Using attractive watercolor backgrounds for making graphic templates is trending these days. There are, in fact, tons of such background templates available on the internet. However, when you download the JPEG version of such images, the quality isn’t good enough for further design processing to make a standard attractive graphical design. The right way is to create the desired watercolor background on Adobe Photoshop from a scratch.
We have listed the tips and steps that you need to follow to create an attractive watercolour background. The technique basically makes use of Gradient Mesh, Tools of deformation, and Blending Modes. Following the steps listed below, you can create complex textural watercolor backgrounds on Photoshop in a very convenient, organized, and effective way.
Make use of Gradient Mesh Tool
Step 1
Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and make a circle with a blue fill. Select the circle, navigate to Object > Create Gradient Mesh and adjust the number of rows and columns in the dialogue box.
Step 2
Now, you need to select mesh nodes by using the Direct Selection Tool (A) or Lasso Tool (Q)and change the color of those nodes or recolor with different tints of blue color.
Using Lasso Tool (Q), select the modes that are present on the edge of the circle along the trajectory and full then with white color.
Step 3
Navigate to the toolbar and click on the Wrinkle Tool icon twice, the action would then display a dialogue box that states the settings and adjustments of this tool. You need to set the parameters stated in the toolbox.
After setting the stated parameters, use the Wrinkle Tool to make circular movements on the object that you have crafted and distort the lines of Gradient Mesh.
Now, you need to set up Multiply Blending Mode in the Transparency Palette.
How to Create the Background
Step 1
Create a new layer to make a background on that.
Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a rectangle to serve as the background.
Now, copy or duplicate the circular object that you have created using the mesh tool. Make multiple copies of the object, keep dragging them apart from each other at variable distances, and arrange those circles on the top and bottom of the rectangle, also change the size of each circle and arrange them in a diffused pattern along the edges. Rotate the circles on their axis by using Selection Tool (V) and arrange the circles in the form of diffused waves or any other pattern.
Step 2
Now group these waves using Command-G, navigate to the transparency palette, and adjust the opacity at 40%.
These waves will serve as the background of your composition.
Step 3
Time to create the middle background for this composition following the same technique, however, this time set the opacity at 70% in the Transparency Palette. Also, this group shouldn’t hide or cover the previous group.
Step 4
Now, you have to make the foreground, and here again, you should set the opacity at 70%. Make sure, that the foreground doesn’t hide the prior groups.
Step 5
Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and make a circle with blue fill again but keep the diameter of the circle 4px. Now, drag this circle into the Brushes palette and save the new brush as Scatter Brush. Adjust its parameters in the dialogue box.
Step 6
Select the Paint Brush Tool (B) to put some more strokes. You can change the opacity and thickness of these strokes.
Step 7
Now create the Clipping Mask by selecting all the created elements and use Command-7.
Closing Word
Creating a high-resolution watercolor background on Photoshop isn’t so simple. You need to know your way around using the tool to be able to create a watercolor background that has a wow factor! But, our step-by-step guide is sure to help you get going.