How to Use Photoshop Brushes

Using brushes in Adobe Photoshop is one of the basic elements in using this software. Brushes allow you to paint and draw on images and are a major part in basic graphic design. Learning how to use brushes in Photoshop takes a little time and practice but its easy to do once you understand the basic steps involved.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop software
• Computer

Basic Tools in Using Photoshop Brushes

1. Open a photograph in Photoshop.

2. Create a new layer by choosing “Layer” from the top menu and choosing “New Layer…” and clicking “Okay” in the pop-up box. Always use a new layer when adding different elements to a photograph because it is easier to edit and you won’t ruin your entire project with one mistake.

3. Click the “Brush” icon on the main tool menu located by default on the left-hand side of the page and choose “Brush Tool.”

4. Pick “Airbrush,” “Paintbrush” or “Spray Paint” by clicking on the paintbrush icon located on the top tool bar menu. Airbrush will give you a light fine brush, Paintbrush will give you solid brishstrokes and Spray Paint will give a spray effect.

5. Click on the “Brush Size” icon located on the top toolbar menu. Choose the size of the brush and stroke type from the pull-down menu.

6. Click “Mode” to open the pull-down menu. Choose the type of style that you wish to use, most brush use in Photoshop projects is “Normal.”

7. Click on the “Opacity” arrow to open the sliding opacity control. Choose anywhere from 0 to 100% opacity depending on how dark you want your brushstrokes to be.

8. Click on the “Flow” arrow to open the sliding flow control. Choose anywhere from 0 to 100% flow depending on how much color you want to use in your brushstrokes.

9. Click the “Color Box” to activate the eyedropper. Move the eyedropper over the color scale until you find the color that you are looking for. Left click on the color to use the color with your brush.

Tips & Warnings

• Adobe Photoshop comes preloaded with a vast array of brushes. There are many websites which offer free down-loadable brushes if you wish to add to your brush collection.
• The most important thing to do when using brushes in Photoshop is to practice with different types of brushes to learn the different effects and to feel comfortable when using them.
• Always use a new layer adding a new element to a Photoshop project. If you don't like the results, you can always delete the layer and start over without effecting your project.