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I’m adding a linear gradient stroke in the Stroke dialog field. This straight across effect makes it seem like there is another light source running between the two lines of text...very intriguing..

Select your background layer in the layers palette and grab your gradient tool (‘G’). Choose the foreground to background gradient which should still be there from your red as foreground color. Now you’ve created a gradient background.

Use ‘B’ your brush tool and pop down the brush menu from the options bar. Choose a large bristly gristly brush and create a new layer in the layers palette. Make some smudging strokes slightly moving it for a light smear or just dab.

The idea here is to look violent like bloody running of the bulls in Pamplona gone wrong (or something..you decide!).

On the background layer bring up stroke from the lower left icon pop up menu and choose Position as inside (b/c outside won’t work). 

Go to your Shapes tools (‘U’) and choose a bullseye (those mad bulls)...wait a minute...’bulls’eye. No pun intended.

Keep it on shapes layer is fine as the setting and creating a ‘bullseye’ (hold down shift for a proportionate shape). Put it behind the text layer (underneath) in the layers palette.

You can lower the opacity to help it become more a part of the background and not try to take up all of the browsing eye.

That’s it...I’ve taken several steps beyond the original (b/c I have to keep outdoing myself) purpose of creating that ‘gritty’ possibly ‘murderous’ text effect. Now you can easily recreate this effect.

I’ll admit the blood stains or bull hoofs whatever they are aren’t that impressive; maybe you can do better!?  Interact with this design from the iPSD Directory.

To take it further, try out some different reflected gradients on a new background layer (hide the original). And here are some other different effects that change the theme immediately. Red is supposed to make you feel attacked by bulls.  That's it for this tutorial.  Uncover Photoshop's hidden secrets here.  Click here for another similar free tutorial (Edge Efx) on my new site: Advanced Photoshop.com

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