How to Use Brushes to Draw & Paint in Photoshop

A designer editing photos in Photoshop

Drawing and painting in Photoshop are simple tasks that can be accomplished through the use of brushes. Photoshop comes packaged with a basic palette of brushes that can be customized. There also are various plug-ins available from outside vendors that include different patterns and sizes. You can freehand or import paths from a program such as Illustrator and color over the pattern.

Things You'll Need

• Photoshop

Instructions

Create a File

1. Open Photoshop and click "New" to create a blank file.

2. Select "Preset" and choose the format you wish to create: paper, web, or video.

3. Select the size of the document and resolution. Make other desired changes. Click "OK."

Brush Selection

1. Click the paint brush icon on your tool bar.

2. Go to "Window" on your top menu. Select "Brushes" or press F5.

3. Choose a brush style and adjust the brush's diameter.

4. Make other adjustments as desired: hardness, opacity, and flow.

Painting and Drawing

1. Create a new layer and name it "outline" or similar.

2. Draw on a piece of paper or scan ready-made line art and import it into Photoshop.

3. Select the "Pencil Tool" or "Paintbrush" tool. Choose the color and begin drawing or tracing your desired shape or object.

4. Create a new layer and name it "main color" or similar.

5. Select the "Paintbrush" tool and choose the desired brush style and size. Make additional customizations as needed.

6. Paint over the drawing. Create a new layer for each color or highlight desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Import plug-ins from other vendors to add creative touches. For inspiration, import a picture and include it in your drawing.

• Always save your work. Photoshop may freeze from time to time, causing you to restart.

References

• Adobe Photoshop Tutorials: Drawing and Painting

Resources

• Adobe