What this tool does
Brush paints soft or hard strokes with configurable size, opacity, flow, and pressure.
Draw, paint, erase, sample color, and build raster artwork directly on image layers.
How to use it
- 01
Open an image and choose Brush from the left toolbar.
- 02
Choose a color and preset, set size and hardness, then build the stroke gradually on a separate layer.
- 03
Review the result at 100% zoom. If the change is too strong, undo it and repeat with a lower intensity.
What you can make
- Paint illustrations and annotations
- Retouch with low-opacity color strokes
- Create custom light and shadow
When to use it
Use Brush for raster painting, local color work, highlights, shadows, texture, and manual corrections on a pixel layer. For flexible artwork, paint on a separate raster layer so opacity, blend mode, masks, and position can be adjusted without changing the imported photograph.
Key controls
- Size and hardness
- Match size to the detail and hardness to the edge. Soft brushes build light and atmosphere; hard brushes create graphic marks and precise repairs.
- Opacity and pressure
- Lower opacity for gradual buildup. With a pressure-sensitive pen, use a controlled pressure curve instead of repeatedly changing the brush value.
- Spacing and symmetry
- Small spacing produces a continuous stroke; larger spacing reveals individual stamps. Symmetry is useful for decorative forms but should be disabled for natural retouching.
Worked example
To add a warm rim light to a portrait, create a new raster layer, choose a sampled warm color, and paint with a large soft brush at low opacity along the lit edge. Reduce layer opacity and use a mask to keep the light away from the background and facial details.
Common mistakes
Painting irreversible corrections directly on the only image layer.
Using maximum opacity for effects that need gradual tonal buildup.
Keeping one brush size and hardness for every edge in the image.
Frequently asked questions
Why do brush strokes look jagged or dotted?
The brush may be too small for the zoom level or its spacing may be too large. Check the document at 100% zoom, reduce spacing, and choose a size appropriate for the final resolution.
Should I paint on a new layer?
Usually yes. A separate raster layer keeps the source intact and allows independent opacity, blend mode, transformation, and masking. Paint directly only when a deliberately destructive pixel edit is required.