Using the Pen Tool

Using the Brush Tool

Learn how to use the Brush Tool to create selections in Photoshop. 

When to use

Using the Brush Tool this way can be a great method for removing backgrounds from images in Photoshop. 

Instructions

Setting Things Up

• Begin by opening one of the two headphone images from the resources folder. If you're up for more of a challenge, use one of the tea kettle photos.
• Once you've opened your photo, click on the Add Layer Mask Icon to add a mask to the layer. 
• Click on the Adjustment Layer Icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette and choose 'Solid Color' from the list.
• Choose a bright blue or green color and place it below your image so you will be able to see the background as you remove it.

Brush Settings

• Check to make sure that the Opacity and Flow of your brush are set to '100%'. 
• Make sure you have a solid black foreground color. 
• Using a hard brush works best in most cases unless you are making a selection around a shape or an object that is out of focus or blurred.
• Open your Brush Settings (F5) and reduce the 'Spacing' all the way down.

Removing the Background

• Begin painting over the background with your solid black brush to begin masking it out.
• For larger areas, increase the size of your brush with the right bracket key.
• When working on masking out the edges along the object, you can decrease your brush size by pressing the left bracket key. 
• Remember to zoom in and out while working, and use the Hand Tool (Spacebar) to quickly and easily navigate around your image.
• If you accidentally make a mistake or remove too much from your object, switch to a white foreground color and you can paint the image back in. 
• Continue this process until you have completely removed the background and isolated either the headphones or the tea kettle.
• After painting out the background and isolating your object, you can hold the Command/Ctrl Key and click on the layer thumbnail icon to activate a selection around your object.
• Once you've activated a selection around your object, you can then go to the Paths Panel and click on the hamburger menu in the upper right corner to create a Work Path from your Layer Mask. 

Hints & tips

• If you are using a drawing tablet, you can use the keyboard shortcut 'R' to rotate the canvas. This can make it easier to paint along different sides of your object as you work to remove the background.
• If you have rotated your canvas and you went to quickly make it upright, press the letter 'C' on the keyboard.
• Using the Brush Tool to create masks can be very useful when you are trying to isolate objects that have a lot of smaller details and edges.