Some people might not realize how fun and easy it can be to create an awesome illustration with just a few pieces of stock art elements. In today’s tutorial we will demonstrate how to create an abstract illustration using a few pieces of stock art from Visual Freaks’ Organic CG Art Pack and just some basic knowledge of Photoshop. Let’s get started!

VisualFreaks is a high-end project started by a group of graphic designers who felt like there is room for an alternative for the currently available stock and, therefore, decided that art can be packed and delivered to suit your needs.

The VisualFreaks are in for the long run, providing art-packs of unique elements designers and illustrators can easily modify and blend into their artworks or designs for both commercial or personal use. The goal is to make their work easier and make their artworks look awesome with just a few clicks.

Each pack has a distinct theme and its own personality and VisualFreaks have already launched two art-packs: Organic CG Art Pack and FineCut CG Art Pack. The launch series will continue with a motion pack: LifeFlow.

Tutorial Assets

We will use only these four graphic elements from the Organic CG Art Pack focusing on a quick demonstration of how to use our elements and make easy and quick awesome illustrations, having only some basic Adobe Photoshop knowledge.

Step 1

Ok, let’s get started! First step is to create a new document. The document we have created has the following attributes: W: 3508px, H: 4961px (A3 size), color mode: RGB, @ 300 dpi. For the background a light gray circular gradient was used, which allows light and dark shades to be visible.

In order for that to happen, you have to make a new layer and fill it with any color you want. Then, double click somewhere near the layer’s name to open the Layers Style panel. Here you can overwrite the color property by activating the Gradient Overlay effect. Set the gradient style to radial, choose the gray shades you like and hit Enter.

Tip: As long as you have the Layer Properties panel open you can move the gradient registration point by dragging it on the art board.

Tip: If your gradient colors don’t blend nicely try to apply a noise filter. If you have a gradient overlay you should first apply the effect by merging the layer down whit a new, empty one. This noise filter will help blending, and give a more natural look to the gradient.

Step 2

We can now leave the background issue behind us, and start working on the graphics. We used a couple of elements from the Visual Freaks CG Organic Art Pack. Number 3 for example is compact and has nice highlights and details. We thus decided to use that one. Based on this element we wanted to generate some brand new shapes, but following the same visual style that can be ultimately turned a more complex shape.

Now, you try it. Open the element, desaturate it by using the shortcut keys Shift + Command/Ctrl + U or go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate, then copy and paste it in your document.

Step 3

Now, for the desaturated shape we must adjust its brightness and contrast. We will use the Levels adjustment tool. This helps us control not only the black and white points but also mid tones. This tool provides more control than the actual brightness/contrast adjustment tool. (editor：admin)