I’m finding decorative brushes a little unpredictable to work with in Illustrator, but when they work, they work! In this case they were the perfect finishing touch for two slides in my latest video demo. I forgot to mention in my last post that this video features Neal’s grandmother, Velma Detmer who went to be with Jesus in 2007. In the first picture she is with her daughter and only child, Joyce. In the second photo she is with her second grandson, Eric.

The base of the first slide template is a wide petal flower that I drew in Illustrator. I created a solid shape by filling it with black and then exported it to Photoshop and used it as a clipping mask. Once in Photoshop I applied several layers of papers with different blending techniques. But the edges needed something to finish it off, so I went back to Illustrator and applied the decorative brush to the outside edge and again exported it to Photoshop where I applied a color burn filter.

I used the same techniques on the Easter egg slide. The egg is a simple oval I created in Photoshop. This time exporting the egg slide to Illustrator and then applying the decorative brush in the same manner.

Graphics Credits:

Flower frame-Ruth Davis

Pink cornered frame, hinged butterfly, glitter accents, papers- Tracy Ann

Brown ribbon and cord- Christina Renee

Gingham flowers- Lynn Grieveson

Shoe lace wrap and silver frame-Katie Pertiet

Decorative brush- Mujka