I wasn't sure this was a real tutorial - meant it as an excited rambling gossipy sharing. . . so I put it in this forum. Please move if there is a better spot. Intro Warning Some video tutorials I liked Very Basic Step by Step (with examples) Compare 3 sizes of same brush side by side
Speaking of rabbit holes on the internet. . . I don’t remember what I was looking for but I tripped across something for Photoshop CC called: Art History Brush. Had to watch the video! See, I have been using my brush tool lately, trying to figure out all the settings and what not. Only, I keep clicking the Art History Brush by mistake and getting an error message that just messes up my artistic flow. (makes me sound very arty, no? lol) So, I watched the video. My initial response was OMG, that’s how I turn photos into paintings. Then as I watched other videos, I realized there is much more to the tool. Basically (to me anyway), the Art History Brush lets you paint like crazy, always able to return to the original, untouched photo (snapshot in history tab) if you want to. Or simply go back a few steps like in the regular history tab. OR, paint like mad, making multiple paintings. . .use snapshot to save a look temporarily, return back some steps and make a new version. Snapshots! Those get stored at the top of the history tab. The currently active snapshot (what PS is using as the current original) has a wee brush icon on the left side of it. PS Am I the only one who always wondered what that little camera bottom right of history tab was for? I just love learning!
Note, when you close the document, all that history gets erased! Save all you want to keep to *.png before closing.
video tutorial’s I liked best (no links just look up name on youtube). For a quick photo to painting tutorial to see what the Art History Brush can do: Davrodigital “Art history brush in Photoshop” For a more indepth but quick video: O’Reilly - Video Training “Adobe Photoshop CS6 Tutorial | Using the History Brush and Snapshots | InfiniteSkills” For a long and very informative but felt slow moving tutorial: Julieanne Kost “The Art History Brush in Photoshop” I believe she is an Adobe educator. I just needed some quick n easy play before really studying the brush and settings. Caveat - at least 2 of those have stuff you can pay for to learn more, I just ignored that part. No sponsership or so forth, just liked their delivery. Do you have a favorite video? Please share the name and user handle!
Open a blank document. Drag and drop a photo Open history tab You should see a snapshot and the line about opening file Click Art History Brush Leave settings across the top as is except you can change the drop down Style (tight medium, loose curl and so on). Click and drag away. Want more detail, make brush size smaller and go back over some areas Even smaller brush for fine details. Play
i never really used the art history brush either ... sounds like you had great fun playing and painting! i do like the snapchat feature and use it often - especially when i'm experimenting with photos or writing tutorials (and know i'll need a snap shot of some specific step i did)