This tutorial is meant and suitable for photoshop beginner who wants to do a simple cloud illustration without the use of pencil tool! You will definitely learn something new supposedly you’re still not familiar with the blending options. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and do let me know if you’ve any comments. Do not claim or sell the layered .PSD file available for download at the end of the post as your own. You may use the reference file excluding the stock and renders only for personal usage.

Step 1

Let’s start out by creating a new file. I used a 600×600 pixels canvas set at 72dpi, and I filled my background with a #8EE7FF color shade. Then make a new layer set and name it ‘Cloud Illustration’. Select your Ellipse Tool and check anti-aliased on the options palette above your screen. In a new layer draw a random white cloud shape.

Step 2

Under Layer Style (Layer > Layer Style) add a Drop Shadow and Gradient Overlay blending options to your white cloud layer.

Step 3

On the top menu go to Select > Load Selection, leave the settings on default which should add a marquee selection around your cloud layer. Make a new layer and go to Edit > Stroke, apply the settings below.

Step 4

Now duplicate the black border around the cloud layer and set the layer’s opacity level to 8%.

Step 5

Grab the original black border around the cloud layer and duplicate it again, put the original to the side by turning off the layer. Now with the duplicate, resize it down by half through Edit > Transform > Scale, position this lining design as shown below.

Step 6

Select your Eraser tool with a medium sized soft brush. Then erase the bottom half of the lining design to make a lining detail withing the clouds. For a perfect blend set the layer’s opacity level to 19%.

Step 7

Now add tiny line details to make the cloud pop up, first select your brush tool with a 2 px soft brush. Then set the foreground color to #F2F2F2 color shade. In a new layer draw a short 2 px line on corner of the cloud as shown below. Remember to use the eraser tool with a soft brush to erase the lining so its fading with the cloud design.

Step 8

Here we added soft lining detail on the bottom of the cloud.

Step 9

Now add some glow on the cloud, first select the brush tool and set the size to 35 px. In a new layer add a white glow on the top end and bottom right of the cloud.

Bonus

If you want a light beam from the background hitting your cloud, under Layer Style (Layer > Layer Style) add a Gradient Overlay blending option to your background layer. Use the angle setting to face your cloud if its not in that direction. Download the layered .PSD to use in your personal project.