Make spray-painted type

1 Convert the type

Larson used the Type tool to add an ampersand using the Blenny Black font with the anti-aliasing set to Smooth. Then, she right-clicked the type layer and converted it to a Smart Object so she could add special effects.

2 Dissolve the layer

To create the scattered paint look, Larson set the blend mode for the type layer to Dissolve. The change is not noticeable yet.

3 Set the blur points

Larson used the Field Blur tool (Filter > Blur Gallery > Field Blur) to selectively apply different spatter effects. When she used the tool, Photoshop placed the first pin automatically. Larson moved the pin, then added a second pin to the upper right and increased the blur amount.

4 Make it blurrier

By the time she finished, Larson had added multiple pins, each with different blur amounts, to emphasize the effect on the outer edges of the ampersand.

5 Choose a soft brush

Next, Larson selected the Brush tool to add a bit more detail. She chose a Soft Round brush and reduced its opacity.

6 Add grit

Larson wanted to create a distressed look, so she added a layer mask to the type layer. Then, she painted with a black brush on the mask to reveal the dissolved pattern on parts of the Ampersand.

7 Soften the edges

As a final touch, Larson right-clicked to convert the layer to a Smart Object and set the blend mode to Normal. Then, she used a Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur) to soften the edges.

Disintegrate your designs

Save the paint cans and create your own spray-painted designs in Photoshop.

Note: Project files included with this tutorial are for practice purposes only.