Create a surreal ink in water portrait effect in Photoshop

Create a surreal ink in water portrait effect in Photoshop

Ink and smoke effects transform ordinary portraits into striking artistic compositions. This technique blends human features with flowing ink textures to create dramatic, ethereal imagery.

The tutorial demonstrates how to seamlessly merge portrait elements with ink stock images using masking, blending modes, and highlight techniques for a professional result.

Watch the Tutorial

Video by Photoshop Tutorials. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Key Techniques for Ink Portrait Effects

Master these essential steps to achieve smooth blending between portrait and ink elements:

  • Use Color Range selection to isolate ink from white backgrounds with fuzziness around 124 for clean edges
  • Create layer masks on both model and ink layers to control which parts remain visible
  • Paint with soft brushes at 50% opacity on masks for gradual, natural blending transitions
  • Apply Color Dodge blending mode with pink highlights at 15% opacity for ethereal glow effects
  • Use Reduce Noise filter to soften skin texture and create a more cohesive final result

More Tutorials About Smoke and Ink Effects

Explore additional techniques for creating atmospheric portrait effects:

Making a smoke dispersion effect in photoshop
The author provides a straightforward tutorial on creating a smoke dispersion effect in Photoshop. The user is guided through the process of generating a face that appears to be made from smoke and enhancing it with vibrant colors to achieve a more professional-looking result. This tutorial is suitable for beginners, making it accessible to a wide range of Photoshop users. The author suggests that the tutorial is quite basic, indicating that even novice users will find it helpful. By following
Create a smoke effect in Photoshop
This step-by-step tutorial by RetutPro shows you how to produce a realistic plume of smoke emerging from a pipe. The tutorial walks you through the entire process, from setting up the initial layers to adding the finishing touches. You'll learn useful techniques like using brushes to shape the smoke, adjusting the opacity and blending modes, and incorporating lighting effects. By following along, you'll be able to create a visually striking smoke effect that can be used in a variety of design
Smoke text effect with skulls in Photoshop
In this Photoshop tutorial, you'll learn how to create a smoke text effect where smoke appears to be released over the letters. Using free brushes and other resources, the tutorial guides you through the steps to achieve this dynamic and ethereal effect. Additionally, the author includes a hidden or disguised skull within the design, subtly making a statement about the dangers of smoking. This tutorial not only teaches you how to create visually striking smoke effects but also incorporates a m
How to Add Steam or Smoke in Photoshop
In this engaging tutorial by Aaron Nace from Phlearn, you'll discover how to introduce realistic steam or smoke effects into your images. This technique is perfect for adding atmospheric elements that can enhance the mood and mystery of any scene. Nace walks you through the process in a few simple steps, ensuring that even beginners can follow along and achieve professional results. The tutorial covers essential methods for creating and blending steam or smoke effects seamlessly into your photo

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

Complete Photoshop Editing Workflow: 5 Steps from Raw to Polished

Photoshop offers endless possibilities for photo enhancement, but many photographers never move beyond basic adjustments because the software feels overwhelming. This comprehensive workflow breaks down photo editing into five manageable stages that work consistently across different photography styles. The systematic approach covers everything from initial raw processing to advanced lighting...

Photoshop Workspace Basics: Navigation, Zooming, and Essential Interface Elements

Photoshop's interface can feel overwhelming when you first open the program. Dozens of panels, tools, and menus compete for attention, making simple tasks feel complicated. This tutorial breaks down the essential workspace elements and teaches fundamental navigation skills that form the foundation of efficient Photoshop work. Watch the...

How to Restore Old Damaged Photos Using Nano Banana in Photoshop

Old family photos with scratches, tears, and missing sections can seem beyond repair. Google's Nano Banana AI model, now integrated into Photoshop, makes full restoration possible in minutes rather than hours. This powerful tool excels at maintaining facial characteristics while automatically filling in damaged areas and adding realistic...

How to Get Higher Quality Results from Photoshop's Generative Fill Tool

Photoshop's Generative Fill creates impressive AI extensions, but the results often look blurry and pixelated when viewed at full size. This quality limitation makes many AI-generated areas unusable for printing or large displays. This technique shows how to work around the 1024x1024 pixel quality limit to create much...

How to Use Photoshop's Liquify Tool for Non-Destructive Portrait Retouching

Clothing wrinkles, hair that lacks volume, and awkward fabric bunching can distract from an otherwise great portrait. Photoshop's Liquify tool offers a powerful solution for smoothing out these issues while preserving the natural look of your subject. This tutorial demonstrates how to use the Liquify tool non-destructively with...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.