The document discusses using the paintbrush tool in Adobe Photoshop or similar software. It describes layering a white paintbrush under a gradient to add tone. Experiments were done with smoother lines versus zigzags. The paintbrush tool allows for creating finer details and outlining images while experimenting with different brush sizes and line types. Mistakes can easily be fixed by deleting layers.

1. Skills Development
Paintbrush Tool
Hayley McCarthy
GCE AS Media Studies
City College Norwich
The paintbrush tool is very simple to use, but can also be very versatile when it
comes to effects and layering. In this example I layered the white paintbrush under a
gradient to give a further tone. Here I experimented with smoother lines vs. zigzags.
I also demonstrated this skill to the class.
Saturday, 28 September 13

2. I created a new
layer using CTRL+J,
if I was to make any
mistakes I could
easily delete the
layer, which
wouldn't effect the
image underneath.
I put this layer
between the
gradient (rectangle)
and the image.
1.
2. I selected the paintbrush tool with 100%
hardness and 0% spacing to make the brush
flow. Should the spacing had been greater the
brush would have been jittery and not as
aesthetically pleasing. I set the brush size to 29
px which is small allowing for finer detail.
I then experimented with various line types
which outlined my main image.
Saturday, 28 September 13

3. Due to using a mouse, some of the lines are
inconsistent and wonky. This would be eliminated if
a graphics tablet had been used.
The zigzags really make the main image 'pop'
which is useful for my front cover. The plain
background works well with the more busy
and complicated design. I would like to use
this in my final front cover.
Saturday, 28 September 13