Photoshop Face Off

Using Finger Painting

The image in the lower-right corner of Figure 14 shows the effect with the Finger Painting check box selected prior to the smudge stroke. The image in the upper-right corner did not have the Finger Painting check box selected. The image in the lower-left corner had the Finger Painting option off, but had the Use All Layers check box selected. The Use All Layers check box enables your smudge stroke to affect all the layers beneath the current layer.

QUICKTIP

The Finger Painting option uses the foreground color at the beginning of each stroke. Without the Finger Painting option, the color under the pointer is used at the beginning of each stroke.

FIGURE 14

Smudge samples

FIGURE 14

Smudge samples

Multiple images

Multiple images

Modify smudge settings

FIGURE 15

Smudge Tool options bar

1. Click the Smudge Tool J> on the toolbox.

I TIP The Smudge Tool might be hidden I under the Sharpen Tool.

2. Click the Click to open the Brush Preset picker list arrow on the options bar.

3. Double-click 46 (Spatter 46 pixels).

I TIP This brush tip is located in the middle I of the list.

4. Select the Finger Painting check box

□finjK p«hit,s on the options bar (if it is not already selected).

5. Make sure your settings match those shown in Figure 15.

You modified the existing smudge settings, to prepare to smudge the image.

Using a graphics tablet

If you really want to see Photoshop take off when you use brush tools, try using a graphics tablet. This nifty item might set you back several hundred dollars, but you'll love what you get in return.

Figure 16 shows the Wacom CintiQ 18SX graphics tablet, with a cordless, battery-free tablet and an 18.1" hi-res screen. The stand makes it possible to rotate, incline, or use the tablet on your lap. (You can learn more about the product at www.wacom.com.) The benefits of using a graphics tablet include the following:

• Over 1000 levels of pressure sensitivity

• The ability to use the 19 pressure-sensitive tools already included in Photoshop

• Programmable menu buttons

• The ability to move even faster than when you use shortcut keys

And as an added bonus, you'll probably experience fewer problems with repetitive stress injuries.

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FIGURE 16

Graphics tablet

FIGURE 16

Graphics tablet

FIGURE 17

Smudged area

FIGURE 17

Smudged area

Unchanged imagery

FIGURE 18A

Original image

FIGURE 18B

Painted image

FIGURE 18A

Original image

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