Glowing Text Effect With Abstract Background

There are a few methods that can be used when it comes to creating a glowing text effect. In this tutorial, we will show you how to do that on an abstract background pattern using Adobe Photoshop. The steps provided are quick, simple and very easy to follow. Without further ado, let's begin the tutorial!

1. Let's start off by creating a new document. The setting we use for the new document is 800 pixel x 600 pixel, at 72 dpi. Then, fill this background layer with black.

2. After that, create a temporary layer and make a long thin selection with the 'Rectangular Marquee' tool (M).

3. Next, go to 'Edit' and click 'Define Brush Preset'. Give the brush a name of your choice, click 'OK' and delete the temporary layer.

4. Select the 'Brush' tool (B) and press 'F5' to bring up the brushes' pallete. Once you have done that, you will be able to see your new brush at the bottom of the list.

5. The following steps only serves as a guide so you are free to apply the settings according to your preference. Select your new brush and apply these settings as shown in the image below.

Note: If you are using a Wacom tablet, changing the 'Size Jitter' control to 'Pen Pressure' will randomize the brush size according to how much pressure you apply on your stylus.

6. In this next step, we will create another new layer. Now that you have selected your new brush in Step 5, set it to a smaller size and make a horizontal stroke across the canvas with white.

Note: With the Wacom tablet, we start and end our brush stroke lightly, while applying more pressure at the middle part.

7. Then, select the 'Motion Blur' filter and apply it.

8. Repeat Step 6 on a newly created layer (Layer 2) on top of Layer 1. This time, use a slightly bigger brush. Apply a 40% opacity on this layer and duplicate it (CTRL or CMD + J).

9. Set the Foreground or Background color to 'Default (D)' and apply a 'Halftone' effect on Layer 2 (Filter > Sketch > Halftone Pattern). Then, set the layer to 'Color Burn'.

10. Now, let's add in some color. First, let's create a new layer (Layer 3). Then, use a soft brush and randomly paint colors of your choice onto different sections of the graphic. Once it's done, set the 'Layer Blending' option to 'Overlay'.

11.  Next, add a texture layer (image code: 8779140) on top of Layer 3 and desaturate it (SHIFT + CTRL + U or CMD + U). This will give it a grungy look. Set the layer to 'Overlay' and lower the opacity to 80%.

Glowing Text

12. Create a new layer group and key in your own custom text. The font we used was 'Anitlles' by Iconian Fonts (www.iconian.com). Right click on the text layer, rasterize the text and then duplicate it by pressing 'CTRL or CMD + J' on the keyboard.

13. We will hide the bottom text layer for now. Then, press 'CTRL or CMD + Click' on the top text layer to select it. Contract the selection by 3 pixels (Select > Modify > Contract). This will create the text outlines.

14. Tap delete to get rid of the selected portions. Then, go ahead and apply an 'Outer Glow' layer style.

15. Lastly, show and select the bottom text layer. Give it a 'Gaussian Blur' effect (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur) with a radius of 6 pixels. You can also apply the 'Drop Shadow' effect so that it will stand out more.

16. Tadaaa...here you go, the final artwork.

Wasn't that fun? We hope you enjoyed this 'Glowing Text Effect With Abstract Background' tutorial as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you.