How to Create a Brazil-Inspired Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial I will show you how to create a Brazil-inspired text effect in Photoshop, using a layer style with a pattern that we will create. In the process, you will learn basic things about the Pen Tool and Convert Point Tool, and some keyboard shortcuts that I use every day.

If you'd like to skip this tutorial but still wish to buy the style, you can head over to GraphicRiver and buy Countries Styles.

Tutorial Asset

The following font was used during this tutorial:

Ash Font

1. How to Create the Pattern

Step 1

Download the zip that is attached to this tutorial and open the Draft Pattern in Photoshop. If you already know how to use the Pen Tool and want to skip some steps, you can use this draft to continue with the tutorial. Just open it in Photoshop and then skip to step 12.

Step 2

Press Control-Shift-N to create a new layer, and name it Shape 1. Then pick the Pen Tool (P) to start drawing.

Step 3

Zoom in on the image to make it easier to work with it. You can do that by pressing Control-Space-Click (to zoom out press Alt-Space-Click).

There are many ways to use the Shape Tool. I'm going to show you how to make one shape using a very simple technique, and then you can use the same technique for the other shapes.

In order to better see what we are drawing, we need to change the color of the shape. So with the Pen Tool selected, change the color of the Fill to blue #130eef. Then select the layer Shape 1 and change its Opacity to 50%.

Step 4

Start clicking on the edges of the shape with the Pen Tool (don't drag the mouse, just click). This will create anchor points. We have to place them on every sharp corner and where there is a curve. Keep doing that until you close the shape.

Step 5

Now pick the Convert Point Tool and click and drag on every anchor point that is on a curve, but don't touch on the ones that are on sharp corners. It doesn't have to be 100% like the original shape because it is an abstract thing, but try to do it as in the original image.

Here are some tips for this step.

If you need to move an anchor point, you need to hold Space while you are clicking on the anchor point, and then move it where you think it will fit better.
To remove an unnecessary anchor point, you have to click on it with the Pen Tool (P). To add a new one, just click with the Pen Tool where you need it.
To select an anchor point with the Convert Point Tool, hold Control and clickon it. Same thing for the Pen Tool (P).
When you select an anchor point, two handlers appear. You can hold Alt and click and drag to change only one handler.

Refining the shape with the Convert Point Tool

Step 6

After all shapes are completed, change the Opacity of every layer to 100%.

Changing the opacity of the layers to 100

Step 7

Create a new layer and name it BG. Then place it below the shapes.

Step 8

Change the Foreground color to #e2e2e2 and press Alt-Backspace to fill the layer BG with that color.

Changing the foreground color and applying it to the image

Step 9

Now pick the Pen Tool (P) again to change the color of the shapes to the correct color. You can use the original image and the Eyedropper Tool to pick the colors, or copy from the image below. Select the layer of the shape for which you want to change the color, and change the color just like in step 3.

Step 10

Select all the layers except the Background layer, and then press Control-G to group them.

Step 11

Select the Group layer and press Control-Alt-Shift-E to merge everything into a new layer. Then rename this new layer to Base Pattern and hide the other layers by clicking on the eye icon.

Step 12

Go to Image > Canvas Size and change the Width to 512 px.

Step 13

Pick the Move Tool (V) and move the layer Base Pattern128 px to the left.

Step 14

Duplicate the layer Base Pattern by pressing Control-J. Then press Control-T to activate the Free Transform. Then move the layer 256 px to the right. After that, right-click the image and choose Flip Horizontal and press Enter.

Step 15

Select the layers Base Pattern and Base Pattern copy, and press Control-E to merge them. Then rename this layer to Base.

Step 16

Go to Image > Canvas size and change the Height to 994 px.

Step 17

Move the layer Base down by 249 px. Then make a copy of the layer Base and press Control-T to activate Free Transform again. Then right-click on the image and choose Flip Vertical. After that, move the layer Base copy up by 497px and left by 256 px, and press Enter.

Step 18

Now make a copy of the layer Base copy and move it 512 px to the right.

Step 19

Go to Edit > Define Pattern... and name it Abstract - Brazil Pattern, and then press OK. After that, save and close the document.