Category Archives: Adobe Photoshop

Autumn Brush/Stamp Set

Hello everyone. I am, super excited to share with you a new release of my Autumn Brushes/Stamp Set. These 20 stamps are designed to help you with creating autumn art in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fresco (including Adobe Photoshop on iPad, Adobe Fresco on iPad, and iPhone).

After you download my brushes into Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Fresco, choose any brush from the set and stamp it anywhere on your canvas. I recommend creating a separate layer so that you will be able to modify the stamped layer at any time. 

The price for this set (20 brushes/stamps) is $1.99.

If you are a subscriber on my Behance, a patron on my Patreon, or a paid student on my website, this set is free for you. 

Create Patterns in Photoshop

Working with patterns could be a lot of fun, but creating a custom pattern is another level of creative fun. The best part is that in Photoshop we can do it fast while paying more attention to creativity. Photoshop will do the technical part for us. So let me show you how we can have more fun in Photoshop.

Create a new document any size and feel free to use any color for your background.

Create a new layer and use the Curvature Pen tool (or any other tool you are more comfortable with) to create the artwork you want to make a pattern from.

While the artwork layer is selected, click on the “View” menu and choose Pattern Preview.

Click OK on the pop up notification

And your pattern is ready!!!

You can still modify your artwork if needed. You can add extra details or objects, change/modify colors, etc. The best part is that you will be able to preview all modifications/changes in real-time.


Now open Patterns panel > Window > Patterns

At the bottom of Patterns panel, click on the “+” icon to add the new pattern to your Patterns.

Rename the new pattern.

Congratulations, you have created your first pattern. Enjoy!

If you would like to learn how to apply a new pattern to a mock-up, here is a helpful video I recorded for you.

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Convert to Smart Filter in Photoshop

It’s always a big plus (at least for me) if we can work non-destructively in Photoshop. What is it non-destructive editing? Non-destructive editing means that we can apply edits to our image and without permanently changing the pixels. You can always come back and make changes or remove the edits.

One of my favorite non-destructive features is the Smart Filter Layer. Converting a layer to a Smart Filter layer I can apply filters, non-destructively to my image. If I want to adjust my filter, delete or hide it, I can do it at any time (as long as all layers are not merged or flattened, and the document saved as a PSD file).

Note: Lens Blur, Flame Picture Frame, Trees, and Vanishing Point— don’t work with layers converted to Smart Filter layers.

To convert a layer to Smart Filter > Click on a layer you want to convert to a Smart Filter layer chose the menu Filter > Convert to Smart Filters (image 1)
or > Right-click on a layer > Convert to Smart Object 9 Image2)

Image 1
image 2

The layer you applied the Smart Filter or converted to a smart object looks like any other layer, but at the right lower corner of the thumbnail you can see a smart filter/smart object icon.

Now it’s time to apply a filter. I will apply the Camera Raw Filter. You can see in the image below that a Camera Raw icon was added to my layer under Smart Filters.

If you want to adjust a filter > double click on the filter’s name and you will be redirected back to the filter.

To edit a filter blending mode > double- click on Edit filter blending option

Now I can change the filter’s blending mode


Also, I can change a filter’s opacity value.

Note: you can apply multiple smart filters to the same layer. You can reorder, and duplicate smart filters.

To hide a single Smart Filter, click the eye icon next to the Smart Filter. To show the Smart Filter, click in the column again.

To hide all Smart Filters applied to a Smart Object layer, click the eye icon next to the Smart Filters line.

To show the Smart Filters, click in the column again.

Right-click on a smart filter and choose any option from the drop down menu (if needed)

P.S. Photoshop creates a Smart Filter with a filter mask already applied > White box in a smart filters raw

It’s very helpful if you wants to hide parts of the applied filter.
Double-click on a Smart Filter mask to display the Properties Panel.

To hide part of an applied Smart Filter > click on a Smart Filter’s mask icon > choose any brush and black color > paint over the area you want to hide. If you painted more than you wanted > change color of your brush to white and paint areas back.

JPEG to RAW AI

Topaz Labs

A Tablet review and new videos

Hello everyone,

Today I would like to share with you a few updates from me. 

Many artists, photographers, and designers are asking me for a recommendation on an affordable graphics tablet. The Wacom Intuos Pro is the tablet anyone would be happy to have. I’ve worked with the Wacom Intuos line for years, and they are the best tablets for graphic designers and photographers. Here is my full review. 

 Wacom Intuos Pro Orientation: from an Artist’s Perspective

Are you an Adobe Dimension user? If your answer is yes, this video is for you. In these videos I show how you can create a unique design in Adobe DImension for any occasion.

The next update is for my readers who just started their journey in Adobe Photoshop. For you, I recorded a new “How to get started with Adobe Photoshop” video. Enjoy 🙂

Lastly: Spring is here! I love Springtime. Everything is blooming, fresh colors, warmer weather, and a lot of new inspiration is everywhere. This spring flower is for you.

Removing An unwanted reflection

Hello and welcome to my new Monday blog post.

In this blog post, I will show you how to combine multiple images together to create your final image.
Last week I was shooting in my studio for Adobe Stock submission. I had my simple setup for a high key session. In this blog post, I will not go deep into my setup, but if you want to learn more about my settings, please let me know using the contact form below.

When you are working with product photography, and especially with a glass or reflective object, it is important to make reflections more smooth or don’t have any reflection at all (unless it is intentional).
We have many different ways of shooting products, and every photographer has his/her own way. What I will show you today is the quickest and easiest way on a small budget.
I had two lights. One light is behind my product, and the other light right in front of it.

Main Light

Using this setting I got this result

My next step was to bring my main light (which is in front of my subject) up

This is the image I got. This image doesn’t have any reflection (including Softbox reflection).

I always shoot tethered to Adobe Lightroom Classic so now we jump from the studio to Lightroom Classic.
In Lightroom Classic, I will select the first image > right-click > Edit in > Edit in Adobe Photoshop 2021

I will do the same with the second image.

Now in Adobe Photoshop, I will place the first image on top of the second one. The image with reflection is positioned on top of the image without a reflection.

Next step: apply a layer mask to the top layer > using a soft brush with black color, paint off the reflection.

Just like this, I removed all unwanted reflections/highlights from the subject. The next step will be merging all layers and simple adjustments in a Camera Raw with a little cropping.

Finally, we are ready to submit the image to Adobe Stock (as an Editorial image since this is an obvious brand). I did it and my file was accepted!

Everyone, I hope now you will start shooting for Adobe Stock and shoot from anywhere, even from the smallest studio, kitchen, or from anywhere else.


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Tips for Working with Photoshop

In today’s blog, I will share with you a few tips for working with Photoshop

Tip 1:
When working on my compositing or design projects having the ability to arrange my layers is very important. I would say that the ability to arrange my layers is the key to the right composition. 

To move Layers Up or Down: 
Select Layer(s) > hold Command(Mac) / Ctrl(Win) and use right and left bracket keys “ [ or ] “.  You cant move up or down the background layer before you will unlock it) 

Move up


Move down

Tip2:
The ability to select any layer without a single mouse click is one of the best Adobe Photoshop features.  

To select any Layer:
Press > Option + ] or [ (Mac) or Alt + ] or [ (Win)

Tip3:
To switch to default Foreground/Background (Black and White) colors in Photoshop simply press “D” on your keyboard (as long as you’re not in the Type Tool). Tip: Pressing “x” on the keyboard will toggle them back and forth.

If you like these tips and want to find more, you can find them in my “101 Photoshop Hidden Gems and Tips & Tricks: A collection of 101 hidden features and short tips that will help make you a Photoshop ninja ” book on Amazon

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How to Get Started with Digital Painting in Adobe Photoshop

THE Painting effect you were waiting for

Hello everyone. Great to see you all here!
Today is the day for many of you who asked me how you can convert your image into a painting if you are not a painter and don’t want to spend a lot of time painting.
Topaz Studio is what you need. In just under 5 minutes, you can convert your photo into art. Let me show how.
Open an image that you want to convert into a painting.

Click on Filter > Topaz Studio 2

Photoshop will launch Topaz Studio

Click on Add Look

Topaz will display a library with many different styles of painting looks (From Leonardo da Vinci to Pastel) that you can add to your image. I love many of them and I know you will as well.

Click on any look you want to add to your image. My favorite look is Cezzane so I will click on this look. After you specify the look you want, Topaz will display a slider that you can use to apply less or more of the painting effect to the image.

When we happy with a painting effect, we can click on Apply to apply this effect to the image.Now you can apply your personal touches to the painting to make it more personal and unique.

Click on “Impression.” Here you can change stroke, the number of strokes, and brush size.

From the Color and Lighting workspaces you can adjust colors and lighting in your image. I don’t use these features a lot because if I use Topaz as a plug-in in Photoshop, I prefer to adjust everything in my image before I launch Topaz.

Texture is my one of favorite features. Using the Textue workspace you can add texture to your image and the best part is that using Texture Strength you can adjust how much texture effect you want to apply.

After you are happy with everything you are ready to click on Accept and your image will return to Photoshop with an applied painting effect.
This is how easy it is to convert a photo into a painting in just under five minutes.

Most of us feel better when we create. Some of us have painting experience, some of us don’t. Having no experience shouldn’t keep you from creating. I believe that all of us can create. Creation is our natural language and Topaz Studio makes our voices heard. If you wanted to paint, but never did before, today is the day. Start your art today with Topaz Studio.

Pocket Tripod Pro

Sky Replacement in photoshop

If you are a photographer, this new feature in Photoshop is what you were waiting for.

Open the photograph you want to change the sky.

Click on Edit > Sky Replacement

Photoshop will open Sky Replacement workspace and will replace the sky with the last sky you used/default sky in the Sky Replacement workspace

.

From the Sky Replacement default sky library choose any sky you want to replace your sky with.

Once you specify the sky, Photoshop will replace the sky. You can adjust the new sky’s brightness and temperature in the Sky Replacement workspace

Foreground Adjustment workspace will help to adjust the foreground if needed.

If you would like to reposition the sky you can use the move tool.

By default the Sky Replacement workspace has three default libraries with different skies

If you want to bring your own sky in you can do it by clicking on the “+” icon

Photoshop is NOT applying any permanent modifications to your original image. Photoshop replaces the sky adding a new sky as a layer group.

As a photographer, I am extremely happy about the new Sky Replacement feature. I have a huge library of images I need to replace the sky in. I would like to point out this: it’s not about being a good or bad photographer because the sky in the image needs to be replaced. Any photographer knows that we all depend on the right time and the right weather when we are shooting on location. Yes, we were able to exchange the sky before as well but now with the new Sky Replacement, everything is MUCH easier, most more enjoyable, and more productive.


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Watercolor Brushes I use 


My New Coloring Pages

Because of COVID-19 many of us are staying at homes for a period of time.  I have created some coloring pages for children ages two and up. Feel free to download them for free. You can print out any of the pages and color them with your children using traditional pencils, or you can download them and use them in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Adobe Fresco on mobile. 

I also created some elegant backgrounds you can use in your digital workflow (digital painting, photo compositing, or graphic design). All backgrounds are free of charge, so download them and create something beautiful, and positive. 

My Patreon

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One image and One Tool

Some of you asked me if it’s possible to create a successful image/project using limited assets and tools. My answer was “Of course, it’s possible!” Creating an entire project using only one image and one tool/workspace could be as challenging and exciting as working on the project using multiple images/assets with multiple tools/ workspaces.
And today we will create the project from scratch in Adobe Photoshop using only one image and one workspace.
I have opened the image I will be using today (I downloaded and License the image from Adobe Stock. You can use any image you like).

Open any Creative Cloud library, that you would like to work with and save your assets to.
At the bottom of the Library panel, click on “+” sign and then, choose “Create From Image”

Now we will build our image going through all the tabs in this workspace. I will start with the “Patterns” tab. Using this tab, I will create a pattern for my project. You can use any pattern type and setting to create a pattern. After you’re happy with your pattern click on “Save to CC Library” and your pattern will be saved to the active CC library.

Time to start working on our shape and to do so click on the “Shapes” tab. Now you can create a shape from your image. Click on “Save to CC Library” to save the shape to an active CC library.

The next stop is “Color Themes”. Using this tab you can create colors based on your image. Feel free to move color pickers to specify exact colors in the image you want to create your new theme from.

The last tab is “Gradients”. The Gradients tab is a very powerful tab. I create custom gradients all the time for my workflow.

After all the assets are created and added to CC library it’s time to start putting everything together.

Create a document any size you like. Click on the gradient in your CC library to apply it to an active layer.

Double click on Pattern in your CC library and specify scale value

Click OK and bring the layer’s opacity down.

Now click on the shape in CC library and drag it into your document.

Window > Shapes> Click on the “Palm” icon and drag it into your document. Use any Color Scheme in your CC library to add color to the shape.

Your image is ready. As you can see, you can use one image and one workspace to create all the necessary assets for your new project.

In the tutorial below I added just a few extra steps.

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