Brush Backgrounds

[Jenna]

Okay, I know brushes are popular but I've never been into them. Suddenly, I see all these cool backgrounds and everyone says "I made it with brushes". How? Do you simply stamp with the brush in different colors and - voila! - instant background? Mine NEVER come out looking like the cool backgrounds I see other people doing. Help!

[elizabethlmccoy]

In PSE2 I use a different layer for each color...then I stamp the brush and adjust the direction of the brush if I want the object in all different directions... Don't know if that helps? :confused:

[Trese]

I do that as well. I use PSE2, and I have taken pictures of flowers I have shot, and created a brush from them, saved them, then used them on backgrounds. Try using different opacities for each, and adjusting the size as well. Just play, and after awhile, you'll get the hang of it like that! :)

[BunnieBobbie]

I guess in PS you can do almost anything. I use PSP8 and my brushes are not big like I would like them to be.

[Schmoopy]

In PSP 8 you are very limited. I'm thinking on a 12x12 canvas IF -- and that's a big IF -- you could get the "effect" you wanted with a brush it would take all day.

I find using masks I've made myself works much better. You can create a design then create a mask. Using pictures and making a mask from them is fun and easy, if you want a more elaborate look, make your design then save it as a mask, here's some quick instructions:

1. Make your design
2. Layers>new mask layer>from image (it will come up with the image you were working on)>OK
3. You can then either go Layers>save mask to disc (if you plan on using it in the future) or Layers>save mask to alpha channel (to just use it the once).
4. Open your new image to the size you want (12x12, 8x10 etc), fill with the color(s) you want, textueres, etc.
5. Layers>Mask>Load mask from alpha channel or from disc depending on where you saved it!

Okay, i'm doing that from "memory" so the exact phrase may be slightly off, but you'll be able to locate it easily from my directions!

Stace.