Drawing an arrow in Photoshop is like playing with a hot knife. It’s dangerous, exhilarating, and leaves you with a satisfying accomplishment when it’s done right. From basic arrows to fancy decorative ones, you’ll be able to whip up gorgeous arrows to use in your projects in no time. Here’s how to get started.
1. Drawing the Arrow
First, you’ll need to draw an arrow. Choose the Pen tool from the Tools panel and start tracing the shape of the arrow. As it’s a vector shape, you’ll be able to adjust, bend, and stretch it as needed. Continue tracing the arrow, until it takes the desired shape. If you make a mistake, you can always use the Control-Z shortcut to undo it.
2. Filling the Arrow
Now it’s time to fill your arrow with some color to make it stand out. Select the arrow you just created and click on the “Fill Color” picker at the bottom of the Tools panel. Choose your preferred color and then click on the checkmark to confirm it.
3. Adding Dimension
Your arrow will come to life when you give it some dimension. Choose a bright color and make sure it contrasts with the background. Select the Brush tool and start adding some wispy strokes to give your arrow depth and texture. Keep adding different strokes and colors until it looks just the way you want it.
4. Finishing Touches
Finally, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Find a font you like and create a text box. Add your text and place it over the arrow. You can also use Layer Styles to make your arrow look even more beautiful. If you’re feeling creative, you can also add subtle effects like drop shadows, glows, and embossing.
5. Applying Effects
You can take your arrow to the next level with effects like gradients, textures, and bevels. Select the arrow and click on the “Layer” menu. You’ll find the different effects under the “Styles” submenu. Choose the one you like and you’re done. You can also make small adjustments to the effects if you need to.
6. Re-sizing and Positioning
The last step is to re-size and position the arrow. Select the move tool and select the arrow. You can use the arrows on the keyboard to move it around and the handles on the sides to increase or decrease its size. Position it where you want it and then click on the checkmark to confirm.
7. Exporting the Arrow
Once you are done, you can export your arrow to use it in other projects. If you are working with vector shapes, select “Save As” from the File menu and choose “SVG” from the list. If you are working with rasterized objects, select “Export As” from the File menu and choose your preferred file type.
8. Wrapping Up
Drawing an arrow in Photoshop can be a daunting task, but it can be broken down into simple steps. Start by drawing the arrow with the Pen tool, add dimension to it with some wispy brush strokes, and then add some effects to make it more interesting. Once you have everything the way you want it, you can export it to use in other projects. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to whip up beautiful arrows in no time.
