How to Create a Watercolor Painting Effect in Photoshop

In today’s Photoshop tutorial I’m going to show you a clever combination of Photoshop filters that converts an image into a realistic looking watercolour painting effect. A range of built-in filters will produce the foundations of the effect, then the addition of a paper texture and some finishing touches with a watercolour Photoshop brush pack adds an extra level of realism to produce a convincing final result.
📺 WATCH THIS NEXT: The NEW Way to Create Painting Effects with Photoshop’s AI Generative Fill - • How to Create Watercol...
📦 Join my mailing list and get a FREE design resources bundle! spoon.graphics/freebundle
🙏 I don’t have a Patreon, but if you want to support my work, consider becoming an Access All Areas member on Spoon Graphics - spoon.graphics/membership
► Venice photo from Unsplash - spoon.graphics/3I63N8l
► Public Domain Paper Texture - spoon.graphics/3GzHxDy
► Watercolour Blooms Photoshop Brushes - spoon.graphics/3fsrBHa
Deals & Discounts:
⭐ Get 20% off ANYTHING in my Spoon Graphics Shop with the code: 20OFF - spoon.graphics/shop
⭐️ Get 10 FREE Images from Adobe Stock - spoon.graphics/10freeimages
⭐ Save 70% off the Heritage Type Vintage Fonts Bundle - spoon.graphics/vintagefontsbu...
⭐️ Download this Month's FREE Files from Envato - spoon.graphics/free-files
Tools & Resources I Use:
⭐️ Get Photoshop and other Adobe CC programs here: spoon.graphics/getadobe
🛠️ Where I download the creative assets I need - spoon.graphics/envato
✍️ The graphics tablet I use: amzn.to/2GYNYEc
🎙️ The microphone I use: amzn.to/3AdkJsp
📢 The email newsletter service I use: spoon.graphics/aweber
📈 The tool I use to help grow my channel: spoon.graphics/tubebuddy
Watch more of my content:
📺 See all my Photoshop tutorials - spoon.graphics/photoshoptutor...
📺 See all my Illustrator tutorials - spoon.graphics/illustratortut...
📺 Watch my most popular videos - spoon.graphics/popular
#Photoshop #PhotoshopTutorial #AdobePhotoshop
Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator design tutorials from Chris Spooner of Spoon Graphics. Subscribe to learn how to create stunning artwork as I share my tips and tricks in video format.
Join my mailing list: blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/subs...
Visit my design blog: blog.spoongraphics.co.uk
Follow me on Twitter: / chrisspooner
Join me on Facebook: / spoongraphics

[@spoongraphics]

Everyone who subscribes to my mailing list gets a FREE design resources bundle. 📦 Get yours here: spoon.graphics/freebundle

[@43bonka]

I cannot find out how to buy/down load the brushes. I went through the steps but I am at a loss to find out how to get the brushes. Thank you.

[@FOBsinCanada]

Note to self: Convert layer to Smart Object (1:01) Apply Dry Brush (1:24) Apply Cutout (1:35) Change Blending Options for Cutout to Pin Light (1:53) Filter > Blur > Smart Blur, change the blending mode to Screen and reduce opacity (2:13) Filter > Stylize > Find Edges, change blending mode to Multiply and reduce opacity --> Makes sketch lines, but can look ugly in places with gradients, so you can switch to Darken instead.

[@RustadMarketing]

Always clear and to the point. I was able to learn the process and immediately apply my new skills to a project with pretty decent results. Thank you Chris!

[@ruthkidson7470]

Just want to say thank you. I've been creating flower watercolours to illustrate a book I'm writing and they're amazing - and so simple to do! Thank you VERY much.

[@ahmedsuleiman1130]

This is a terrific and spot on tutorial for all and sundry. Concise, spot on and delivered rightly. You are the best always and forever ❤👍👌.

[@fredfoto7362]

I've been looking for a good watercolour effect for several years on KZbin and this is the best to date.

[@zhenikosha]

Thanks! It's very and completely useful short class. Especially interesting is the info on blending smart filters

[@PeterMorrison73]

Great work, thanks so much Chris!

[@t.p.1166]

Your video is unbelievably helpful and well-made. I often have a hard time following PS tutorials or my version is outdated. I can't thank you enough, the result was amazing!! 💯🧡🙏🌟

[@blackhoundrise8431]

amazing tutorial and the brushes were worth it. Thanks a ton Chris.

[@tinadominic8064]

This was EXCELLENT and just what I needed!! Thank you :D

[@kurtisca]

Love your tutorials! They are quality made, efficient and effective (everything you could want in a video).

[@christinadipinto]

This is SUCH a good tutorial!! Thank you!

[@Mischiou]

Really enjoyed the tutorial. Very well explained. Thanks for sharing.

[@moonlightelegantphotography]

Great video and refresher exactly what I needed to complete an image I was working on :)

[@artgeometrix6346]

This is great. So much going on. Very cohesive.

[@davidwahl5549]

Incredibly helpful, thank you!

[@KateAnastasia]

This is the best tutorial I have seen yet! Thank you SO much!

[@rubin1710]

Excellent tutorial . I am a new user to Photoshop & you really make it simple . Thanks

[@itsmeliska1186]

This video is genius, exactly what I was looking for!

[@chasface]

Thank you for this video, I really appreciated the pace. As a more advanced user, it was nice to just get the information quickly instead of listening through a drawn out video!! Thank you!

[@lensXgrade]

Thank you sir. I spent 4 days 3 nights to learn this. I have searched everywhere in the internet but finally found a video.....✌️

[@vcstar5]

Loved this awesome video! Thank you for sharing.

[@dannycovey7199]

AMAZING! Thank you!

[@jonathandietrich3244]

This is fantastic, looks perfectly like what I've been searching for. Good video too, better than other tutorials which feel far too slow, only to realize when you've skipped forward that you've missed something critical, the pacing here was exactly what's needed in my opinion!

[@user-tk9vb9xq6w]

Amazing, very easy method especially for newbie like me. Thank you for sharing this beautiful method.

[@harjith.d.bubber]

Thank you for the tutorial

[@JoshBowren]

Bravo, great technique, thank you!!!

[@victoria_1122ab]

Muchas gracias bien explicado, hermosa imagen, lo hare.

[@itsmehjesssicaa]

Very cool and easy to follow

[@ARoznowski47]

Awesome!!

[@tonyhinderman]

This video claps, thank you so much! Subbed, so quick and to the point love it

[@prokassim]

Awesome !

[@hollyherman9810]

this tutorial is great!

[@vvardumyan]

Great tutorial, thanks a lot!

[@linduremix]

love this

[@neocurse]

Great tutorial!

[@dominiclester3232]

Exceptional thanks 👏👏

[@vdesignsthings]

amazing!! thank you!

[@quacquac_quacquac]

Love it 🥰🥰

[@RaniaKaram]

Thanks heaps for this great videos of the basics of watercolor image rendering. As we are all developing our own individual ways and techniques, this video is a great step by step instruction

[@gallystops]

This rocks!

[@d.a.ackerman2552]

Really clear step-by-step instructions. One thing worth noting -- the suggested filter settings are more effective for original images that are low-resolution. (Of course, you do not need high-res if you are going to trash the details to fake a watercolor painting!) So start by resizing to a few MPx. And remember to convert to 8-bit so all the filters work. The sky's the limit. Thanks, Chris.

[@renkessler5476]

Your technique is brilliant! I love the results I am getting. I am still learning, but my results keep getting better and I am learning to make some tweaks on a photo-by-photo basis.

[@harjith.d.bubber]

Super!!

[@obv_design9310]

Great tutorial, Chris!😍 True talent! ⭐

[@frustrattv4078]

That was sick. Thank you for that

[@altair_ezio01]

Amazing, I was wondering how to make the edges of a picture like that👍

[@bala1000mina]

Very helpful and enjoyable tutorial! I learnt a lot! Thank you so much Chris! God bless and good uck!

[@nicp1649]

Great Video!

[@floridastateuniversityperc5193]

I've been looking for a way to convert my girlfriend's new office building photo into a watercolor to print on "thank you" cards--this is perfect! I'm so excited to mess around with it some more!

[@abpandit1]

thank you

[@amydeleon3387]

Thank you - I just downloaded an action pack that is suppose to do this but doesn't - now I can do this myself & will buy my goodies from you instead!

[@mashm.4079]

thx for the video:)

[@whitesebi]

Dude I just realised who you are - I used to READ your tutorials 12 years ago when I was getting through my final years of design at high school. SO good to see you're still doing amazingly useful tutorials!! Good stuff!

[@spoongraphics]

Thanks! That's so awesome to hear. Spoon Graphics is going through a bit of a period of neglect at the moment but that's the kind of motivation I need to get back into it haha

[@1uamrit]

Thanks

[@yanivrozenberg4583]

Thanks you content! A question tho, how did you apply a new photo to smart object?

[@thebasicmaterialsproject1892]

awesome channel

[@GraphicDesignerFineArts]

Tnx.

[@michelleargue4207]

Thank you so much for creating this video tutorial. I am new to Photoshop so I don't really know what I'm doing so I had to pause and click to work through it but it was very clear to follow. I had a slight problem and was wondering if you could help. My version of Ps didn't have a selection for Jitter. I also downloaded the brushes but had a hard time opening because the file name was too large. I kept getting an error code to change the file name it was too long to access the brushes. I couldn't end up finding the 1057 brush. Thank you for any help you have to offer. Thank you.

[@Desi2Rang]

Hello Cris, Nice Tutorial, A few things, images are 72 dpi, will 300 dpi image will have same effect ? Where to set color , i tried another venice image, but colors got dulled.

[@sandraslate]

life saver today! Thank you! However, I did try to download the paper texture and I must have gotten the wrong folder. Maybe just clarify where to find that file. I found a work around, and love the results. Again- THANKS

[@user-rx7pu6bm3o]

question : if you are going to print on water color would you skip the textured paper layer and do just a white sheet?

[@spoongraphics]

Watercolour Blooms Photoshop Brushes used in this video - spoon.graphics/3fsrBHa

[@KnowingHeart613]

Amazing technique. I made it an action so that I don't have the change the smart image every time to use this look.

[@spoongraphics]

📺 WATCH THIS NEXT: The NEW Way to Create Painting Effects with Photoshop’s AI Generative Fill - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp6xd5-deKyKptk

[@uxerthekus]

For those who are struggling with the last step (I was too): 1. open the new image and copy it 2. Go to the original smart object (main) click twice on the thumbnail 3. Paste the new image 4. and Save (cmd+s) just right after so the main smart object updates and there you go.

[@nauimunoz3644]

I immediately thought to myself that it sounds like Elmer Fudd made the video and now I can't unhear it

[@Victorgonzalez-vy1uk]

Where can I find a splatter brush?

[@ameliaWilson-qo8nr]

Love this video, I'm just struggling with the very last step/trick! I cannot figure out how to save PSB or whatever and get the image to change. I've rewatched it and googled for the answer and I'm still not able to get it to work. Thanks for your help! :)

[@murphydelgato]

I have the same issue. Everything was clear except for the last bit.

[@rahulhaldar5524]

@@murphydelgato I also same problem, please some help us

[@ejstewart3098]

This was awesome, however, I am lost on using this by putting another image in there, doesn't seem to work for me.

[@floridastateuniversityperc5193]

Hey there! I have tried so many times since updating PS to do this, and every time I get to the stamping part it doesn't work--I have followed the instructions to the letter and have no idea why its not working?

[@Okayama79]

Wonderful video, but I bought the "watercolor brushes" you recommended from your link and it gave me "high exposure" brushes instead!!!

[@pinopino8172]

Thanks .. but, could you advice me which better to buy - Intel® Iris® Xe MAX graphics 4GB LPDDR4x memory OR - NVIDIA® GeForce® MX350 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics memory ???? For laptop inspiron 7000 i7 11thgeneration for graphic designers program Please reply. Thanks

[@Nogreaterjoy1]

This worked beautifully the first day. But the second day- the watercolor blooms look pixilated. It isn't showing a gradual fading of the color. Is that a change in the settings?

[@Nogreaterjoy1]

I discovered the issue was that the brush was set on Dissolve instead of Normal.

[@DaddyGotCakes]

is there a way to apply effect without the $15 surprise at the end?

[@edwardgyu7990]

can you rename the smart filters? different ones are the same name - filter gallery

[@irynalk9231]

how did you save it in the end and how did you do it to the tulips?

[@TomGaruccio_Realtor]

did you ever figure this out? For some reason I cant get it to work

[@43bonka]

I can't find how/where to download the brushes.

[@blanchefeekes4287]

I am from the U.S and have no vat #. I seem to be unable to order the watercolor brushes. Is there any information to help me?

[@Gnitagn]

💕

[@laneyoneal6989]

I would like to know how to do this without having to buy a brush set. Or the option of a cheaper brush set. I know there is a more recent video where you show how to make a "watercolor" effect with Generative Fill AI, but that seems unavailable after the most recent update. Maybe an additional video?

[@thepowerofdefinition]

Hi Chris, it was all going well up to the point 3:38, as I used the watercolor brush nothing was appearing, (the brush did not reveal the image) Can you help?

[@suzannedommer8673]

Me too! Still working on it...

[@suzannedommer8673]

OK, I figured out part of it..On the TOP rwo of settings, make sure the mode is NORMAL.

[@kevinfomby1399]

Hey, how else did you fix it? i also cannot stamp my image using the brush. Thanks!@@suzannedommer8673

[@janimalzz8002]

Can you please show how to do this in Affinity Photo?😳😁

[@spoongraphics]

I've heard the Affinity apps are great but I'm afraid I don't have any experience with them myself

[@gabymorrison1487]

I am new to Photoshop, so really sorry for the silly question, but I am 3:32 into the video, and when I go to use a brush, nothing changes after I try to start stamping. The textured image isn't removed to start revealing the original image. Please help :):)

[@maudcilissen7499]

Set the Brush Mode to Normal :-)

[@gabymorrison1487]

@@maudcilissen7499 heya, thanks so much for responding. My brush is set to normal :/ :(

[@mariemcconnell4860]

My filter gallery is grayed out and I can't access it? Do you know why? I changed my jpg to a smart object and my color space is rgb...

[@d.a.ackerman2552]

Did you make your original image 8-bit?

[@adriennecaine9425]

Hey Chris, You brilliant human. When you starting an Instagram page! 😶‍🌫

[@arleensmith2734]

Do you happen to have a step by step instruction for this tutorial?

[@MarioGomez-yi6gs]

Did you not watch the video?

[@RiiiLEEYiiSaWEESoME]

When I stamp the photo with the brush tool, it’s not restoring the original artwork. It’s not really doing anything. Did I miss a step? 3:38

[@slbarry10]

I'm having the same problem, did you find the issue?

[@rafaelmurzabekov2360]

Brilliant as always! Thank you! But what is this accent btw? I mean br[u]sh not br[a]sh. It sounds pleasant to me.

[@spoongraphics]

Thank you Rafael, I’m curious to hear your guess at my accent first!

[@43bonka]

I am completely lost on how to DL the canvas and make a layer out of it.

[@freyarosekelly4742]

can someone tell me why it won't work. when I go to pick the brush on the image nothing happens. no image is appearing

[@Rydersilvery]

Did you ever figure this out?

[@xvzw]

When I brush nothing is deleted. the paper stays the same

[@iamaleks9138]

same cant figure it out

[@jsauls2388]

I'm having the same problem

[@z0na374]

@@jsauls2388 You have to change Color Picker (Foreground Color) from black to white.

[@gisellemorales9141]

@@jsauls2388 it's your mode. It has to be normal to work

[@Rydersilvery]

Did you ever figure this out? @iamaleks9138 @jsauls2388

[@annebrooks5940]

Ok, totally lost you when you applied the second Smart Filter. Please help

[@breazyzy5254]

Any way to get free brushes? I mean this isnt a tutorial if its paid

[@thepraniclife4557]

I am stamping on the mask but nothing is happening. No changes. I just see the uppermost layer

[@pierukvacuumexcavation]

I get the same, everything great until that point

[@margotromp4970]

Same here…

[@missantarctica5]

same here.

[@yanivrozenberg4583]

Same here. Make sure you working on the MASK layer, and adjust the the feather and density it will pop up

[@longbridge4029]

No it doesn't. Followed the lesson to the letter, but stamping on the mask just didn't work. Disappointing.

[@annehealy7926]

Doesn’t work for me - I’m asked to rasterize the smart object before applying the brush edits.

[@Rydersilvery]

Did you ever figure this out?

[@annehealy7926]

I wind up with a blank screen 😢

[@anplusdre]

So, you can't exactly follow this tutorial since the asset is paid asset.

[@Otto-Just]

Abandon Photoshop! Use raw materials.

[@spoongraphics]

Definitely the best option for the most realistic result!