Color and brushing help!

[ironglass]

So, im trying to create a signature, and i figured ill color the background first right?
but the color pamphlet wont change the color to the one that i want! it stays at white, black and grey.....
Also, my brush doesnt work......even when i set it to black and such
Thanks in advance!

 

[SeniorS]

Check colormode of your image. And check in layer panel what "object" is active.