How to Use Photoshop Brushes to Make a Photo Background…

I am a BIG lover of Photoshop, along with millions of others in the world! I have never showcased a tutorial using this program before. Whether you are a professional designer or one who has never seen Photoshop in action before, it is always fun to see what others are doing right?!

The old world effect or vintage is very popular at this time. So I have used brushes along with this theme.
First, go to the file menu, then to new and select blank file. In the new dialong box, select web for the preset, then select your size of your document, you would like to make. Double click the hand tool to fit the image to your screen. In the layers palette, click the create a new adjustment layer drop down menu and select solid color. In the dialong box, check only web colors. Select the color you would like to use and press ok.
Create a new layer icon to add a blank layer. Click on foreground color to open the color picker. Check only web colors, then select another color (one that would be complimentary) that will be your swirl brush, press ok. Select the brush tool and select a brush, mine is from the Rising Sun Brushes, from Free Brush Archive.com. You click once on your layer, like a stamp, and you will have a starburst effect.
In the layers palette, lower the opacity of the sunburst layer to around 30%. You can see how the sunburst looks faded.
Click on the Create a new layer icon to add another blank layer. You can see, the more layers you add, the more depth the background will have. Select the brush tool. In the tool options bar, open the brush picker and select a grunge style of brush. Stamp once to see your texture on your layer. In the layers palette, change the blend mode to overlay. Lower the opacity to around 70%. Again, you can see how the grunge pattern stamp is faded out.
You will open yet another new layer, click on create a new layer icon, to add a blank layer. Click the foreground color in your toolbox to open the color picker. Check only web colors, then select another darker color in the same family, press ok. Select the brush tool. Open a map style brush, click once to stamp a map on your image. In the layers palette, change the blend mode to Hard light, and lower the opacity to around 60% or so.
Select the brush tool again and open the brush picker and select a brush with an old world element on it. I chose one with a butterfly and click once to stamp on your image. In the layers palette, change the blend mode to hard light. Lower the opacity to around 35%.
Select the brush tool, and open the brush picker and select a soft round brush and seet the brush’s opacity to around 30%. Paint around the edge of the image to darken them.
Here is the finished product! I just love adding layers after layers to create a beautiful background. Now all you have to do is add an image or use it as a background in a flyer, brochure or even a website backdrop.

I would love to hear from you! What is your feeling on the Old World Style? Does it give you the feeling of Nostalgia?

Thanks so much for stopping by P.I.P. I love meeting new bloggers and visitors and finding new blogs to read. Don’t be a stranger. Come back often and say hello!
Laurie
XXOO

Linking Parties: Overflowing With Creativity//Serenity You//Six Sisters Stuff//Tutorial Tuesdays//

Tags: background for photo, backgrounds for artwork, design, DIY, graphic design, old world look, PHOTOSHOP Techniques, tutorials for photoshop

19 thoughts on “How to Use Photoshop Brushes to Make a Photo Background…”

Stephanie on August 2, 2012 at 8:18 pm said:

Very cool!

Reply ↓
Bev Kebrdle on July 25, 2012 at 2:18 pm said:

I can hardly wait to find time to see if I can work with the brushes. I’m still very basic with the program, but want to learn it all. After all of the summer company is gone I usually have a couple months left to be creative. Thanks for teaching.

Reply ↓
ash on July 24, 2012 at 3:17 am said:

i need to buy photoshop… then i’ll give this cool idea a try 🙂

Reply ↓
Angela Yarbrough on July 18, 2012 at 1:42 am said:

I love creating brushes and unique backgrounds as well. This is great. You gave me some great techie tips!

Reply ↓
Janice Fryatt on July 17, 2012 at 8:00 pm said:

Oh, Laurie, I want MORE, MORE, MORE of this photoshop blogging!! You are amazing!!!

Reply ↓
CherylM on July 17, 2012 at 4:22 pm said:

This is just stunning! I’ve GOT to give this a go.

Reply ↓
Lori on July 17, 2012 at 1:46 pm said:

this was fun trying, somewhere i lost my image. lol, i will try again.

Reply ↓
laughwithme45 on July 17, 2012 at 1:12 am said:

One more thing to try! Thanks!

Reply ↓
Robyn on July 17, 2012 at 1:11 am said:

One more new thing to try! Thanks!

Reply ↓
Barb on July 16, 2012 at 10:09 pm said:

Very cool tutorial! I know how much work they are 🙂

Reply ↓
dpowersfabian on July 16, 2012 at 9:58 pm said:

Okay…something else to learn and be behind on! How cool is this, truly! Wonderful post! xo

Reply ↓
Sherri B. on July 16, 2012 at 8:10 pm said:

This looks like fun – wonderful tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

Reply ↓
Kristina on July 16, 2012 at 5:44 pm said:

great tutorial. thanks for sharing.

Reply ↓
Helen on July 16, 2012 at 5:23 pm said:

Very creative – I must give it a try! Your blog’s great.

Reply ↓
Carol O on July 16, 2012 at 5:16 pm said:

Wow, you make it seem so easy. I think this might be something I can do. Can’t wait to give a try. Thank you.

Reply ↓
Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns on July 16, 2012 at 3:49 pm said:

This is very cool! Love the movement the different objects seem to create. Thanks so much for sharing the steps, Laurie. ;->

Reply ↓
Susan W on July 16, 2012 at 2:02 pm said:

Wonderful creative work.

Reply ↓
stacie on July 16, 2012 at 2:01 pm said:

Looks like fun Laurie! Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing.

Reply ↓
alterer55 on July 16, 2012 at 1:39 pm said:

Fantastic Laurie I will be trying this I love Old World Style x

Reply ↓