In this tutorial, I'll show you how to mix vector elements and watercolor effects with text to create a stunning design. It's a quick process that depends heavily on good choices of images and colors.
Final Image Preview
Before we get started, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. As always, the layered Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership. You can view the final image preview below or view a larger version here. Fabio has another great watercolor effects in photoshop tutorial on the site as well you may want to review as well.
Step 1
The first step here is actually the first step in all my projects. I look for references images based on my sketch. This research and planning process is intertwined. It allows me to look through various elements and plan the direction to follow. Of course, I can change the direction during the creation as this process is fluid. So I found multiple images with effects I really liked and wanted to apply to a design (images: 1, 2, 4, and 5). Then I put some ideas on paper (image 3), added my own direction, and developed my concept.
Step 2
Create a new document in Photoshop, I used a wallpaper size of 1920 pixels by 1200 pixels.
Step 3
Download the Bleeding Dragon Oldpapers textures, and place the Paper 2.jpg in your document.
Step 4
Now let's use some brushes, in this case the fantastic Bitbox set of watercolor brushes. Go ahead and download these watercolor brushes. Bitbox has some other amazing watercolor brushes as well, so feel free to test different ones as well.
So, let's select the Brush Tool (B) and blue for the color. Create a new layer, then with just one click paint place some paint on the layer.
Step 5
Create a new layer, select a different brush and use red for the color. Once again paint the layer. Also you can try different Blend Modes, in this case I used Normal but you can try Multiply as well.
Step 6
Create more layers and paint each layer with different colors. Use yellows and greens and different blend modes as well. Try to reproduce the image below.
Step 7
Group all the layers with watercolor brushes and duplicate the group. You can hide one. With the other layer go to Layer > Merge Group. Rescale the layer and make it bigger, as in the image below. Then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and use 250 for the value. Now change the Blend Mode to Multiply.
Step 8
Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All. Select a big round brush and change the hardness to 0%. Choose white for the color and paint over the layer mask to hide some areas of the layer. Mainly in the center.
Step 9
Write the text you want, for the typeface I used a P22 font called Constructivist. You can use the one you like the most. Just make sure that it's really bold. Also, I placed some birds I got from the GoMedia's Arsenal (Set 5). The pack is called Flock of Birds, but I'm sure there are brushes with birds like that you can search on the web for.
The main idea here is make the birds coming from the text. That's why I placed them over the S and a bit on the T.
Step 10
Again, let's use that group of layers painted with the watercolor brushes we hid on the Step 6. First, use a big version, as in the image below. Rename the group to "Watercolor Big" and change the Blend Mode to Multiply.
Step 11
Duplicate the group several times. Change the Blend Mode to Multiply for each copy. Then select all new copies and merge them in one unique layer. Just go to Layer > Merge Layers. After that change the Blend Mode to Soft Light, rename the layer to "Watercolor Small," then group it with the "Watercolor Big" group. Rename this new group to "Watercolor."
Step 12
Here let's add more elements to our design. Use some brushes and paint over some letters (1-6). I used some Brushes from Brusheezy: 1, 2, 3, 4. Make sure you paint in black and with small brushes.
Step 13
Merge the layers with the text, the birds and the brushes with the splatters and other details. Go to the Layer palette, then hold down the Command Key and click on the thumbnail of the layer you have just merged. That will create a marquee selection, as in the image below. Now select the "Watercolor" group and go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection.
Step 14
Duplicate the group we have just used on the previous step and go to Layer > Merge Group. This layer has to be beneath the "Watercolor" group. After that go to Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options. Change the Fill Opacity to 0%. Select Inner Shadow and change the Blend Mode to Multiply. Use 75% for the Opacity, 5 pixels for the Distance and Size, 130º for the Angle, and Choke set to 0.
Step 15
Here I used one image of a linear floral design from iStockphoto. Place it in your design and change the Blend Mode to Multiply. This layer has to go beneath the watercolor layers. Duplicate the layer twice. Rotate and place them behind the D,, P, and S. Use the image below as a reference.
Step 16
Let's add more vector elements, I used another image from iStockphoto, this time of floral elements. Place the new image in your design and repeat the same thing as the previous step. This time let's use just two copies.
Conclusion
Now you can add your logo or some text to finish the design. The idea of this tutorial is to show how to create a design from multiple reference images, a simple sketch, and your own ingenuity. Using vectors and images from stock sites allows you to create quick and attractive results with relatively simple steps. You can view the final image below or view a larger version here.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )John Wu August 26th
Awesome! Looks great.
( )Hiperkarma August 26th
Thanks, nice
keep up and try to make a Las Vegas alike text just like on casinos 
( )Dan August 26th
I like it, would have been nice to see something on creating those other elements, maybe something for vectortuts?
( )Alex March 15th
it’s true that these details really make the piece, but you can use those same
( )pictures without purchasing them from istockphoto. you can download the jpgs and cut out the white backgrounds. only the second one has the stock photo logo plastered across it, and becuase it’s in behind the text, you don’t see it at all. if you look carefully in the tutorial, you can see that Fabio didn’t purchase it either.
Amin June 12th
You don’t need to cut out the white part, you can just add the floral design in a new layer and set the blend as “Multiply”. It will automatically replace the white with background without harming the image in any way.
Whitney August 26th
Awesome!
( )Vankata August 26th
thanks for the tut its very useful
i’ve been looking for an idea for my new design i’ll use same of this technics!
( )NourShow August 26th
Wooooooooooooooow … This is what I can say for this tutorial (Y)
( )Thanks Fabio, keep doing buddy :d
Tom Sinclair August 26th
Looks really good! Definitely something I’m going to try
( )vino August 26th
finally a good post……after waiting for a long time to see one after that classic engraving tut. it took 3 days for people to come up with a new one….
( )godonholiday August 26th
Very nice, I can not wait to try this out!
( )MONSTER August 26th
Looks great!
( )rerere August 26th
Inner shadow? oh nooooooooo!!!!!
( )Rich Tidwell August 26th
Awesome design, thank you!
( )Manuel August 26th
Looks great. Thanks for sharing this technique. I love this watercolor-style.
( )Nate August 26th
Looks great Fabio!
( )Max | Design Shard August 26th
Very nice effect, Typography is great, ill try this.
( )Aliasart August 26th
This is really nice, I would’nt ever have such a great idea.
( )Fredro August 26th
Fabio is back!
( )Thomas | Brush King August 26th
Great Tutorial
( )Michael August 26th
Beautifull tutorial, amazing
( )Alessandro Giglio August 26th
you’re the best here
( )greven August 26th
Nice tutorial fabio.
Thanks for sharing.
( )Jasper Wiese August 26th
OK tutorial, but 90% of the final image (and the most impressive parts at that) are just stock images.
( )Braden Keith August 26th
Looks good
( )Vince August 26th
Fabio, you constantly submit great tuts. Kudos
( )Tom Ross August 26th
Simple awesome. One of the best text tuts I’ve ever seen
.
( )Tonamel August 26th
You make it look so easy!
( )Paul Anthony Webb August 26th
This is a fantastic tutorial. Simply awesome. =D
( )PainiaX August 26th
Step 12
The Brushes of the Links aren’t the ones used in the picture…
( )vane August 26th
looks so beautiful! thanks Fabio!
( )insic August 26th
sweet! i like the output
( )Anjum August 26th
its just okay
( )Tstikvoort August 26th
Awesome!!! i love it
( )ferdinand | fudgegraphics August 26th
Looks great! For more free hi-res watercolour brushes visit fudgegraphics
( )Shane August 26th
Great stuff! Thanks!
( )NaldzGraphics August 26th
great tutorial:)very artistic
( )mcurtisg August 26th
YAY, fabio is back!
Remember bro, I need to chat with you at some point on Skype
( )yusuf1 August 26th
wow, that is really awesome, my site needs a huge facelift and what other place to come other than psdtuts?????? thank you very much fabio for tha tut, cheers!
( )Dustin August 26th
Awesome tutorial.
Almost no photoshop technical knowledge required. Just artistic skills.
As for me, it is much more than simple typography
( )Jinsey August 26th
Hot Stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
( )Web Designer August 26th
Great! This is good! Thanks!
( )Joe August 26th
I love the whole concept and idea, the final image looks great to but there is one flaw in my opinion the bevel or drop shadow on the text doesnt look that great i would of took this away or lowered the opacity to make the text seem alot more greater or even have used a different way of making the text stand out.
Just a little honest critism but the rest is great i love you work its brilliant and thanks alot for sharing.
( )Rodrigo August 26th
great work ! fabio’s work is allways an inspiration to my work.
( )Seraphim Collective August 27th
Great Job.
For those of you that can afford it. Painter X will give you great results when used with Photoshop also.
( )Sérgio August 27th
I’m having a problem between step 13 and step 14. I merge all the layers you say, then when i Ctrl+click the thumbnail of the layer I’ve just merged and the marquee appears, as soon as i Reveal The Selection the Layer just keeps black, I’ve too Hide the layer with the text so i can see the selection with the colors. But then in step 15 and 16 when i try to add the vector ornaments and stuff if i put the vector beneath the layer of the brushes it still shows the ornaments behind the layer.
Sorry if it’s just too confusing, it’s hard too try to explain something by text when obviously it’s much easier seeing it.
( )rjton August 27th
very very good…. fucking istock…you must pay
great tuto
( )Gui August 27th
Beautifulll!
( )I wanna became a plus memberrr ;_;
fili August 27th
amazing stuff, thanks for this great tut
( )sonny bill williams August 27th
you are the man bro
( )aGS August 27th
Cool, I liked the Vector art from iStock… These are mostly very well done.
( )Darrin August 27th
Ya lost me a few times on this one =(
( )Duo August 27th
Looking cool, but there is nothing great about it, all the best parts: patterns and linear floral designs are just downloaded
( )Joefrey Mahusay August 27th
Fabio you did a great tut on this. Thanks and keep it up!
( )Edward August 27th
Woooow!! Really cool!
( )Thanks a lot!
Joe August 28th
Who would have though vector elements and watercolor effects! When done right the end results can be awesome.
( )- August 28th
Very nice, kind of cheating though with stock images….
( )mattems August 28th
you do good things. very creative, good use of resources. Thanks!
( )Mark Abucayon August 28th
very very nice. love it again, more fabios work please. like it.
( )Nemesis Design August 28th
Gonna try this soon, thanks
( )Brandon August 29th
great tutorial on a pretty hot style. thanks for posting – lovely work as always.
( )LuciferX August 29th
Very nice, thank’s for the tuttorial
( )Yako August 29th
Great tutorial
i didn’t followed it all the way, but you helped me very good
(sorry for the bad english,, i’m Dutch:D)
my result:
http://i36.tinypic.com/15qqjgl.png
( )tits August 30th
cool
( )no comments =)
RafaBritto August 30th
I’m keeping doing all this bad ass tuts!
( )here it goes one more….
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2809740027_edbd8322d9_b.jpg
About you guys?
aravind September 1st
wow! amazing
( )joraN' September 3rd
Looks awesome.
( )Keep up the good work!
cLaK September 4th
Great work! i like the technique, awesome
( )Marve September 6th
way too awesome!
( )Can’t believe it:o
emerz September 7th
nice tutorial!
my result: my blog
( )Lawrence77 September 8th
brilliant mind….
How is you accomplished FABIO….?
After Einstein you only got heavier brain……..
laranz.joe@gmail.com
( )Danny September 9th
brilliant
( )Kams September 9th
I’m assuming this won’t work for PS7 users without some changes? I get stuck at step 7 when it says to Group layers, and then go to Layer->merge group. I don’t see that option at all under Layer. Also, duplicating a group doesn’t seem to work. If anyone could shed some light for me, I’d appreciate it, since I would love to try this.
( )=)
JesusFreak983! May 7th
You right click on the layers, and then press merge group.
( )Jai September 9th
Not a new one but okey!!!1
( )Alberto September 12th
more examples here
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Destructive-Vintage-TyPO-experiment/97151
ciao
( )Alberto
Jacko! September 12th
Hermoso!
( )sasidesign September 17th
looks like awesome
( )thanks man.
Katie September 25th
This is amazing. I recently started working for a web company and I have to learn some photoshop. All of these tuts have been so helpful for me. I have rented some books, but i think this is more informative about specific things. So far a lot of these blogs have helped me with things I needed to do. I love it. Thanks so much.
( )Katie
Ali October 9th
Hi Fabio,
this is splendid indeed, I couldn’t follow up with it for I lack to experience pertained to many details.
I couldn’t use the brushes I’ve downloaded the amazing way you did; you were like using real brushes and I couldn’t set em up the way you did to get the best result.
It was inspirind so very much, thanks a million and think am thirsty to more and more.
blesses
( )tantone October 11th
very nice
you are really talanted …i want to see more of your work please
( )Kai October 15th
Step 14, I’m not getting that indented look. Can anyone help me out?
( )urwen October 18th
Very nice! Thank you, got some practice with using stock images:) and very nice technique for watercolour effect.
( )Thank you!
romane November 5th
Thank you so much. Really helpful and really beautiful.
( )Phoenix November 9th
Excellent tutorial. Just finished following your outline, and I had a blast doing the whole thing. Taught me a lot about layer masking I didn’t quite understand till this tutorial.
( )Thanks again!
Glen November 23rd
Beautiful image. I’ll be trying this one out, it would make a great wall pic too, thanks!!.
( )There are a lot of free bird vector packs I’ve found, just do a google search.
The Retouchers Rant November 24th
fantastic
( )Michelle November 28th
Superb!!! Love this effect.
( )tika December 9th
great!
i love it…
( )Torres January 3rd
Im so lost on step 13. I have the same problem as one of the other users. My text and birds remain black. Please explain. Thanks
( )Chell January 6th
Wow this is amazing and so easy to follow. Thanlk you so much
( )Iyad January 14th
How to get floral elements for free?
( )psdtuts January 20th
pls create batter Tutorials like us this is not good dull
( )Amin June 12th
pls use batter grammer whn posting, Seriously.
( )calinus January 23rd
nice work!
( )tks!
Sz3pe February 6th
My Result: http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6119/beyondrealitymi7.jpg
( )Lacey February 11th
This was very smart and resourceful of you. Thank you for providing an idea of how to problem solve.
I’m a student…and again this was very helpful.
( )Lacey February 11th
Oh! I also think it is cool that you showed us your process work. As a student at SCAD we are taught to do this. I admire youuuu.
( )INeedMoney February 18th
nice work tho
( )puela February 19th
nice, excellent and easy to follow
( )judym February 23rd
The chicago web design studio I currently work for recommended this tutorial for me to begin my internship. Thanks it helped with my photoshop and typography skills.
( )Nick March 15th
Great Tutorial, Love the outcome. It’s a shame all the good stocks, brushes and font’s used have to be paid for. I’m only 15 and without a job I really can’t afford to buy all these. Great Design though, thanks for sharing
( )daphne March 16th
had the same problem on step 13, but found the answer!
just hide the text layer (click on the little “eye” in front of the layer) and THEN do your layer mask on the watercolour layer.
thanx for the beautifull tut!
( )marilou October 27th
did that, but then with adding the ”ornaments” you can’t get that behind the text
( )yafethomas March 18th
Surprising FIRE…!
( )Sergio Almeida March 20th
Legal Fabio!
( )muilleur March 21st
im stuck on step 8 – using the layer mask to hide some colour on the center…
( )i could mot done it.. help me please!!
parikh tallin March 22nd
thnx for the beautiful tut………i m gonna try it now ………
( )Pierre March 28th
Wow!!!
( )it took 2 hours but it looks so good!1
perfect tut
thanks!!!!!
me April 3rd
BEAUTIFUL
( )Connexion April 10th
While I like some of the ideas… the whole thing that bugs me is the amount of short-cuts and use of outside resources that aren’t yours. Sure, the result is nice, and the stock you’re using gives you permission to use them in such a way… but the over-reliance on quality stock brushes makes your technique very lack-luster and unimpressive. I do appreciate the tutorial, but this over reliance on other people’s resources can be quite frustrating and it makes me wonder what your work might look like if you were only given the default fonts/brushes and Photoshop without stock. That takes a more skilled artist, IMO.
( )Lisa April 14th
This is so cool!
Super nice tut. This is my result.
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa268/FakexBarbie/Metlisawuahahhaha.jpg
( )Yasas Perera April 21st
Gorgeous! Thanks..
( )Yasas Perera April 21st
This is my result!
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/nirmanapro/ynmflowery.jpg
( )martin kamunyu April 29th
luv the art work
( )maya April 29th
mmm…i like this.. ^^
( )Irina May 10th
Here’s my version: http://purplefoam.deviantart.com/art/Like-heaven-122099263
( )Jese May 13th
Thank you, this has helped me with a current assignment (A level).
Very thorough, first time I’ve been able to follow a tutorial so
smoothly – at my novice level haha
A sincere thank you!
Best wishes.
( )J May 20th
so good“
( )blacksh33p May 25th
very nice tut.
looks easier than it is with the watercolor brushes…
played around a litte bit and made a wallpaper for my
girlfriend (i’m a psd noob xD)
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/4562/christina.png
( )Tahti May 28th
Wow, this is a great tutorial! I definitely did it and it came out with great results. See it here http://tahti-bunny.deviantart.com/art/Hello-123928091
( )AirDesign06 June 1st
Very nice !!!
( )Ray June 11th
(steps 4-6)
hi, does anyone know why the paint strokes on this looks so smooth and realistic with identifiable brush strokes, whereas mines show up as a blotchy piece of mess when i drag is all about? Help would be much appreciated. i’m still a rookie at the moment…
( )mahbub June 13th
if u mean the first step, all u have to do to get those strokes is to click once with the brush. the brush itself is made to look “smooth, natural and realistic” brush strokes =)
( )mahbub June 13th
tried it and its awsome! learned alot doing this tutorial =D
( )codexus June 18th
I’ve trişed this tutorial but there are some informations missing, could you please recheck it? thank you so much
( )mubashar June 20th
very nice thanks
( )lenia July 14th
you are the best !:)
( )mobile phone July 16th
Gorgeous! Thanks..
( )gollanar July 25th
thaaaaaaaaank u so mush
i realy enjoy in ur tutorials
iam very hapy coze i do it
( )Leah July 27th
I need so help….. this is about step 14…. which layer do you duplicate? I duplicate the “watercolor” group, merge it and put under the original layer…. then I got to do the layer styles and can’t get the inner shadow to show up???? Am I duplicating the correct layer? I don’t know I’m really confused …. I using this tutorial for part of my design to get a job ….. have to have it done by sometime tomorrow! I would really appreciate some help ….. nice TUT by the way.
( )Diego Ibarra July 31st
i normally post commments to help where i got stuck and figured it out look on step 14 where you duplicate a group you get the watercolor group get the watercolor layer and put it in a group by it’s self and duplicate it and when you duplicate it grab the duplicated group or select whatever you want to call it and you right click it and select and click merge group you should only have your text and the icons you put on it or brushes and the watercolor in the text and brushes then you go to inner shadow and the other crap and put the shadow i put 9 on the distance so it looks like its in side something i dont know thats how i liked it
( )Covamere July 31st
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I recognized this tutorial being used down to the very same bird graphic on a giant billboard near my house a few days ago. The ad was for Hillside Christian Church and I didn’t know if they should’ve alerted you that they were using it or not. In any case it’s a wonderful tutorial and very interesting how it’s traveled even to my podunk little town. I’ll link to a picture of the ad if I ever get around to taking one.
( )zangetsuBankai August 6th
The out come is sic but im kinda disappointed that like 75% of the stuff used you didnt create originally
( )Jessica August 7th
I am having problems at step 8— my white isnt showing up on my layer mask…HELP pleeeeease!
( )steven August 25th
step 11 is confusing..can somebody help me? how do you use the group of watercolors….? it covers up my typeface when i use it
( )vicente September 11th
Fantástico tutorial, vou fazer um anúncio usando ele. Não vai ser um anúncio oficial, vai ser apenas pro meu porfólio. Muito obrigado, vou colocar seu nome nos créditos do meu anúncio pelo tutorial =)
( )Chicago Web Design October 26th
Great tutorial. I am def. gonna try this
( )thanks
mk October 27th
having a problem with step 13 and further! when I select all the text + birds etc. and i reveal the selection, I only see black and not the colours. I did try to hide that text layer but then later with adding the stuff at step 15, I can’t get my picture fully behind the text!
( )ana October 29th
hIIIIIIIIIII …CAN ANYONE HELP ME PLZZZZZZZZZ
(
i can’t do the step number 13….i can’t create a marquee selection
can anyone help me plz:(
( )gita November 13th
very very nice..
i love it..
( )Bruno Martins November 16th
this tutorial are fantastic..
( )thank you abduzeedo.. it is great to have tutorials like you make, continue to help was!!