Labels: Enumeration with Brushes

Today, I want to show you a technique for styling the numbers you use to enumerate the individual elements in your collages. There are many ways to do this. For example, you can enumerate your collages by labeling the elements with a simple number or letter. Or, you can use a font like Fyra which provides stylized numbers. Another way to style the numbers is to use Photoshop shapes as background labels on a layer beneath the numbers.

But, my favorite way to create enumerated labels is to use Photoshop brushes — it’s quick and easy and the labels can reside in a single layer. My preferred brush for creating enumerated labels is the circle brush. Sometimes, it’s nice to have something different and in that case, I like to convert another shape, such as a hexagon or a heart shape, into my own custom brush.

How I use brushes to create enumerated labels.

1. Open your collage/mood board in Photoshop.
2. Use the Type Tool to add a number by each element you want to highlight.
3. Choose the Brush Tool from the tool box.
4. Open the Brush Palette, Windows >> Brushes, and choose a brush that complements the numbers in your collage.
5. Choose a color for your brush — this color should make your numbers legible.
6. Create a new layer beneath all the numbers and select it.
7. With the new layer selected (previous step), apply the brush as you would a rubber stamp beneath each number. If you make a mistake, simply hit Command Z (Mac users) or Control Z (Windows users) and try it again.

Member Perk

Members are welcome to download the 15 brushes I made. Please be aware that these brushes are intended to be small — the largest brush is 66 pixels wide! Please do not resize!

If you’re not a member, these brushes are a cinch to make in Photoshop — just check out this tutorial and before you know it, you’ll be swimming in brushes. :D

(15 brushes — actual size)