SET UP:
Launch Photoshop and create a new file that is 20x20",
150 dpi, white background, mode RGB.

SAVE your file as YLNIbrush1. Next, save this file two more times, as YLNIbrush2 and YLNIbrush3. You should now have 3 files in total. You may start with any of the files to begin.

STEP ONE: Select the Brush tool (located under the Pencil tool)..
Next, go up to the WINDOW Pulldown Menu at the top of your screen and open BRUSHES.

STEP TWO: Find the expanded menu marker at the top-right of the Brushes Window (it looks like 4 little lines stacked up). Choose the following settings: Expanded View (at the top), Small Thumbnails, Reset Brushes (OK).

STEP THREE: Go back to the expanded menu marker, and find the Preset Manager. Be sure it's set to BRUSHES at the top. Click LOAD...

STEP FOUR: Now you should see a list of brushes*. Hold the shift key and select/highlight all the brushes to add them to your palette. (*NOTE: If it doesn't show brushes immediately, it's easy to get there: Navigate to APPLICATIONS>Adobe Photoshop>PRESETS>BRUSHES.)

STEP FIVE: Go to the LOAD button again. Click on the folder "Adobe Photoshop Only". Select and highlight any brushes in the folder, and click LOAD.. You are ready to work with your brushes now!

DIRECTIONS:
This exercise simply involves experiencing and experimenting with the brushes AND their variations. Use ALL the Brushes shown (one of each shape) in your new palette. Experiment with layering effects (multiple layers).

For Each brush:

*Change size: very large to very small

*Change opacity

*Change color often

* Use all of the following for each brush: Shape Dynamics, Scattering, Jitter, Roundness, Angle, Direction, etc. EXPERIMENT!

Each page should be well balanced, clear and clean to look at!
Think of it as a design! Your page should not become "muddy". Brush strokes should be clear and easy to recognize. It should be apparent that you have used ALL TYPES of brushes, and learned to use all the various options available!

STEP SEVEN: Create three pages of brush effects!! As you are working, LOOK for the effects and label if necessary so you can remember what you did!

EXTRA CREDIT! Go online and download a set of Photoshop Brushes to your desktop. Load them, and use them in a fourth page!

 

GRADING CRITERIA:

I will be making an evaluation of your finished exercised based upon the following:

1) Your 3 pages should be a multicolored, multilayed extravaganza of color and designs!

2) Pages should appear "clean" and clear. Do not allow areas to get muddy! Use brushes in every variety of opacity for best effects.

3). Think of your pages as a design: it should be well balanced (evenly distributed!)

4) Your pages should show evidence that you understand how to make one brush, and change it in a variety og ways!

5) Honest, thoughtful EFFORT ! (I'm not interested in a "quick" job...I need you to be in a DISCOVERY mode! Do the work to learn the tool!)