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How to Use the Brush Tool in Photoshop Elements for Creative Painting

4 min read

Why the Brush Tool Belongs in Every Photo Editor's Toolbox

You might think the Brush tool is only for digital artists, but it is actually one of the most versatile tools in Photoshop Elements for everyday photo editing. Whether you want to paint a soft glow behind a grandchild's portrait, add a hint of colour to faded flowers, or create a hand-painted border around a holiday snapshot, the Brush tool gives you creative control that automatic adjustments simply cannot match.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to access the Brush tool in PSE, adjust its settings for different effects, and use it on a separate layer so your original photo stays safe. By the end, you will feel confident painting directly onto your images — no art degree required.

Finding and Selecting the Brush Tool

The Brush tool lives in the toolbar on the left side of the Photoshop Elements workspace. You can use it in Quick mode, Guided mode, or Advanced mode, but for the most flexibility, switch to Advanced mode by clicking the tab at the top of the Editor window.

  1. 1Open your photo in PSE by choosing File → Open and selecting your image.
  2. 2Click the Brush tool icon in the toolbar, or press the B key on your keyboard.
  3. 3Look at the Tool Options bar along the bottom of the screen — this is where you will control everything about how your brush behaves.

Understanding Brush Settings

Before you start painting, take a moment to explore the options available. These small adjustments make the difference between a clumsy blob of colour and a subtle, professional touch.

Size and Hardness

  • Size controls how wide your brush stroke will be. Use the slider in the Tool Options bar or press the [ and ] bracket keys to shrink or enlarge the brush quickly.
  • Hardness determines whether your brush edge is crisp or soft. A hardness of 0% creates a feathered, airbrushed look — perfect for blending colour into a photo. A hardness of 100% gives you sharp, defined edges.

Opacity and Flow

  • Opacity sets how transparent each stroke is. At 100%, the colour covers everything beneath it. At 20%, you build up colour gradually, which is ideal for subtle tinting.
  • Flow controls how quickly paint is applied as you drag. Lower flow values let you layer colour smoothly without lifting your mouse.

For most family photo projects, start with Opacity at 30% and Hardness at 0%. You can always paint over an area multiple times to intensify the effect.

Painting on a Separate Layer

Here is a golden rule: never paint directly on your background photo. Instead, create a new layer so you can erase mistakes, change the colour, or delete the entire effect without harming your original image.

  1. 1Go to Layer → New → Layer and click OK in the dialog box.
  2. 2In the Layers panel on the right, you will see the new empty layer above your photo.
  3. 3Make sure this new layer is selected (highlighted) before you start painting.

Now anything you paint stays separate from your photo. You can lower the layer's opacity later or switch its Blend Mode to create interesting effects — for example, Overlay blends your painted colour with the tones beneath it, while Multiply darkens everything.

Step-by-Step: Adding a Colour Accent to a Photo

Let us walk through a simple project: painting a warm golden glow behind your granddaughter to make her stand out in a busy park photo.

  1. 1Open your photo in Photoshop Elements and switch to Advanced mode.
  2. 2Create a new layer by choosing Layer → New → Layer.
  3. 3Select the Brush tool from the toolbar (or press B).
  4. 4In the Tool Options bar, set Size to around 300 pixels, Hardness to 0%, and Opacity to 25%.
  5. 5Click the Foreground Colour swatch in the toolbar and choose a soft golden yellow from the colour picker. Click OK.
  6. 6Paint loosely behind your subject — do not worry about being precise. The soft brush and low opacity will create a natural glow.
  7. 7In the Layers panel, change the Blend Mode dropdown from Normal to Soft Light. The golden tones will blend beautifully with the original background.
  8. 8If the effect is too strong, lower the layer's Opacity slider until it looks natural.

Creative Ideas for the Brush Tool

Once you are comfortable with the basics, try these family-friendly projects:

  • Highlight autumn leaves by painting warm orange tones on a new layer set to Overlay mode.
  • Add rosy cheeks to a baby portrait with a soft pink brush at very low opacity.
  • Paint a decorative border around a holiday photo using a textured brush preset from the Brush dropdown menu.
  • Create a spotlight effect by painting white behind a subject and blending with Soft Light.

Continue Learning

Ready to expand your creative toolkit in Photoshop Elements? Explore these related guides: