Introduction
I’ve always been drawn to designs that blend tactile, handcrafted textures with digital illustration. In this latest project, I set out to create a cardboard-style landscape entirely in Adobe Photoshop — one that evokes the feeling of a layered paper diorama while staying 100% digital.
The final result? A cozy night scene complete with snowy mountains, pine trees, a winding river, and glowing stars — all crafted with corrugated cardboard textures and digital brushwork.
Design Goals
The main goal behind this piece was to simulate a 3D paper craft aesthetic using only flat Photoshop layers. I wanted viewers to feel the warmth and texture of something handmade — as if each element had been cut, folded, and placed by hand.
Tools & Techniques Used
- Software: Adobe Photoshop
- Textures: Corrugated cardboard and felt overlays
- Brushes: Soft round for shadows, custom grainy brushes for highlights
- Lighting: Inner shadows and highlights to simulate depth
- Stars: Custom star shapes with subtle glows
- Water effect: Blended photo textures + ripple brush strokes
Each tree and mountain layer was carefully arranged to mimic the depth you’d find in a real cardboard cutout scene. Highlights and shadows were added to enhance the illusion of thickness and layering.
The Scene
- Mountains: Stylized with ridges and topped with snowy caps
- Trees: Layered in a repeating pattern to create a forest depth effect
- River: A soft reflective path breaking through the hills
- Stars: Bright yellow cutout shapes paired with glowing sparkles for a dreamy sky
Everything is built on texture and subtle gradients — giving the scene a playful, storybook charm.
Final Thoughts
This project was a fun exploration in blending traditional art inspiration with digital tools. It reminded me that with the right textures, lighting, and imagination, you can bring almost any physical material to life in Photoshop.
I’m excited to continue creating more handcrafted-style illustrations. If this piece made you smile or sparked some creative ideas, feel free to share your thoughts!
Thanks for reading!
Let’s stay inspired ✂️🖌️💻
#PhotoshopArt #DigitalIllustration #CardboardDesign #CreativeProcess #HandcraftedStyle