dkauffman

We are going to show you how to create a nice background for your mac. You can create this background and customize it as much as you want and its also very easy to do. We hope you have fun following this tutorial.

Step 01:
Create a document of any size you need and then load white and a shade of gray in your canvas. Select the Gradient Tool and then choose the gradient with the colors we selected. Draw a line starting in the middle of your canvas and then go down and to your right to draw the gradient.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 02:
Now we have the background we want. We need the shape of an apple now and you can download it here. Load it in Photoshop and then select the Custom Shape Tool and then select the apple you downloaded. Hold Shift down and start drawing the shape. We hold Shift down to avoid distorting the apple shape. When you release, you have your shape in its own layer and then you click on Layer-Rasterize Layer.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 03:
Now we are going to go to Layer-Layer Style-Inner Shadow and we are going to select a darker green color like 6c9d0e. Do not click OK until instructed.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 04:
Now lets go to the Inner Glow. On this one we will need color 669606,

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 05:
And finally, lets go to the Gradient Overlay. Here, we are going to create a gradient with two different colors 84b913 and c8fd57. Look at the picture to get a better idea and when you are done with your options, click OK.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 06:
Create a new layer Layer-New Layer and then use the Pen Tool to create the shine area in your apple. Just imagine where the light is going to hit the apple and make your selection.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 07:
After you made your selections Right-Click your canvas and choose Make Selection from the menu. Now a little window will pop up and just click OK to continue.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 08:
Now your shine area has been selected. Load white in your canvas like you see here and then select the Foreground to Transparent gradient like you see in the picture below.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 09:
Now draw a like like you see in the figure below. You start on top of the apple and then draw the like to your right and down.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 10:
When you release the mouse, your shine layer will be created and it will be put in all the selections you made including the leaf. Now select a Soft point brush and make it very big.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 11:
Reduce the opacity as necessary and then make little taps on the lower part of the shine. Continue tapping until the borders at the bottom of the shine layer have vanished like you see here.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 12:
Create another new layer Layer-New Layer and grab a Soft Point Brush again like you see in the picture below. Load white in your canvas and then reduce the opacity as necessary. Now just tap once in the middle of your shine shape. This is going to create another shine right in the middle. If you can see anything, tap in the same spot once more.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background

Step 13:
And now you can include this drawing in your very own desktop background.

Create a glossy green apple fit for a Mac background