Help with magazine cover

[ClarityDynamic]

I am trying to make a magazine cover for a school project, I am using a mockup PSD but I can't seem to find a template for the front cover that fits the dimensions of the mockup.  This is my first time doing this so I feel like I am trying to learn to write Chinese lol.  This is what I have so far but it does not fit also I would rather use Affinity photo 

Any help would be appreciated I can pay per hour if someone wants to facetime and walk me through this - 

my email is jeremymoore81@me.com 

Screen_Shot_2020-03-08_at_2_01.30_PM.png

[ClarityDynamic]

I hope my question makes sense, 

[ClarityDynamic]

This is what I have managed to do so far, any feedback or advice?

Thank you  

 

[Wosven]

I'm not sure of the problem, but perhaps it's this:

The magazine cover is the wrong size (example with this one from this site)

 

The original mockup:

 

When masking the cover:

 

If my magazine is smaller, I need to modify the background. It'll be easy if there are multiple layers, or need more work if it"s flattened like this one:

Once done, I modify the embedded file (easier, since you only need to put your cover in the file).

Original one:

Smaller one:

 

It's automatically updated in the other tab:

 

 

 

[Wosven]

Your cover is larger, if you manage to add or dupplicate the white bottom part of the magazine (in the background), it should be wide enough. Perhaps you'll have to modify the reflect and add white (it looks like white with transparency) on the left.

[Wosven]

And last one about the cover: there's a lot of black. Can't you have the picture full page? We don't see a lot of hair in a cover about Hair Design, that's strange.

[ClarityDynamic]

Ok, I changed the model and adjusted the size a little.  is the model big enough or should I try and find one that fills the entire cover and just change the background color?

 

there is white border on the right size for a 3d perspective look also

 

[Wosven]

I like the pink line at the top, I wasn't sure if you added it to fill the blank space, but it's better than the first screenshot.

You can add if possible the bottom of the dress. (if the bottom black line is part of the background, not the design). You have enough room for not having her head and her hand too much in the title, only her hair, and you can put "Lettin…" and "Adressing…" texts a little bit toward the bottom. This way, "Can Be" won't be written on her arm.

[ClarityDynamic]

 @Wosven is this better do you think? I changed just a couple things. I blended the image into the background I didn't know I could do that lol

 

[ClarityDynamic]

Also where do I find a template for the back and spine of the magazine ?  I am using a mockup and a separate template for the actual cover.  I guess this seems complicated because it's my first time 

this is the mockup I am using but I can't find a template to make the back cover

[Cecil]

Hope this helps. 

[Wosven]

You should have embedded files in your mockup for the cover, spine and back cover.

For the spine, you can easily modify it since you've already done the cover. For the back cover, you can use an existing add or create it.

[Cecil]

This video covers resizing your embedded documents.

 

[ClarityDynamic]

Well my finished product  it's not perfect i'm sure but I did learn a lot, thank you all for the tips 

Screen_Shot_2020-03-09_at_5_24.29_PM.png

[Wosven]

Nicely done! Shouldn't you add the magazine name, numero, month and the year on the spine? (It's nearly invisible).

And can you tell us what was the exercice about? Creating a cover and learning to use a mockup?

 

[ClarityDynamic]

It was a school project, creating a magazine cover and 2 articles.  I could have used a basic app to make the cover but you really can't beat the quality and realism with a "realistic mockup" and it wasn't as hard as I thought although I am sure if I keep practicing in the future this one will look like a first grader did it LOL  

[Wosven]

We always improve and learn new tools and tricks… Keep this project to look at it in a few years