You can do so much more with Photoshop than retouching and manipulating images. You can also use it for creating textures- as long as you understand the process. The information that follows will present you with tips on how you can create custom textures.

There are a lot of textures you can choose to use. From plastic, glass to natural stones such as granite, you have more than enough options available. Natural textures make for quite the view in a photo. This because, they are surfaces we are used to feeling every day; hence they make the picture look more real.

With that in mind, most designers are trying to incorporate natural textures into their work, hence the popularity. Granite textures, which can be viewed at Marble, are one such reliable texture used by most designers. The following are tips you can use filters, brushes, and layer styles to create a granite texture using Photoshop.

1. Make Use of Filters

Unlike the general view out there that filters are a cheap trick with no real value-adding prowess, on the contrary, filters are remarkably powerful effects that, when used appropriately, can produce some astonishing results. If you have not been using filters on Photoshop, then it is about time you tried them out. The following are tips on how you can use filters to create astounding granite patterns.

2. Utilize Numerous Filters

You are not required to use one filter at a time; you can make use of a mixture of filters to produce your astonishing piece. Experiment with many filters and see how they combine to create exceptional results. With enough experiment, you should be able to predict which filter works best with the other. Using this knowledge, find the best blend that suits what you want to design and use it to create a unique effect. It is also better to notice that some filters produce better results when they are applied more than once.

3. Utilize Filters that Naturally Tile

It is an appealing idea to design your tiling texture, although it is likely going to take you a considerable amount of time and effort. To make sure you save on time and effort, you can exploit filters that naturally tile. A good example is the filter noise, which naturally tiles when appropriately sized. If you start with such a filter as your base, you can gradually build on top of it, creating even more complex textures such as a granite texture.

4. Use Layer Styles When Texturing

Another way you can correctly design granite textures is by utilizing layer styles when introducing texture into your work. They provide you with a lot of options for decorating the contents in a layer. To learn how they work, experiment with each setting in the layer style panel. The following are tips you can employ when using layer styles.

5. Blending Modes

Blending modes enable you to blend multiple layers of textures into a single complex texture. Utilizing grayscale textures when using blending modes will make it easier for you to control blending. When designing complex textures such as granite, it is advisable to break them down into sub-textures to make sure you cover every detail.

6. Utilize Advanced Blending and Blend If

If you are trying to create a complex texture, then you cannot ignore using advanced blending and blend if options. For example, using advance blending, you can decide how a layer mask affects your style: is it to hide the layer style or confine it to the visible portion of the layer. Blend if sliders make it easy to design complex blending effects.

7. Duplicate Layer Styles

When designing, at some point, your layer will benefit from having two of the same layer styles with different settings. This way, you can create complex textures. The latest versions of Photoshop have made it easy to duplicate, unlike the previous ones.

8. Using Images When Texturing

Another reliable way you can create granite textures is by using existing granite images, photos, and scans. However, you have to be keen not to make common mistakes such as using incorrect light or making the image appear flat. Fortunately, these mistakes are easy to avoid if you have been using Photoshop for a while.

9. Utilizing Brushes for Texturing

You can also manually create your granite textures using brushes. If you are a regular painter, then such a process should be easy, if not, then, the following are ways you can enhance your digital painting skills.

  • Learn to Use the Brushes Panel.
  • Use the brush tools to paint with layer styles.
  • Make use of custom-made brush shapes.

Final Thought

As seen above, to create high-quality textures such as granite requires skills, talent, and an understanding of Photoshop. The above are tips that are meant to make it easier for you to create your desired texture. You must know how to manipulate each tool to produce a texture like no other. Hopefully, the tips above will help you achieve your goals.

About the Author

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Mirko Humbert

Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.