Watercolor Birthday Card

Hey there everyone!

Here is another watercolor style tutorial, this time to make an awesome birthday card (can also be applied to any holiday or other occasions. Just substitute your occasion whenever you see me say birthday).

Things you will need:

1. Photoshop
2. A birthday photo (or the recipient's favorite animal, etc.)
3. Watercolor Brushes
4. My watercolor picture tutorial found here.

As I said before you will need to follow my Watercolor Picture tutorial for the picture part.

There will be a few changes you will need to make to use it for the card.

1. Don't lower the opacity of the layers - instead use darker colors on the first watercolor layer, lighter ones on the second, and the lightest ones on the third.
2. Don't add in a fill layer at the end. We want the background to be transparent.
3. Parts of the watercolored image may be transparent (besides the background). If you don't want them transparent on the card, instead of hiding the last black and white layer, delete the black parts. You can easily select the black by using the Wand Tool (W or Shift+W if the Quick Selection tool shows up instead), making sure the contiguous option is turned off.
4. Finally, save the image as a .PNG file. This will keep the transparency when you import it into your card image.

Now you will create a new image in Photoshop. Make it whatever size you want the card to be (mine was 5x7").

Either import your .PNG file or drag and drop it onto the card from wherever you saved it on your computer.

1. Place the image where you want it. Resize if necessary. To keep the size constraints when resizing hold the shift key while dragging the transform box from one of the corners. Hit enter when satisfied.
2. If you don't like its placement, use the move tool (hotkey V) to reposition it.
3. If you want to resize the image, hit command+t, resize, then hit enter when done.

The next step is to create a new layer. After picking the color you'd like the card to be, use the paint bucket tool (hotkey G), to fill the layer.

1. Add a vector mask to the layer.
2. Then using a watercolor brushes from the Watercolor Picture tutorial (brush hotkey is B), start brushing over the spot where you placed your watercolor image.
3. Continue using the brush until you are satisfied with the looks of the card.

Next we will add in the text.

Choose the type tool (hotkey T) and select the font you wish to use. I used the font CrackerJack.

1. Type out your text.
2. Exit the type tool by clicking on the Move tool. Reposition text if you need to.

Now create a new blank layer. This is where we will add more watercolor brush strokes. Choose a color, bring up the brush tool (B), and then add the brush strokes until they almost fully cover the text.

Next you will Command+Click on the type layer thumbnail in the layer window. This will select the text for you. Inverse the selection by hitting Command+Shift+I or Select > Inverse. Once you have done that, select the watercolor layer that you just created over the type and add a vector mask to it. The vector mask should have been created with your text in it and there should be a cutout of your text in the watercolor.

Hide the original text layer.

The final step is to do the finishing touches. For me that meant repositioning the text (using the move tool (V)), adding a bit of green to the text watercolor, resizing (Command+T) the picture, and finally, changing the tan color (just slightly in my case).

To move or reposition an element, make sure you have the correct layer selected in the layer window.

To change a layer's color, double click on the layer's thumbnail. A layer styles box will appear. Select the color overlay section, then use the color changer to pick out the color you would like to change the card to. Once you are happy with it, hit enter twice.

Don't be afraid to experiment! Try things like borders or shapes (plain or with the watercolor effect) for a nice little touch.

Now all you need to do is save the file and print it! Go forth and make wonderful cards!