A Gift Tutorial For You

ne of the things that I would like to do on my blog, is to share the great resources that I find.

Here is an example of how from on original image, I was able to create three other kinds of effects using Picnik on Flickr.

I thought I would create a free Tutorial to share, so that you can add texture to your photography and taste the joy of creating your own graphic designs.  Picnik offers many free effects for you to use.

The texture feature I am sharing today is part of their premium edition features.

To begin, if you do not have a flickr account, you can sign up for a Picnik account directly and then you can use this tutorial.


If you do have a flickr account, Picnik is there for you to use automatically.  

Adding texture backgrounds to your work will make it look like a new design in a few minutes.

HOW TO USE TEXTURE IN PICNIK

If you have a flickr account

Click on a photo you want to edit

Click on ACTIONS

a drop down menu will appear

scroll down until you reach Edit Photo in Picnic

Click on EDIT PHOTO IN PICNIC

Picnic will load

( if you are using Picnik directly, upload the photo you want to edit)

Click on CREATE

Click on EFFECTS

scroll down until you reach TEXTURE

Your photo will automatically change to the first choice temporarily

click on each of the different choices of backgrounds and it will change automatically

You can continue seeing other options as you hit the arrow to go to the right

When you reach one you like, now you can change that texture by

Clicking on ADVANCED MODES

Click on the arrow where it says MULTIPLY

a host of other options appear

Try each on out by clicking on them.

Now you can click on the different arrows which will put the design in different places.

You can also adjust the FADE button until you like what you see.

When you like everything you have done...

Click on  APPLY

If you are done Click on SAVE

Picnic will ask if you want to save a new copy or replace the original

Click on which ever one you want to do and hit SAVE

If you are using this through flickr, it will return you to your new copy or the original changed.

Ta Dah.

Now, from flickr if you click on that photo and then click ALL SIZES, you can download it to your computer any size you would like to have.  I am using mine as postcards to slip into Thank you for your order notes.

You can use this process for your swaps, tags, cards etc.  Everyone will think you have become a graphic designer overnight.

Happy Designing,  Oh, and one more thing, you can add text to your designs...

In the Still Wee Hours of The Morning, you might find me creating graphic designs, and so I am playing my favorite song for this post from the great Sleepless in Seattle.

Footnote:

I am not paid by Picnic or Flickr to advertise for them, I just love them as a user and wanted to share my resources.
Numerous people have asked what I use to create Mosaics for Mosaic Monday, Picnik makes great collages.