I was looking at some awesome wallpapers at http://www.starwalt.com/HD_4.html when I realized that a lot of them were made using stamp brushes, her stamp brushes. http://www.starwalt.com/photoshop_stuff4.html I thought it would be fun to try and get some of the same results.
I already know that I can add shadows to a brush by using the FX styles and double clicking on a drop shadow.
Then I realized I could use anything in the STYLES pallette. I could use a glass button to make the stamp shiny or add a metallic finish. So I whiled away the better part of the day trying out new combinations. Here's something I came up with. Most of the piece is made using brushes and FX from thr SYLE menu. Notice the 2 sets of crows. They are made with the same brush. One layer is flat while the top layer of crows has a shadow added.
Once you start playing around with the styles pallette you will probably want to add some more surface textures.
http://www.deviantart.com/ is a good place to find some free ones to experiment with.
http://graphicriver.net/ is a site which you have to pay for FX.
Both sites have good work.
TO ADD A STYLE
I save the style to downloads.
- The style will have .asl where the .jpg usually is. Your style will be marked FX . At the bottom will be the word styles.
Open APPLICATIONS-ADOBE ELEMENTS
-Next open PRESETS where you will see your STYLES folder.
Just drop the style in there.
You will probably need to re-open elements before the new style is recognized. Also you can add as many as you want at the same time. I've found that most patterns and brushes will work in Elements; but not all styles will.
Here's a tutorial about styles.
http://www.youtube.com/user/riberg#p/search/1/GOltvKuenL8
Have fun!
If you have a problem adding a STYLE then check out the questions. I have written a more detailed post on the topic.
