PSP Background Tutorial: Abstract Wallpaper, Grunge Tutorial for Paint Shop Pro

abstract background tutorial

Want to know how to make those cool abstract / grunge / trendwhore backgrounds and wallpapers you see in PSP? Now you can, with this paint shop pro tutorial. Step by step, now you can make your own cool looking wallpapers, splash pages, and backgrounds. This technique is sometimes known as grunge, abstract, or trendwhore. This background tutorial was written for Paint Shop Pro 7, but can probably be used for other versions as well. No lets learn how to make a abstract wallpaper or background with this grunge tutorial.

step 1 abstract wallpaper tutorial

Create a new image new image , 300x300 with a white background. It can be any size, but I will keep it small for the purposes of this tutorial. The general idea behind this effect is opening random pictures, then using color and dodge layers to make it look cool. Therefore you need stock photos. A good place for these are Morgue Files. There are others, just search in Google for "stock photos". Later in the tutorial I will place links to them when I use them. They are not hosted on my site.




step 2 grunge tutorial

Depending on the effect you want to create, try to get images with lots of small detail. I like objects such as pipes, wires, computer components, construction, etc. Now open up all these images. Go to the first image ( detail ), and select all (Ctrl-A) and copy (Ctrl-C). Now go back to your background and paste as a new layer (Ctrl-L). Repeat this process for the other images ( detail ). On all the layers, change the opacity in the layers palette to anywhere from 50-100. The more they blend, the better it will look. Here is a page with screen shots, layer settings, and file names for each image I added. A MUST IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLES FOR THIS TUT. . Remember, depending on the size of your stock photos and image, you may need to resize your image (Images | Resize, then look at the ruler on your image and type a number in the top box.




step 3 example

The next step is to dodge. Take the some of the upper layers, and set the blending mode to dodge in the layer palette. You can also adjust the opacity from there. Remember, EXPERIMENTING IS THE KEY. Here is a screen shot of my layer palette. Your almost done with this background tutorial!




step 4 example

The next step is optional. I would like to color the image. Create a new raster layer raster layer , and select all (Ctrl-A). Select the flood fill floodfill tool and fill the selection with any color you want. Now change the blending mode of that layer to "color" in the layer palette. Experiment to see which color you like. I used #0670D2.




step 5 example

Done with the grunge tutorial! You now have your own abstract wallpaper. You can use this effect to make any grunge or abstract you want. Wasn't that easy? Experiment with different pictures, blending modes, and opacity until your are happy with your image. Now add cool text, grids, micro text, and shapes to spice up your image. If you have any questions are comments, feel free to contact me. . IF YOU HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE TUTORIAL, PLEASE READ THE DETAILED TUTORIAL .