Create 3D chrome effects using any brush in Photoshop.

Activate the surface.

Each of Wallen’s three PSD files appear as a solid-colored background, but don’t be fooled — there’s magic beneath the monochrome. To get started, click into the Layer labeled “Brush.” This will be the main workspace for your design. 

Pick a brush, any brush.

You can use any ABR brush on Wallen’s Photoshop files to create the 3D chrome effect. Notice how it responds to your stylus or cursor as you move your Brush across the artboard slowly or quickly, or when you tap the same areas repeatedly. 

Let your creativity flow.

Try creating a new piece of lettering, illustration, or design and experiment with different brush textures, styles, and sizes — the possibilities are endless. Here’s a lettering example Wallen made, titled “New Stuff,” using the file “BlueBeam.psd”.

Try Wallen’s brush settings.

Photoshop brushes are a powerful tool that come with many settings, which you can view and customize in your brush toolbar. Wallen prefers using a round brush with the hardness set to 0%, which creates strokes with softer edges: “When two strokes touch, you can see how they blend together in an interesting way.” He also recommends using a pen tablet to be able to have more variety in the shape of the strokes.

Play with the Erase tool.

The Erase tool acts differently in Wallen’s custom files — try it out and be wowed by the results. “Normally, I like to use the Erase tool with the hardness set at 0% and the opacity pressure activated,” he says. “With this, I can modify the stroke without erasing it completely.” 

Customize your color.

Want to start with a different solid color as your surface? Choose the Layer titled “BG” then double-click on its thumbnail icon to prompt Color Picker, and choose a new color. 

Get under the hood.

Wallen’s custom Photoshop files are made by combining several Layer effects. You can adjust these by double-clicking into the Layer titled “Brush” and toggling settings for the effects he’s combined: Bevel & Emboss, Satin, and Color Overlay. Play around to see how each setting affects your brushstrokes.

Keep on creating.

As Wallen says, there’s no wrong way to use these files — so keep experimenting. In need of some inspiration? Watch to see how he used “BlueBeam.psd” to create his lettering piece, “New Stuff,” and follow his Instagram account to see what he makes next.