Do you want to learn how to create a tree brush in Photoshop? In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create pine tree brushes for Photoshop—both in a monochromatic and a multi-colored version. The pine tree is just an example—you can use this method to create any type of tree brush!
Do you need a pine tree brush for Procreate? Are you wondering how to create a pine tree stamp in Procreate? You can use this tutorial to create a pine brush in Photoshop, and then export it to Procreate using the following method:
And in case you need more Photoshop brushes for your projects, check out Envato Elements—one subscription gives you access to millions of creative assets, including this set of 56 leaf brushes. Scroll down to the end of the tutorial for more brush recommendations!
What You'll Learn in This Pine Tree Brush Tutorial
- How to create a set of pine tree brushes for Photoshop
- How to create a multi-color pine tree brush
- How to create a brush out of an image of a pine tree in Photoshop
- Where to find pine tree images without backgrounds
- How to create a tree brush in Photoshop
What You'll Need
You can use any image of a pine tree, but I recommend these files because they're already isolated from their backgrounds:
1. How to Create Traditional Photoshop Pine Tree Brushes
Step 1
In order to create a nice pine tree brush, we need an image of a pine tree—preferably without a background. You can find a photo of an individual pine tree and separate it from its background in Photoshop using one of the methods presented here:
Today I want to show you an alternative, faster way. Open the 3D library on Envato Elements. Search for Pine Tree.
Step 2
Pick one of the trees and click it. You can download the image directly by clicking the Download this Angle button on the right, but if you don't like this angle or need a different perspective, click View 360 Render. Then you can drag the image to rotate it and create any other view.
Step 3
Open the downloaded image in Photoshop. If you want to get rid of the shadow, outline the lower part of the trunk with the Object Selection Tool (W), press Control-Shift-I to invert the selection, and then erase the shadow.
Step 4
Now simply go to Edit > Define Brush Preset and give your brush a name. If you're intending to create multiple Photoshop pine tree brushes, it's good to add a number to the name.
Step 5
You can now test your pine tree brush in a new file. Keep Opacity and Flow at 100% for best results. Keep in mind that you can't paint multi-colored trees with these pine tree brushes—that's just how Photoshop brushes work.
Step 6
Feel free to create more pine tree Photoshop brushes by using different images, or the same tree at different angles.
2. How to Create a Multi-Colored Pine Tree Photoshop Brush
Step 1
Although Photoshop brushes are one color by default, there is a special trick to make them multi-colored. Let's go back to our tree image. Take the Brush Tool (B) and switch to the Mixer Brush Tool.
Step 2
Adjust the settings of the brush in the following way:
- Select Hard Round brush for the brush preset.
- Select Load the brush after every stroke.
- Select Clean the brush after every stroke.
- Set the combination to Dry, Heavy Load.
- Wet: 0%
- Load: 100%
- Flow: 100%
- Uncheck Sample All Layers.
Make sure that Load Solid Colors Only is unchecked.
Step 3
Now place your brush over the tree—make it big enough to fit the whole tree inside the brush outline. Then hold the Alt key and click—this will load the tree into the brush.
Step 4
Now you can use this brush to paint pine trees in full color! So where's the catch? Photoshop doesn't save the content of the brush when you create a brush preset for the Mixer Brush. So you'll need to load the image of the tree again after switching to a different brush, or after closing and reopening Photoshop.
Good Job!
Now you know how to create a tree brush in Photoshop! You can now use your brushes to add pine trees to any photo using Photoshop.
Photoshop & Procreate Brushes
Would you like to have more custom brushes in your arsenal? Here are a couple of options from Envato Elements:
Elegant Flower Brushes (ABR)
Here's a set of 15 stamp brushes, all based on a different flower. You can use them to decorate a photo, or to create an artwork on its own!
75 Watercolor Flower Brushes (ABR)
Do you need even more flowers? This set will give you 60 flower brushes, 5 fauna brushes, 4 garland brushes, and 6 wreath brushes. With this set, you'll never run out of unique nature brushes!
Starfield Photoshop Brushes (ABR)
If you want to add more stars to a photo of a night sky, turn a day into night, or simply add some magic to a photo, this set will give you 20 sparkling brushes—with many styles to choose from!
Bold Lighting Photoshop Brushes (ABR)
Is your photo not dramatic enough? Make it more electric by adding some lightning to the sky. This set contains 30 brushes in high resolution, so it will make it easy to create convincing lightning in any shape.
Pine Tree Stamp Procreate Brushes (BRUSHSET)
As a bonus, here's a pine tree brush set for Procreate—they're not the realistic type we've been making in the tutorial, but they will still be very useful for more stylized projects.
More Photoshop Brush Tutorials
If you liked this tutorial, you may also enjoy these:
