How to create textures

Until now, in hand-drawn-style illustrations created in Photoshop, we have mainly used the application’s built-in functions.
However, to achieve a more realistic texture, real paper or uneven paint surfaces are sometimes used.
Although many materials are available online, it is convenient to create your own textures in advance, considering resolution suitable for large illustrations and ease of use.

Collect paper that will serve as the base for your illustrations.
It is useful to have two types: rough-textured paper and moderately textured paper.
Rough, uneven textures are especially easy to work with on a computer.
(Examples: rough paper → drawing paper, watercolor paper; moderately textured paper → recycled paper, calligraphy paper)

Choosing white paper makes it easier to match with any illustration.
Occasionally using slightly yellowed, gray, or aged brown-toned paper can also create a unique atmosphere and is recommended.

Scan at a high resolution.
This is to ensure the material can be used not only for web but also for print.
Use a “photo print mode” for scanning.
While checking the preview, choose a mode that looks as natural as possible.

I personally avoid making too many adjustments.
Stains or shine on the paper can sometimes be used as part of the texture, so I change settings depending on each illustration.

Place the texture at the very top of the layer stack.
Adjust the blending mode and opacity while referring to Vol. 9: How to Use Layer Modes.

For materials that do not significantly change the color tone, it is helpful to apply them early in the process so you can better understand the final result.
For materials that strongly affect the appearance, you may want to apply them later, or temporarily hide them when using the eyedropper tool to select colors.
Be careful, as textures can influence the colors you originally intended to use.

To recreate the texture of art materials, it is useful to have paper that has been fully covered with paint.
By diluting gray or brown paint with plenty of water and applying it in a deliberately uneven way, you can easily create watercolor-like variations in tone.

If you want to create more complex light effects, it is also recommended to lightly crumple aluminum foil and scan it.

You may have noticed that the more materials you have, the more interesting textures you can create.
It is also recommended to photograph surfaces such as soil, wooden boards, or the surface of sliding doors instead of scanning them.
By exploring and looking for usable textures in various places, illustrating will become even more enjoyable.