How to Make Flour in Photoshop

Photoshop some flour.

You can easily create a visually appealing image of flour in Adobe Photoshop using a few key tools. Learn to create an image and modify it into exactly the picture you see in your mind. Experiment with different tools to achieve the most realistic aspects. Whether designing for print or for online use, utilize the steps in this article to sift through Photoshop's features, and transform that boring picture into a stunning visual image.

Instructions

1. Use the tool box to select the desired background color. Type "CTRL" and "N" on a PC or "CMND" and "N" on a Mac to open a new document. In the new document dialog box, give the document a title. Input the width and height needed for the final image. For online use, input 72 pixels per inch resolution and RGB color mode. For print use, input 300 pixels per inch and CMYK color mode. Select background color as the "Background Contents." Save the document.

2. Use the "Layers" pallet to add a new layer named "Base." On the base layer, type "D" to return the foreground and background to the default colors of black and white, followed by "X" to reverse them and make white the active color. Type "L" and use the pullout on the toolbox to select the "Lasso" tool (not the Polygonal Lasso or Magnetic Lasso.) Draw an irregular, ink splotch shape the desired size of your flour image.

3. Use the "Edit" pull-down menu, or press "SHFT" and "F5" to bring up the "Fill" dialog panel. Select the foreground color ("White") and Blending Mode ("Dissolve"). Set opacity at 85%. Add a new layer named "pattern" by clicking the "Create New Layer" button on the "Layers" pallet, and use the fill tool to fill the space with the pattern. Using the flyout menu on the "Fill" dialog box, load the "Texture 2" pattern swatches and choose "Sparse Fill." Leave "Blending Mode" at "Dissolve," and adjust the "Opacity" to 55%.

4. Type "CTRL" and "T" on a PC or "CMND" and "T" on a Mac to access the transform tool. Grab the corner of the transform rectangle, and then hold down the "SHIFT" key. Drag the new shape so that it is slightly smaller and fits neatly and evenly inside the border of the first white layer. Make a copy of the "base" layer, and use the layers pallet to drag on top of the "pattern" layer. Use the transform tool again to shrink the copy of the base layer just a bit. Access the "Layers" dialog panel, and reduce the opacity of the pattern layer to 63%.

5. Press the "SHFT" key and select the base layer, the pattern layer and the copy of the base layer. Type "CTRL" and "E" on a PC or "Cmnd" and "E" on a Mac to merge the three selected layers. Select the eraser tool, set it to the spatter brush, and work around the shape to make a more realistic flour edge. Use the "f/x" button on the "Layers" pallet to turn on the "Drop Shadow" effect on this layer. Set blend mode to "Multiply" at 27%, with an angle of 120 degrees. Copy this layer by clicking the layer and dragging it onto the new layers button in the layers pallet.

6. Use the "Transform" tool to shrink your image by about 25%. Copy the image and shrink it. On the third and top layer, open the "f/x" pallet and add a pattern overlay. Use the "Shredded Plastic" pattern at approximately 700% its normal size. Set the blending to "Normal" and the opacity to "27%." This will create realistic looking dimples in the pile of flour. Flatten the document using the fly-out menu on the layers pallet, and then click "Save."

Tips & Warnings

• When using the eraser tool, position it at the edge of the pile and drag outward. Release and then move to the next spot for a more realistic look.

• Experiment with patterns on the background layer to achieve a certain type of surface for the flour, such as built-in rock patterns that resemble granite, marble or wood countertops.

References

• Dishanddishes.com: flour on counter
• youtube.com: making flour in Photoshop
• help.adobe.com: Photoshop tools

Resources

• Design.ag: creating in Photoshop