Warning: That's a tutorial for photoshop 7. What I call "Set of Brush" (brushes with different values of opacity and flow) is an easy way to caricature the best use of each brush (my use) this doesn't mean this is the unique use. Of course, you have to mix the sets ( b, c, d...) when you draw. You won't use one set by drawing!

The value of opacity and flow is just for your guidance: 25% means 10 -30% // 50% means 30-60% // 100% means 60-100%

A: Using a little brush size adds more detail and increases the drawing's quality.

The mode of the brush is a way to affect or not a colour for a pixel.

Opacity specifies the maximum amount of paint coverage applied by the brush.

Flow specifies how quickly paint is applied by the brush tool.


B: High opacity / high flow:

+ Very clean
+ adjusted for manga-like colouring
+ easy to fill the area and change the colour (the paint bucket tool)

- it's boring for the gradation
- brush strokes are very visible
- too clean!


C: High opacity / medium flow

+ fluid like oils
+ vibrant colours
+ clean
+ sweet gradation of colour

- you can't work with the transparence

All my digital paintings are drawn using this set of brushes (and the set "D")


D: High opacity / low flow

+ the blur effect
+ nice to draw clouds
+ the motion effect
+ for special effect like explosions
+ a lot of colour shades

- hard to draw only with the blur
- the colours are not really vibrant

To draw a nice explosion for example, mix this set of brushes with set "C"



D: Medium opacity / low flow

+ lighter blur effect
+ nice to draw textures
+ nice for smoke effects
+ nice to work with when doing fur

- hum.. any