Exploring Dirt Brush in Ibis Paint: Patterns, Textures, and Pattern Editing

dirt brush in ibispaint is a versatile toolset that encompasses brush patterns, textures, and editing options to customize how strokes appear on canvas. The process centers on how the brush tip shape is defined, how textures simulate paper surfaces, and how fading and color behavior influence the final render.

1. Brush Pattern: Defining the brush tip shape

① Brush Pattern: Used to define the brush tip shape in the [Shape] tab's [Brush Pattern] setting. Lines are drawn by repeating this pattern along the stroke. When you choose a pattern, you can see how the pattern repeats to form the continuous line. If you want a stamp-like effect, consider using a pattern that works well when repeated along a stroke.

When you begin editing, selecting [Edit Pattern] makes the content you draw on the canvas become the brush pattern. If the pattern shape doesn’t appear in the test drawing and only a simple line is visible, it’s usually due to too thin brush Thickness or too small Spacing. First, try increasing the Thickness. The maximum brush thickness can be adjusted in the Max Thickness setting within [Settings].

After crafting the desired pattern, the brush pattern image uploads automatically to the server upon returning to the gallery, and your new brush pattern is ready to use. Once you confirm with OK, the brush used for test drawing is added to the Custom tab in the Brush Window.

2. Texture: Simulating paper surface

② Texture: Used to set the paper texture for brush strokes in the [Type] tab's [Texture Pattern] setting. This texture affects how the ink interacts with the surface, influencing the perceived roughness, grain, and tooth of the drawing.

For color brushes, choosing [Brush Pattern (Color)] creates images that can serve as multi-color brush patterns. The texture choice can dramatically alter the feel of the stroke, from smooth to highly textured, depending on the substrate you simulate.

3. Blurring Shape: Controlling brush fade

③ Blurring Shape: Used to control brush fade in the [Fade] tab's [Blurring Shape] setting. This affects how edges soften along a stroke, enabling transitions from sharp to gentle fades. Proper blurring can help blend elements and create atmospherics that resemble natural media.

4. Types and templates: Choosing the brush pattern type

④ [Type]: Select the type of brush pattern.

Brush Pattern (Mono): Creates an image that can be used as a [Brush Pattern]. Brush patterns created this way can be used with monochrome brushes.

Brush Pattern (Color): Creates an image that can be used as a [Brush Pattern]. The initial settings of the brush created will differ depending on the template. Choose a template that is closest to the brush you want to create. If you want a brush that is used like a stamp, we recommend setting the type to [Brush Pattern (Color)] and the template to [Star]. When ⑥ [Edit Pattern] is selected, the content you draw on the canvas becomes the brush pattern.

If the pattern shape isn’t showing up in your test drawing, ensure your thickness and spacing are appropriate. You can adjust the maximum brush thickness in Settings. The brush pattern image will be uploaded to the server and the new brush pattern becomes available in the Custom tab after confirming.

5. Color behavior and base color in pattern editing

In pattern editing, you can choose the Brush Pattern (Color) option to make patterns with multiple colors. The ① Color of Brush Pattern Image is transformed based on the ② Color Currently Selected when you actually use the brush. You can also set a ③ Base Color for your color brush pattern. The ⑤ Base Color Button appears in Pattern Editing Mode and is important because it affects how colors look when used.

To set the right hue, create a canvas with the type ⑥ Brush Pattern (Color). The ⑧ Base Color button sets the hue. Use the eyedropper to pick a representative color from your brush pattern. For example, testing with yellow after selecting a red base color yields a sunflower-like effect. If you change the brush color from red to green, the hue shifts by 120 degrees; from red to blue, the hue difference is 240 degrees. Colors used in examples (red, green, blue) typically maintain 100% brightness and saturation. Note that with color brush patterns, the drawn image cannot exceed the vividness of the original brush pattern image.

6. Material Tool and texture modulation

The Material tool allows changing the pattern of clothes and the texture of various elements. Prepare an illustration with an unfilled material and open the Material Tool. Select Cloth Patterns (Color) and choose a pattern such as Uniform check. You can search the Material by keyword, e.g., “Check,” to quickly locate the desired option. After selecting Uniform Check, adjust texture size and confirm.

In the Layer window, you can clip the texture layer with the scarf layer and move layers to align patterns. Tap Mesh Form to adjust the texture along the scarf. This demonstrates how texture patterns and materials can be integrated to achieve realistic or stylized effects in your dirt brush workflows.

Images and patterns play a crucial role in shaping how strokes appear; use patterns strategically to achieve the desired texture and tonal variation across your artwork.

Table: Quick reference for pattern editing steps

When creating brush patterns, you can also customize a favorite existing brush to your liking, register it as a custom brush, and experiment with color dynamics by adjusting the base color and pattern type to achieve various visual effects.

tags: #dirt #brush #ibispaint