You may wish to sharpen the image to enhance the brush strokes. Once your done painting, select the top layer in the layers palette and change the blending mode to Luminosity (Alternatively you can experiment with altering the Opacity). Keep in mind you are not trying to duplicate the detail in a photograph but rather you are trying to simplify it.Ĩ. Take your time - if you don't like certain strokes just backup with history palette and try again. You might start with a circular brush movement or short straight brush movements depending on what you are painting over. You will have to vary your brush size depending on the detail you want to include. Using your mouse or a pen tool and graphic tablet - start painting over the image. Once you selected the Mixer Brush from the tools palette and set the brush settings select the paint properties - I recommend starting with a Web brush (see below)ħ. Select the mixer brush in Photoshop's Tool bar and the press F5 to open the brush palette parameters box (below) and to start I used the settings below.Ħ. If you are using a tablet you can press the tablet button at the top rightĥ. Select the Mixer Brush in the Tools palette Open the layers palette and right click on the bottom layer and select duplicate image - you are going to work on the top layer and then blend the top layer with the bottom layer later. You can always reduce the size of you photo-painting later.Ĥ. I like to work with images between 9' x 6' x 300 dpi and 10' x 15'x 300 dpi if I plan to make a print. Stat Photoshop and open up one of your favorite images - I recommend starting with an image that is not too complex.ģ. A tablet is helpful but not necessary you can paint with your mouse.Ģ.

First you will need Photoshop CS5 or greater. There are Photoshop filters that can simulate various types of artistic effects that are faster, but the fun is in making your own unique photo-painting - here is how I do it.ġ. It's simply a technique whereby you can convert you photographs into something that is more simplified and sometimes this can make for a great graphic for a book or illustration. The results can look strikingly realistic except that your prints won't have the texture associated with a real painting and will never match their sales value - nor should they. It is also possible for photographers to simulate an oil painting using Photoshops' new mixer brush. Some painters use photographs as memory aids to help them paint.

Simulate Oil Painting with Adobe Photoshop CS5Ĭaribou on the tundra near Peterson's Point Lake Lodge in the Northwest territories - Photoshop simulated painting

Best oil paint filter for photoshop