Photoshop Tutorial: How to Make a Bonsai Tree From Scratch

I always wanted to make a Bonsai tree from scratch using PS. This tutorial can be done using any version of Photoshop. I used the image of the burger provided by pxleyes for a contest.
You can download the original image here:

hamburger photoshop contest

Hope you'll have fun and learn some new tricks with this tutorial!
Let's get started!

End result:

Author:

Views: 42318

Score: 7.76 / 10

Author earned: $15

Practice tutorial

Tags:bonsaiscratchtree

Step 1

We'll start by making a new document 800 X 600 pixels.
Get a red color for foreground, and a black color for background.
Name the layer "background".

Step 2

Now, with the new layer selected and using the gradient tool, make a direct line from the top right to the bottom left, the result will be a nice black and red gradient.

Step 3

Add a new layer and name it, "table".

Make a rectangular selection at the bottom of the frame, and with the red and black colors you used for the gradient, make horizontal lines from right to left and from left to right many times, until you get a nice result as I did.

The gradient has to be set to Difference.

Step 4

Add a new layer and name it, "frame".

For this step, you will need two shades of green colors, darker and lighter. Use the gradient set to Difference. Make the same lines you did for the table, but this time make lines crossing the frame from top right to bottom left, until you get a nice result.

Step 5

Add a Bevel and Emboss, Drop a Shadow, Layer Style to the frame.
Bevel/Emboss Size:5
Depth: 31
Shading: Angle 84 degrees
Altitude: 34 degrees

Drop Shadow: Blend Mode: Multiply
Angle: 31 degrees
Distance: 11 px
Spread: 28 percent
Size: 46 px

Step 6

You will add the black narrow strip of wood across the frame.

Make a narrow selection and fill it with black.
Add a Bevel and Emboss Layer Style the way I did.

Step 7

Here are some of the settings I used for this effect.

Step 8

The rest of the settings, for the effect for the strip of wood.

Step 9

You'll have something like this by now.

If you're sattisfied with the result, you can turn the layers for Background, Table, Frame, and Strip off. Just click on the eyes to the left of layer. We'll work on the "bonsai" tree now.

Step 10

This is the image source of the hamburger.
This image was provided by pxleyes for a contest.

Step 11

The fun part starts here, right now!
Make an oval selection on top of hamburger, Copy (Ctrl + C)
and paste Ctrl + V.

Edit - Transform - Rotate 180 degrees.

Used an Oval selection to cut the top of burger.

Step 12

Make a new layer name it "sand".
Add an oval selection again on top of burger.
Fill with gradient, with a darker and lighter brown colors.
Add some noise.

Step 13

Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).

Cut some pieces from the meat in the hamburger. Those pieces will be used for the branches of the tree.

Make selections. Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).

These selections will make new layers. You'll name them
"branch1", "branch2", and "branch3".

Step 14

Work on the branches one at the time.

Use the Filter - Liquify - Warp tool (W).
Use the 60 and 35 brush with a 50 to 70 pressure.

Working on the branches, using the liquify tool is fun, as you can give the branches the form you want. Bonsai trees are unique in forms. This is up to you, to be as creative as you can.

Step 15

Forming the tree. Now that you got the shape of the branches you want, put them together. Just be careful with layers, some of them have to be on top, others have to be at the bottom. Copy and paste small parts of the branches for smaller twigs. Use the transform tool, (Ctrl + T) to move the branches around. When you are happy with the result, merge the three layers with the branches down, to form one layer. Name the layer, "tree".

Step 16

For this step, we'll use some pieces of the meat from the burger.
Make selections, Copy (Ctrl + C) and Paste (Ctrl + V).
This will open new layers for each one of the pieces of meat.
Name the layers, "foliage1", foliage2", and "foliage3".

Colorize the pieces of meat .
Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation (Ctrl + U).
Hue: 57
Saturation: 40

Step 17

Make kind of nice foliage shapes.

Use a 27 px spatter brush and set opacity to 70.
Start erasing with eraser tool, (E) just a little, from top and bottom. Again, make the shapes you want.

Step 18

Add the foliage to the tree.

When you are happy with the results, you can merge the foliage layer together to form one. Name layer, "foliage". Open the tree layer, and add the foliage to it.

Step 19

Open the background, and the layers that you have off. Click on the eyes to make them "on" again.
Merge the "foliage" layer and the "tree" layer together, to form one, name layer, "tree".

Step 20

Open the pot (bowl) and the sand layer.
Use a 112 dune grass brush, reduce the size to 35 px, using two green colors, one darker and other lighter. Draw some grass on top of sand, name new layer, "grass".

Stones are some small pieces of colorized meat.

Step 21

Follow the directions for this step. I hope you enjoyed following the procedure for making a "Bonsai". Thank you!

Step 22

This is the final image. I thank you for following me step by step, and I hope that you are happy with your creation as I did!

19 Comments:

Tuckinator says:

great tutorial!

(5 years and 2402 days ago)

mariosilva says:

this is not from a scratch,but is good in the same way,but not from a scratch

(5 years and 2394 days ago)

Guest says:

great tutorials. you r genius..

(5 years and 2383 days ago)

devangel says:

nise tut

(5 years and 2364 days ago)

Guest says:

very effective
kavitha

(5 years and 2352 days ago)

Guest says:

Nice Tut.. I thought it was a joke when it got to the hamburger...

(5 years and 2351 days ago)

Guest says:

you made a tree from a hamburger?

damn thats plain awesome! xdd
very creative.

(5 years and 2349 days ago)

Guest says:

nice tutorial thanks........

(5 years and 2349 days ago)

Guest says:

Simply fantastic. What an imagination! whole plant & pot from a humberger.

(5 years and 2348 days ago)

Guest says:

awesome, thank you!!

(5 years and 2280 days ago)

Guest says:

good tutorial but for the bonsai specialist these is a shit

(5 years and 2223 days ago)

Guest says:

Interesting tutorial and very creative based on the materials you used to create it but it looks horrifically amateur and you wouldn't be able to create a convincing photomanipulation piece using it.

(5 years and 2207 days ago)

Guest says:

Hebat ... Kreatif ... Imajinatif ... Thanks for Tutorial ...

(5 years and 2198 days ago)

Guest says:

I am not PS expert but I always see lots of creations created by many artists & experts. I like your creations that are really excellent and can not tell which is better than other one. I must salute you especially to your visualization and simple process of getting correct and targeted end result. Your step to step explanation is also gr8. Keep-up this good work that inspires all neo's like me.

Kishore
kapatil@gmail.com

(5 years and 2173 days ago)

Guest says:

guaaa!!! great !!!

(5 years and 2163 days ago)

Guest says:

♥♥♥,..wow..♥♥♥

(5 years and 2042 days ago)

[banned] says:

I have seen many tutorials.Yours is very simple and easy to follow.I'm satisfied because I made it. Thank YOU VERY BIG!!!! GOD BLESS!!!!

(5 years and 1984 days ago)

Guest says:

I can't believe that I can follow your instructions. I'm happy that I have an output. Your work is excellent.My work will not win an award,but to tell you the truth. I am very very happy! I am only a beginner.

(5 years and 1984 days ago)

[banned] says:

I have seen many tutorials.Yours is very simple and easy to follow.I'm satisfied because I made it. Thank YOU VERY BIG!!!! GOD BLESS!!!!

(5 years and 1984 days ago)

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