TheVirtualInstructor Blog

If you are aspiring designer, then you must be able to work effectively with text in Adobe Photoshop.  Learn as much as you can about how to use the effects and tools that Photoshop has to offer to create dynamic, eye-catching text.  So why not add a couple of new tricks to your Adobe Photoshop bag with this new lesson posted on TheVirtualInstructor.com.  This lesson focuses on two interesting and easy to create effects that can be used to add to your text.  These effects aren’t limited to text either.  You can use them on any shape.  The first effect is creating a natural reflection.  This effect requires a simple duplication of the layer, a transformation, and then a layer mask.  The result is a reflection that may happen on a highly polished surface.  The second effect in this lesson shows you how to create a cast shadow.  Again, this effect requires a duplicated layer, a couple of transformations, and a simple layer mask.  To see a detailed walk through of this lesson and to see a video demonstration of this lesson click here-> Text Reflection and Shadow in Adobe Photoshop

Often times the need arises to create many copies of the same shape, image, or text.  You could select what you want copied and then paste carbon copies to edit but why waste all of that time?  Instead you could quickly create a custom brush to save you lots of time.  Or maybe none of the brushes in Photoshop suit your fancy, well-just create a new one.  It’s incredibly easy to create custom brushes in Photoshop.  Best of all, the brushes that you create are completely editable, just like all of the brushes already included in Photoshop.  You can get really creative with custom brushes.  Here’s how easy it is..

First, select your image, shape, or text that you would like to make into a brush.  The go to “edit”->”define brush preset”.  Name your brush and you’re done.  All of the brush attributes can now be applied to your custom brush.  And, until you delete it, your brush stays in your brush menu.  Have fun and be creative.

To see the video demonstration of How to Create a Custom Brush in Photoshop click here-> How to Create Custom Brushes in Photoshop

It is quite easy to create a slide show in Adobe Flash.  However,  it is more complex than just throwing a transition between images in a standard video editing program.  Slide shows created in Flash can be used to showcase artwork through the creation of a portfolio.  A slide show created in Flash can also be a nice welcome to visitors to a website.  The process of creating a slide show in Flash can seem tedious, but the level of control you get over the transitions is well worth it.  In this free art lesson, I demonstrate how to make a simple slide show using a fade in/ fade out effect.  You will also learn how to center your images and make them match the size of the stage with just a couple of simple clicks.

To see the video art lesson click here-> How to Create a Simple Slide Show in Adobe Flash

Using clipping masks to create interesting effects is a skill every designer and artist should know how to do.  Although there are variety of ways to create the same effects, using clipping masks is by far the easiest and the quickest.  Using a clipping mask allows you to create an image that shows through text.  It is not just limited to text, though.  Any shape can used to create a clipping mask. You are only limited by your creativity when it comes to using clipping masks in Photoshop.

First, pick the image that you want to use a clipping mask with.  Second, type your text or draw or import the shape that you would like to use as the mask.  Duplicate your background layer (the one your image is on).  Pull the duplicate layer above the text or shape layer.  Go to “layer”->”create clipping mask”.  A small arrow that points to the text below it will appear on the duplicate layer.  Hide your original background layer and make sure that your duplicate layer is visible.  There you have it, you’ve created a clipping mask.  All of your layer effects can still be used on any of the layers.  You can even go to the text layer and type something completely different and it will stay locked within the clipping mask.  Have fun and be creative.

To see the video lesson of How to Use Clipping Masks in Photoshop click here-> How to Use Clipping Masks in Photoshop

Using selective color to enhance a photograph artistically is a popular Photoshop technique.  There are a variety of ways that this can be achieved.  I believe that the easiest way is using a layer mask to choose which areas are to be colored.  This is how it works.  First select the image that you would like to enhance using selective color.  Pick an image that has good contrasting colors.  Think about color theory when are choosing your image.  You will be highlighting the colors, so color theory should be very important. Open your image in Photoshop and duplicate your background layer.  Go to “Image”->”Adjustments”->”Desaturate” to take the color out of your duplicate layer.  Next, choose to “add layer mask” from your layer palette. Then you will use a soft brush with the opacity lowered a bit to paint black in the areas that you want colored. Remember, you are on a layer mask, so you aren’t really painting black.  Instead, you are removing the mask to reveal the color underneath on your original background layer.  If you make a mistake, simply paint with white to desaturate the area again.

To see the video demonstration of this Photohop lesson click here-> Selective Color in Photoshop

Creating a growing animation in Adobe Flash CS4 is easier than you think.  I’m not talking about just using a tween.  If you create a masking layer, you can make your animation grow like a real plant would-from the ground up and then out.  First, you will need to either create a vector image in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or draw your image in Adobe Flash CS4.  If you create the image in Illustrator, import it into your Flash library and then pull it onto your stage.  If you draw it in Flash then it is already on your stage.  Name this layer, “mask”.  Create a new layer.  Name the new layer, “artwork”, as this layer will hold the actual marks.  Pull the “mask” layer to the top of the layer order so that the “artwork” layer is directly below it.  Now right click on the “mask” layer and select the word “mask” from the menu.  Unlock both of the layers to see the art.  Click on the outline box on the “mask” layer.  Go to the “artwork” layer and make a mark where you want your animation to begin.  Hit the “F6″ key to go to the next frame and draw a little more. It’s okay if your marks go beyond the mask.  These marks won’t be seen in the final animation.  Continue drawing within the masking lines on the “artwork” layer and hitting the “F6″ key until the entire mask is filled.  Export your animation and enjoy the show.

To see the video demonstration of  this lesson click here-> Create a Growing Animation in Flash

Creating an acrylic transfer is an easy process that can result in amazing artistic results. Creating an acrylic transfer can allow an artist a variety of ways to present an idea in an artistic way. Any image that can be photocopied will work and any surface that will accept acrylic paint will accept an acrylic transfer.

Some supplies are needed in order to create an acrylic transfer. First, you need a surface that will accept acrylic paint to work on.  Watercolor paper, canvas, wood, or illustration board are acceptable surfaces. You will also need acrylic gesso, brushes, acrylic gel medium, a photocopied image, and acrylic paint.

You begin by covering the surface with gesso and let it dry. You can then add some interest to the surface by applying color through acrylic paint or texture with tissue paper.  Allow any paint or glue to dry completely.  Next, you will need to cut or tear your photocopied image to the size of the desired transfer…

To see the rest of this lesson and to see the video demonstration click here-> Acrylic Transfer Demo

Acrylic paint is a young medium.  Acrylic paint has been around for just over 50 years.  It has quickly become a very popular medium, thanks to the fact that it is safer than oils, dries quickly, and uses water as a solvent.  Acrylic paints when dry, can appear similar to oil paints.

All paints are made up of three basic ingredients-pigment, solvent, and binder. Acrylic paint is no exception.  Pigment refers to the color and is usually a naturally occurring substance. The liquid substance that thins the paint is solvent.  Water is typically used as the solvent for acrylic painting.  The material that hold the pigment together and allows it to be spread over the surface is called binder.  Acrylic paint has a binder of acrylic polymer emulsion  and dries quickly to create a waterproof surface.  It can also can be used as a glue or as an image transfer medium.  Acrylic paints are produced in a variety of finishes. Gloss finishes are shiny while matte finishes dry to a dull sheen.

Acrylics can be applied with brushes, palette knives, or really anything at all. In my experience, nylon brushes work best with acrylic paint-although any type of brush will work. It is especially important to keep your brushes clean, as acrylic paints will dry quickly and ruin a brush.

Although acrylics can be applied to almost any surface, most artists prefer canvas, watercolor paper, illustration board, gessoed masonite, or other papers. Any surface is fair game, though.

To see the rest of this lesson and to see the video demonstration click here-> Basic Acrylic Painting Techniques- Apple Demo

Using text to create imagery is called Micrography.  It is an ancient technique that originated in the Middle East.  A variety of media can be used to create Micrography. Most commonly drawing media such as pen and ink or graphite is used.  Adjustments in the application of value create the image through the text.  By adjusting the line quality,the illusion of value changes.

Micrography is usually a painstakingly long process, but it can be done quickly in Adobe Photoshop.  First, you will need to bring in the image that you want to use into Photoshop.  I have found that portraits work particularly well. Duplicate the image layer.  Next go to “image”->”adjustments”->”threshold”.  You can slide the adjustment bar to alter the threshold effect. Next, create a text layer and cover the entire document with a small font text in black . Be sure to cover the entire document.  Make the text editable by  going to “layer”->”rasterize”->”type”.  Go to the threshold layer.  Select the white areas with the magic wand tool.  (Be sure that the contiguous box is unchecked) Go to the black text layer and select the eraser from your tools.  Erase everything in the document that is selected. Don’t worry as only the black text in the white areas will be erased.

To see the rest of this lesson and to see the video of this lesson… click here-> Micrography-Text Drawing