Craggy Rock Texture

1. First create a new document, 800 x 600 (resolution 72) will do.

2. First we need a texture that we can use to make the rock type texture. For this we are going to use the ever popular clouds texture. Filter>Render>Clouds. (Before you render the clouds make sure you press D on your keyboard to load the default Black and White Foreground and Background Colours)

3. Next go to Filter>Render>Difference clouds and press enter.

When you have entered the Difference Clouds press Ctrl+F on your keyboard (this is a shortcut that re-applies the last filter used)3 or 4 times until you get something you like (not too much white though).

4. We now have to rotate the image before we apply the next filter, so go to Image>Rotate Canvas and choose 90ºCW.

5. We now need to apply the wind filter, so - Filter>Stylize>Wind and apply the following settings. Press OK.

6. Press Ctrl+F (3) times.

7. Next rotate the image back to its original position - Image>Rotate Canvas and enter 90ºCCW.

8. Now to add some colour to the image - press Ctrl+U on your keyboard to bring up the Hue and Saturation screen.

Make sure the Colorize box is ticked and enter the settings above. This will give you a blue colour but you can choose whatever colour you like. Getting to the end now, but first to add the 3D texture.

9. Filter>Render>Lighting Effects and you'll see a screen like this.

Copy the settings I have here. Make sure you activate the texture channel (arrowed) by selecting the colour nearest the colour you have chosen and set the slider to mountainous (arrowed). The circle of light can be moved around by dragging on the small black squares (arrowed). Once you have all the settings correct press OK and see the magic of Photoshop.

10. To finish things off make a copy of this layer - Layer>Duplicate Layer and apply a 5 pixel Gaussian Blur to the top layer - Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur.

11. Finally blend the top layer using the Blending Options on the Layers Pallet, set this to Soft Light. This will give the texture more depth (this technique can be used on other things as well).

12. Flatten your layers - Layers>Flatten and that's it.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and you are able to find a use for it in your artwork.