Photoshop brushes are an essential tool for designers and digital artists. With their ability to create a variety of effects, they can enhance and transform digital art. One of the primary benefits of Photoshop brushes is their ability to streamline workflows. Instead of creating designs from scratch, brushes can be used to quickly add texture, depth, and detail to your art, designs, and photos.
They can do more than just add texture to an image. They can also create unique patterns, gradients, and shapes. Some of the most popular types of brushes include watercolor, oil paint, smoke, splatter, and charcoal. With the vast array of brushes available, there is no limit to the creativity that can be achieved.
One of the best things about Photoshop brushes is that many are available for free download. Users can simply search for ABR files, and they’ll have access to a wide range of brushes that can be used in their designs.
Whether you’re a professional or just starting in Photoshop, brushes can save you time and create stunning effects. With so many different types of brushes available, there’s something for everyone to experiment with.
In this collection, we’ve curated the best free high-resolution Photoshop brush packs from the design community. You can download and install as many as you need or as many as your design toolbox can hold.
Don’t forget that many of these brushes are also compatible with Procreate. If you’re looking for more Procreate brushes, be sure to check out this collection.
Brushstroke Photoshop Brushes
Brushstroke Photoshop brushes can add depth and texture to your digital art pieces. The natural strokes and variety of sizes allow you to create a unique and realistic feel in your designs.
1. High Res Dry Brushstroke Brushes (Free, 12 Brushes)
This high-resolution brush pack includes 12 brushes designed to replicate the look of dry brushstrokes. Ideal for both personal and commercial projects but requires attribution to be given to the creator.
2. Brushstroke Photoshop Brushes (26 Brushes)
Whether you’re looking to add texture or create dynamic brush strokes, this brushstroke set offers a range of artistic effects that will give your work a new dimension.
3. Photoshop Stroke Brushes (Free, 27 Brushes)
Based on a hand-drawn sans-serif brush font, these brushes feature an amazing authentic texture that will add depth and character to your designs.
4. Distressed Halftone Brush Strokes (Free, 21 Brushes)
Featuring 21 hand-painted brushstrokes that have been post-processed and bitmapped inside Photoshop, these brushes have a stunning distressed halftone effect that will add depth to your artwork.
Vintage & Grungy Photoshop Brushes
Vintage and grungy Photoshop brushes are perfect for achieving an aged or distressed look in your designs. With various textures and patterns, you can create a worn-out, retro aesthetic that adds character to your work.
5. Mixergraph Grunge Brushes (Free, 5 Brushes)
Each of the five included free brushes has been meticulously hand-made, digitized, and individually edited for maximum quality and authenticity. These high-resolution brushes are perfect for adding a touch of organic beauty and visual interest to your designs.
6. Halftone Lines Vintage Photoshop Brushes (21 Brushes)
Transform your designs with the Halftone Lines Vintage Photoshop Brush pack. These brushes allow you to easily create intricate halftone patterns and line textures, perfect for adding a vintage touch to your designs.
7. The Thrasher Collection of Photoshop Brushes (Free, 8 Brushes)
Looking for a way to add a gritty, grungy texture to your digital designs? Check out the Thrasher Collection – a free set of textures and eight unique Photoshop brushes. With these tools at your fingertips, you can quickly achieve a raw, edgy look that will make your designs stand out.
8. Alternative Printmaker Textures & Brushes (36 Brushes)
With the Alternative Printmaker Photoshop Brush set, you can add a handmade feel to your designs with various included brush strokes and textures. Ideal for artistic and unconventional design projects.
9. Grunge Photoshop Brush Kit (Free, 16 Brushes)
With their high-resolution and fine line between roughness and subtlety, these brushes are perfect for adding texture and interest to your designs without overwhelming them.
10. Grimey Brushes (Free, 5 Brushes)
Add a gritty edge to your designs with this pack of five free Photoshop brushes. Ideal for both personal and commercial use with no restrictions, this pack is a versatile resource for artists and designers seeking to enhance their work with a touch of grime.
Textured Photoshop Brushes
These texture brushes can add depth and subtle realism to your digital artwork. With a wide range of textures, from rough and gritty to soft and smooth, you will find a varied selection of textured brushes below.
11. Plastic Wrap Photoshop Brushes (Free, 100+ Brushes)
These free Photoshop brushes designed to emulate plastic wrap can be utilized to produce a variety of effects. They can add a delicate shine to artwork or generate a textured sensation to the piece.
12. Water Splash Photoshop Brushes (Free, 11 Brushes)
Created by the talented Niño Batitis, these brushes feature 11 high-resolution water splash designs that are perfect for adding a touch of dynamic energy and visual interest to your artwork.
13. Fairy Tales Photoshop Brush Set (Free, 9 Brushes)
This set offers nine high-resolution brushes, ranging from 1000 to 2500 pixels, which can be used to produce fantasy backgrounds and textures, such as those resembling rocks and metals.
14. Splash Photoshop Brushes (Free, 15 Brushes)
Check out this collection of 15 splash brushes for Photoshop. It’s perfect for any grunge project, and best of all, you can use these brushes in both commercial and personal projects.
15. Fiber Brushes (Free, 16 Brushes)
This free pack features 16 high-resolution fiber Photoshop brushes. This pack is a valuable addition to any designer or artist’s toolkit, offering versatile and unique brushes for any project.
Watercolor Photoshop Brushes
Watercolor Photoshop brushes will add a soft and fluid feel to your designs. With their natural and organic strokes, you can create beautiful watercolor effects that give your artwork a unique and artistic touch.
16. Ocean Watercolor Photoshop Brushes (Free, 10 Brushes)
Looking to add some fluid, ocean-inspired beauty to your digital designs? Look no further than this fantastic free brush set! With ten unique brushes inspired by the beauty of the sea, you can create stunning watercolor artwork that captures the essence of the ocean.
Special Effects Photoshop Brushes
With various effects, such as smoke, sparks, and lightning, you can create stunning visuals that capture the imagination. These brushes are perfect for creating dynamic and exciting designs for posters, banners, and other graphics
17. Dispersion Effect Photoshop Brushes (Free, 20 Brushes)
Do you want to give your digital designs a striking dispersion effect that will make them stand out? Look no further than this fantastic free brush collection! With 20 unique Photoshop brushes to choose from, you can quickly and easily add a stunning dispersion effect to your designs.
18. Lightning Photoshop Brushes (Free, 43 Brushes)
With the help of these brushes, you can easily add a touch of electrifying energy to your artwork. Download this incredible free brush set today and add some extra power and spark to your designs!
Pattern Photoshop Brushes
With patterned Photoshop brushes, you can create unique and eye-catching backgrounds and elements in your artwork. They allow you to quickly and easily add depth and complexity to your designs.
19. High-Resolution Fabric Texture Photoshop Brushes (Free, 20 Brushes)
Check out this incredible pack of high-resolution Photoshop brushes, each sized at a generous 2500px! With a variety of fabrics to choose from, including denim, wool, and cotton, you can easily find the perfect brush to suit your project.
20. Elegant Flower High-Resolution Photoshop Brushes (Free, 15 Brushes)
With individual brushes of roses, lilacs, dandelions, and more, you can easily incorporate stunning floral elements into your artwork. This set includes fifteen different flowers, each with its own unique beauty and charm.
Sketching, Charcoal & Pencil Photoshop Brushes
Charcoal and pencil Photoshop brushes have been designed to mimic the look of charcoal or pencil sketches, creating a more natural and organic feel to your designs.
21. Charcoal Pencil Photoshop Brushes (Free, 6 Brushes)
Check out this incredible free brush set! With a variety of brushes to choose from, including brushed, gritted, grained, flicked, and dabbed brushes, you can easily add a touch of authentic, organic texture to your designs.
22. Realistic Charcoal Photoshop Brushes (Free)
Created to meet the needs of artists who want a realistic charcoal effect in their designs, this free brush set features a variety of charcoal-style brushes that will add depth, texture, and visual interest to your artwork.
Digital Painting Photoshop Brushes
These brushes have been designed for digital painting and can create realistic-looking art with various custom brushes, brushstrokes, and textures.
23. Wavenwater Photoshop Brushes (Free)
This set includes a range of brushes and tool presets designed to inspire you and help you create stunning digital art. With these brushes, you can experiment with different textures, shapes, and colors to bring your designs to life.
24. Martina Palazzese’s Digital Oil Painting Brushes (Free, 6 Brushes)
Looking to create stunning, professional-quality digital oil paintings? You won’t want to miss this fantastic brush collection from Martina Palazzese! Based on her own personal collection, these brushes are designed to help you achieve the same level of artistry and beauty in your digital designs.
25. Aaron Griffin’s Digital Painting Brushes (Free, 6 Brushes)
This free Photoshop brush set is the creation of AaronGriffinArt, offering a valuable resource for digital painters of all levels. Featuring a variety of brushes designed specifically for painting in Photoshop.
26. Oil Photoshop Brushes (Free, 20 Brushes)
Looking to add a touch of classic elegance and textured depth to your digital designs? Look no further than this incredible set of 20 oil painting Photoshop brushes!
27. Photoshop Brushes for Painting Rocks and Water (Free)
If you want to achieve great results when painting rocks and water, consider this set of free brushes. You will find various brushes that can be used for both commercial and personal projects.
28. Custom Brushes of Tyler Street (Free, 40 Brushes)
With a name as distinctive as its content, this pack of Photoshop brushes offers 40 unique brushes that will enhance any design project. Free of charge, this pack is a valuable resource for artists and designers alike.
29. Coffee Paint Photoshop Brushes (Free, 16 Brushes)
With a variety of brushes to choose from, you can easily add a touch of roughness and texture to your designs, whether you’re creating posters, logos, or any other type of artwork.
30. Brush Pack v3 by Fenris31 (Free)
Fenris31’s free pack is a comprehensive set of Photoshop brushes ideal for a wide range of artistic and design endeavors. These brushes can be used in both commercial and personal projects.
Spray Paint Photoshop Brushes
These free Photoshop brushes simulate the effect of spray paint, creating a graffiti-like effect in your designs and giving them an edgy and urban feel.
31. Spray Splatter Photoshop Brushes (Free, 12 Brushes)
Add a grungy or dirty effect to your artwork with these complimentary splattered spray Photoshop brushes. These versatile brushes are a valuable resource for artists and designers seeking to add an edgy touch to their work.
Abstract Photoshop Brushes
With these abstract brushes, you can create shapes and patterns that add a dynamic and artistic feel to your artwork. These brushes are perfect for adding a touch of creativity to your work.
32. Abstract Bokeh Brushes (Free, 24 Brushes)
Save time and effort by adding Lomography and light-leak effects to your photos using this free Photoshop brush pack. With 24 unique brushes, you can easily achieve this popular effect without having to start from scratch.
33. Radiate Brush Set (Free, 12 Brushes)
This free Photoshop brush set boasts 12 distinctive and abstract techno-style brushes that are perfect for embellishing album artwork, creating abstract backgrounds, and adding a touch of futuristic style to any tech-themed design project.
34. Bokeh Photoshop Brushes (Free, 8 Brushes)
Want to add a beautiful bokeh effect to your digital designs? Look no further than this amazing set of bokeh brushes! With eight unique brushes to choose from, you can easily add a touch of magic and wonder to your designs.
35. Bokeh Brushes (Free, 12 Brushes)
This bokeh Photoshop brush set includes 12 distinct brushes, each of which adds a touch of flair to any project. These free brushes can be used in both personal and commercial projects.
Environmental Photoshop Brushes
These nature Photoshop brushes can be used for creating natural and organic scenes. With various brushes that mimic trees, grass, clouds, and other natural elements, you can create stunning landscapes and environments.
36. Nature Silhouettes Trees & Grass Brushes (Free, 19 Brushes)
Elevate your designs with the beauty of nature using these nature silhouette Photoshop brushes. With 19 brushes to choose from, this pack is a must-have for artists and designers seeking to add a natural touch to their work.
37. Rain Photoshop Brush Set (Free)
Bring your projects to life with the Rain brushes for Photoshop, which create an incredibly realistic rain effect. This brush pack is a must-have for any designer or artist looking to add an extra layer of authenticity to their work.
38. Cloud Photoshop Brushes (Free, 15 Brushes)
Add a touch of natural beauty to your designs with this high-quality set of cloud Photoshop brushes. This set offers 15 unique brush presets, each larger than 1200×1200 pixels, with the largest brush reaching a width of 2470 pixels. You can use this free brush set with no commercial restrictions.
39. High Resolution Cloud Photoshop Brushes (Free, 20 Brushes)
Looking for some amazing cloud brushes to add to your digital designs? Look no further than this incredible pack of free high-resolution (2500px) cloud brushes! These brushes are the perfect tool for adding a touch of dreamy, ethereal texture to your designs.
Stamp Photoshop Brushes
40. Fingerprint Photoshop Brushes (Free, 100+ Brushes)
Each brush in this set has been meticulously designed to replicate the texture of real fingerprints, complete with intricate details and varying opacity levels. This attention to detail ensures that your digital designs will have an authentic, organic look that closely resembles the real thing.
41. Old Technical Drawings Brushes (Free, 10 Brushes)
Created from old technical drawings, this free set features ten highly realistic brushes that will add an authentic touch to any project. This technology set is a versatile and valuable addition to any artist or designer’s toolkit.
Scribble Photoshop Brushes
With their playful and whimsical strokes, with scribble Photoshop brushes you can create doodles, sketches, and other illustrations that add a personal and artistic touch to my artwork.
42. Scribble Art Photoshop Brushes (Free, 39 Brushes)
If you’re in need of abstract lines or shapes for your designs, this free collection of scribble art Photoshop brushes is perfect for you. With a variety of options to choose from, you can add playful, hand-drawn elements to your digital creations with ease. These brushes are a great way to add texture and visual interest to your designs and help you achieve a unique, artistic look.
43. Hand Drawn Arrows Brush Set (Free, 80 Brushes)
With eighty individually sketched or drawn arrows to choose from, you can easily add a touch of handmade charm and personality to your designs. Add some extra flair to your designs today with this amazing hand-drawn arrow brush set.
Marker Photoshop Brushes
With their thick and textured strokes, marker brushes can help create dynamic and impactful illustrations. They are perfect for creating posters, custom typography, and other designs requiring a bold aesthetic.
44. Real Markers Photoshop Brushes (Free, 12 Brushes)
In addition to a small selection of linework brushes, this set includes a huge variety of permanent and solid marker Photoshop brushes. These free Photoshop brushes are the perfect way to add depth, texture, and visual interest to your work.
45. Marker Streak Brushes (Free, 20 Brushes)
Looking for some high-quality marker streak brushes to enhance your digital designs? Check out this amazing set of 20 Photoshop brushes! With a variety of streak styles and sizes to choose from, you can easily add a touch of edgy, hand-drawn flair to your artwork.
Smoke Photoshop Brushes
With their realistic and organic strokes, these brushes can create stunning smoke effects that add drama and depth to your artwork. They’re perfect for designs that require a mysterious and ethereal feel.
46. Smoke & Fire Brushes (Free, 22 Brushes)
This free high-resolution smoke and fire set features 22 brushes, each designed to add a touch of realism and drama to your designs. Ideal for artists and designers seeking to create dynamic visual effects.
47. Photoshop Smoke Brushes (Free, 13 Brushes)
Elevate your next design project with this pack of 13 high-quality Photoshop smoke brushes. These versatile brushes are a valuable resource for artists and designers seeking to add a touch of mystique and intrigue to their work.
48. TC-EPICA-I (Free, 10 Brushes)
TC-EPICA-I is an artistic set of ten Photoshop brushes that are perfect for adding texture, smudges, and other creative effects to your designs. This brush pack is free to use but does require attribution.
Ink Photoshop Brushes
With their fluid and expressive strokes, ink brushes can create a wide range of effects, from blots to splatters and drips. They’re perfect for designs that need a handmade touch.
49. Ink Brushes for Photoshop (Free, 28 Brushes)
If you’re looking to add some extra flair to your digital designs, check out this incredible free brush collection! With 28 unique brushes to choose from, you can easily give your designs a touch of watercolor or a distressed, textured look.
50. Watercolor & Ink Photoshop Brushes (Free, 25 Brushes)
Created by applying watercolor paints and Indian ink on card, these free Photoshop brushes offer a unique and organic quality. Perfect for artists and designers seeking to add a handcrafted touch to their work.
How do You Add or Install Brushes to Photoshop?
If you’re new to using Photoshop brushes, don’t worry – it’s easy to get started! Here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial on how to install and use Photoshop brushes.
- Download the Photoshop brush you want to use and unzip the file
- On your computer, go to the Photoshop folder and locate
Presets > Brushes
- Move your downloaded brush file to the above folder
- Launch Photoshop and go to
Edit > Presets > Preset Manager
- Click the
Load
button, locate your newly added brushes and clickOpen
. You can also use the import presets function to install an entire folder of presets at one time. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to use the new Photoshop brush. - To use a Photoshop brush, go to
Window > Brushes
- Select your brush and then paint over the canvas. You can adjust the size and shape of your brush in the
Brush Settings
panel
How do You Create Your Own Photoshop Brushes?
Creating your own Photoshop brushes allows you to add your own unique textures, patterns, and effects to your artwork. Here’s how you can create your own:
- Prepare Your Design: Create or design the element you want to turn into a brush. It could be a shape, texture, pattern, or any other artwork.
- Select the Area: Use the Marquee, Lasso, or any selection tool to select the area of your design that you want to turn into a brush.
- Define the Brush Preset: Once you have the desired area selected, go to
Edit
and clickDefine Brush Preset
. Give your brush a descriptive name in the dialog box that appears, and clickOK
. - Adjust Brush Settings: Open the Brushes panel by going to
Window
>Brushes
. In the Brushes panel, you can adjust settings like size, opacity, flow, spacing, and more to fine-tune your brush’s behavior. - Preview & Test: Create a new canvas or open an existing image to test your brush. Select the Brush tool (B) and choose the new brush from the Brushes panel. Experiment with different settings to see how your brush looks and behaves on the canvas.
- Save Your Brush Set (Optional): If you plan to use this brush frequently or share it with others, you can save it as part of a brush set. To do this, click the small gear icon in the Brushes panel and select
New Brush Preset Set
. Then, select your new brush and clickDone
. - Export the Brush (Optional): If you want to use the brush in other Photoshop installations or share it, you can export it as an ABR file. Click the gear icon in the Brushes panel to export and select
Export Selected Brushes
. Choose a location and save the ABR file.
You can create brushes from textures, patterns, custom shapes, and more, enabling you to add depth and creativity to your digital artwork.
What Can You Create with Photoshop Brushes?
Photoshop brushes are a versatile toolset that can elevate creative projects across various domains. They offer endless opportunities for artistic expression and design versatility, from digital art and illustrations to enhancing photos and designing graphics.
Here are just some things you can create using Photoshop brushes:
- Digital Artwork: Create digital paintings, illustrations, and drawings with various brush textures and styles.
- Textures & Patterns: Add realistic textures like watercolor, grunge, or paper to your designs. Generate repeating patterns for backgrounds, textiles, or web design.
- Photo Enhancements: Use brushes to retouch photos, apply makeup, smooth skin, or enhance details. Add artistic effects like light leaks, bokeh, or lens flares.
- Special Effects: Apply visual effects such as fog, smoke, fire, sparkles, and rain for a dramatic impact. Create realistic natural elements like leaves, grass, or clouds.
- Typography: Craft custom text effects by adding brush textures to your typography. Design ornate letters, calligraphy, or decorative elements.
- Backgrounds & Borders: Design unique borders, frames, and decorative elements for images or documents. Create intricate background patterns or elements.
- Digital Scrapbooking: Design digital scrapbook pages with decorative elements, textures, and embellishments. Add hand-painted details to your layouts.
- Web Design & Graphics: Design custom icons, buttons, and graphics for websites. Create banners, headers, and social media graphics.
- DIY Projects: Design custom stickers, labels, and graphics for print projects. Create unique designs for t-shirts, mugs, and merchandise.
- Mixed Media Art: Combine brushes with other media like photos, textures, and vector elements for mixed media artwork.
- Custom Brushes: Create your own brushes (see above) for unique effects, textures, or signature elements.