Skip to main content
davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 26, 2026
StickyQuestion

Something for the Weekend -Part 270 - Haunted!

A big thank you to everyone who took part in our last ‘Off the cuff’ challenge. Also thanks for your patience in waiting for the new challenge, whilst the image upload functionality was restored.

The SFTW challenges last two weeks and this one covers Halloween. I couldn’t let that pass without having a bit of fun. I rendered this scene in Blender 3D using models from Adobe 3D Assets which I textured in Adobe Substance Painter. After rendering I finished the image in Photoshop. 

So we have a haunted house. What will you produce with it, to fit this week’s scary theme.

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

To download the starter image, click it, then, when the image opens in its own window, right-click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar, depending on your browser).

 

 

When posting back your image, please use the reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the bottom of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the reply button next to their image post.


Have fun!

 

Dave.

 
   

    26 replies

    Community Expert
    October 27, 2026

     

    Translate
    faisu887
    Participating Frequently
    October 27, 2026

    The haunted house starter is wonderfully atmospheric, with the moonlight and layered rooms giving plenty of places for a story to hide. A helpful approach is to pick one room or window as the focal point and let the lighting guide the viewer toward it, rather than trying to fill every space at once. I am looking forward to seeing how others balance spooky details with a clear, readable composition.

    Translate
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2026

    Never mind what others are doing.  You can’t be offering advice unless you are going to upload an image yourself.

     

    Translate
    N8.
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2026

    Reminds me of Edward Scissor mouth. haha

    Translate
    chanaart
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Halloween 2026 

     

    Translate
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Chana, you have given us a whole squadron of flying witches. I like the change to the green light around the house.

    Dave 

    Translate
    N8.
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2026

    The colours definitely give it a creepy vibe. The witches turned out very well.

    Translate
    GeekyGirlRex7295714
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    I had to see the inside of this house! So many strange things taking place!

     

    Translate
    Writer | Developer | Facilitator | Geek!
    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Nicely done! A great interpretation.

    Translate
    Adobe Community Expert | I have miles to go before I sleep, but I'm all done on this end.
    daniellei4510
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Yard work. 

     

    Translate
    Adobe Community Expert | I have miles to go before I sleep, but I'm all done on this end.
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    She would scare me away 😊 I see the gate has gone, which might keep her in there!

    Dave

    Translate
    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

     

    Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

    Translate
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    The upper room has warmed up, and who is that at the bottom window? 😊
    Dave

    Translate
    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    After making the upper room cosy, this who felt it was time to make a less cosy appearance, almost as the one made years ago as you said, Dave,

     

    Translate
    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

     

    Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

    Translate
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    A real ghost or a ‘trick or treat’er at the gate, Jacob?

    Dave

    Translate
    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    The most friendly ghost, trying to blend in with the fence, was literally caught out your keen eyes, Dave.

     

    Translate
    jane-e
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    This full-screen render is truly incredible, Dave, and I love it! How long did it take you to create it?

    Happy Halloweekend to all!

    Jane

    Translate
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Very nice ghosts rising from the mist, Jane.
    It took a couple of days but only because I decided to re-unwrap the house components so that I could get more resolution on the materials of the individual parts. 
    Dave

    Translate
    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2026

    Dave, ought we to be thankful for the delay of image uploads, or had you already spent those days by Friday?

     

    I always really enjoy and admire your Blender renders, undoubtedly also owing to your capability of refining them when desired.

     

    Translate
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Great to see you uploading Blender renders again Dave.  This one is sensational.  I love the light on the skulls, and that the house is not lost in shadow.  That detail is much too nice to hide.  We had one of those giant moons happening when I took Maisie out this evening.  Was that a worldwide thing? 

    Translate
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2026

    Thanks Trevor,
    The ‘moonlight’ was provided by a simple light in Blender. The moon disc and clouds I added later in Photoshop. We’ve had storms here so no visible moon at all :-)
     




    Dave

    Translate