Original Drawings and Patterns-
In preparation for this session we had to create a series of pages of textures and patterns based on a variety of words we were given. To create these textures I used a black ink brush pen and indian ink so that my marks were very loose. Also due to the fact that I used black it meant that when I scanned the pages into photoshop it was easier to select the areas of the pattern which I needed.
Making the Brush
For each brush I created I went through the same process. I started by using the levels function to make the black textures I had scanned in as dark as possible. Next, using the Lasso tool I selected an area of a pattern that I wanted to turn into a brush, and pasted it into a new document, which had a transparent background layer. Following this I used the magic wand tool to delete the white surrounding the texture, and then selected it using the marquee tool. Once it was selected I used 'Define Brush Preset' to turn it into a brush.
Brush Test Sheet
I applied the process to 5 other textures I had scanned in and created a swatch sheet. Within this I tested out a variety of colours and the variety of options in the 'Brush Presets' menu. As part of this menu I experimented with opacity of the brush, the scatter function and shape dynamics, as well as some others. Doing this meant I could figure out the best ways to use the individual brushes.
Brushes Applied into an Illustration
To begin my illustration I quickly sketched out the frame work for a bear and then lowered the opacity of this layer to start painting over the top of it on a separate layer using the custom brushes I had created in session. I wanted to give the peaces a realistic feel so I used the brushes to create a varying fur texture for the bear, and also varied the brown tones used. Furthermore I did this with the grass and moved the layer so that it was above the bear painting to give the look of the bear walking through the forest setting. To finish off the image I enlarged one of the brushed I created to give the illusion of a forest in the background, I lowered the opacity and varied the angle to make it look as it the branches were intertwining.
Making and using custom brushes was very new to me, however it was a very helpful skill to learn as it meant I could apply any texture I wanted to a piece. Also it means that I don't have to be limited by the default options of Photoshop, meaning I can create more visually interesting work.
