Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial: Create Your Own Scary Design
If you’re eager to learn how to design a terrifying piece of art, this Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial is exactly what you need. In the video tutorial embedded below, you’ll discover the step-by-step process to create a spine-chilling poster that will captivate any horror fan. Follow along with the details provided here to ensure you master every step of the design process.


Step 1: Gather Your Images
The first crucial step in this Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial involves gathering the right images:
- Haunted House: Download a haunted house image to create an eerie atmosphere.
- Creepy Tree Branches: Find twisted tree branches to add a haunting effect.
- Screaming Face Horror: Incorporate a screaming face with blood effects to amplify the fear factor.
- Dark Forest Background: Select a dark forest background to set the ominous tone.
- Broken Windows: Use images of broken windows to give the haunted house a derelict look.
- Horror Blood Effects: Add blood splatters for a gory touch.
- Eerie Night Sky: Include an eerie night sky to complete the horror scene.
Step 2: Set Up Your Photoshop Document
The next step in the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial is setting up your Photoshop document:
- Create a New Document: Start by creating a document with dimensions suited for a poster (e.g., 1080 x 1920 pixels).
- Background Layer: Set a dark color, like deep blue or black, for the background.
Step 3: Add the Dark Forest Background
In this step of the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial, you’ll add the dark forest background:
- Open the Image: Begin by opening the dark forest background image in Photoshop.
- Select the Subject: Go to
Select > Subject
to automatically select the main elements of the background. - Copy and Paste: Copy the selection and paste it onto your main document.
- Resize and Position: Use
Ctrl+T
(Windows) orCmd+T
(Mac) to resize and position the background to fit the canvas. - Blend Mode: Adjust the blend mode to
Multiply
orOverlay
to darken the scene further.
Step 4: Add the Haunted House
This step in the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial focuses on adding the haunted house:
- Open the Image: Open the haunted house image in Photoshop.
- Select the Subject: Use
Select > Subject
to automatically select the haunted house. - Copy and Paste: Copy the selected house and paste it onto your main document.
- Resize and Position: Resize and position the house in the center of the canvas using
Ctrl+T
(Windows) orCmd+T
(Mac). - Adjust Color and Contrast: Go to
Image > Adjustments > Levels
andImage > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation
to match the house’s color and contrast to the dark theme.
Step 5: Add Broken Windows
The next step in the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial involves adding the broken windows:
- Blend with the House: Use a Crack brush to create a realistic broken effect on the haunted house.
- Mask: If needed, apply a mask to blend the cracks seamlessly. For detailed guidance, refer to the video tutorial below.
Step 6: Add Creepy Tree Branches
In this step of the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial, you’ll incorporate the creepy tree branches:
- Open the Images: Open the creepy tree branches in Photoshop.
- Select the Subject: Use
Select > Subject
to automatically select each branch. - Copy and Paste: Copy the selected branches and paste them onto your main document.
- Blend Mode: Set the blend mode of these layers to
Multiply
orDarken
to blend them into the background. - Position: Resize and rotate the branches using
Ctrl+T
(Windows) orCmd+T
(Mac) to frame the house and create a sense of enclosure.
Step 7: Add the Screaming Face
This step in the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial is critical for adding the fear factor:
- Open the Image: Open the screaming face image in Photoshop.
- Select the Subject: Use
Select > Subject
to automatically select the face. - Copy and Paste: Copy the selected face and paste it onto your main document.
- Position: Position the face emerging from the center of the house, possibly from a broken area.
- Blend Edges: Use a Cracks brush to blend the edges of the face into the house.
- Add Blood Effects (Optional): Place blood splatter images around the face and set the blend mode to
Multiply
orOverlay
for a more horrifying effect.
Step 8: Add the Eerie Night Sky
In this step of the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial, the eerie night sky is added:
- Open the Image: Open the eerie night sky image in Photoshop.
- Select the Subject: Use
Select > Subject
to automatically select the key elements of the sky. - Copy and Paste: Copy the selected sky and paste it onto your main document.
- Blend Mode: Set the blend mode to
Overlay
orSoft Light
to blend it with the existing background. - Adjust Opacity: Lower the opacity if necessary to ensure a natural blend.
Step 9: Final Adjustments
Now, you’ll make final adjustments in the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial:
- Color Correction: Use
Image > Adjustments > Color Balance
andImage > Adjustments > Curves
to ensure all elements match in color and create a cohesive look. - Color Lookup: Apply a color lookup for a cinematic effect.
- Camera Raw Filter: Use the Camera Raw filter to enhance the overall mood and tones.
Step 10: Add Final Details
In the final step of the Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial, you’ll add the finishing touches:
- Merge Layers: Press
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E
to merge all visible layers into a new layer. - Additional Effects: Add effects like fog, mist, or glowing eyes using brushes or overlay images to heighten the horror theme.
- Typography (Optional): If adding text, choose a horror-themed font and place it appropriately on the poster.
Step 11: Save and Export
Finally, wrap up your Horror Movie Poster Photoshop Tutorial by saving and exporting your work:
- Save: Save your project as a PSD file to preserve all layers for future editing.
- Export: Export the final image as a high-quality JPEG or PNG for sharing or printing.
Note: For any additional steps or details not covered here, please refer to the YouTube video below.
Watch the Full Tutorial on YouTube
For a visual guide and more tips, make sure to watch the full tutorial on YouTube.
Download All the Assets
Want to get started right away? Download all the assets used in this tutorial and follow along step-by-step.
By following these steps, you’ll create a horror-themed artwork that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re preparing for Halloween or just love the horror genre, this project will help you sharpen your Photoshop skills while having a lot of fun.