1 Hand-draw some "circles"

Figure 1. Click to enlarge.

Create the PSD file with image size 600x600, and paint the background black (or not). Using the Freeform Pen Tool (which is "behind" the normal Pen Tool), hand-draw a couple of circles. Don't try to make them exactly circular since that will actually look worse. Make sure you are using the Freeform Pen Tool and not the Pencil tool. See Figure 1.

(You'll probably have to click the image to see the paths since the thumbnail doesn't show them very well.)

2 Fill the first circle

Figure 2. Click to enlarge.

Create a new layer and select it. Using the Direct Selection Tool, right-click on one of the two circles you just created and choose Make Selection. Then use the Gradient tool (specifically, the Radial Gradient tool) to create a gradient as show in Figure 2. After that deselect your circle.

3 Fill the second circle

Figure 3. Click to enlarge.

Do the same thing with the other circle. Before filling, you might adjust the brightness and/or contrast of the colors slightly just to add some variation. See Figure 3.

Now right-click the path with the Direct Selection Tool and choose Delete Path.

4 Create the next pair of concentric circles

Figure 4. Click to enlarge.

Duplicate the layer. Then scale and rotate it to create the next pair of "circles".

5 Repeat n times

Figure 5. Click to enlarge.

Repeat the previous step until you've gotten down to the center.

6 Adjust the brightness and contrast for variation

Figure 6. Click to enlarge.

Go into each layer and make slight adjustments to the brightness and contrast, just to give the flower a little variation.

7 Use the Distort transform to achieve a good perspective

Figure 7. Click to enlarge.

Now we want to add a 3D effect to the rose. Use the Distort transform to make the flower look something like Figure 7.

8 Start creating the first leaf

Figure 8. Click to enlarge.

Now we want to create some leaves. Use the Pen Tool to create a diamond as shown in Figure 8.

9 Improve the leaf's shape

Figure 9. Click to enlarge.

Use the Convert Point Tool to improve the leaf's shape. Click-drag the anchor points to create the curves and Ctrl-click-drag the anchor points to move them around.

10 Fill the leaf

Figure 10. Click to enlarge.

Still using the Convert Point Tool, right-click the leaf and choose Make Selection.

Now choose a couple of shades of green. Choose the Gradient Tool and select Reflected Gradient. Create a reflected gradient in the selection as shown in Figure 10. When creating the gradient, shift-drag the mouse to get a straight vertical line.

11 Place leaves wherever you like

Figure 11. Click to enlarge.

Create a few leaves and transform them as you please.

12 Completely gratuitous Web 2.0 effects :-)

Figure 12. Click to enlarge.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I did an outer glow, a very/too subtle reflection, and a very/too subtle background gradient. For help with these effects see Creating Web 2.0 3D Cartoon Icons in Photoshop.

Conclusion

There you have it—a nice Photoshop rose, and in the Web 2.0 style as an added bonus.

If you like this tutorial, you may also like Creating Web 2.0 3D Cartoon Icons in Photoshop.