This tutorial is meant to explain how to design semi-realistic objects achieved through simple procedures. The tutorial mostly uses shape layers, which will help you edit them later on and make your work more flexible and scalable.


Step 1: Set Up the Canvas



Setting up the Canvas


Setting up the Canvas

Step 2: Draw the Handle of the Brush


Draw the Handle of the Brush


In the Layer Properties dialog window, name our shape layer as "base" to keep our PSD organized.

Step 3: Style the Handle of the Brush



Step 4: Draw the Inside of the Brush Handle


Decrease the new shape layer’s Opacity to 24%.

By decreasing the opacity, we let a bit of the black-dark gray gradient overlay from the "base" shape layer shine through.

Step 5: Draw Light Reflections on the Brush Handle


Lower the Opacity of the "light1" shape layer to around 28%.

Let’s continue on with the light reflections by drawing a very thin white shape (name the shape’s layer as "light2") as shown below (highlighted in red).


Similarly, you will create a new thin shape ("light 3") with the Pen Tool, just over the previous two shape layers as shown in red below.


Reduce the layer’s Opacity to 20%.

We’ll need to create yet another light reflection highlight ("light 4"). The shape will be towards the lower edge of the brush handle (as shown in red).

Lower the layer’s Opacity to 20%.

Step 6: Organizing Our Work in a Layer Group


Rename the new layer group to something more accurate, such as "wood" or "handle". Except for the Background layer, drag all of the current layers inside this group.


Step 7: Draw the Metal Grip Base Shape

Most paintbrushes will have a sort of metallic grip that serves the other function of holding together the brush’s bristles. Draw a new shape with the Pen Tool (name this layer "metal-base") just above the "wood" layer group.

Step 8: Style the Metal Grip Base Shape


Color Overlay

Use a gray (#555559) color overlay.

Drop Shadow

The drop shadow’s color should be black (#000000).

Our metallic grip should now look like the following image.

Step 9: Add Light Reflections on the Metal Grip


Draw a new shape (name the layer as "light5") with the Pen Tool that covers the inside of the metal grip. It can be any color because we will use a layer effect next.

Give the "light5" shape layer a gray (#7c7c7c) Color Overlay layer style.

Continuing on with light reflections, again use the Pen Tool to draw a new shape towards the left side of the metal brush (we can call this one "light6" to keep our layer naming convention consistent).


We are going to continue creating new light reflection shapes using the same method. Below is "light7".

Give the "light7" layer an off-white (#f8f7f7) Color Overlay.

This is the final light reflection shading we will make ("light8").

Use the same off-white color (#f8f7f7) for the "light8" Color Overlay layer style.

Additionally, lower the "light8" layer Opacity to about 35%.

Step 10: Create Grooves on the Metal Grip





Your metal grip should now look like the following image.

Make another groove using the same process as above.

Create grooves towards the bristles as well.


Duplicate the shape to make one more groove.

Before we move on to the bristles, add a new layer group (you can call it "metal") and place all layers related to the metal grip inside of it.

Step 11: Creating the Bristles Base Shape


Step 12: Color the Bristles Base Shape


Step 13: Create Strands on the Bristles Base Shape

We need to give our shape some definitions so that it looks like hairs. Create a new shape (named "strands1") using the Pen Tool (P) above the base shape layer.


Color Overlay


Drop Shadow


Our brush’s tip should now look like the following image.



Duplicate the "strands1" shape layer and move it just near the top.

Step 14: Highlight the Bristle Tips




Just click OK.

And then start using the Blur Tool very gently along the rightmost side of the visible white shape in the "light1-tint" layer.


Step 15: Create Subtle Bristle Shadows


You may rename these shapes as "shadow1" and "shadow2" respectively. Use a Color Overlay to make their color brown (#4c3722).


Step 16: Paint a Bristle Lighting Effect

Now create a new white-colored shape on top of the bristle (named "main-light") to represent a subtle light reflection on the bristle.


Just click OK to rasterize it.

Set the Radius to 2px.




Organization time: Create a new layer group (name it "bristles") and drag all the bristle-related groups inside of it.

Step 17: Adding a Shadow to the Brush


Pick the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the Tools Panel.



Drag the Gradient Tool from left to right.

Reduce the layer’s Opacity to 15%.

Next, duplicate the "shadow-main" layer and use Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to scale it down.

Tutorial Summary


Download Source Files

