In this tutorial I will show you easy techniques to make an artistic wallpaper in Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Let’s create a new file (File>New) of 1280x1024 px and 72 dpi. Select the Rectangle Tool (U) to represent the background of the picture we want to have in the end.



Set the next indicated parameters by making a mouse click on the layer we work with on the layers’ palette. Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Next we’ll divide the picture by its horizontal part in two sections, applying the same tool.



The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay



Gradient’s parameters:





Next we’ll download a set of ready to use brushes for Adobe Photoshop, named 149-grunge_brushes_by_szuia, 198-shape and flowefusionphotoshopbrushes.
Create then a new layer where we shall use these brushes. They have black color and this one - #AE905F. This layer containing the brushes should be situated lower than the previous one on the layers’ palette.





On the next new layer (Create new layer) we’ll use the brushes out of the set 198 – shape. The brushes have black color and #60624D



Set the next parameters for the last made layer with the brushes applied: Fill 70%



Create a new layer and choose the brushes out of the set 149-grunge_brushes_by_szuia. The brushes have the next shown colors - #725D3D, #1A2320, #696950 and #A68759.

Set the next indicated parameters for the last processed layer: Blending mode-Overlay



In the next step we’ll use the brushes out of the set named flowefusionphotoshopbrushes. Create then a new layer and give our picture the next demonstrated ornament made out of brushes. The brushes have the black color and #403422, #2D332C.





Next we’ll build a kind of frame around our basic picture, choosing for this operation the Rectangle Tool (U).



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





Create a new layer where we shall use the brushes out of the downloaded set, entitled flowefusionphotoshopbrushes, inserting one more ornament on the picture. The brushes have black color and #80663F





Next we’ll represent a voluminous flower, applying for the beginning the next indicated brush on a new layer (Create new layer), marking also its placement on the picture. The brush’s color is #FFECAE





Create again a new layer that must be situated lower than the previous one where we shall apply a standard brush of white color. This way we’ll outline the flower along its contour and inside, giving it the white color.





Select the next shown parameters for the layer containing the white brush: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:





Next step we’ll rasterize the layer containing the effects. We need in this case to create a new layer, place it above the recently made one, then press CTRL button for marking them out and finally press CTRL+E. On the rasterized layer we’ll apply the Burn Tool (O) and the Dodge Tool (O) to dark out several zones or make them lighter on the picture.



Combine into a group all the layers containing the voluminous flower (press Ctrl button to mark out the necessary layers and then hold on the left mouse’s button while moving the marked layers on Create a new group selection). Make two copies of the made group and use the Free Transform option for changing the copies’ sizes, placing them the same way demonstrated below:



Next we’ll add the text on our picture, keeping the demands inserted in the table below (I used this font from dafont.com):





The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow



Blending Options>Outer Glow



Blending Options>Inner Glow



Blending Options>Stroke





Insert a photo with a skateboarder (I used this picture from Flickr. I would like to thank the author of this picture):



Cut out his figure and put it on the picture:



Choose these parameters for the layer with the skateboarder on it: Blending Options>Drop Shadow





This is the final result!

View full size here.