* * * PREPARATION * * *

This tutorial is different than what I usually write.  Unlike most of my tutorials, there are no "exact" instructions and you will be relying on your own imagination. I have included many screenshots to help you follow along, so please be patient and give the pages time to load.

To reduce upload time I have split this tutorial into 6 pages...if you would like to see the entire tutorial on 1 page you can click here, but be aware that the load time will be longer.

To open a new page showing the completed image click here.

For this tutorial you will need:

1. Paint Shop Pro, which you can get at the Jasc site.

2. Flower and foliage tubes of your choice. I found some wonderful tubes at Pixels by Judy. Judy has graciously allowed me to offer the tubes I used in my image for download from this page for your use in completing this tutorial. I highly recommend taking the time to browse the Pixels by Judy site to see the wonderful selection of tubes she has to offer. The screenshot below shows the tubes I have used, reduced by 50%. Click on the image below to download a zip file containing these tubes:

3. The following color swatches (right click and save to your hard drive):

(base colors)

(grass hilite colors)

(water hilite colors)

(bridge colors)

(tree colors)

4. Patience and some imagination...with this type of tutorial (painting) there are no "exact" instructions and no two images will be the same. You will need to follow along using the screenshots as your guides

The best advice I can give you is to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!  There's not much worse than losing all your hard work due to a program or computer lock up or melt down!!!  So...save your work often...I will be putting reminders throughout the tutorial:

Save 

As with any of my tutorials, please feel free to use any colors you like to create you own unique image.

Okay, let's get started...

* * * CREATING OUR BASE * * *

1. Open a new image:

Width: 400 pixels
Height: 300 pixels
Resolution: 200 pixels/inch
Raster background
Color depth: 16 million colors
Transparent checked

2. Save your image as "my_stone_bridge.psp".

3. Rename your Raster 1 layer "base-white" and fill with white.

4. Add a new layer, name it "base-black" and fill with black.

5. Add a new layer and name it "sky".

6. Change your foreground color to the sky color.

7. Click on your Airbrush tool and set to the following:

Shape: Round
Size: 40
Hardness: 35
Step: 25
Density: 50
Thickness: 100
Rotation: 0

8. Spray color along the top of your image, putting down more color along the edges and less along the bottom, as shown below:

9. Add a new layer and name it "grass".

10. Change your foreground color to the "grass 1" color.

11. Click on your Airbrush tool and change the size to 20.

12. Paint on some grass then change your foreground color to the "grass 2" color and add more grass as shown below:

Save 

13. Add a new layer and name it "water".

14. Change your foreground color to the "water" color.

15. Using your Airbrush tool (size: 30) spray the empty area of your canvas with the water color. (You should have some overlapping the grass and sky.)  Move this layer beneath your sky layer:

16. Make your "grass" layer active and add a new layer. Name this new layer "beach".

17. Change your foreground color to the "beach" color.

18. Using your Airbrush tool (size: 15) spray some sand along the edges of your grass:

  Save