Creating a Goblin Using Textures and Compositing in Photoshop

Learn how to turn photos of ordinary objects into amazing creatures—like the goblin in this Photoshop tutorial—with texture compositing tips from Face Off winner Rayce Bird.

Compositing is one of the most effective techniques for creating imaginary characters and worlds. This quick course shows you everything you need to know about manipulating and compositing textures in Adobe Photoshop.

Creature creator Rayce Bird, the winner of Face Off, teaches how to take an existing image of a goblin sculpture and apply textures to help bring the goblin to life. Members will learn how to use blending sliders and the Transform, Warp, and Liquify tools in Photoshop to make the textures believable.

Introduction

• Welcome
• How to use the exercise files
• Before watching this course

1. Set Up the Artboard

• Choose unique textured images
• The workspace
• Sketch out texture zones

2. Form Texturing

• Create illusion of form with the eyes
• Composite the ears and mouth

3. Color Texturing

• Primary color textures
• Secondary and tertiary coloring
• Final texture wrap

4. Refine Textures and Lighting

• Add an overall texture overlay
• Add additional shadows and highlights

5. The Finishing Touches

• Extra details and digital painting
• Finalize with color correction and noise

Conclusion

• Next steps