Hexagons Bokeh

Hexagons Bokeh

Use the one of the most popular Defocus filters to create a stunning Hexagon Bokeh effect.

Step 1

Create a new image in Pixelmator. Feel free to use any size. However, in order to achieve a result similar to that shown in the tutorial, use a size of 1920×1200 pixels.

Step 2

Choose Edit > Fill, set Color to dark gray and click OK to fill the background.

Step 3

In the Layers palette, click the Add button (+) to add a new layer. Change layer’s Blending to Color Dodge as Color Dodge blending mode creates a glow effect. Then choose Filter > Quartz Composer > Floor. Set Primary color to white, Secondary color to black, and click OK.

Step 4

Click the Add button (+) to add another new layer in the Layers palette. Fill (Edit > Fill) the layer with a black color. Change layer’s Blending to Color Dodge.

Choose Filter > Quartz Composer > Defocus. Set Primary color to white, Secondary color to black. Set values approximately: Time to 30.0, Size to 0.47, Blur 0.00, Density to 0.85 and click OK.

Please note that the filter is random, so you don’t need to replicate the same effect.

Step 5

Duplicate (Layer > Duplicate) the original hexagons layer twice. Use the Eraser Tool (E) or the Layer Mask (Layer > Add Layer Mask) on both duplicated layers to erase areas that are too bright.

Step 6

Duplicate the original hexagons layer once again and move it above other layers in the Layers palette. Change layer’s Blending to Color Dodge. Then choose Filter > Quartz Composer > Image Hose. Set values approximately: Time to 10.0, Size to 0.60, Blur to 1.00, use default colors and click OK.

Step 7

In order to add a texture for an artwork, first add stripes to your composition. To do that:

1. In the Layers palette, click the Add button (+) to add a new layer.
2. Choose Filter > Generator > Stripes. Set the Primary Color white and Secondary Color black; Width to 2 and Sharpness to 0. Click OK.

Step 8

Once you’ve added stripes, fit them in the composition:

1. Choose Edit > Transform. Rotate the stripes -30º to match the hexagons and scale the stripes to fit the canvas.
2. To make the stripes less intensive change layer’s with stripes Blending mode to Color Dodge and reduce the Opacity to 2-3%
3. Duplicate the layer with the stripes (Layer > Duplicate) and change the blending mode to Multiply.
4. Use the Move Tool (V) to move the duplicated layer a bit to the left or right side.

Step 9

A clouds filter could perfectly mask the stripes layers, to do that:

1. Select any layer with the stripes.
2. Choose Layer > Add Layer Mask. Select the layer mask thumbnail.
3. Choose Filter > Generator > Clouds. Set the Primary color to black and the Secondary color to white.

Click OK.

4. Choose Image > Brightness and Contrast. Increase the Contrast to maximum.
5. Repeat this step with other layer that contains stripes.

Step 10

A nice light flares would definitely give some charm to the composition. To create some flares:

1. In the Layers palette, click the Add button (+) to add another new layer and fill it (Edit > Fill) with black color.
2. Name newly created layer Flares and move it below the Stripe layers
3. Select the Brush Tool (B).
4. In the Brushes palette (View > Show Brushes) select any soft brush preset.
5. In the Tool Options bar set main color to white.
6. Using the Brush Tool, paint some flares on the composition.
7. Once you’ve painted flares, change layer’s with flares Blending to Color Dodge.

Step 11

Create a nice light burst effect:

1. Add another new layer and change its Blending to Color Dodge.
2. Fill the layer with black color.
3. Select The Brush Tool (B) and select the clouds brush preset from the Default brushes in the Brushes palette.
4. Paint a little bit a white color over any area (use the example in the image below as a reference).



5. Choose Filter > Blur > Zoom Blur. Place the controller at the center of the area where you want to create the light burst. Set amount to 60 and click OK.

Step 12

Add the colorful gradient:

1. Add a new layer, rename it “Gradient” and position it above the layer with floor.
2. Change the layer’s Blending to Overlay.
3. Click to select the Gradient Tool (G).
4. Using the Gradient Tool apply any gradient on your composition to make it colorful.

© Pixelmator Team Ltd.