In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a realistic mailbox icon in Photoshop using basic skills and different blending options.
Tutorial Details
Program: Photoshop CS5
Estimated Completion Time: 45 Minutes
Step 1
Create a new document with Width 1000px and Height 800px.
Step 2
First of all, we’ll draw the basic shape of the mailbox and then we’ll create other details. Select the ‘pen tool’ and click on the ‘shape layers’ option on the top options bar. This will preserve the path you draw and you can edit it anytime to modify it. You can use any color at the moment as we will adjust it later on. Now draw the shape as shown below.
Keep on drawing different parts of mailbox using ‘pen tool’ to get the sketch as shown below.
Step 3
Next we’ll add character to each part by blending options. Click on the first shape layer to select it and go to Layer> Layer style and use the following settings.
Step 4
Click on the 2nd shape layer and use the same values for inner glow, bevel and emboss as in step 3. However, we’ll use a darker gradient here, so use the following values for gradient overlay.
Step 5
Next click on the 3rd shape layer and use the following values for blending options.
Step 6
Press 4th shape layers ‘a’ and ‘b’ one by one and use the following layer style settings.
Step 7
Next, click on 5th shape layer and use the below displayed settings.
Use the same settings for the inner circle except gradient overlay, here use color overlay option and select #158fb6 color.
Step 8
Select the 6th shape layer now and use the following blending options settings.
Step 9
Click on shape layer 7 and use the below given layer style settings for it.
For 8th shape layer, settings used are displayed below.
For 9th and 10th shape layers just use the option of ‘color overlay’ to change color. Use #000000 color for 9th and # da2e09 for 10th shape.
Step 10
Select the 11th shape layer and use the following blending options settings. Use the same settings for shape 12 also.
Lastly, create shadows for some parts using ‘pen tool’ as shown below.
Step 11
We are done with the mailbox so far, next we’ll move on to create letters. Create a new layer; select the ‘rectangle tool’ to draw a rectangle. Then select the ‘pen tool’ and create a triangular shape with one angle a bit rounded as shown below. After that, duplicate the triangular layer by going to Layer> Duplicate layer. Then go to Edit> Transform> Flip vertical and drag this triangle to the top of rectangle to form this basic letter shape.
Step 12
Use the following layer style settings for the rectangle.
Use the below displayed settings for the upper triangle.
Step 13
Click on the letter layers while pressing ‘Shift key’ to select them and collect these in a group. Duplicate this group 2-3 times and change color of each duplicated group to form different colored letters. You can arrange and resize these letters by pressing Ctrl+ T.
After that, collect all the letters groups in a new group and then go to Layer> Merge group to have all letters in a single layer. Next, click on this merged layer and press Ctrl+ thumbnail of the first shape layer, then go to Select> Inverse. Finally, press ‘add layer mask’ icon, which is present at the bottom of the layers palette. By doing so, letters would appear inside the mailbox. That’s it.
Hope you enjoyed learning this tutorial. We’ll be waiting for your response.
