how to make this subtle background

[woojohn]

Hi gurus,
I am going to make a background picture for my website.
I like the style of this picture.
Its pattern is like grunge,but it is clean. It is also not like watercolor. what is it like?

After a week of hard work I can't still find the right solution.
Please give me some advice and instructions.
Thanks a lot.

 

[Hoogle]

there is the easy way and then there is the even easier way but less subtle. And that is excluding another option using some kind of fractal noise plugin like the 1 found in after effects.

Method 1 would be to find a selection of watercolor brushes and paint in the background. You may even find steam and smoke brushes will work aswell.

Method 2 this is a quick and dirty method but a lot easier and a bit more random. Create a new layer make your default colours the 1s you want to be so white and gray like pic provided then go to filter > render > clouds and then fade the layer to suit


but as provided theire does seem to be some kind of sponge effect applied on top

 

[IamSam]

Hi whoojohn and welcome to PSG.

Re-creating these type of textures is very difficult. The reason being is that there are far too many possible techniques that could have been used. It may also be just an existing paper or marble texture. Looks like a floor tile texture to me. Remember when searching images like floor tile textures, don't limit yourself to looking at just the color, look at the texture, color can be changed.

If you you feel you must create your own, finding similar grunge or marble brush sets and just experimenting will be your best bet. Start from the darkest color and paint over using lighter colors each new layer.

Good luck!

 

[woojohn]

Thanks Hoogle.I will try watercolor brushes.

 

[woojohn]

Thanks,LamSam.
I have much same idea with you.
After I adjust the brightness and contrastness of the picture,I looks like this effect.

it has so much detail.Although it looks grunge but no dirty.I still feel it is not a picture of real word.

 

[IamSam]

This looks more like grunge brushes to woojohn. As I stated, these types of backgrounds are so unique that they are difficult to reproduce with knowing how or what the original creator used.

 

[woojohn]

This looks more like grunge brushes to woojohn. As I stated, these types of backgrounds are so unique that they are difficult to reproduce with knowing how or what the original creator used.

I am not trying to reproduce it.I just want the similar effect.
If I want the same,I can just copy&paste it.But I don't want to have copyright trouble.
So that is why I try to make one by myself.