This tutorial is a response to many questions I get about how I “create those cool shapes” that I use on my blog. In a previous post I shared my Free Downloadable Photoshop Shape Images, one of which, I will be using during this tutorial.
Readers appreciate blogs being graphically interesting. It makes them stop and think, “Hey, That’s really cool!” In this example, I am using my most asked about, and personal favorite graphic shape. I call it the “swirly, curvy thingy” But it’s really called a Quatrefoil. I just love how classy it looks! Anyways, here’s the tutorial on how to use the “swirly, curvy thingy” to create beautiful stunning graphics!
One tip: When you save it, save it as a PNG and click “Interlaced.” That way the image background will remain transparent without having to save it as a Photoshop file. If it’s placed on top of something with a color other than white (like in the first picture on this post) it will show through and look “cut out”
What are you waiting for? Try it out! 🙂
Thank you! I've learned quite a bit from your PhotoShop/Graphics tutorials.
Thanks! <3
Would these graphics work with Photoshop Elements? Thanks, Nancy
Thanks for these fun graphics and tips! I finally mastered how to use them on my blog. You're the best!
Glad you are using them! They look great on your blog!
Love , Hannah
I'm gonna try this right now!!!
http://beautybubblesinyourlife.blogspot.fr/
This is working really great, thank you so much I didn't get how to do this kind of stuff with photoshop, you are a life saver!!!
http://beautybubblesinyourlife.blogspot.fr/
So glad it helped! 🙂
This was so easy to follow, and fun to do! Love how some of my photos turned out. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I do this all the time to round corners too with the rounded corner shape from Photoshop. Love the shapes you have and will put them to good use. I love the different fonts you use in your images on the sidebar and for your menu items… they look super familiar but I can't quite put my finger on either the menu font or the cute handwriting like script with the images. Do you mind sharing what they are? Thanks for the awesome blogs! Found you from Pinterest and will be back for sure. 🙂
Hi Jill!
The one in my menu is called Lavanderia, and can be found here: http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=lavanderia
The handwriting one is called The One Exception, and can be found here: http://www.dafont.com/the-only-exception.font
Have fun with them! 🙂
<3 Hannah
I really love this. I have been looking for a way to crop pictures like this, and your tutorial was so helpful! Thanks!
Thanks so much for this tutorial!
Even easier way to do this is to use a solid shape have your image be the top layer and the shape the bottom right click on the image and put "Create clipping mask" it will put the image in the shape and you can move it around until you get it where you want it. 🙂 Great tutorial! I love finding new ways to do things.
Great tip! I love finding new ways to do things too! 🙂
Thank you! I love learning something new, and this is fabulous. I'm so excited to start making picture shapes, instead of plain squares and rectangles.
Lovin' your photoshop tutorials! Thanks!
I love this! Thank you so much for the helpful things. I do have a question: What is the cursive font you used on the graphic? I love it!
No Problem, it's called Lavanderia. It's my absolute favorite (I can't get enough of it! 🙂
You can download it for free here:
http://www.losttype.com/font/?name=lavanderia
Have fun!
Hannah
Im really struggling with the magic wand tool. Sorry new to photoshop. I have photoshop C6. It seems to get everything out side of the shape as well. I have You Tube some tips, but having no joy ! Anytips ! 🙂 Natalie
You may need to change the pixel tolerance (which on my version of Photoshop pops up on the top bar when using this tool) try playing around with the numbers to change how sensitive it is. <3
I don't know what I'm doing wrong!!! 🙁 But all I am getting when I copy and past is the thin line that is moving when I crop it. Is the quick selection tool the same as the wand!? Because I can't see the wand on my tool bar. I am using CS6 Extended if it makes any difference.
This article will show you how to locate your magic wand tool in cs6
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/990405
Hope that helps! 🙂
Ok new to PS, every time I paste the swirly thingy onto my image the swirly thingy is way to small and does not include the entire picture (e.g. I'm trying to outline a picture of my son but its only large enough to do his eye) How do I change the size of the swirly but not change the size of the original picture (My son). I did the rest just with the eye and I have that down just need to change the size that the swirly captures. Thanks!
Hey Christina, well, first open up the "swirly" image in photoshop and go to "image" and then "image size" and that is where you can resize the swirly image. However, it the quality of the crisp edges may not be as clear when increasing the image size… So you may have to decrease the size of your image.
Hope that helps! 🙂
<3 Hannah
Hey, Great blog just found it! The shape is called a Quatrefoil xxx
Awesome! Thanks, I'll have to update the post with the real name! 🙂
Missy Hannah!!! You, my dear, are a goddess! Thanks for sharing your photoshop knowledge. I wish you and your adorable family much love and happiness. From the bottom of my heart, thanyou!
You are so sweet- thank you Amy! <3
Can you do any of this in Picmonkey? I do not have access to Photoshop. Thanks!
Not currently. 🙁
Thank you this was really helpful 🙂
This is great! But is there a way to keep the frame it to?
Yes, you can just keep the frame as the top layer. Hope that helps! 🙂
I love your graphics…i found you on pinterest & now follow you on bloglovin & instagram . I was wondering if this would work with picmonkey since i dont have photoshop
Hi Delene, as of right now picmonkey doesn't have the ability to do this 🙁 but I'm on the lookout for free programs that do- so I'll post about it if I do find one.
So glad to have you! XOXO
Thank you!
I don't know why but the whole clipping mask thing never clicked until your tutorial.
Seriously, I have CS6 and was using iPhoto but with some of your tips and instruction I am not hating PS anymore. You are really good at making it seem approachable. I have to throw in that your daughter is a doll.
Thanks!!!
So glad it helped Rebekah! And yes, she knows it too! Haha! 😉
XOXO
This is a great tutorial! Where do you get your shapes?
Hi Katie, Thanks! I make most of my shapes in Photoshop using the pen and the paintbrush tool. Hope that helps!
this is the best blog ever!!!!!! love ya!!!! thx!!!
super helpful!!! thank you so much!!!
Can you tell me how to cut out a shape? I found one I like but I am having a hard time cutting out perfectly