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Create a Chilling Abstract Using Photos and Textures

by Jenny Le on December 9, 2013 Want to create something creepy in Photoshop? Then try out this tutorial by Jenny Le. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create an abstract scene that features a creepy flaming tree-woman. You will learn various manipulation techniques such as creating lighting effects and applying textures.

 

Preview of Final Results

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Tutorial Resources

• Model
• Skull
• Texture
• Forest background
• Fire background
• Tree
• Branches 1
• Branches 2
• Nest
• Crow
• Wood texture
• Vines
• Fire

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Step 1

Create a new document with size of 1000×1050 px and fill it with white (feel free to use your own size and color). Open texture image. Use Move Tool to drag it into our white canvas, take Free Transform tool (Cmd/Ctrl+T) to lower the size to 40%:

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Step 2

I don’t like some details on the texture so I make a new layer (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N), active Clone Tool (S) and remove them:

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Step 3

Place forest stock onto the texture and change the mode to Soft Light 100%:

Click the second button at the bottom of Layer Panel to add mask to this forest layer. Use soft black brush with opacity from 30-70% to blur some parts on it. You can see how I did it on layer mask and result on picture:

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Step 4

Duplicate this layer and flip it horizontally (Edit-Transform-Flip Horizontal). Move it to the right then use layer mask to remove hard edges:

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Step 5

To edit all forest layers together, make them selected then hit cmd/Ctrl+G to create group for them. Change the mode of this group from Pass Through (default group mode) to Soft Light 100% (it’s very important to keep the same effect as before grouping). I name these layers “1″ and “2″.

On 2 layer, go to Layer-New Adjustment Layer-Curves:

On Curves layer mask use soft black brush with varied opacity to erase or blur some parts:

Because the mode of this group changed to Soft Light 100% (no Pass Through) so this Curves layer only affects the layers inside this group (forest ones).

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Step 6

To change the lightness of the background (texture, forest) I make a Curves layer on the top:

Use black brush to clear selected part shown in the screenshot:

Make another Curves layer to continue darkening the background. Try brushing on the layer mask to get similar result below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: R. Kelly – ‘Cookie’

With his album Black Panties available today, R. Kelly feeds his sexual appetite in the tasty video for “Cookie.” The self-proclaimed Cookie Monster throws a wild party in his mansion and fills it with lingerie-clad ladies, who work the pole in their black panties and pose as sexy French maids.
“I’m bringing the milk,” said Kellz. “I got all kinds of cookies up in here. They’re round, they’re square, triangle, some of them are heart shaped.”
He dips his Oreos into a bathtub full of milk and smokes a cigar as women cater to his every need.
Take a bite out of Kellz’ sweet treat.

TIME, Entertainment Weekly, & Rolling Stone Name Best Music of 2013

Kanye West declared his godliness, Lorde ruled the charts, and Miley Cyrus twerked her way into living rooms in 2013. As the year comes to a close, the critics once again reveal their choices for the best in pop music. TIME, Entertainment Weekly, and Rolling Stone comb through their playlists and pick the top albums and singles of the year.
Kanye West’s Yeezus may not have been nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys, but it was ranked No. 1 by TIME and EW. “Has there ever been another great album this bitter, this entitled, this abrasively unsatisfied—or this self-aware about it?” asked TIME‘s Douglas Wolk.
On the singles front, Daft Punk and Pharrell’s “Get Lucky” topped all three singles lists, while Big Sean’s “Control” scored TIME‘s No. 3 spot thanks to Kendrick Lamar’s explosive verse.
From Doris to Yeezus, see the critics’ selections below.

TIME Top 10 Albums of 2013
1. Yeezus – Kanye West
2. Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend
3. mbv – My Bloody Valentine
4. Who Is William Onyeabor? – William Onyeabor
5. The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You – Neko Case
6. Electricity by Candlelight – Alex Chilton
7. Cut 4 Me – Kelela
8. The Electric Lady – Janelle Monáe
9. Mole City – Quasi
10. Matangi – M.I.A.
TIME Top 10 Songs of 2013
1. “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk
2. “The Wire” – Haim
3. “Control” – Big Sean feat. Jay Electronica & Kendrick Lamar
4. “Ohm” – Yo La Tengo
5. “I Got a Boy” – Girls’ Generation
6. “Cut Copy Me” – Petula Clark
7. “We Can’t Stop” – Miley Cyrus
8. “Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy)” – David Bowie
9. “Cups” – Anna Kendrick
10. “Royals” – Lorde
Rolling Stone Top 10 Albums of 2013
1. Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend
2. Yeezus – Kanye West
3. Random Access Memories – Daft Punk
4. New – Paul McCartney
5. Reflektor – Arcade Fire
6. …Like Clockwork – Queens of the Stone Age
7. Pure Heroine – Lorde
8. Trouble Will Find Me – The National
9. AM – Arctic Monkeys
10. Wrote a Song For Everyone – John Fogerty
Rolling Stone Top 10 Singles of 2013
1. “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell and Nile Rodgers
2. “Royals” – Lorde
3. “Black Skinhead” – Kanye West
4. “Hannah Hunt” – Vampire Weekend
5. “When a Fire Starts to Burn” – Disclosure
6. “Stoned and Starving” – Parquet Courts
7. “Mirrors” – Justin Timberlake
8. “Retrograde” – James Blake
9. “Started From the Bottom” – Drake
10. “Do I Wanna Know?” – Arctic Monkeys
Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Albums of 2013
1. Yeezus – Kanye West
2. Nothing Was the Same – Drake
3. Bangerz – Miley Cyrus
4. Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves
5. Kiss Land – The Weeknd
6. Paramore – Paramore
7. Hummingbird – Local Natives
8. My Name Is My Name – Pusha T
9. Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend
10. Doris – Earl Sweatshirt
Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Singles of 2013
1. “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams
2. “Royals” – Lorde
3. “The Wire” – Haim
4. “Backseat Freestyle” – Kendrick Lamar
5. “Roar” – Katy Perry
6. “Best of Friends” – Palma Violets
7. “Stay” – Rihanna
8. “Cruise (Remix)” – Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly
9. “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” – David Bowie
10. “When a Fire Starts To Burn” – Disclosure
Do you agree with their choices? Sound off below.

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Justin Bieber's Music Video Crush Talks Selena Gomez's Diss, Kissing the Superstar

Celebrity News December 4, 2013 AT 8:10PM By Rachel McRady

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Cailin Russo kisses Justin Bieber after appearing in his music video. Credit: Courtesy of Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber's latest crush does not have the last name Gomez, and according to his new flame, it's causing a bit of jealousy from his famous ex. Cailin Russo is the object of the superstar's latest affections in his new "All That Matters" music video. And after he posted a photo of the blonde model kissing him on the cheek, the cat was out of the bag.
PHOTOS: Justin and Selena, the way they were
Bieber's ex Selena Gomez recently shared a selfie on Instagram with the caption, "I thought he only liked the Latina category. Smh… #nomakeup #hatewhengirlssaythat," and Russo thinks the note was intentionally aimed at her.

Credit: Frazer Harrison/AMA2011/Getty

"It was clearly directed at him with me in the video, but like I said I was just doing my job," Russo said in a new interview with Cosmopolitan. "Selena is a superstar and I'm just a girl in a video. She's his ex, and I'm sure they still have feelings for each other."
PHOTOS: Stars with Bieber Fever
But anyone interested in acquiring the "Boyfriend" singer's affections might have cause to be jealous. The 19-year-old video vixen reveals that they're still in close communication. In fact, the singer is stored in Russo's phone under an alias.
"If my phone is out and I'm with people, I don't want anyone to see if he texts me or FaceTimes me, ya know?" she said.
PHOTOS: Selena Gomez's red carpet style
But Russo reveals she does have a boyfriend, for the time being.
"I had a boyfriend up until the video and the drop," she continued. "We broke up for about a week after, but we're back together... for now."
Russo's boyfriend didn't stop her from shooting lots of passionate kissing scenes with Bieber throughout the music video.
PHOTOS: Child stars all grown up
"In the beginning it was kind of weird because I had never kissed anyone on set that passionately or that famous," she said. "I wasn't a super fan of his before I did this and I just kept thinking to myself that people would kill to do this. I got butterflies and I do still to this day. After the shoot wrapped it felt so surreal, I even got a speeding ticket after the shoot because I was on such a high. I guess you could say I wouldn't mind doing it again."

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MTV EMA: Miley Cyrus 'Smokes Joint' On Stage

The 20-year-old singer sparks new controversy by lighting up as she accepts an award at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

7:58am UK, Tuesday 10 December 2013

The 20-year-old singer lit the "joint" in front of fans in Amsterdam

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Miley Cyrus has caused a storm by appearing to light up a joint on stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

The singer lit a hand-rolled cigarette as she accepted her best video award for Wrecking Ball at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam - where smoking marijuana is tolerated.
The drug is not legal in the Netherlands, but smokers are not prosecuted for possession of small amounts and it is sold openly in cafes known as "coffee shops".

The singer exhales after picking up the best video gong

Cyrus opened the space-themed show singing the song We Can't Stop while wearing a silver spandex suit and demonstrating her signature "twerking" dance move in a routine with a dwarf.
The 20-year-old, who is managed by Larry Rudolph - who also represents Britney Spears - had already caused a stir by arriving at the event in a revealing mini-dress emblazoned with images of murdered rappers The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac Shakur along with the words "please stop violence".
Rapper Eminem - real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers - emerged the biggest winner at the awards.

Cyrus performs on stage in a skin-tight white leotard

He collected the global icon prize for lifetime achievement along with best hip-hop act, just a week after being declared artist of the year at the inaugural YouTube Music Awards.
The 41-year-old had more cause to celebrate after scoring his seventh consecutive number one UK album with The Marshall Mathers LP 2 and took to the stage to perform Berzerk and Rap God - two tracks from his new works.
"This is crazy. I want to say thank you to everybody over the years," he said.

Cyrus had caused a stir with her revealing arrival outfit

Katy Perry won the award for best female singer, pipping Lady Gaga and Cyrus and collecting her third EMA prize in the process.
Claiming her prize, the US singer gave a dramatic performance of her song Unconditionally, suspended like a sequin-covered glitter ball nine metres (30 feet) above the set.

There was barely a twerk in sight during the singer's performance

One Direction had a good night, taking the prize for best pop, while Harry Styles, known as much for his singing in the band as for his celebrity girlfriends, was awarded best style.
Thirty Seconds To Mars frontman Jared Leto reacted to his band's win in the best alternative category by calling for a minute of silence for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.






 

SEATTLE – WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio suffered a concussion during a match with Sin Cara on the Dec. 9 edition of Raw, according to WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann.
After speaking with Del Rio following his match, it was determined that he suffered the injury as a result of a top-rope sunset flip powerbomb. Following some initial testing, Dr. Amann diagnosed Del Rio with a concussion and will be re-evaluating him tomorrow, as well as administering an ImPACT test to determine a timetable for the former World Heavyweight Champion's recovery.
Stay with WWE.com for more on Del Rio’s condition.









The latest update on ASUU Strike is that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has N200bn agreed upon by ASUU and FG has been paid into the Varsities account with the CBN. The Federal Government has earlier claimed they have paid this money and even went on to show proof of payment through the media. ASUU however, remained adamant they have not seen any proof. Will this confirmation by CBN change ASUU’s mind?

Read the full details of the latest ASUU Strike Update below:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed that a sum of N200 billion agreed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on November 5 has been fully paid into a Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, disclosed this today in Abuja, where he made the CBN letter available to newsmen.

Okupe did not, however, address the question of the signed statement being demanded by ASUU outlining the terms of their agreement. A part of the stalemate is that in the past, the government has failed to implement agreements reached with the union, a mistake ASUU seems unwilling to repeat.

In the letter signed by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, and addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, the apex bank confirmed that the total sum of N200 billion is the balance in the account, as required.

The Letter titled CONFIRMATION OF THE EXECUTION OF YOUR MANDATE FOR THE CREDIT OF ACCOUNT ON REVITALISATION OF UNIVERSITIES INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOUNT indicates that the sum was paid in three tranches of 129,300,000,000,000k; 20,700,000,000,00k and 50,000,000,000,00k.

While reiterating that the President is fully committed to the implementation of agreements reached with ASUU, Okupe said a Needs Assessment Implementation Committee which has representatives of ASUU on board will be inaugurated tomorrow in order to fast track the utilization of the released funds and tackle infrastructure deficiency in the university system.

According to the presidential aide, the government has received several representations from eminent Nigerians and stakeholders on the need to temper justice with mercy regarding the ultimatum issued to the striking lecturers to resume work or face stiff sanctions.

“Government appreciates the fact that a number of universities have either resumed academic activities or announced resumption dates in line with the directives earlier issued by the Committee of Pro Chancellors,”Okupe said. “We appreciate the fact that many chapters of ASUU have resumed work and many more will follow suit shortly.”

He said the government was desirous of normalcy in the educational sector in view of the importance of the sector to the society, adding that with the evidence of the availability of the N200m for immediate disbursement to the universities, it was expected that ASUU would call off the strike.

“This is the only honourable path for our distinguished academics in the present instance,” he threatened.

He added that the government does not intend to victimize anyone who participates in a legitimate strike action in view of the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation convention which guarantees workers’ right to strikes convened in line with due processes.

A commentator who read Okupe’s statement today said it was unlikely that the threat implied by the Special Adviser was lost on members of ASUU, as it is the government which has extensive credibility problems, not the union, and lacks the right to speak about honour. Source: SaharaReporters

That’s the latest ASUU Strike Update brought to you by ND2QUOTE_GRAFIX