Torn Image Overlap in Photoshop

For this tutorial we need two images. One for the “Background” and the second one will be on top and almost cover the entire Canvas, except for the “Hole”(You can use the same image, but maybe turn one of the instances into Black & White to create contrast between them). We will also need an image of a torn piece of paper to create the effect.

1 - In Photoshop, open the image you chose as “Background”.

2 - Open your Torn Paper file and drag it on to your original Document. Use “Free Transform” (Command/Control + T) to “Rotate” and/or “Resize” your image to make it fit the Canvas. When you are done hit Enter or click the small “Check Mark” on the Top Menu.

3 - Double-click on the “Background” layer thumbnail to unlock it and click “OK” on the Pop-Up window. Move the “Background” layer until the visible portion is the one that works better for your artwork.

4 - Open your Top Image file and drag it on to your original Document. Lower the “Opacity” to 50% to get a better view and use “Free Transform” (Command/Control + T) to “Rotate” and/or “Resize” it to make it fit the Canvas. When you are done hit Enter or click the small “Check Mark” on the Top Menu.

5 - Make sure you are still working on your Top Layer, then Command/Control-Click on top of the Torn Paper thumbnail to make a selection and create a “Mask” by clicking on the small button at the bottom of the “Layers Panel”.

6 - Duplicate your Torn Paper layer (Command/Control + J), drag the duplicate to the top and create a create a “Layer Mask” of this layer.

7 - Select the “Brush Tool” (B) and use a large and medium soft brush (300 px, 50% “Hardness”) and Black as “Foreground” color to hide almost all the paper and just leave the hole and the torn edges.

8 - Make the brush a bit smaller (80 px, 50% “Hardness”) and clean the edges of the hole trying not to lose any detail. You can always bring back something by changing the “Foreground” color to White. Change the “Blending Mode” to “Color Burn” and the “Opacity” to 90%.

9 - With your “Top Image” Layer selected, Command/Control-Click on top of the top Torn Paper Mask thumbnail to make a selection. Create a “New Layer” by clicking on the small button at the bottom of the “Layers Panel” (it should be on top of the “Top Image” layer and under the top “Torn Paper” layer) and fill it with Black or “Foreground” Color (Alt/Option + Delete).

10 - Deselect (Command/Control + D) and go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur… Use a 0° Angle and a “Distance” of 200 Pixels.

11 - Create a “Layer Mask” by clicking on the small button at the bottom of the “Layers Panel” and use a large and soft brush (380 px, 0% “Hardness”) and Black as “Foreground” color to erase the inside of the hole and the top and bottom edges. The idea is to leave the shadows where the portions of torn paper overlap with the surface.

12 - Duplicate the “Top Image” Layer and change its “Blending Mode” to “Linear Light” and the “Opacity” to 30%.

13 - Check out your work.

by @lornacane