Learn to Create Abstract Explosion

Final Image Preview

Step 1

Create a new document with size of 1000 x 1000 pixels for this tutorial. Select the Paint Bucket Tool and fill canvas with black color.

Step 2

Go to Layer > New Layer and create a new layer. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to create selection similar to mine on the picture below and fill it with white color.

Step 3

Remove selection with Ctrl+D and apply Filter > Stylize > Wind.

Step 4

Now press Ctrl+F two more times to increase filter effect.

Step 5

Apply again Filter > Stylize > Wind, but change direction to From the Left. Press Ctrl+F two more times to increase filter effect.

Step 6

Rotate this line to horizontal position by using Edit > Transform > Rotate 90 CW.

Step 7

Apply Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates with these values:

Step 8

To create a full circle we need to copy current layer with Ctrl+J. After duplicating, rotate copied layer by going to Edit > Transform > Rotate 90 CW.

Step 9

Now, select the Eraser Tool and a soft round brush about 300 px to remove all the content on the current layer except the hole part.

Step 10

Merge copied layer with original layer together selecting both and pressing Ctrl+E. Then apply Filter > Distort > Spherize.

Step 11

After that apply Filter > Blur > Radial Blur:

Step 12

Now we are going to create background for explosion effect. Create a new layer and apply Filter > Render > Clouds:

Step 13

Then apply Filter > Distort > Pinch with next parameters:

Step 14

Apply this filter two more times (press Ctrl+F two times more).

Step 15

Change color of this layer with Images > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Step 16

Increase contrast for current layer by using Images > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

Step 17

Change layer mode to Color Dodge.

Step 18

Go to layer with circle and reduce layer opacity to 50%.

Final Image

Finally create new layer above the circle layer and fill it with white color. Then set opacity up to 10% for current layer.