Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Peeled Paint Tutorial

I thought I'd share a tutorial with you that was featured in ScrapGirls' newsletter today.

Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.0 with Windows XP.

I love the look of creating dimension with my digital scrapbooking layouts. I’m always looking for ways to create the look of realistic texture within the embellishments and papers in my digital layouts. Today, I’m going to show you how to create the look of peeled paint.

Open one of the ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Peeled Paint 1 in your program.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Open paper template.

Open one of the papers from Fall Watercolors Collection Mini. I like to use this set of papers because they already have the blending and textures of bleeding paint, which will work well with the peeled paint templates.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Open paper.

Drag your watercolor paper below the peeled paint layer on your Layers Palette.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Drag layer.

Make sure your watercolor paper is selected. Right-click on the layer and select “Duplicate Layer.”

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Duplicate layer.

You now need to move the duplicated layer above your peeled paint layer on your Layers Palette. Click on the eye on the bottom watercolor paper so that it is not visible in your window.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Make layer invisible.

Select the top watercolor layer. You need to create a clipping mask with the peeled paint layer. To do this, hit Ctrl+G (Alt+Ctrl+G for Photoshop) while your watercolor paper is selected. You will see it become indented with an arrow pointing to the peeled paint layer below it. You will also see the watercolor paper take on the shape of the peeled paint layer in your window.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Clipping mask.

You now are going to change the Blend Mode of the watercolor paper by selecting the drop-down menu at the top of the Layers Palette that shows “Normal” in the window. Once the drop-down menu comes up, select “Linear Burn” and watch how your watercolor paper takes on the depth, texture and dimension of the peeled paint layer below it.

If you are working with different papers than I am demonstrating with, you might need to go through the various Blend Modes to find the effect that looks the most colorful and realistic to you.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Change blend mode.

Merge your watercolor paper and your paint layer together by selecting both of them in the Layers Palette and hitting Ctrl+E.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Merge layers.

Click on the eye on the bottom watercolor paper making it visible again in your window.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Make layer visible.

Apply a shadow to your peeled paint layer using the Layer Styles. I applied a “low” shadow for this example.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Apply shadow.

You might need to adjust the depth or size of your shadow. Mine is too big, so I dropped the distance of the shadow down to seven, making it more realistic. Click OK when you are finished.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Change depth of shadow.

You have now created a peeled paint background which can be used in your digital scrapbooking layouts.

Digital Scrapbook Tutorial Screenshot: Peeled paint background.

You can take these basic steps and create a variety of fun looks. Try creating peeled paint on your digital scrapbooking titles. Try putting a wood paper behind the peeled paint to make it look the paint is peeling off the wood. Try applying a photo to the peeled paint to make your photo look old, curled and distressed. This technique can be used in endless ways.










ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Peeled Paint 1 Fall Watercolors Collection Mini Hearth Collection Biggie
Scenic Route Collection Biggie Newborn Collection Zoo Collection Mini

Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Peeled Paint 1 are also available.

4 comments:

Lisa Laxton said...

Very cool! Thanks for posting this here also!

Laurel said...

LOVE this look! :)

Anonymous said...

I am always grateful for people to show step by step how to do these kinds of things. The effects look great and the finished product is very inspiring (and your baby is cute, too!)

Only one thing kind of spoils it for me: You have spelling mistakes in your journaling. You have the word "your" where it should be spelled "you're". Maybe it's just the teacher in me that notices these small errors, and I'm sure it's not a big deal to fix, but keepsakes as precious as this deserve accurate spelling!

Cindy

Shalae said...

Thanks Cindy - that is definitely a huge weakness for me, and it helps when I totally overlook things for others to point it out. It's my husbands major job around here. :) Where was he for this one! LOL