I was inspired by this super watercolour effect created for Photoshop.
I really liked this easy and
attractive effect :)
Materials
An image of your choice
Some Watercolour brushes ...of a good size. {
if you can't find any for PSP there are plenty of free ones available for
Photoshop which you can convert...try Deviant art
Photoshop brushes can be imported into
later versions of PSP ..otherwise use a 3rd party application to create .png
files from your PS brushes such as ABRviewer. These can then be saved as brushes.
I started with an image downloaded from
Morgue File [free images]
Copy your image noting its size and close
original .
Create a new canvas somewhat larger than your
image.
Paste your image as a new layer.
Flood fill your background
[raster1]
I created the background by simply using a
lighter colour of my image but you can easily use a more interesting
canvas.
A good source of background textures is Shadowhouse http://shadowhousecreations.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Textures
Now for the brush work :)
Select your image layer and apply a mask
"hide All} Layer>New Mask layer>hide all.
Lower the opacity of your mask a little so you
can just see your image.
If you place your cursor on the mask you will
see that it is black..i.e. blocking the whole of your image.
Now select a watercolour brush from your collection and using
a white colour foreground material #ffffff make sure your brush is no larger
than your image apply to the focal area.
If your brush is a bit light, you may have to
apply it a couple more times in the same area, without shifting it.
Select another brush [or more] and rotating it as you wish
apply it to the edges and bring your mask opacity up to 100%.
Now to add some splashes of colour [yes I'm
messy with water colours :) ]
Go to raster 1 and add a new raster
layer.
Change your foreground material to a bright
or interesting colour or gradient and using a brush from your collection, apply
to this layer.
[I chose colours from my image]
Add a couple more layers with different
coloured brush work on each. These will all be below your Group raster
layer.
As you can see I've also adjusted the opacity
of these layers but you could also change the blend mode if you
wished.
Make any final adjustments to your background
[I lightened mine a bit] before merging layers and applying a subtle texture to
your image.
Effects> texture effects> texture. I
chose a canvas type texture.
Add a frame if you wish ..and of course your
signature :)
Tips
Collect a variety of suitable brushes ..as
large as you can depending on the version of PSP that you have.
Don't be afraid to boost the saturation of
your original image or recolour to suit your project.
Experiment with different background canvases
and final textures.
