A quick and pretty tree style using Layer Styles in Photoshop / GIMP / etc.

[Misjay Maps]

Here is a quick little overview of a layer styles method I have recently learnt about for adding trees to maps in Photoshop - & it should be adaptable to other applications with layer style ability.

I have only used this for City-scale maps so far.
I think it would work for region maps as well. Not sure about battlemap scale though?

[Turambar]

Here is a quick little overview of a layer styles method I have recently learnt about for adding trees to maps in Photoshop - & it should be adaptable to other applications with layer style ability.

I have only used this for City-scale maps so far.
I think it would work for region maps as well. Not sure about battlemap scale though?

Wow! It looks very good for how relatively simple the technique is. Now I need to see if I can replicate in Gimp....

[Misjay Maps]

Wow! It looks very good for how relatively simple the technique is. Now I need to see if I can replicate in Gimp....

would love to see what you come up with....

[Tiana]

I've been using essentially this in Clip Studio Paint except instead of layer style I use watercolor edge and I use my Leafening brushes so it's suitable for battlemap scale (a set of CSP brushes made with real leaves). So it doesn't get the bevel but it does get the stroke.

[XCali]

Wow! It looks very good for how relatively simple the technique is. Now I need to see if I can replicate in Gimp....

Yeah, very cool idea. So, here is my attempt at translating the idea to GIMP



It didn't take long at all.

The second layer is dragging and dropping the darker color into the selection.
The Dodge step was me putting the paintbrush on Dodge and in like 1% opacity painted in the simple highlights. Then after with the dodge/burn tool's burn, I painted in quick shadows on top.

All simple techniques that was done in little time.