In our detailed tutorial you will learn how to draw an excellent illustration.

Start by creating a new file (File>New), having 800×300 and 100 dpi.
Apply now the Rectangle Tool (U) to represent the background of the picture to be next:

Set the next parameters for the layer by making a mouse click on the processed layer on the layers’ panel:
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Next we have to choose the Custom Shape Tool (U) to represent several snowflakes of different sizes and white color.

The snowflakes’ layers should have the next parameters indicated: Fill 50%
Blending Options>Stroke

Try to represent now a Christmas special toy decoration, using the Ellipse Tool (U) for drawing the primary layer of the fir tree’s decoration.

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Applying the same tool, it’s possible to make three more decorations of different colors.

The parameter Blending Options>Outer Glow is the same for all decorations (the same with the red toy decoration)
1) The parameters for the blue ball decoration: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

2) The parameters for the yellow ball decoration: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

3) The parameters for the violet ball decoration: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Next we have to represent the top part of the fir tree’s toy decoration, selecting for this operation the Rectangle Tool (U) and correcting its shape with the Convert Point Tool.

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Make three copies of the last represented layer and choose Free Transform option to make smaller the necessary copies and place them above the fir tree’s decorations:

Now we have to represent the thread the decorations hang up with. It’s necessary in this case to select the Line Tool (U). The threads’ layers should be placed lower than the layers containing the toy decorations. Select also the next color for the threads: #7B7B7B

Begin paining the fir tree’s toys. On the next layer we’ll apply the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool for making necessary corrections on the elements’ shapes:

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Using the last chosen method and the same parameters, it’s necessary to represent another ornament, having the fir tree’s shape:

Take the same Pen Tool (P) to represent another fir tree’s ornament on the decoration, by representing firstly the ornaments outside edges and only after that using the tool’s regime.

Cut out the inside part of the fir tree’s ornament:

The layer’s parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Choose one more time the Custom Shape Tool (U) for representing the snowflakes of white color on the yellow toy decoration:

Make a mouse click on this layer on Add a Mask option on the lowest part of the layers’ panel. Select after that the standard brush of black color to paint the coming outside the ball’s edges snowflakes zones:

Select the same Custom Shape Tool (U) and press SHIFT button to draw several small stars of different sizes and white color. The new ornaments are reserved for the blue toy decoration:

Take the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw a moon of white color. Firstly it’s necessary to draw its basis and then press Alt button to move off the unnecessary elements:

Let’s make the ornaments now on the violet toy decoration, choosing for this operation the Pen Tool (P) of white color.

Make a mouse click on the lowest part of the layers’ panel on Add a Mask selection and use a standard brush of black color to paint the decoration’s coming outside ornament’s zones:

It’s time to select the Rectangle Tool (U) to continue introducing different ornaments on the violet ball decoration and this time we’ll choose the white color too for the ornaments.

As we have described before, we’ll select Add a Mask option and the Brush Tool (B) that will be helpful in painting the coming outside the ball’s edges the ornament’s zones:

Using the same Rectangle Tool (U), we’ll represent two more stripes composing the ornaments also of white color. This time we’ll use again the same method of hiding the coming outside the toy’s edges ornament’s zones:

Each ornament’s element of white color belonging to the violet toy has the same layer’s parameters: Fill 70%

Next we’ll make a highlight on the red toy decoration, choosing previously the Ellipse Tool (U).

The layer’s parameters: Fill 0%
Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient’s parameters:

Make three copies of the last made highlight’s layer and take the Free Transform option to change the copies’ sizes, depending on the toys the highlights are situated on.

Select again the Ellipse Tool (U) to draw several small white circles of different sizes:

Apply for the last made layers the same parameter indicated next: Fill 30%

Using the last chosen tool, try to insert two more white small circles:

Apply for the last circles’ layers the next parameter shown below: Fill 20%

Try to draw now a radial brilliance on the red toy decoration, using the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool for inserting the necessary corrections on the drawn element. The element’s color is white.

Make three copies of the last made layer and select again the Free Transform option to turn over the copies and make them look smaller. This way we’ll try to get a star shape.

Select for the layers containing the radial brilliance the same parameter shown next: Fill 50%

Combine in a group all the layers composing the radial brilliance (press Ctrl button to mark out the corresponding layers and then make a click on the left mouse’s button to take the marked layers on Create a new group selection). Next we’ll make five copies of the last combined group and choose again the Free Transform option to change, if necessary, the copies’ sizes, placing them as it is demonstrated below:

Next we have to introduce on our picture the holiday congratulation inscription, keeping the demands from the next table:

The parameters reserved for the text’s layers: Blending Options>Drop Shadow

The picture is finished!
View full size here.