Burn Baby, Burn!

Create a fiery foreground in ten minutes or less! Well, after the first try ;D

1: Create a black (or dark colored) 1024x768 image. Then go Layer > New> Layer with color set to "None" and name it "Fire." Now using the Soft Round brush at 100 pixels, add some color to your transparent layer. In an up and down motion, go from left to right with the air brush using the colors below to create a basic blend for your fire. Vary your painting heights. First use #C10909 then go over it in places with use #FF0E0E. Your image should look something like the one on the left. 

2: Now with a smaller version of the same brush, at 80 pixels, on the same layer go over the red with an orange color, moving the brush in an upward motion. I recommend this shade: #FE830E. Now, go over the bottom area just to give it a tone using the same brush with a pixel size of 200 and an opacity of 32% in this color: #FED40E. From here on out using the Dodge tool set to Soft Round Brush, 50 pixels, Range: Midtones and Exposure 72%, highlight as you see fit. Remember, the more times you go over the same place, the whiter it gets.  

3: Smudge time. First, using the Smudge tool with the settings: Soft round brush 45 pixels, Mode: Normal, Strength: 52, go over the flames, dragging the tool in an upwards motion to create candle-like tips. Don't over do it though, too many makes it look cheesy. Remember, fire moves, so don't be afraid to squiggle the brush a little here and there. After your first smudges, tweak the fire till it looks like you want it, varying the size of the brush. 

4: Okay, so now, let's duplicate our fire layer. Let's name it "top fire" to help keep things straight. We now have a total of three layers, 2 fire layers and a black back layer. On the bottom fire layer, go Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur 100 pixels. Using the Smudge tool at any brush setting you want (though I continued to use the same settings as mentioned above) smudge only the gaussian blurred fire layer. Vary the direction of your strokes, but primarily stroke downward. Do the same in random places on the top fire layer, revealing some black and giving the fire depth.

5: Right now, you're pretty much done with manipulating the fire to how you want it to look, so set the top layer to "Lighten" with an opacity of 90% and you get the image on the left. While "Lighten" is my preferred setting because there is definition to the flames, the settings "Screen" and "Multiply" also work, especially if you're going for a dark fire-look. It's up to you!    

6: This final step is entirely optional, but it adds the little details that make your fire a bit more hypnotic. Between the two fire layers, add a new blank layer. On this layer, use a scattering brush to create little particles like ashes or embers in white. Then go Layer > Layer Style > Outer Glow and select a yellow or other warm color. Increase the Spread distance too on the layer style menu for a greater glow. Click the image to check out the final product! Experiment and have fun!  

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