Photoshop for Design: Creating Digital Art in Photoshop

Topics Covered in This Photoshop Tutorial:

Vector Shapes, Advanced Brush Settings

Exercise Preview

Exercise Overview

In this comprehensive exercise, you'll master the art of creating dynamic visual elements by combining vector shapes with custom brush techniques. You'll learn to construct precise geometric backgrounds using Photoshop's vector tools, then elevate your design with organic paint splatters created through advanced brush customization. This combination of structured and organic elements is fundamental to contemporary design work, giving you the skills to create compelling promotional materials that balance professionalism with creative flair.

Using Standard Vector Shapes to Create a Professional Background

We'll begin by establishing a solid foundation with clean vector shapes that will frame our text elements and create visual hierarchy in the design.

1. From the Photoshop Class folder, open the 6C Magazine ad.psd file.

2. Choose View > Fit on Screen (Cmd–0 (Mac) or CTRL–0 (Windows)).

   This builds upon the design from the previous exercise, with additional text elements already positioned to streamline your workflow. Notice how the composition is developing layers of information that guide the viewer's eye.

3. Let's add a rectangle behind the new type at the bottom so it stands out more against the busy background elements.
4. In the Tools panel choose the Rectangle tool . Be careful not to confuse this with the Rectangular Marquee tool , which serves a completely different purpose for selections.
5. In the Options bar, ensure the dropdown menu on the left is set to Shape rather than Path or Pixels. This creates a scalable vector object that maintains crisp edges at any size.

6. In the Options bar click on the Fill thumbnail to define the interior color:

   • At the top of the panel that appears, choose Solid Color .
   • In the Grayscale folder, click on Black (last icon) to create maximum contrast with white text.

7. In the Options bar click on the Stroke thumbnail to add a clean border:

   • At the top of the panel, choose Solid Color .
   • In the Grayscale folder, click on White (first icon) to create definition against the dark background.
   • To the right of Stroke set the weight to 3 px for optimal visibility without overwhelming the text.

8. Drag a box over the type as shown below, ensuring adequate padding around the text for readability:

   

9. In the Layers panel drag the Rectangle 1 layer so it's positioned just above the VIBE layer, ensuring proper layering hierarchy.
10. Rename Rectangle 1 to type bg for better project organization—a crucial habit for professional workflows.

11. If you need to adjust the box dimensions, choose Edit > Free Transform or use the shortcut Cmd–T (Mac) or CTRL–T (Windows).

    Hold Shift while dragging corner handles to constrain proportions, or drag individual edges to adjust width or height independently.

12. Let's achieve perfect horizontal centering using Photoshop's precision alignment tools. Choose the Move tool .
13. In the Layers panel, select the type bg layer.
14. Choose Select > All to create a selection encompassing the entire canvas—this serves as our alignment reference.
15. In the Options bar, click the Align horizontal centers button for mathematically precise positioning.
16. Choose Select > Deselect to clear the selection.

17. Now let's ensure the text is perfectly centered within its background container. In the Layers panel:

    • Select the top text layer SEPT 28 9pm vibe-event.com
    • Hold Shift and select the type bg layer to create a multi-layer selection.
18. In the Options bar, click the Align vertical centers button to achieve perfect vertical alignment.

19. With both layers still selected, let's organize our project structure by creating a logical group. Go to Layer > Group Layers or use the shortcut Cmd–G (Mac) or CTRL–G (Windows).

20. Rename the group to event info to maintain clear project organization.

21. Finally, let's add a subtle divider to separate the two pieces of information within our text box, creating better visual hierarchy.

    In the Layers panel, expand the event info group and select the type bg layer.

22. In the Tools panel, click and hold on the Rectangle tool to reveal additional shape options, then choose the Line tool .

23. If the rectangle currently shows resize handles (indicating active selection), press Return (Mac) or Enter (Windows) to deselect it.

    This step is critical—we want to create the line as an independent layer rather than modifying the existing rectangle.

24. Hold Shift to constrain the line to perfectly vertical, then draw from the top to the bottom of the box as shown below:

    

25. Rename Line 1 to divider line for clear identification.

26. For fine-tuning the line position, use the Move tool to drag it into place, or use keyboard arrow keys for pixel-perfect nudging.

    If height adjustment is needed, access Edit > Free Transform and manipulate the transform handles that appear.

Creating a Custom Vector Shape with the Pen Tool

Now we'll transition from geometric precision to organic creativity, using the Pen tool to create a custom shape that adds dynamic visual interest to our composition.

1. In the Layers panel select the Model layer to ensure proper layer positioning for our new shape.
2. In the Tools panel choose the Pen tool —the industry standard for creating precise custom paths.
3. In the Options bar ensure the dropdown menu is set to Shape mode to create a vector object rather than just a path outline.

4. In the Options bar, click on the Fill thumbnail to apply our custom gradient:

   • At the top of the panel that appears, click Gradient .
   • Scroll down to locate the yourname-VIBE gradient created in the previous exercise—it should appear at the bottom, outside the default folders.

5. In the Options bar, click on the Stroke thumbnail:

   • Select No Color to maintain clean edges without border interference.

6. Zoom out once using Cmd–Minus(-) (Mac) or CTRL–Minus(-) (Windows) to reveal the canvas edges.

   This expanded view is essential because our dynamic shape will extend beyond the image boundaries for maximum visual impact.

7. Create an organic, flowing shape by clicking to place anchor points as shown in the reference image. Complete the shape by clicking on your starting point to close the path.

   

8. For shape refinement after creation:

   • Select the Direct Selection tool from the Tools panel (you may need to click and hold the Path Selection tool to access it).
   • Click on the shape's outline to reveal individual anchor points for editing.
   • Drag points to refine the shape's flow and visual balance.

9. Save your progress to preserve this foundational work.

Masking the Model

Before adding decorative elements behind our subject, we need to create a precise mask that will allow background effects to show through while keeping our model prominently featured.

1. Choose View > Fit on Screen to optimize your working view.
2. In the Layers panel, select the Model layer.
3. Choose Select > Select and Mask to access Photoshop's advanced selection workspace.

4. In the Options bar at the top of the workspace:

   • Click the dropdown arrow next to Select Subject and choose Cloud (Detailed results) for the most precise AI-powered selection available.
   • Click the Select Subject button to generate an initial selection.

5. In the Properties panel on the right, optimize your selection view and edge quality:

   • Click the View thumbnail and select On White for better edge visibility.
   • Set Opacity to 40% to see edge details clearly.
   • Set Smooth to 5 to eliminate small irregularities.
   • Set Feather to 4 px for naturally blended edges.

6. Select the Brush tool from the Tools panel.

   Paint back any missing areas, particularly around the head region. Since this mask will primarily be viewed against a dark background, perfection isn't critical—focus on capturing the overall silhouette accurately.

7. In the Output Settings section at the bottom of the Properties panel:

   • Set Output To to Layer Mask to maintain non-destructive editing capabilities.

8. Click OK to apply your refined selection as a layer mask.

Creating & Using a Custom Splatter Brush

Now we'll create dynamic texture elements using advanced brush customization—a technique that adds organic energy to digital compositions while maintaining complete creative control.

1. Choose View > Fit on Screen for optimal workspace visibility.
2. Position your new layer strategically by selecting the Background layer first—this ensures the paint splatters appear behind our masked model.

3. Click the New layer button at the bottom of the Layers panel.

   This creates a pixel-based layer optimized for brush work, separate from our vector elements.

4. Rename the layer to paint splatters for clear project organization.
5. Select the Brush tool from the Tools panel.

6. Click the Default Colors icon near the bottom of the Tools panel to reset colors (or press D).

   This sets black as foreground and white as background—the standard configuration for most brush work.

7. Press X to swap colors, making white your active painting color for visibility against the dark background.

8. Configure your base brush in the Options bar:

   • Open the Brush Preset picker and select Hard Round from the General Brushes collection.
   • Set Size to 10 px for fine detail work.
   • Set Hardness to 100% for crisp edges that will scatter effectively.
9. Open Window > Brush Settings to access advanced customization options.

10. In the Brush Settings panel, create random scatter patterns:

    • Click on Scattering (the word itself, not just the checkbox) to access settings.
    • Drag the Scatter slider to its maximum value of 1,000% and observe the preview changes.
    • Check Both Axes to allow scattering in all directions.

11. Click on Shape Dynamics to add size variation:

    • Set Size Jitter to 100% for maximum size randomization—this creates natural-looking splatter variation.

12. Click on Brush Tip Shape to control spacing:

    • Adjust Spacing to 100% while watching the preview to achieve optimal dot distribution.

13. Test your custom brush with a quick stroke in the black background area.

    The initial result will likely be too small, so undo this test mark using Edit > Undo.

14. Increase the brush size to 50 px in either the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar's Brush Preset picker.

15. Test again to verify the improved splatter size and distribution.

16. Undo the test mark to prepare for final application.

Saving a Brush Preset

Professional workflow demands reusable assets. Let's preserve this custom brush configuration for future projects.

1. Choose Window > Brushes to access the brush library.

2. Click the New brush icon at the bottom right of the panel:

   • Name it Yourname Splatter with your actual name for easy identification.
   • Click OK to save the preset.

   Your custom brush now appears in the library outside the default folders, available for any future project.

3. Close the Brushes panel to maximize your working area for the painting phase.

4. Apply your splatter effects strategically around the model, keeping these professional techniques in mind:

   • Embrace randomness—your results should differ from the reference as authentic splatters are never identical.
   • Use Edit > Undo immediately if a stroke doesn't meet your vision.
   • Vary brush sizes using [ and ] keys to create visual hierarchy in your splatters.
   • Consider the overall composition balance while maintaining organic spontaneity.

   

Masking the Splatters to Add Depth

The final step involves creating realistic depth relationships between our splatter elements and the model. Rather than applying uniform drop shadows, we'll use selective masking for more nuanced lighting control.

1. Select the paint splatters layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click the Add a mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel to create a white mask.

3. Reset to default colors by clicking the Default Colors icon (or press D).

   This ensures white foreground and black background for proper mask painting.

4. Press X to make black your foreground color—black paint on a mask conceals layer content.
5. Select the Brush tool for mask painting.

6. Configure a soft masking brush in the Options bar:

   • Select Soft Round from the Brush Preset picker's General Brushes collection.
   • Set Size to 300 px for broad, natural transitions.

7. Reduce Opacity to 40% in the Options bar for gradual, buildable effects.

8. Paint shadow areas around the model's silhouette to create depth:

   • Build up opacity gradually with multiple passes for natural shadow transitions.
   • Vary splatter brightness across the composition to avoid monotonous lighting.
   • Focus on edges where the model would naturally cast shadows onto background elements.

9. Save your file to preserve this comprehensive lesson in vector shapes, custom brushes, and advanced masking techniques.

Optional Bonus: Adding More Splatters in Front of the Model

For advanced practitioners seeking additional depth complexity, consider this challenging extension: Create a new layer above the Model layer and apply your saved splatter brush preset to add foreground texture elements. Position these splatters over the lower portion of the figure, around the event info box area, ensuring they don't interfere with key text readability. Apply selective masking as needed to integrate these foreground elements naturally with the overall composition. This technique demonstrates sophisticated layering strategies used in professional commercial design work.