I think after three and a half years in Photoshop I’ve finally learned what I’ve been missing: Brushes!
I’ve always tried to modify the default PS brushes to fit my needs, whether it be to create a water color painting or to give my designs a grungy feel.
Recently I was reading a watercolor tutorial on Web Designer Wall, and Nick pointed his readers over to Bittbox’s Hi-Res Watercolor Photoshop Brushes (set 2). I downloaded them to do the tutorial and then discovered the wonderfulness that is third party Photoshop brushes!
There are some great, high quality free brushes out there:
- Obsidian Dawn The glitter set is the one I used to create the image at the top of this post
- Brusheezy
- BittBox if you have CS2, the CS1 brushes will work just fine
- PS Brushes.net not all of these are hi-res, but there is a large selection
- Get Brushes
- Deviant Art has brushes too, and Kristarella wrote a great article on her collection.
Or, if you’re just really a purest, Veerle can teach you how to create your own grunge brushes.
Now I’m curious about the third party plugins…
Have you ever used third party brushes in your designs?
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When I first discovered brushes in PhotoShop it was an epiphany. They can save lots of time, and there are so many good, free ones out there.
Another place I use is deviantart.com; just search for brushes.
An epiphany: that’s how I feel too. Ah, yes, I’ve heard people mention Deviant Art for brushes before. Thanks for reminding me, John!
Too cool! I had no idea brushes were so fab. I am going to have to check this out!
Hi Lauren, I think I’ve been missing out on this enlightenment. Thanks for the post, and to Johno for his comment to back up your sentiments.
Hi Nap Warden! Long time no… er, comment. Missed ya! Those brushes from Bittbox are top notch, quite useful and hi-res (which is important). The ones from Obsidian Dawn are very beautiful. I like them a lot.
David, I’m glad to share the enlightenment! It only came a last week for me. Isn’t it amazing how we can use a program so much for so long and still not know about these hidden gems?
Great resource for brushes. Thanks!
I LOOOOOVE Photoshop brushes. They do save huge amounts of time. I particularly like some of the grunge brushes I have, and I use this “rising sun” set a lot too.
Hey Lau (I almost want to finish writing my name there…), I’m glad you found this list useful and welcome to Creative Curio! Stop by again sometime
Hi Randa! Thanks for sharing a specific set that you use. All those hundreds of brushes at Brusheezy can be intimidating to search through!
Brushes are great! I haven’t been blessed with a copy of photoshop, but I have gotten my hands on some nice brushes - ported to GIMP from PS.
I find DeviantArt can be a great resource for brushes.
I downloaded the brushes from bittbox a while ago but never really got round to experimenting. Have you had any luck creating water colour effects? A guy I worked with years ago used to get a really nice magic market effect just by using one of the standard photo shop brushes but selecting “wet edges” (not sure if that feature is still available)
Hi Kristarella (how pretty! You sound like a princess), I popped over to your blog to read a little more about you and I think we’ll get along great! I looooove Stargate! Haha, that’s my criteria for determining friends… no, not really. Stargate is definitely my favorite show (or were you refering to the movie? I like that too). If you like card games, have you ever played Munchkin? Not sure if it’s available in Australia, but it’s a lot of fun. Anyway, getting off topic on my own blog… lol. We have another vote for Deviant Art brushes! Do you have a favorite set?
Hi Tara! Those Bittbox brushes are really nice. I haven’t done anything other than experimenting with them, but I like them a lot. I have tried modifying the default brushes that come with Photoshop, but I’m too picky and it just doesn’t look the same as the real thing. I think these watercolor brushes do a much better job (plus no monkeying with settings for hours!). And yes, wet edges is still available.
Haha, thanks LaurenMarie - you’re the first person to pick up on the princess thing. It was a teen-movie thing when I was younger - Ever After, Never Been Kissed… fairy tale endings - I loved ‘em!
Awesome - I like the Stargate movie, but I like the show much better.
I’ve never played Munchkin, looks like a good present for my husband. There’s so many things I want to buy him this Christmas!
Not sure about my favourite set of brushes - I think that might be a good topic for a blog post though, I can go through and figure out which ones I use!
So is Kristarella just your online name then? I saw on your 100 things that those were some of your favorite movies. I like them too. And Moulin Rouge, though that’s not a happy one, but I just love the music and visually it’s absolutely stunning!
Munchkin is loads of fun, especially with some of the expansions and lots of people!
Favorite brushes! That would be a great idea for a blog post! I haven’t used brushes enough to pick some favorites, but I’m glad Randa shared hers and I’d love to find out what other people use, too. Saves me from having to waste time figuring it out, ha.
Yes, just my online name. I’m probably at a point where I’d be happy to use my real name. However I’ve built up this screen-name now, I like it, and there are some people around me (e.g. Mum) that are still a bit afraid of the net. I think she would worry herself sick if I started using my real name!
I’ve thought about using real information online, too. I grew up being taught that you should never give people any personal information, name, age, location, contact info, etc. But the reality of the person on the other end being a “stalker” or whatever is so slim. I just decided to use my real name, but I don’t put my address or phone number up. I have heard some frightening stories, but my pragmatic outlook says that doesn’t happen very often.
I don’t put my address or phone number on my site either. People can get it if they do business with me, as it’s on my email signature, but I’d prefer to leave that little bit of anonymity for the average surfer.
Exactly, David. The people who need it can have it, otherwise, email is good enough!
Yes, it seems wise not to give out address and phone numbers. Even for David who is (or seems to be) running a successful business out of his website and online dealings.
Unfortunately, I’ve had some experience with scary older men, not from the internet, but they seem to be everywhere else - why not the internet? To be happy to post photos and say that I’m from Sydney I need to know that it’s not too easy for someone to find me. If they knew my last name they could find my details in a second.
I often sign off emails with Kris - it is a part of my name.
Woo, we managed to get off topic here. I’m going to post about dA brushes today so watch out for that!
Cool (about the brushes!). Come back and leave a link in the comments, k, Kristarella?
Okie dokie: 24 Sweet Brushes for GIMP and Photoshop!
I had no idea I had so many - and that’s after I deleted the ones I never use (and probably won’t use)!
Excellent, Kristarella! I’m heading over to read your article right now! Thank you!
Everyone else, won’t you join me? Kristarella has a very fun blog, with lots of interesting information. Go say hi!
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