Learn how to create a heart in Photoshop using custom shapes and layer styles from this easy to follow Photoshop tutorial. I will use the default Photoshop heart shape found in CS4, but you can use any other shape. By simply moving the heart I will create a simple 3d heart effect ; the same technique can be applied to create other 3d shapes in Photoshop.
Being a vector heart , I can easily change the shape and color of the heart. A vector shape can also be resized without loosing its quality. If you decide to resize the heart don't forget to scale the effects of the layer style otherwise it will look weird. The PSD file is made with Photoshop CS4 and can be downloaded for free by all our registered users.
Simply use the default heart custom shape to draw a heart and choose a brite beautiful red color #f31f1f. Call this layer Heart 1 as it will be our base layer. Now open the Layer Style Window and add Inner Glow and Gradient Overlay :
Choose white color for the inner glow and blend mode normal with opacity 15%.
For the gradient overlay I've chosen linear gradient, color #7f0000 with opacity from 100% to 0%. So I've made the bottom are of the heart darker.
Duplicate the Heart 1 layer and call it Heart 2. Reduce the Fill of the Heart 2 layer to 0%. Add Gradient Overlay using color #ffadad. Make sure you have the Reverse option checked. The gradient is similar with the one use before, with opacity differences with small location changes. See the image of the Gradient Editor below:
Duplicate the Heart 2 Layer and call it of course Heart 3. Lower the opacity of this layer to 10% and change its color to #ffdede. Being a vector shape you can easily change the color and more important, the shape. So click the Vector Mask Thumbnail to select the shape and simply extract an ellipse shape from our heart. Make sure you pick the right tool and the right settings.
Duplicate the Heart 1 layer and place it below, call it Heart 02 layer. Move it to the right and up just like in the image. You can even change its shape a little by resizing it vertical/horizontal. Now add Gradient Overlay ... here comes the complicated part because my gradient is very complicated with lots of colors. You'd better download the PSD file to see the exact colors/locations.
To make the 3D effect more realistic I will add a little more shadow. Duplicate the Heart 02 layer twice and place those layers above the original one but below the Heart 1 layer. Call them Heart 01 and Heart 0 layers. Add Gradient Overlay to both of them (normal; 42% opacity, linear, angle 0). The only difference between the two of them is the Gradient. You can see the gradient in the image below and for the exact locations check out the PSD file.
I have decided to add an extra touch to my 3D heart shape, more precisely to add a stars outline . For that create a new layer called Stars above all the others. Set the foreground color White. Pick a simple star brush, size 20 px. Open the Brushes Panel and make the following settings:
Go to Brush Tip Shape and increase the Spacing to 154%.
Go to Shape Dynamics and set the Size Jitter to 50% and the Angle Jitter to 25%.
Go to Heart 1 layer and press CTRL and click the layer thumbnail to select it. Pick the Lasso Tool, right click and choose Make Work Path .
Go to Paths tab, simply click right on the Work Path and choose Stroke Path . Check Simulate Pressure and you should obtain a similar effect. You can add similar dotted outline or a double stars outline, just let your imagination flow.
Here is the final result for my "Make a Heart in Photoshop" tutorial. Hope you've enjoyed reading it!
This file is free for personal, non-commercial use only and can not be redistributed or sold without our written permission. If you have any questions you can contact us .
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