Abstract Lights in Photoshop ~ Photoshop Academy

In this tutorial we will be creating a magic lighting effect, using transformation, gradients and layer styles. Although they are simple techniques but the result achieved is really wonderful!

Before we begin, let's take a look at the image we're creating

Step 1: We will start from scratch and go straight to the point so no background is required, just fill it with black to get a simple background :)

Step 2: Create a new layer and choose a hard brush (about 3 pixels), go to Window>Brushes and select Shape Dynamics. Set it as shown below:

Step 3: Use the Pen tool to draw a curve like the image below

Now right click on the document and choose Stroke Path and don't forget to tick on the Simulate Pressure checkbox

We get a nice curve faded at the two ends

Continue to draw a second curve with the technique above

Step 4: We had two nice curves but they are still dim, so press Ctrl-J to duplicate this layer and then merge it down by press Ctrl-E

Double click on this layer to bring up the Layer Style box. Select Outer Glow and use these settings:

Step 5: We will create a glossy circle from these curves by duplicating and rotating process. Simple, right? If not, let me make it clear: duplicate the current layer, use the Move tool with Show Transform Controls checkbox is on and rotate it a bit (you should hold down Shift when rotating to keep their distance equal). Here I made the first example

Keep doing this step until it comes to layer 23, approximately. Here is the image we get after this step, nice circle, huh?

Step 6: Create a new layer and fill it with black. Use Marquee tool or any tool you like to create five white horizontal lines

Step 7: Go to Filter>Distort>Twirl and set a big angle

Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur to make it dim

Change its blending mode to Overlay and reduce its Opacity to 50%

Step 8: Create a new layer and use the Gradient tool, select the rainbow gradient and choose Radial Gradient to paint a vivid circle like this: