Create an Portrait Artwork with Autumn Colors

Step 1

Download the Backgrounds pack and open in Photoshop the background number 5. Double click on the layer to unlock it. Flip the image horizontally (CTRL + T > Flip Horizontally). Crop the part we want to be the base of our work.
step-001[3]

Step 2

We want to give to the background some contrast. Duplicate the background twice (CTRL + J). Set the first duplicated background to Screen to enhance the lights. Set the second to Multiply to enhance the shadows. This is what you will have.
step-002[3]

Step 3

Extract the Lady from the background (I used the Quick Selection Tool + Refine Edges, but everyone has their own best method). I previously smudged the model skin, but this is not the aim of this tutorial and it doesn’t affect the final result. Put her in a new layer above the backgrounds layers.
step-003[3]

Step 4

Now we have to blend the Lady with the Background. I desaturated a bit the lady and removed some of brightness. To do that add a Hue / Saturation Adjustment Layer only for the Lady and set the Saturation to -19 and Lightness to -8.
step-004a[3]

Step 5

Now we work on the colors. Add a Color Balance Adjustment Layer only to the Lady and put these settings:
  • Shadows > +14 +7 -16
  • Midtones > +11 +7 0
  • Highlights > +10 +5 -5
    • step-004b[3]

    Step 6

    We want to blend more everything. Open the pack containing the bokeh and add the number 2 in a new layer above everything. Rotate it like in the picture below (CTRL + T).
    step-004c[3]

    Step 7

    Set the Bokeh to Soft Light. Opacity and Fill to 75%.
    step-004d[3]

    Step 8

    Add a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer and choose the one you see below from the presets.
    step-004e[3]

    Step 9

    Set the Gradient Map to Soft Light with Opacity and Fill to 80%.
    step-005[3]

    Step 10

    Add another Gradient Map and set it like below.
    step-006[3]

    Step 11

    Set the Gradient Map to Soft Light with Opacity and Fill 80%.
    step-007[2]

    Step 12

    Let’s work now on shadows and lights. First of all we need to make the background darker. Add a Brightness / Contrast Adjustment Layer above the 3 backgrounds and put:
  • Brightness -54 and Contrast +48
    • step-008[1]
    This is so far what you’ll have.
    step-009[1]

    Step 13

    Create a new layer below the Lady and paint with white below her, going out her edges.
    step-010[1]
    Set the layer to Soft Light.
    step-011[1]

    Step 14

    Create a layer below the one you have just done. Pick the color #572e07. With the Gradient tool (linear – #572e07 to transparent) make a gradient like the image below.
    step-012[1]
    Set the layer to Multiply with Opacity and Fill at 80%.
    step-013[1]