In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make abstract watercolor in Photoshop by creating an abstract watercolor ink painting Photoshop action. I will explain everything in so much detail that everyone can follow it, even those who have just opened Photoshop for the first time.

What You Will Learn in This Abstract Watercolor Photoshop Tutorial

• How to create a watercolour Photoshop action
• How to prepare watercolour Photoshop action brushes
• How to create an abstract watercolor effect in Photoshop
• How to make final adjustments to the watercolor Photoshop action effect
• How to save Photoshop actions

Or Try a Ready-Made Watercolor Action!

Abstract Watercolor Effect Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)

Using this abstract watercolor ink painting Photoshop action, you can transform your photos to amazing watercolor artworks
with no work at all! Just brush over your subject with a color and play the action. It’s really that simple! With this artistic watercolor Photoshop action, creating advanced
and realistic watercolor photo effects has never been this easy and fun.

What You’ll Need

To recreate the design above, you will need the following resources:

• Stock Image

1. How to Get Started

First, open the photo that you want to work with. To open your photo, go to File > Open, choose your photo, and click Open. Now, before we get started, just check a couple of things:

1. Your photo should be in RGB Color mode, 8 Bits/Channel. To check this, go to Image > Mode.
2. For best results, your photo size should be 2500–4500 px wide/high. To check this, go to Image > Image Size.
3. Your photo should be the Background layer. If it is not, go to Layer > New > Background from Layer.

2. How to Create Watercolor Photoshop Brushes

In
this section, we are going to prepare several watercolor Photoshop brushes we’ll need.
You can check this tutorial to follow the process described and create your own brushes from scratch, or you can download my TechnicalArt 2 Photoshop Action and get over 60 high-quality and resolution watercolor brushes. Here are the brushes I’ll be using:

3. How to Start Recording a Photoshop Action

In this section, we are going to start recording the action. Go to Window > Actions, and in the Actions panel, click on the menu icon in the top right-hand corner, choose New Set to create a new set, and name it Abstract Watercolor. Then, click on the same menu icon again, choose New Action to create a new action, and name it Abstract Watercolor.

4. How to Create the Background

In this section, we are going to create the background. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to create a new solid color fill layer, name it Background Color, and choose the color #f2f2f2 as shown below:

5. How to Create the Sketch Effect

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create the sketch effect. Select the Background layer and press Control-J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer. Then, drag this layer to the top of the layers in the Layers panel.

Step 2

Now go to Filter > Filter Gallery > Stylize > Glowing Edges and set the Edge Width to 1, Edge Brightness to 20, and Smoothness to 15.

Step 3

Press Control-I on your keyboard to invert the layer colors. Then, press Control-Shift-U to desaturate this layer.

Step 4

Now go to Image > Auto Tone and then Image > Auto Contrast to make some auto-corrections to the layer tone and contrast. Then, go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and enter the settings below:

Step 5

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Multiply and set the Opacity to 37%. Then, name this layer Outline Sketch.

Step 6

Now select the Background layer and press Control-J on your keyboard to duplicate it. Then, drag this layer to the top of the layers in the Layers panel. After that, press Control-J to duplicate this new layer.

Step 7

Press Control-I on your keyboard to invert the layer colors and change the Blending Mode of this layer to Color Dodge. Then, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the Radius to 20 px.

Step 8

Now Control-click on the Background copy layer to select both layers at the same time, and press Control-E on your keyboard to merge them into one layer. Then, press Control-Shift-U to desaturate this new layer.

Step 9

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Multiply and set the Opacity to 70%. Then, name this layer Detailed Sketch and drag it just below the Outline Sketch layer in the Layers panel.

Step 10

Now go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All to add a layer mask that reveals the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #000000, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a soft brush, and brush over the background area to remove the sketch details in the background.

Step 11

Select the Outline Sketch layer, go to File > Place Embedded, select the Diagonal Lines Texture file attached, click Place, and place it so it fits the canvas as shown below:

Step 12

Now go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to add a layer mask that hides the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #ffffff, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a hard brush, and brush over the area where you want the texture to appear.

Instead of brushing into the layer mask, you can also use various selections and/or filters to modify the layer mask and determine where the texture will be visible.

Step 13

Change the Opacity of this layer to 42%.

6. How to Crop an Image in Photoshop

In this section, we are going to crop the image before we start creating the watercolor effect. Firstly, we are going to pause the action recording. Go to Window > Actions, and in the Actions
panel, click on the rectangle icon in the bottom left-hand corner to
stop recording the action. Then, in the same panel, click on the menu
icon in the top right-hand corner and choose Insert Stop to add the Stop command.

After that, choose the Crop Tool (C) and transform the Crop Box as shown below:

7. How to Create an Abstract Watercolor Effect in Photoshop

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create our abstract watercolor effect in Photoshop. Go to Window > Actions, and in the Actions panel, click on the circle icon at the bottom to resume recording the action. Then, select the Background layer and press Control-J on your keyboard to duplicate it. After that, drag this layer to the top of the layers in the Layers panel.

Step 2

Now go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to add a layer mask that hides the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #ffffff, choose the Brush Tool (B),
and pick some of the watercolor brushes you have prepared. After that, stop recording the action, insert the Stop command again, and brush
over and around the subject area where you want to create the watercolor effect.

Step 3

Change the Opacity of this layer to 69% and name this layer Blue_Watercolor_1.

Step 4

Now go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to create a new solid color fill layer, name it Color, and choose the color #0096ff as shown below. Then, press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask.

Step 5

Repeat this process to create as many blue watercolor layers as you want. Here is my result:

Step 6

Now, to create purple/pink watercolor layers, repeat the previous process but use the #b200b2 color instead of #0096ff. Then, position these watercolor and solid color fill layers at the top of the layers in the Layers panel. After that, Control-click on these new solid color fill layers to select them all at the same time, and change the Blending Mode of these layers to Vivid Light.

Step 7

Select the top layer in the Layers panel and Shift-click on the last texture layer to select all layers between. Then, go to Layer > New > Group from Layers to create a new group from the selected layers, and name it Watercolor.

Step 8

Now, go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All to add a layer mask that reveals the whole layer group. Then, set the foreground color to #000000, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick some of the watercolor brushes, and brush over the face of the subject to slightly remove the textures in this area.

8. How to Make Final Adjustments to the Watercolor Effect Photoshop Action

Step 1

In this section, we are going to make some final adjustments to the watercolor effect Photoshop action and save the action for future use. Go to Window > Actions, and in the Actions panel, click on the circle icon at the bottom to resume recording the action. Then, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves to create a new curves adjustment layer and name it Color Look.

Step 2

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail, and in the Properties panel, enter the settings below:

Step 3

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Vibrance to create a new vibrance adjustment layer and name it Overall Vibrance/Saturation.

Step 4

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, set the Vibrance to +30 and Saturation to +20.

Step 5

Press Control-Alt-Shift-E on your keyboard to make a screenshot, and then press Control-Shift-U to desaturate this layer. Then, go to Filter > Other > High Pass and set the Radius to 2 px.

Step 6

Now change the Blending Mode of this layer to Hard Light and name this layer Overall Sharpening. Then, go to Window > Actions, and in the Actions
panel, click on the rectangle icon in the bottom left-hand corner to
stop recording the action. Then, in the same panel, click on the menu
icon in the top right-hand corner and choose Save Actions to save the action.

You Made It!

Congratulations, you have
succeeded! You’ve learned how to create a stylish watercolor Photoshop
action. With this watercolor effect Photoshop action, you can now transform any photo to a watercolor illustration. Here is our
final result:

Take It to the Next Level!

Abstract Watercolor Effect Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)

Using this artistic watercolor Photoshop action, you can transform your photos to amazing watercolor artworks
with no work at all! Just brush over your subject with a color and play the action. It’s really that simple! With this creative watercolor Photoshop action, creating advanced
and realistic watercolor photo effects has never been this easy and fun.

Liked this abstract watercolor Photoshop tutorial? Then you may also like these other Photoshop action tutorials:

• 

  How to Create an Illustration Photoshop Action (From Photo to Illustration)

  In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an illustration Photoshop action. I will explain everything in so much detail that everyone can create it,…
• 

  How to Make Watercolor Effects in Photoshop Quickly With Actions

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• 

  How to Create a Photo to Watercolor Photoshop Action

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Wanna bring a bit of that street art vibe to your projects with graffiti fonts? 

Today we have a list of the best graffiti fonts—both premium and free—that you can download from Envato Elements and various sites around the internet.

Unlimited Graffiti Font Downloads at Envato Elements

If you’re broke, free fonts are an excellent choice, but when you’re looking for top-quality fonts at a price you can afford, Envato Elements can’t be beat. 

That’s because, unlike free graffiti fonts, graffiti letter fonts from Envato offer you unlimited licences, and because they’re coming from a reputable site, they won’t expose you to the potential of downloading malware with your font. In addition, you can download as many fonts as you want, as often as you want, for one flat monthly fee, and that monthly fee also allows you to access thousands of other premium digital assets like logos, graphic templates, mockups, photos, business card templates, and much more. How amazing is that? 

Here are some examples of the kinds of dope fonts you can find at Envato Elements.

12+ Graffiti Fonts From Envato Elements

Bembies – Graffiti Font (TTF, OTF)

Use this cool, colourful graffiti font to breathe a street life vibe into your projects. The font includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters and accents. 

Zeromax – Graffiti Text (TTF)

Capture one of the classics of graffiti text styles when you use this dope graffiti font. Inspired by the marker aesthetic, Zeromax is great for creating signs, headlines, poster designs, T-shirts,  album covers, or any text where you need a graffiti style.

Rebeland – Graffiti Font (TTF, OTF)

How’s this for a totally dope graffiti font? Rebeland is offered in two versions: regular and outline. It would work well with any number of projects from graffiti posters to album covers, posters, flyers, and more. The font includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters and accents. 

Vandalism – Graffiti Letters Font (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

Bring a bit of faux vandalism to your titles with this graffiti font style. Combining a decorative brush with urban edginess, Vandalism includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation, and it’s just the right font for branding, photography, CD covers, posters, etc. 

Swerds Caps – Graffiti Font Styles (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

Use the Swerds Caps graffiti letters font to create your next poster, movie title, CD cover, etc. This totally dope graffiti text comes in upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters.

Street Hustle – Graffiti Font (TTF, OTF)

How about this bubble graffiti font for your next flyer or poster? An excellent choice for child-friendly projects, Street Hustle adds just the right amount of street vibe and playfulness. The font includes uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters. 

Dexgraffiti Return – Graffiti Letters Font (TTF)

Here’s a graffiti font that’s quite a bit different from the others featured here. Dexgraffiti’s bold strokes are reminiscent of those from a marker, making it a great choice for any kind of display text when you need your message to stand out. 

Streamzy – Graffiti Letters Font (TTF, OTF)

Streamzy Graffiti Font has many of the classic hallmarks of the best graffiti fonts, like strong decorative characters, a three-dimensional look, and a hand-drawn quality. The font includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters.

Skater Boys Dope Graffiti (TTF, OTF)

Spread the love with the Skater Boys font. A wonderfully handcrafted font with a melting text effect, this font is ideal for crafting, branding, and decorating your project. Download it to get access to 16 bonus swashes for epic and creative designs.

Nezuko Graffiti Letters Font (TTF, OTF, WOFF)

Graffiti fonts are always hand lettered. Check out Nezuko, for example, a gorgeous font with no curves and an alternate letter for every character. Have fun creating your own unique text for titles, covers, branding, and more. 

Street Pops – Graffiti Font (TTF)

Here’s another bubble graffiti font you won’t be able to resist. Street Pops includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters and accents. This gorgeous contemporary font style is an excellent choice for posters, music titles, children’s books, cartoons, etc. 

Stencil Autobahn Font (SVG)

Capture the essence of spray-paint stencil fonts with Autobahn, a bold display graffiti font full of street attitude. The font includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and multilingual characters and accents. Use the bonus spray-paint drips to ramp up the attitude in your projects

Southsider – Graffiti Font (TTF, OTF)

Southsider is a graffiti font style that embodies the urban tagging scene that grew out of the major cities of the USA in the 1960s and 70s. With its strong outlines and fat strokes, this is the font you need when you want to create that classic bubble graffiti font look.

25+ Free Graffiti Fonts

Now that you have a bit of an idea of the wonderful world of graffiti fonts to be found at Envato Elements, let’s now look at some free fonts you can use when cash is an issue. 

DON GRAFFITI – Free Graffiti Font

Let’s start off with Don Graffiti, an urban font that echoes the classic tag lettering style. A terrific display font for your posters, T-shirts, titles, etc. Don Graffiti is free for personal and commercial use.

Fat Wandals Graffiti Letters Font

Fat Wandals captures the marker style of tagging that was very prevalent in the early days of graffiti and is still very popular today. It offers multiple alternate alphabets that you can use to create a feeling of real handwriting and comes in three weights: fat, slim, and light.

Jak Arta Dope Font

Make your graffiti text dance with this wonderful, rhythmic font that captures motion and is bound to call attention wherever you use it. The all caps font is free for both personal and commercial use. 

Madtags | Free Graffiti Font

Here’s another marker-inspired graffiti font style to give your projects that edginess you’re seeking. The font includes regular, alternates, extended, and swashes so that you can give your text a truly one-of-a-kind look.  

Graffiti Letters Font

Another dancing font that captures the free movement and spontaneity of graffiti, this dope graffiti font is just what you need for your T-shirt design, poster, or funky signage. 

Krylon Graffiti Font Online

Combining a Gothic flavour with the lyricism of graffiti is an excellent way to make your mark. Add this uppercase font to any project where you want to create a unique look.

Tag Type – Free Graffiti Font

This is a classic marker style tag font that is completely free of charge. Use it to create titles, signage, or whenever you need a standout font for your favourite project. 

Ghang Graffiti Font

Ghang isn’t the most legible font, but it certainly embodies the dynamics of graffiti lettering running together and seeming to jostle and battle each other for attention. You can use the font for free in your personal projects, but if you need a free font for a commercial venture, this is not the one to choose. 

Urban Slick Graffiti Font Styles

How about this all caps graffiti font style with its arrow points for accents? Cool, right? Use this free graffiti font to bring that edginess to your projects.

BAGSIK Graffiti Text

Bring a mystical quality to your graffiti text with this awesome free graffiti font. Bagsik includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and a wide selection of accents to spice up your text. 

Graffiti Font

Check out this dope graffiti font, with its marker strokes and cool drip effects. It’s free for personal use, but you’ll have to fork out the cash if you need it for a commercial project. 

Dripping Marker Font

Looking for a completely free graffiti font with a lot more drip appeal than the font above? Then try Dripping Marker Font, a dope graffiti font that captures the effect of dripping paint realistically. 

SKYBRUSH Graffiti Font

This brush stroke style graffiti font is exactly what you need to help your text stand out. This hand-crafted font, which comes with slightly roughened brush-stroke edges, offers uppercase letters only and is free for personal use. 

Summer Hearts Free Graffiti Fonts

Here’s another brush-stroke style font, but with a bit of different vibe. This hand-painted all-caps brush is a great display font for titles, posters, branding, etc. And best of all, it’s free for personal and desktop use. 

Nemo One Graffiti Font

This awesome graffiti font includes both uppercase and lowercase characters and is free for personal use. Have fun experimenting with it to create your own cool graffiti text.

Blackbook Graffiti Letters Font

Blackbook graffiti letters font features a cool handwritten style that gives an authentic graffiti feel to your text. The font includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation, and it’s free for both personal and commercial use.

HERDROCK – Free Graffiti Fonts

Free graffiti fonts don’t get more exciting than this supercharged brush font, Herdrock. With its cool inline striping in a modern style, Herdrock is a great font for product packaging and design, stationery, and branding projects. The font is free for personal use only. 

Ruthless Two Graffiti Font

Get ruthless with this font of the same name, but use it carefully as it’s free only for personal use. 

Aerstone Brush Graffiti Font

A handbrush font with an urban graffiti flair, Aerstone includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation, and it’s perfect for branding, titles, logos, labels, and much more! It’s free for personal use.

Bombing Best Graffiti Font

Get bombing with this energetic graffiti font. Inspired by urban life, this font features a thick brush outline with a contrasting interior colour. This uppercase font is free for personal use only.

Subway Graffiti Text

Inspired by the NYC subway graffiti of the 70s and 80s, Subway is a truly dope font that commands attention. The font includes lowercase characters only and is free for personal use. 

The Graffiti Font (Free)

How fun is this handmade graffiti font? It’s available both in colour and black and white versions, and it’s free for personal and commercial use. So download and have fun. 

Whoa Graffiti Font Online

This is a bold and attention-getting free graffiti font that’s versatile enough to be used in a number of projects. Free for personal use only, this font offers uppercase characters that are perfect for titles, signage, or large-scale projects. 

One Piece Graffiti Letters Font

Express yourself with this awesome free graffiti font. This stylish font features thick, angular letters with a classic graffiti vibe and offers uppercase letters only.  

Beatstreet Graffiti Letters Font

This dope font features fun, chunky letters in upper and lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation. Download it for free, and have a blast using it in your next project. 

Dope Graffiti Font

With its heavy outline and scratch textured fill, this font is bound to get and hold attention. The font includes uppercase characters only and is free for personal use. 

Sweet As Revenge Graffiti Font

I can’t testify to the sweetness of revenge, but I can say that this font is one of the best graffiti fonts on our list. Bold and angular with a distinct street vibe, this uppercase font is perfect when you need a display font to call attention to your text.

Choose Your Favourite Graffiti Font Today 

Choose one of these graffiti font styles when you’re cash strapped and need a font in a hurry. If you have a bit of a budget, choose Envato Elements. It’s an excellent resource for gorgeous graffiti text, and if you also regularly need mockups, icons, and other design resources, Elements offers unlimited downloads for one low monthly fee. 

Finally, if you want more information on other terrific font styles, check out these really helpful articles below: 

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