Easy Background

okay…….FINALLY my next tutorial..here goes.

1) choose ANY photo. Make sure you like the colors in it, because that’s all you’ll see in the end result.

2) Go to your toolbar and click on “Single Row Marque Tool”

3) Then, click once anywhere on the photo…choose an area which has interesting colors or that you like the most.

4) Next, duplicate the layer.

5) Now that you have a separate layer, you will need the “Free Transform Tool” . This allows you to transform the layer easily.

Make sure the duplicated layer is selected when using this tool.

6) Now drag the layer all the way across the canvas.. You can go all the way or play around for a different look.

7) Once you’ve set it the way you like it, press ENTER.

And there you go…an easy background for basically anything. 

This can be done to any photo and each photo will come out different than the next!

Art Grid

Here is a link to which those who are reading this must see!! 

photoshop grid

It’s a picture of all random things. But the beauty of it is that each little square or area, different people created it. The object of this was to make it that in the end, it looks like it’s supposed to be that way…

Tell me what you think!!

My Proud Artwork!!

Here is my latest and greatest! Can’t help the bragging… PLEASE tell me what you think. (It was made in Photoshop.)

Learn The Photoshop Tool Bar

This is the first tutorial. In this tute, you’ll be introduced to the toolbar. 

(top to bottom)

The first tool is the MOVE TOOL (shortcut: v) this tool allows you to move the active layer anywhere on the page.

The MARQUE TOOL (shortcut: m)  allows you to draw a selection on a certain object and isolate it if you want to put special effects on that area.

 LASSO TOOL (shortcut: l) is the same idea as the Marque Tool. But the Lasso Tool allows you to freehand the shape you’re looking for. Ex: if you have an odd shaped picture you want to select, Lasso Tool allows you to draw your own selection.

The MAGIC WAND (shortcut: w) selects certain colors on the layer. If you have a picture of a sky, the Magic Wand Tool will select a certain shade of blue (depending on the settings).

 The CROP TOOL (shortcut: c) crops the whole document.

The SLICE TOOL (shortcut: k) slices an image or layer into smaller pieces, so it’s easier to work with on a web site.

The PATCH TOOL (shortcut: j) patches up unwanted color, texture or content on an active layer. 

The BRUSH TOOL (shortcut: b) allows you to paint on an active layer. There are different Brushes libraries where you can choose the type of brush you want. Each type of brush will give a different look.

The CLONE STAMP TOOL (shortcut: s) can clone any part of an active layer. Like if you want to duplicate a certain area of a layer, you’d use the Clone Stamp Tool.

 HISTORY BRUSH TOOL (shortcut: y) will redo what you did in the past with that document. 

 The ERASER TOOL (shortcut: e) erases what’s on the active layer. 

 GRADIENT TOOL (shortcut: g) allows you to change the direction of a gradient.

The BLUR TOOL (shortcut: r) will blur content on an active layer. There is also the SHARPEN TOOL and SMUDGE TOOL which will sharpen or smudge content on an active layer.

The DODGE TOOL (shortcut: o) makes an active layer lighter where you want and BURN TOOL will make an active layer darker where you want.

 The PEN TOOL (shortcut: p) is an awesome tool! You can draw anything with this tool and then tweak it to be just how you desire.

TYPE TOOL (shortcut: t) you click once and a cursor comes up and you can type what you’d like.

PATH SELECTION TOOL (shortcut: a) allows you to select a single point at a time (like when you’re using the pen tool) and move it or round it.

The RECTANGLE TOOL (shortcut: u) is the shape drawer tool. It can draw a rectangle, circle polygon, line or custom shapes.

The NOTES TOOL (shortcut: n) um…I don’t really use it…so I can’t tell you what it is…

 The EYEDROPPER TOOL (shortcut: i) will pick up any color from the document that you click on.

 HAND TOOL (shortcut: h) lets you scroll all over the document if you’re zoomed in really close. An easier way is to hold down the spacebar and drag with your mouse.

ZOOM TOOL (shortcut: z) allows you to zoom in and out of the document.

The easier way (mac: command, +; pc: ctrl, +) zoom in. (mac: command, -; pc: ctrl, -) zoom out.

FOREGROUND/BACKGROUND indicates what colors are active. By default it’s black and white.