Photoshop Tip : Creating Textured Backgrounds with Filters

You can paint a background, scan it and use it for patterns and backgrounds in your art collections. Or, you can use the filter commands in Photoshop to create a cornucopia of textured backgrounds. But to make the filters work properly, you need to know several things. 1. The file needs to be in the RGB mode (image / mode / RGB color) to access all the filters. 2. The filter is applied to the entire layer in Photoshop. 3. A color needs to be applied to a layer before a filter will work on that layer. 4. Multiple colors or shades of color on the layer is needed to optimize the effects of many of the filters.

Color can be placed on a layer with the paint brush, the bucket tool, the gradient tool, or even using a filter command. I used the filter Clouds command to apply paint on a layer for the examples in this tutorial (Example 1). Below are only a few examples on using filter commands. So many more can be created and some really interesting ones can be produced by using multiple filters on the same layer. Hints: 1. Simple and understated textures should be used behind central images so that the textures do not overpower the images. 2. Textures show up better if the colors are a combination of light and dark. If the colors are the same intensity, some of the filters do not show the textures well.

Example 1: Clouds Texture

Step 1 - To create a mottled looking texture as shown in the example, click the foreground color picker window on the tool bar and enter the following numbers in RGB - 199 ( red) 178 (green) 120 (blue) and click okay to close the window.

Step 2 - Click on the background color picker and enter 244 227 180 RGB numbers and close the window.

Step 3 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Render in the Filter window, and then Clouds in Render window.

Example 2: Sponge Texture

Step 1 - Create a Clouds Texture as shown in Example 1.

Step 2 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Artistic in the Filter window, and then Sponge in the Artistic window.

Step 3 - Adjust the brush size, definition, and smoothness. Press OK to apply the filter to the layer.

Example 3: Sandstone Texture

Step 1 - Create a Clouds Texture as shown in Example 1. Note: A solid color in the layer also works for this filter.

Step 2 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Texture in the Filter window, then Texturizer in Texture window, and then select sandstone in the texture pull down.

Step 3 - Adjust the scaling, relief, and light location. Press OK to apply the filter to the layer.


Example 4: Burlap Texture

Step 1 - Create a Clouds Texture as shown in Example 1. Note: A solid color in the layer also works for this filter.

Step 2 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Texture in the Filter window, then Texturizer in Texture window, and then select burlap in the texture pull down.

Step 3 - Adjust the scaling, relief, and light location. Press OK to apply the filter to the layer.

Example 5: Clouds Texture

Step 1 - To create a mottled looking texture as shown in the example, click the foreground color picker window and enter the following numbers in RGB - 232 ( red) 220 (green) 27 (blue) and click okay to close the window.

Step 2 - Click on the background color picker and enter 182 83 24 RGB numbers.

Step 3 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Render in the Filter window, and then Clouds in Render window.

Example 6: Ocean Ripple Texture

Step 1 - Create a Clouds Texture as shown in Example 5.

Step 2 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Distort in the Filter window, and then Ocean Ripple in the Distort window.

Step 3 - Adjust the ripple size, and the ripple magnitude. Press OK to apply the filter to the layer.

Example 7: Ocean Ripple & Distort Glass Texture

Step 1 - Create a Clouds Texture as shown in Example 5.

Step 2 - Create Ocean Ripple Texture as shown in Example 6.

Step 3 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Distort in the Filter window, and then Glass in the Distort window.

Step 4 - Adjust the distortion, smoothness, texture, and scaling. Press OK to apply the filter to the layer.

Example 8: Ocean Ripple & Distort Wave Texture

Step 1 - Create a Clouds Texture as shown in Example 5.

Step 2 - Create Ocean Ripple Texture as shown in Example 6.

Step 3 - Select Filter on the Command bar at the top of Photoshop window, then select Distort in the Filter window, and then Wave in the Distort window.

Step 4 - Adjust the number of generators, wavelength, amplitude, scale, type of wave, and wrap around or repeat. In the example above the following values were used - generator 1; wavelength 367min , 587max; amplitude 244 min, 999 max; scale 100 %, 69 % vertical; square type; wrap around.
Step 5 - Press OK to apply the filter to the layer.

As you can see all sorts of textures can be generated with Filters in Photoshop. This tutorial only used a few colors in the examples. Amazing textures can be created with a combination of more colors and applying several filters to the layer. Have fun experimenting because the sky is the limit!

Comments and suggestions are welcomed. Please click on comments and write them in the comment window at the bottom of this article.

Art Licensing Resource: Using Vinyl Banners for Booths

 

There are many ways to display art at licensing shows such as with posters and banners on the walls of a booth. View the Surtex 2010 video above to see a variety of booths and how surface designers, artists and art licensing agents display art.

Placing individual posters on the walls tend to be time intensive so more and more artists and art licensing agents are using banners to shorten the time in booth set-up. Vinyl banners rolled and placed into a shipping tube are light weight and easy to transport to a show. Note: Long paper posters can also be used. The artists that I exhibited with at the 2010 Atlanta Gift show used 2' by 5' posters printed by imagekind.com. They were printed on Epson enhanced matte paper and were "dropped-dead gorgeous." The only draw back was that the paper curled even with weighs placed on the bottom edge of the posters.

Banners can be taped to the walls or hanged from the top poles of the booth depending on how the booth is constructed. For instance, at Surtex the booth walls are made of eight foot high hard walls constructed with panel widths of 37-1/2" or 18-1/8" depending on the size of the booth. Many artists recommend using 3M Command Poster Strips* to attach the banners directly to the walls because they are easy to remove and does not leave a sticky residue. Other artists use s-hooks** to hang the banners from the top of the wall. Some trade shows such as the License & Design area at the Atlanta Gift Show uses fabric draped walls so banners should be hanged from the top supporting poles with s-hooks.

* 3M Command poster strips comes in a 48 piece pack that can be purchased in office supply stores and on amazon.com.

** s-hooks can be purchased in garden supply stores and on amazon.com. Metal bendable s-hooks with one side a larger diameter than the other works best so that it can fit over the top of the wall or pole. Hint: Bring two pairs of pliers to the show so that you can adjust the size of the diameter if needed.

Banner Details and Advice
Even if the booth size is advertised as ten feet by ten feet or eight feet by ten feet size, the inside dimensions often vary and could be less than the advertised amount. For instance, 10' by 10' booths at Surtex actually measures 9-1/2' along each wall by calculating the number and dimensions of the panels and panel connecting strips. Thus, if a ten foot wide banner is purchased it will be too wide for the booth. And if the height of the wall is shorter than eight feet and a 8' long banner is purchased it will be too long. It is better to purchase shorter and narrower banners because they will fit various size booths, cost less, are easier to transport, and the art on the banners will not be hidden behind table and chairs.

Vinyl banners come in glossy and matte finish. I recommend using a matte finish banner to reduce the glare from spotlights. However, I have heard that some artists had problems with the paint/ink chipping with matte finish banners. This may be caused by the printing process used by some companies but also if the banners are old, or if they are stored in too hot or too cold temperatures. Before ordering banners for the entire booth, it is advisable to order one banner from a company to make sure the quality of the images and color is acceptable and that the surface does not chip when the banner is rolled.

Note: Make sure that the size of the images on your banners can be easily seen ten to 12 feet away. Some artists and agents recommend that the smallest side of an image be at least 18 inches. My images are at least 12 inches.

Below is a list of some companies that print banners. There are many others listed on the internet but they either did not show their prices or they offered only few banner sizes.

Digital Pre-Press Services

Echod Graphics

FedEx Office (Kinkos)

Got Print

MegaPrint Inc.

Post-Up Stand Inc.

U.S. Press

Below is a price comparison for a 3' wide by 6' long banner from the companies listed above. I think a six foot banner is long enough to display art because persons walking the show usually do not look at the bottom of banners and most of it will be hidden by the table and chairs anyway. Many artists exhibiting at Surtex prefer three foot wide banners because the banners fit well on the 38-1/2" panels in a ten foot wall booth or evenly span the panel connecting strips on an eight foot wall with 18-1/8" panels. However, I like to use a two foot wide banner because I can roll the banners into a shipping tube, stuff the tube in a backpack and have no trouble carrying it onto an airplane. If the banners were wider and thus the shipping tube longer, I would have to try to fit it in my luggage or check it separately when traveling on an airplane.

I welcome any comments. Please write them in the comment section below.

Art Licensing Resource: Networking in Linkedin

LinkedIn.com is the largest professional and business-orientated social networking internet website with over 90 million registered users. In linkedin people can connect with past and present colleagues, find connections when looking for jobs or business opportunities, and network with industry experts that are willing to share advice. On it are hundreds of forums (groups) that focus on specific interests and concerns including groups for artists and designers. Three main groups on linkedin that concern art licensing are "The Art of Licensing," "Greeting Card, Stationery & Gift Industry Gurus," and the newly created "CopyRights - Artist's Rights." This is where artists, licensing agents and manufacturers connect to one another. Information about these groups are listed below.

A person needs to join linkedin before joining any of its groups. By entering art related information in your linkedin profile about your education, past and present jobs, website, blog, etc., other linkedin members can learn about you, your qualifications and experience. Individuals belonging to a group can start a discussion by asking questions, post comments to other discussions, post links to internet articles that are appropriate to the group, or just follow the discussions without participating. Note: By regularly participating in the discussions and gaining visibility in the groups some artists have been "discovered" by manufacturers and received licensing contracts.


Art of Licensing
(moderated by artist Cherish Flieder)

Dedicated to Licensors (Artists, Illustrators, Designers, Licensing Agents) and Licensees (Product Manufacturers, Producers, Media Members, Corporations) in the ART LICENSING industry. Network with thousands of Art of Licensing members, exchange helpful ideas, links & resources, report on trade shows, trends, share info on marketing, copyrighting & licensing processes. Also, join the PR subgroup to share your company news and press releases in real time.

Greeting Card, Stationery & Gift Industry Gurus
(moderated by Andy Meehan, president at Development Solutions Global Inc.)

Seeking to enhance the networking links of sales, marketing, product development and sourcing people from these related industries and to help entrepreneurs gain access to industry knowledge and 'how to's". Find resources, get advice, learn, expand horizons, be exposed to thinking differently... Whether you work for a manufacturer, sales rep, retailer or other industry discipline we look forward to hearing your questions, ideas and points of view!

CopyRights - Artist's Rights
(moderated by artist Phyllis Dobbs)

The copyright laws protect all original works and the derivatives of that these works. There is so much mis-understanding about copyright protection covers resulting in infringement and illegal use of protected work. We will discuss ways to create awareness of copyrights and take action.

Hint: Do not just stick only with groups that are for art licensing but join others to learn more about related industries. These provide valuable information that you can apply to licensing your art. For instance, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) is more slanted toward entertainment, brand, and clothing licensing than art. But knowing what is going on in those industries gives artists a well rounded education on the entire licensing industry. Artists can also pick up useful information from some of the following linkedin groups: Art Marketing, Future Trends, Textile Designer, Graphic Design Professional Group, etc.

I welcome any comments. Please write them in the comment section below.