Basic Brushes Digital Scrapbooking: Get Started with Photoshop Brushes (Masterly Brushes Part 1)

Basic Brushes Digital Scrapbooking: Masterly Brushes Part 1: Free Self-Paced Course | Adobe Photoshop & Photoshop Elements

Photoshop brushes are one of the most versatile tools in digital scrapbooking — and one of the least understood. In fact, most scrapbookers load a brush, use it once, and move on without ever knowing what they actually have. This free class changes that. Part 1 of the Masterly Brushes series covers the essentials: brush types, delivery formats, and the four core skills — making, saving, loading, and using brushes — in both Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

Why Digital Scrapbooking Brush Basics Are Worth Getting Right

Every brush problem — the one that won’t load, the size that won’t behave, the format that won’t open — comes down to the same thing. Not knowing the fundamentals.

When you understand what types of brushes exist, how they are delivered, and exactly how to make, save, load, and use them, those problems stop. Instead, the brush becomes what it is supposed to be: a tool you reach for with confidence, not one you wrestle with every time.

In short, this class is the foundation. Furthermore, everything in the Masterly Brushes series builds on what you learn here — so starting with Part 1 means the rest of the series makes sense from the start.

What You Will Learn in Basic Brushes in Digital Scrapbooking

This class covers both the what and the how of Photoshop brushes. Specifically, by the end, you will know how to:

• Identify the types of brushes available at Anna Aspnes Designs — and understand the distinguishing properties of each
• Understand brush delivery formats — what formats exist, what they do, and which ones work in your software
• Make brushes in both Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
• Save brushes so they are always available and organized for future use
• Load brushes correctly — in Photoshop and Elements — so they appear where you expect them
• Use brushes with confidence, with a clear understanding of the tools involved
• Solve common brush problems using the included tips and troubleshooting guidance

Digital scrapbooking page by Michelle James using ArtPlay Bouquet Collection and PaperTextures Photoshop brushes

The Basic Brushes Digital Scrapbooking 3 Sessions

Session 1: Introduction to Masterly Brushes (11 minutes)

A concise introduction to the Masterly Brushes series, the course content, and what to expect. This session gives you the overview before the details — so you know where everything fits before diving in.

Session 2: Basic Brushes in Adobe Photoshop (31 minutes)

Session 2 covers the four core brush skills in Adobe Photoshop. Specifically, you will learn how to make, save, load, and use brushes — step by step — plus tips and troubleshooting for the most common problems. By the end, Photoshop brushes will work the way they are supposed to.

Session 3: Basic Brushes in Adobe Photoshop Elements (33 minutes)

Session 3 covers the same four core skills in Photoshop Elements. The approach is tailored specifically to Elements — so you get instruction that matches your software, not a Photoshop walkthrough with verbal cues. Furthermore, troubleshooting guidance specific to Elements is included throughout.

Who Is Digital Scrapbooking Basic Brushes For?

This class is for any digital scrapbooker who uses brushes — or wants to. In particular, it is a great fit if any of the following sound familiar:

• You have brushes in your collection, but are not entirely sure how to load or manage them reliably
• Brush problems — wrong size, won’t load, wrong format — slow you down more than they should
• You want a clear, organized understanding of brush basics before moving to more advanced techniques
• You work in Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and want instructions built for your specific software
• You are new to the Masterly Brushes series and want to start at the beginning

What Is Included in Digital Scrapbooking Basic Brushes digital scrapbooking

• 3 Video Sessions — totalling approximately 76 minutes, delivered in MP4 format. Watch on your computer or load into iTunes for viewing on a smart device.
• 3-Page Written Guide — comprehensive written content supporting the Basic Brushes videos, in PDF format
• aA BrushSet DigitalART Sampler — a collection of 12 brushes representing the variety of brush types available at Anna Aspnes Designs, in formats for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements

This is a free, self-paced course. All content is available for immediate download — unzip the files and watch on your computer or smart device.

More Resources

• About the Masterly Brushes Series
• ToolSets by Anna Aspnes Designs at Oscraps
• Create your first layout in Adobe Photoshop and Elements (with FREE Digital Scrapbook Supplies)

Basic Brushes Digital Scrapbooking Course Availability

What Makes This Class Different

Most brush instruction assumes you already know the basics. This class does not. Instead, it starts exactly where a beginner needs to start — with what brushes are, how they are delivered, and how each core skill works in your specific software. Furthermore, because Photoshop and Photoshop Elements are covered separately in their own dedicated sessions, you get instruction that actually matches what is on your screen, not a workaround.

Additionally, the troubleshooting content alone makes this class worth the time. Brush problems are frustrating precisely because they are unpredictable. Having a clear reference for what to check — and why the problem happened in the first place — changes how confidently you work with any brush, from any source, going forward.

Every Basic Brush Skill Starts Here

Make it. Save it. Load it. Use it. Those four things — done correctly — are all you need to work with any brush, in any collection, with any software. This class gives you all four.

Ultimately, a brush is only useful when you know how to use it. Part 1 makes sure you do.

Got questions? Email anytime at classes@annaaspnesdesigns.com