Hy there!

How can I twist a leaf like layer like the one in the picture I have posted?
Thank you in advance!

Best regards!

I would do it with Liquify. Looks like that would be the easyest way :)

Tihomir

Or smudge tool.  I think this would be easier to do in Painter.  Of course, after you change the shape of the leaf, you'll probably have to adjust the highlights and shadows, too.

If you just want to give it a twisted look , you can use both the smudge tool and the burn tool in Photoshop. First the smudge tool to redefine the lighter areas of where you want to make a twist. Then the burn tool to shade them in so that they have the right twisted feel. Liquify will only move it from one direction to another , however, you can move in the sides with this tool if you think it is needed. I have never seen anything that would actually twist an image , but perhaps you might find a filter in flaming pear that could do this. I know that they have many. :)

Thank you for your replies , but these methods I have tried already and no use.Yes they work on the lower part of the leaf , but look at the higher part twist.You canot do that with smudge or liquify.
And that's because , your leaf margin has to cros over the leaf center , or a smudge will also move the leaf center as well...

I did this using the smudge and burn tools in photoshop ,, maybe you could just add the illusion of a twist this way :)

Actually, try a couple of the Distortion tools in the Filter menu,  Pinch, and Twirl ..  You can select a specific area, distort, and select another area again. (Remember to duplicate the layer first) Much better results and higher resolution than any of the brush options. Much of my work utilizes these simple methods :)

Cheers!

Kurt

Is this the sort of effect you need?  I did this with the Warp Tool