Start by creating a new file in Photoshop (File > New), our size was set to 420 pixels by 130 pixels. The first few steps will be used to create some detail in the signature, we will then continue changing colors and lighting.

Apply some sort of texture on the canvas to get some detail. Here, a cracked texture was used.

We’re going to use some splatter brushes, with a bright red color. It’s best to create new layers (CTRL + SHIFT + N) every time you brush, so you keep maximum control of the looks.

Some more splatters on a new layer with the same red bright color.

Change the blending mode of the last splattering to Multiply:

We’re going to add a cinema4d render on the signature. You can find some renders in our resources section. The render that was used can be found here.

Change the blending mode of the render to Screen:

Add your render to the signature. The good thing about this render is that we can work with his hand to create some special effect. Try finding a render that has some activity in it that you can use.

Add another render on top of character, and rotate it (CTRL + T) to follow the flow of the character (in this case, his arm):

We’ve added the same render that we’ve added a few steps back on top of the signature again, and used the eraser tool to remove some areas covering our Code Geass character.

We’re going to create a glowing sphere in her hand. Select the brush tool, and pick a decent size soft brush:

With a yellow color, tap once on top of his hand:

Apply a bright outer glow to it, with the following settings:

This is what the sphere looks like on a black background:

We will be erasing some of it to make it seem as if its inside of his hand. To make the erasing a little easier, CTRL + Click on the layer of the character. This will turn it into a selection.

Zoom in and carefully erase with a small brush, parts of the yellow sphere:

Using the smudge tool, we will be creating some sort of light flow that comes out of his hand. First, tap again with a soft brush, then use the smudge tool to create some light flow coming out between his fingers:

This is the light brushing shown on a black background:

Result shown on the signature:

Apply the same outer glow that we used earlier:

Outcome of the glowing sphere in his hand:

We’re going to make his eye color match the red background a little more. Pick a small brush, and tap on top of his eyes with a bright red color:

Set the blending mode to Color, and reduce the opacity to 80%:

Apply the image on a new layer (Image > Apply Image). Then, select Filter > Distort > Ocean Ripple:

Play around with the settings a little. This is our image with an Ocean Ripple applied:

Now erase most of it, keep some sections of the render surrounding our character, and the light sphere coming out of his hand:

Change this layers blending mode to Lighten:

We’re going to add a Color Balance adjustment layer. You should be using your own settings, as our settings probably won’t work for your signature. Here are our settings anyway to illustrate an example. To create a color balance layer, select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance:

Outcome of the color balance adjustment layer:

We don’t want the Color Balance to cover the code geass character. Click on the adjustment layer, and start brushing with darkish grey over your character:

This is our outcome:

Time to add another color to the signature. We will be using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer for this. To create a Hue/Saturation layer, select Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation…

In the adjustment layer, select Master from the dropdown menu, and move the Hue bar around.

Our outcome:

We’re going to use a splatter brush to hide some part of the Adjustment layer. Select the layer mask:

And tap with a black color on the layer. This will hide the adjustment layer:

We think the signature is a little too dark. Using another Hue/Saturation layer, we will lighten it up a little. Once again, select Master from the dropdown menu, then drag the Lightness Bar:

You should also move the saturation if this makes the signature too greyish.

Add some text to your signature. Select the eyedropper tool to pick colors from your signature:

To finnish it up, select the Dodge and Burn tool, and add some lighting.

Go crazy, use some brushing or adjustment layers if you think that finishes it. Sharpen if needed. Our final outcome:

We hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. Premium Members can download the PSD file in the premium section. Good luck!

The outcome of the tutorial:

Create a new file, sized 400 pixels by 150 pixels. Fill this with a dark color:

Add a space stock somewhere on your canvas. Erase the sides, try creating a focal point:

Add a cinema4d render effect on the space stock that we’ve placed. You can’t see the render properly , however it is rotated upwards to create some flow.

Change the renders blending mode to Linear Dodge:

Repeat this a few times, add a render, rotate it, then change the blending mode to either Linear Dodge or Screen.

Repeated one more time, with the cinema4d render set to screen.

Find a render with a light “exploding” feel to it. Rotate it sidewards, make it follow the flow. This will compliment the render we’re adding later.

Change the blending mode to Linear Dodge:

Place your render in the middle of the canvas. There’s a tiny section of light coming from the left of his head. We will use this later as a lighting point:

We’re going to blend the render a little by brushing on the sides of the render. You can do this easily by using a clipping mask. Create a new layer over your render, and select Layer > Create Clipping Mask (CTRL + ALT +G). This is what your layer panel should look like:

Here’s an animation to illustrate the brushing that was done:

Using the original render, we’ve cut out a piece of chain.

Paste this on the canvas. It’s rotated to match the flow of the exploding render on the background.

Duplicate the layer, and resize it. Place it upwards:

Adding another cinema4d render on the signature on top of his right arm, and change the blending mode to either Screen or Linear dodge:

Repeat this on the left side of his arm:

The outcome after setting the render to screen:

We’re going to start blending the render by using a Photo Filter. We’ve set it to Cooling Filter (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Photo Filter…):

This is what it should look like now, it looks a bit too colored:

Change the blending mode to Soft Light with the opacity reduced to about 40%:

Duplicate the PhotoFilter, and change the blending mode to Saturation while reducing the opacity. Experiment to blend your character.

We want to enhance the explosion effect a little more, it’s blended in with the rest of the background by the Photo Filters.

To bring the explosion back up, select the layer mask, and brush with a black color over the explosion.

This will bring the explosion back up:

We’re going to add an explosion on the foreground:

Add the render on the foreground, and make sure you rotate it to match the flow of the signature.

Set the renders blending mode to Linear Dodge:

We’re going to add some detail on the character. Using a detailed render:

Change the blending mode to Lighten:

We’re going to use a lens flare to enhance the lighting. Create a new layer, and fill this with Black. Then, select Filter > Render > Lens Flare:

Erase most of it where the lighting is not needed. We will be changing the blending mode in the next step, so don’t worry about the black colors still covering the canvas.

Now set this layers blending mode to Color Dodge:

We’re going to fix the lighting a little more. On a new layer, brush with a white brush softly. This is the brushing shown on a black background:

The outcome after fixing the lighting:

We’ve added a render on his left arm for some more detail:

Change the blending mode to Lighten, Screen, or Linear Dodge:

To add some more blending, we’re going to add a Gradient Map. There’s several ways to do this, you can achieve the same effect with a curves Adjustment Layer.

Change the blending mode to Luminosity, and reduce the opacity to about 50%:

We’ve added the logo on top of the canvas. Don’t worry about cutting it out, we’re changing the blending mode afterwards to blend the black background:

After setting the blending mode to Screen:

Create a new layer, and apply the image. Using the marquee tool, select a section of the signature and paste it over the text. We will be converting it to a clipping mask in the next step:

Convert it to a clipping mask by pressing CTRL + ALT + G or selecting Layer > Convert to Clipping Mask.

Finish up your text using clipping masks or other techniques. Our outcome:

Using the Burn and Dodge Tool as seen here:

We will be adding shades and extra lighting. This could take a few tries.

Apply the image on a new layer, (Image > Apply Image) and either use the sharpen tool, or select Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen…

To enhance the lighting, we will use the eyedropper tool to pick a color from the canvas. With this, we will make a dot with a soft brush, covering any lighted area (check the blue near his shoulders):

Set the blending mode of this dot to Linear Dodge:

Repeat this step at the main lighting point to color the lighting, tap with a soft brush and a light color:

Change the blending mode to either Color or Linear Dodge. Reduce the opacity of felt necessary:

This brings us to our Final result, give it some finnishing touches like the burn and dodge tool, sharpen or blur tool, and so forth:

We hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorials. Premium Members will be able to download the signature in the Premium Section.