Draw Sky Scenery in Cartoon Style

Our tutorial now is inspired by Nik Ainley, one of my favorite digital artist. In this tutorial we will highly depend on shape tool and some layer styles. Before we move on, let’s take a look at the image we’re going to create.

I hope you like it.

Step 1

Start with creating a new file, size 800×600, with black background.

Step 2

Grab a colorful picture, you can use any picture as long as it’s colorful, paste it on our picture. Click Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, add a very big radius. Lower down its opacity to 35%.

Step 3

Create new layer, fill it with white. Click Filter > Render > Clouds. Add another Gaussian Blur to soften the cloud.

Step 4

Add another new layer. Hit ctrl+A then click Edit > Stroke. Use black with big stroke. Soften the stroke line by adding Gaussian Blur.

Step 5

Duplicate stroke layer few times until the middle part goes very dark. Select stroke layer and clouds then merge all by pressing ctrl+E, change blend mode layer to Overlay, and bring down its opacity to 60%.

Step 6

Okay, our background is finish. Next, we’ll start drawing clouds. Activate ellips tool and from option bar choose pixel , that’s the third icon. In new layer, draw some circle until we have a cloud shape.

Step 7

Soften the cloud bu giving it a bit of Gaussian Blur then give it these layer styles.

Step 8

To give this cloud a 3D look, draw another cloud in front and behind it.

Step 9

Repeat this step until we have enough clouds.

Step 10

I want to add more depth to this picture. So, I copy some clouds, resize it, and give them a very big Gaussian Blur. This will makes the clouds seems very close to our eyes.

Step 11

Draw rectangular shape with rectangle tool.  Add styles Gradient Overlay with rainbow color.

Step 12

Transform the shape (ctrl+T), right click and choose Warp. From option bar choose Warp: Arc.

Step 13

Rotate the rainbow until it connects two clouds. Add a bit of Gaussian Blur to soften it. Erase both end of this rainbow using soft eraser tool until it blends into the clouds.

Step 14

Activate brush tool, right click and choose brush tip with star shape. In new layer draw white stars in various size.

Step 15

To make the stars glowing, duplicate star layer and add small amount of Gaussian Blur. Using soft eraser tool, remove some stars that you think will not be needed.

Conclusion

Finally, here’s what we have. I hope you like the end result and enjoy this tutorial .