Creative Effects Challenge No. 121 - Watercolour Paint Daub

This looks like a lot of fun but wondering if there is a print version of the tutorial, I find it hard to follow along on the videos, pausing and starting as I go through the various steps.

Normally I provide a print version of a tutorial but ‘hands up’ on this occasion I was lazy and didn’t do it Pauline. However if you don’t mind waiting a little while I will get one underway and post it for you and anyone else who wants it...lol.

Firstly can I recommend that you watch the video through to start with to get an overall impression of what you are aiming for.

1. Open the image you want to work with and duplicate the background layer.
2. Turn off the visibility of the duplicate image and activate the original layer as this is the layer that will form the background for our image.
3. We are going to fill this layer with white
4. Making sure your default colours of black and white are showing hold down cmd or ctrl and on a PC press backspace - on a Mac press delete and the background layer is now filled with white.

Note in the video he expands the canvas by 1 inch all round but I am not going to cover that. He explains how to do this at 1.35mins into the video. I personally don’t think it’s necessary!

5. We are going to add some texture to the white background.
6. Go up to the Filter Gallery and choose Texture > Texturizer and Canvas. Zoom in to 100% to see what the texture looks like on your page and adjust the sliders accordingly.
7. Add a colour adjustment layer. In the video he chooses a pale cream. Give the colour adjustment layer a blend mode of multiply.

So at this stage the layers starting from the bottom up are the white background layer, above that you have the colour adjustment layer and above that again you have the duplicated image.

8. Select the duplicate image layer and this is the stage to make any lighting adjustments you feel appropriate to your image. You can use the levels adjustment for that.
9. Now go to Filter > Artistic > Poster Edges and adjust the sliders to taste and click ok.
10.Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and blur enough to just soften your image a little.
11. Now we are going to add a layer mask to that image BUT it is going to be a black mask. To do that hold down alt/opt as you click on the add layer mask icon.

Your image will no longer be visible but that’s ok it’s still there hidden behind the black mask.

12. Change your foregound colour to white and click on the brush tool. Choose the Wet Media Brushes and from them click on the Large Texture Stroke brush.
Change the size of the brush to 175. Open the brush settings and change Scatter to 30% and Spacing to 10% and the Roundness to 50%.
13. Making sure you have the black mask selected start painting on the page to reveal the image. At this point it is a good idea to experiment with blend modes and Hard Light works well in the image he is using in the video but you choose what works for you.
14. When you have your painting to your liking if you feel it could do with a bit more contrast just add another levels layer and adjust to suit and you are done.

I hope this helps.

Wow you are quick out of the blocks Frank...lol Thanks for getting us up and running. Both nice but my favourite is your second one.

What a fun technique, Lillias.

Helen...I'm so glad you enjoyed it and love your results. That’s a nice relaxing image of the man with his dog.

Tom...Thanks for taking part. I like the idea of the added textures,looks good.

Sepiana = Nice effects giving a very pleasing result.