Note: Tutorial created using Photoshop CS2 with Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Getting that painted edge effect on photos and layouts couldn’t be easier! All you need is a good set of brushes that mimic paint strokes and away you go!

My two favorite sets in the Scrap Girls Boutique:

• Paint Strokes Brush Set
• Artistic Brushes

You will need the following:

• A photo or two
• Digital papers and elements
• Digital Brushes

Open your background paper and make a duplicate. Then, close your original to keep it intact. Load your brushes, if you haven’t already done so, into your Brush Palette.

Create a new layer. You will actually be “painting” on this layer so that you can easily undo mistakes, if needed.

In your Brush Toolbar, at the top of the window, reduce the Opacity and Flow. I have set the Opacity to 85% and Flow to 91%. You may want to play around with different settings to achieve the look you want.

Choose the color that you will be painting with. I chose white. Begin adding the brush strokes around the edges of your paper. Notice that only about half of the brush is on the actual paper. Try clicking and dragging the brush for different looks.

Now, you will want to rotate your brush to paint the vertical edges of your paper. Go to the Brush Tool Palette and click on the Brush Tip Shapes and type 90 in the Angle box or drag the arrow slider counter-clockwise until it is at a 90 degree angle. Repeat the step above to paint both vertical edges on your background paper.

Next, I add a custom shape on a new layer above my background paper, and layer a coordinating paper over the shape. I then create a clipping mask (Ctrl+Alt+G) to wrap the paper around the shape and make it stick.

It can be tricky to paint the edges of more intricate shapes, so I used the ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Sanded Edge 6301 to give it a lightly sanded/painted look.

Using the same steps above, paint the edges of your photo(s). Make sure to do this on a copy of your original photo.

Now, you are ready to add the photo(s) to your layout, as well as embellishments and word art. Remember not to limit yourself to just papers and photos. Try painting embellishments, cards and more! Happy painting!

Layout by Syndee Nuckles
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	Note: Commercial license versions of Paint Stroke Brush Set, ScrapSimple Tools - Shapes: Curvy Mats 2101 and ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Sanded Edge 6301 are also available.

Tutorial written by Syndee Nuckles