Note: Instructions and screen shots in this tutorial were done with PSCS2 but will work for later versions also.
One of the things that can set your elements apart from others is adding realistic textures. While there are many plug-ins for Photoshop you can purchase, they are not always necessary! PS contains all the power you need to create rich, realistic textures. Let’s look at using filters and layer styles to create a fur texture.
| 1. Create a new canvas at 12-by-12-inches, 300ppi. Fill the layer with a suitable color. For this example I am going to create giraffe fur patterned paper so I have chosen a suitable color (#c7aa6d) |  |
| 2. Create a new layer and choose a darker color (#80624d). Now, use the Lasso tool to create the shapes – ensure you have the add selection option chosen on the Options Bar. |  |
| 3. Fill the layer with the shapes and then hold down the ALT key and press Backspace to fill the shapes with the chosen dark color. |  |
| 4. Add an inner glow with the Layer Style Palette options to the selected pattern. Add a small amount of noise and match the color to your background. |  |
| 5. Merge the two layers and then select Filter> Noise> Add noise. Choose an amount of about 30, with Gaussian blur and Monochromatic selected. |  |
| 6. Click OK to apply. Return to the filters menu and select Blur> Motion Blur. Select your desired angle – about 38 works best here– and then apply enough blur so you get the fur look, but not enough to blur the results – about 18 works for this example. The background now has the appearance of fur. Select OK. |  |
| 7. Choose View> Actual Pixels and add some depth by selecting the texture option under Bevel and Emboss in the Layer Style Palette. Load Texture Fill 2 and choose the texture Thick Hair. Reduce the depth and scale to enhance the fur and then apply. |  |
| 8. Right click the layer and select Group into Smart Object then right click again and select rasterize layer – this melds the layer style permanently. |  |
You can use this tutorial to create a fur texture for any short-haired animal (i.e. zebra, tiger) paper or elements. The exact same method was used to create the giraffe element.
Shelleyrae Cusbert’s designs can be found on her blog and in her shop at Scrapbook Elements.
