tool for correcting the shapes. The stripes’ layers should be placed lower than the snowman head’s layer, following the primary scarf’s layer (on the layers’ panel).



Hold on Alt button and make a mouse click between the scarf’s layer and the layers containing the colored stripes for the stripes to be placed on the scarf itself.

 

Let’s make another layer reserved for the scarf too, colored with #F3CE58. This time we’ll select the same tools – the Pen Tool (P) and Convert Point Tool. Place this layer lower than the previous layers belonging to the scarf.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow

 



We shall represent several more stripes on the scarf the way we did earlier, applying the Rectangle Tool (U). This layer must be situated lower than the layers containing the stripes of the previous scarf.



Hold on Alt button and make a mouse click between the scarf’s layers and the stripes’ layers for the last ones to be placed on the scarf.

 



Using the same tools and the same method, we shall represent the next scarf’s layer, colored with #F3CE58. This layer must be placed also lower than the snowman’s head (on the layers’ panel).



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Let’s represent on this scarf’s layer several more stripes, choosing for this manipulation the same Rectangle Tool (U) and placing the stripes’ layers lower than the layer containing the snowman’s head.



Press Alt button and make a mouse click between the layers containing the stripes and the scarf’s layer for the stripes to be placed on the scarf itself.

 



Let’s make the final segment of the scarf, colored with #F3CE58 by choosing the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool for making the necessary corrections on the shape. This layer should be placed upper than the previous scarf’s layers, but lower than the layers containing the snowman’s head.

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Let’s represent the colored stripes on the last made scarf’s segment the way we did before. This time we shall select also the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool that is helpful in introducing the necessary changes on the elements’ shapes.



Hold on Alt button and make a mouse click between the scarf’s layers and the stripes’ slayer for the last ones to lay on the scarf’s layer.

 



Now we shall represent near the snowman a white snow hillock. In this case we’ll apply the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool for introducing the necessary changes on the element’s shape.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Inner Glow

 



Next we have to draw a small fir tree near the snowman, choosing the same Pen Tool (P) and Convert Point Tool.



The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

Using the same tools and the same method, we have to represent by turn the other layers belonging to the fir tree. The parameters of the rest of the tree’s layers are the same with the first fir tree’s layer.

 

 



Now let’s draw the fir tree’s shadow, colored with #7E91E2. Select the Ellipse Tool (U) for the beginning and place the shadow’s layer lower than the primary layer of the fir tree (on the layers’ panel).



Next step includes picturing a garland around the fir tree, made up of small white circles. Choose the Brush Tool (B) for this manipulation.

 



Let’s combine in a group all the layers composing the fir tree with its shadow and the garland (press Ctrl button for marking out the appropriate layers and hold on left mouse’s button when taking the marked layers on Create a new group selection). Make four copies of the fir tree’s group and select Free Transform option to make the necessary changes on the copies’ sizes, placing them the way indicated next image:



Next let’s try to draw the falling down snow of white color, applying the Brush Tool (B).

 



Insert now the words of holiday congratulations, taking care of the demands inserted in the next table:

 

 

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow

 



Let’s draw now near the written words a striped lollipop. For the beginning select the Pen Tool (P) to represent the first layer of the lollipop, colored with #FF3333 and only after that we may apply the Convert Point Tool for the right corrections on its shape:



On the lollipop’s surface we shall draw several stripes, colored with #FFCC33. This time we’ll select the Rectangle Tool (U) too and Convert Point Tool.



Each layer containing the yellow stripes needs the following parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow

 



Hold on Alt button to make a mouse click between the lollipop’s layer and the stripes’ layers for the last ones to be applied on the layer with the lollipop.

 



Next we have to represent the primary layer of a small leaf, colored with #339933. Firstly select the Rectangle Tool (P) to make the basis of the leaf and then hold on Alt button while using the Ellipse Tool (U) and giving the green leaf the right shape.



The leaf needs its veins, which may be represented with the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool. The new elements have the next color - #257320

 

Combine in a group all the layers composing the leaf (press Ctrl button to mark out the corresponding layers and hold on left mouse’s button when taking down the marked layers on Create a new group option). Make two copies of the last made leaf’s group and select Free Transform option to turn over the copies the way demonstrated below:

On the next stage we have to draw a berry with the Ellipse Tool (U).



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:

 



Try to insert two small highlights on the drawn berry, using the same tool and white color, while pressing SHIFT button.

 

Combine in a group all the layers composing the berry and the highlights (press Ctrl button and mark out the necessary layers and hold on left mouse’ s button while moving the marked layers on Create a new group option). Make two copies of the new made group and apply Free Transform option to place the copies as it is shown below:

 



The Christmas postcard is finished!

View full size here.