Are you looking to take your image editing skills to the next level? Then look no further than this tutorial on how to remove backgrounds in Photoshop!
In this video tutorial I take you step by step through the process of removing backgrounds from images using the selection and lasso tools.
I demonstrate how to do this with a both a simple image of a laptop, and a more complex image featuring a person in the foreground.
You can use these skills to edit your photographs, or create designs with transparent backgrounds to use for stickers, t-shirts and other print on demand products with Photoshop!
How to Remove Backgrounds in Photoshop with Lasso Tools
Open your image in Photoshop and double-click the background layer to unlock it.
Use the Eraser tool to erase out major parts of the background, without getting too close to your subject.
Select the appropriate lasso tool for your image, such as the Lasso Tool, Polygonal Lasso Tool, or Magnetic Lasso Tool.
Begin by making a rough selection around the object or subject you want to keep. For straight edges, use the Polygonal Lasso Tool. For irregular shapes, use the Lasso Tool or Magnetic Lasso Tool.
Continue tracing the outline of the object, and close the selection by connecting the endpoint with the starting point.
If needed, use the Add to Selection or Subtract from Selection options to refine the selection (Can also use + or –).
Hide or delete the original background layer (if there is one remaining) to see the transparency.
Use the Eraser Tool or Layer Mask to further refine the edges of the object if necessary.
Create a new layer below, and fill it with a solid color to check for any stray pixels.
Save your image in a format that supports transparency, like .PNG.
With practice and experimentation, you’ll become more proficient in using lasso and selection tools to remove backgrounds in Photoshop.
In conclusion, removing backgrounds in Photoshop using the lasso tools is a powerful technique that allows you to isolate objects and create images and graphics with transparent backgrounds. With the flexibility and precision of the lasso tools, you can achieve clean and professional results.
Remember to practice and experiment with different selection tools to find the one that works best for your specific image. So go ahead and give it a try in your next project!
Want to learn how to draw mandala art in the Procreate app for Apple iPad? You’ve come to the right place because I’ve posted a tutorial on my Youtube channel showing you how to do just that!
The symmetry tools in the Procreate app make it super easy and fun to create beautiful mandala designs on your iPad.
I figured the easiest way to explain how to draw mandalas in Procreate is to just demonstrate in this quick video tutorial! However, keep scrolling if you prefer to read the instructions in a list format.
In this video I demonstrate the following:
Two types of symmetry tools to draw mandalas in the Procreate app.
A few mandala drawing tips and tricks.
How to use gradients to get different color variations.
How to make your own gradients.
Using hue/saturation for even more color variations.
How to Draw Mandalas in Procreate Step by Step
Create a new square canvas. Ex. 3000 x 3000 pixels.
Go to Actions > Canvas > Drawing Guide > Edit Drawing Guide
Click on Symmetry > Options > Radial
Toggle Rotational Symmetry on or off as desired.
You can change the color of the drawing guide with the colored line at the top of the screen.
Click Done.
Start drawing your mandala from the center of the canvas and work your way out.
I hope you will see how quick and satisfying it is to draw mandala art in Procreate!
To add further complexity to your mandala art, download my Mandala Drawing Templates for Procreate:
Don’t have Procreate but want to learn how to draw mandalas on paper? I have a Skillshare class for that!
Do you want to learn how to make short videos of your art for social media like Instagram Reels and Tiktok? Then this class is for you!
Join me as I teach you how to make 2 quick and easy videos of your art and post them to several social media sites to help you expand your audience and reach!
And no – you won’t have to dance, lip sync, or even talk. The videos we will create in this class are perfect for shy artist types who aren’t quite comfortable showing their face on camera.
Watch the intro below:
In this class, I will guide you through the following steps:
Putting together your set.
Filming 2 short videos of your art.
Editing the videos using free apps.
Posting your videos to a variety of social media platforms including Instagram Reels, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube Shorts and Facebook.
This class is great for beginners, or already established artists who are looking to expand their marketing to include short video!
For the class project, you can share a link to the short video you created from this class, and/or include a screenshot from your video or a photo of your filming set up.
You will need:
At least one finished piece of artwork.
A background texture and some props (optional).
Your smartphone and some free apps.
Oh and the class is only 20 minutes long, so you can jump right in! Does that sound interesting to you?
Did you recently get an iPad with the Procreate app? If so, congratulations! If you’re a surface designer like me, you’re probably wondering how you can make seamless pattern designs in the Procreate app!
I’m here to show you my method of creating seamless offset patterns in Procreate. Keep in mind there are multiple ways to achieve the same result!
Check out my video below for step by step instructions to make seamless patterns on your iPad with Procreate.
How to make a Seamless Pattern in Procreate
Begin with a square canvas (ex. 4000 x 4000 pixels).
Draw your motifs (I drew some simple strawberries).
Arrange your motifs so they are somewhat close to the center of your square canvas.
Create a group from your motifs and duplicate it.
Hide your original group.
Pinch the new group together into 1 layer.
Create a new layer and fill it with a solid color background (can be any color, it doesn’t matter).
Group the layer with your motifs with the solid background layer.
Duplicate this group 4 times.
With snapping and magnetics ON, move each of those layers into the 4 corners of the document.
Now you can delete those solid background layers.
Turn back on your original group of motifs and arrange them so they fit nicely between the others.
Now you have your seamless pattern tile!
If you want to test your pattern swatch to make sure it all lines up correctly, I’ve shown you how to do that too in the video above.
Once you have your final seamless pattern you can export it and use it for many projects or upload your patterns to print on demand stores so they can be printed on products!
Here’s an example of what I created with my strawberry pattern. I added some more florals to it.
I decided to create some more aesthetic wallpaper for your cell phones! Many of these are also available on Popsockets and Phone Cases in my Amazon store.
Just right click and download them to your phone and then choose Set as Wallpaper (on Android).
The first one has some delicate white butterflies over a pink and blue ombre gradient.
Next we have this chic and modern geometric design with golden lines forming triangles over a light pink background.
Lavender and checker patterns are both super trendy at the moment, so I combined them into this simple but chic wallpaper design.
Alcohol ink is also having a moment right now so I created this modern blue and gold alcohol ink wallpaper entirely digitally. It looks like the real thing!
Keep the summer vibes going all year round with this turquoise blue summer pool water background. I used a photograph I took of an actual swimming pool for this one.
For the last one, I couldn’t leave you without one of my signature mandala designs in rose gold over a white marble texture.
I hope you enjoy your new aesthetic cell phone wallpaper!
Are you looking to scale your print on demand art business with automation tools and software?
As artists and entrepreneurs we are usually the sole employee of our business, and can only do so much. At some point we must turn to automation tools (or else hire someone) to take away some of the busy work, like uploading to marketplaces like Etsy, Redbubble, Society6 etc. This gives us back more time to create designs, which is what you’d rather be doing right?!
So if you’re ready to take your print on demand business to the next level, keep reading for a list of tools that might work for you!
Flying Upload is a versatile automation software which integrates with Redbubble, Printful, Society6, Teepublic, Zazzle and several other marketplaces. It also includes keyword suggestions, trademark / copyright checks, and more. You can upload images and then fill in the design information right in the software. It’s fairly easy to learn and user friendly compared with some of the others in this list.
Best for: Artists who sell on many different platforms and do artistic / pattern work as well as t-shirt designers.
Cost: Free version available, Pro from $7.95 per month, (JULIE10 for 10% off)
Pod Connect is another automation software which integrates with Printful and other marketplaces like Redbubble, Zazzle etc. Through Printful you can easily sell on Etsy, or even on your own website with a Shopify or Woocommerce storefront. The easiest way to upload your designs to the software is by creating a “CSV file” or spreadsheet with all of the design data. This requires a bit of work upfront but saves time in the long run.
Best for: Artists who use Printful with their own website or Etsy and do t-shirt designs.
Cost: Free trial, then $19.99 per month (JULIE20 for 20% off lifetime)
Book Bolt is an all-in-one Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) low content book creation tool, which works in the browser so you don’t have to download anything. It allows you to make lots of KDP interiors quickly and easily. There is also a built-in design tool which is pretty intuitive and you can upload your own images to pair with text and shapes. Keyword and niche research tools are also available in the tool. Upgrade to get access to PuzzleWiz which allows you to create all sorts of puzzle interiors, sudoku and more!
Merch Informer is an all-in-one Merch by Amazon selling platform which includes upload automation to Amazon but also other print on demand platforms like Redbubble, Teespring etc. It also includes niche research, keyword suggestion tools and a built-in design tool for those who don’t have access to design software.
Best for: Artists and designers who focus on Merch by Amazon as their main selling platform.
Like Merch Informer, Merch Titans is more geared towards folks who sell mainly on Merch by Amazon, but it can also upload to other marketplaces like Redbubble, Society6, Teepublic etc. There is also a separate tool for KDP, and tag (keyword) generators.
Best for: Artists and designers who focus on Merch by Amazon and make t-shirt designs.
Productor is a Google chrome extension which works on your Merch by Amazon dashboard. It gives you lots of analytics and also includes easy product copy and relisting functions. It’s not a 100% automated upload process since you still have to do some clicking, but it is very quick to relist designs and translate into other languages for international marketplaces.
Best for: Merch by Amazon sellers who want more analytics, translation and relisting tools.
Cost: Free!
So what are the best print on demand automation tools?
There are several different automation tools that have come available for print on demand in the last couple of years, and they’re all a little different. Your needs will vary depending on the style of art you do and the marketplaces you mainly sell on. I suggest using the free trials where available to test them out before making a decision.
In the end, the best tool is the one that works for you, and is in your price range!
I hope you’ve found this post useful, feel free to leave any questions or other tools you use for your print on demand business in the comments below.
Cheers,
NOTE:If you’re having issues with a particular software, please contact their support, as I don’t work for them.
*Please note: Some of the tools listed include an affiliate link. When you make a purchase through the links I may earn a commission, which helps me create more content :)
Brighten up your virtual Holiday parties with these free festive Zoom meeting backgrounds!
Many Christmas parties are going virtual this year, which is better than nothing and can even be fun! Safely spread some holiday cheer by adding one of these custom festive background to your Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings.
If you don’t know how to add a custom background here are some links with instructions.
All images were created by me in Microsoft Paint 3D and Pixlr Editor.
Just right click and Save As the images below. They are all 1920x 1080 pixels which is the perfect size.
Free Festive Meeting Backgrounds
I also made some New Year themed background for your virtual New Years Eve parties!
Fun fact: I actually created these for my own office’s virtual Christmas party background, and then decided to do a whole series to share with all of you!
I’d love to know if you use any of these festive meeting backgrounds! Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.
By now you’ve probably heard of TikTok. It’s an app where you can make short videos along with music, filters and other effects to share with your followers and others using hashtags, similar to Instagram. I’ve been experimenting with growing a following on there so I wanted to share some tips for how artists can use TikTok to expand their audience.
You may think the app is only for teenagers, but now you can find Millennials and even Grandmas amassing huge followings on TikTok, and having a great time doing it.
How to use TikTok for Artists
Create an account and simply observe. Watch videos that come up on your “for you” page. At first there will be a lot of different subjects but as you “like” and interact, the algorithm will begin to show you more videos attuned to your interests.
As an artist, you will want to follow other artists to get inspiration for the kinds of videos you can make on TikTok. You can find them with hashtags or by connecting with people from your other social media channels.
Start experimenting. It takes time to learn how to use the different tools, filters, add music and so on. You can create videos and save them as a draft, then go back and decide which ones to post. Don’t be too concerned with perfection. People like to see “real” and “unfiltered” life on TikTok.
There are some great tutorials on Youtube for how to use the various tools.
Once you’ve figured out how to use the app, check the Discover page for trending hashtags. Many are tied to a particular song or video style. You can work these trends into your videos, like the “wipe it down challenge”. Don’t feel obligated to do this but it might give you some ideas for videos and help you get more views.
ALWAYS attach a song to your video. Use “Trending” songs where possible.
Add a couple of hashtags, but don’t go overboard. If you did a challenge or trend, make sure to include the hashtag for that trend, plus a couple of other relevant ones. 3-4 hashtags per video is enough.
You can download your TikTok videos to your phone to share them other platforms. For example, Pinterest. You can add a link to your TikTok profile, or your website. I’ve seen a huge increase in my Pinterest stats since posting short drawing or painting clips I created in TikTok.
You can also share your videos to Instagram Stories directly from the app, and more recently Instagram Reels! My Instagram followers love to watch my process videos. Instagram Stories can also be shared to your Facebook Stories as well with one click.
Keep in mind, optimal video length is around 15-30 seconds long.
Process videos. Share how you create your art. This could be in real time or time lapse format (I usually create time lapse videos outside of the app , then edit in Tiktok after).
Close ups of yourself creating in real time, again sharing your process.
Finished artwork reveals. Start with your phone on the artwork and slowly pull out until it comes into focus. Or, place multiple art pieces on a table along to music. You can also stand holding one of your art pieces and slowly turn it around to reveal the piece (like my video above).
Real life, behind the scenes. Show yourself and your personality. People love to see who you are and connect with you personally. You could have your artwork in the background and use text on the screen to talk about something like your struggles as an artist, the inspiration behind your art, or even something totally unrelated to your art. It doesn’t have to be all art all the time.
An art spin on trending videos. As mentioned above, use the trends on the Discover page to inspire your own videos, and put an artsy spin on them.
Tutorials. Share your knowledge. Simple drawing or painting videos for beginners. Or a tutorial on how you started selling stickers, or something business related.
Duets and challenges. You can duet with other artists or people who create challenges to increase your audience or try something new!
Hey artist friends, I recently learned about a software called PodConnect which allows you to bulk upload your artwork to multiple print on demand websites at the same time!
As someone who has been creating designs for print on demand for years, I’ve been wishing for something like this. I am telling you guys this is a game changer.
Today I’m sharing with you a video tutorial I created to demonstrate how to use this software to upload multiple designs at once to your Printful and Redbubble stores.
You can also use PodConnect to upload to other print on demand websites including Zazzle, Teespring, Spreadshirt, and Printify. And there are plans to add even more integrations in the near future.
Watch my video: How to bulk upload to print on demand websites with PodConnect tutorial below:
With the Printful and Printify integrations, you can also bulk upload your print on demand products to sell on other websites like Etsy.
Since I recently opened my own store integrating print on demand products from Printful, I have hundreds of design files to upload. This software is going to make it so much quicker for me to upload all of those designs.
There is a free trial of PodConnect so you can test it out and see if it is something that will work for you.
Then use julie20 for 20% off any membership!
I hope you found my tutorial useful. If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments below! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this new software which allows you to bulk upload to print on demand!
*Please note: Some of the tools listed include an affiliate link. When you make a purchase through the links I may earn a commission, which helps me create more content for you to enjoy.
