Photoshop can be used to create different water color effects using different brushes so as to enhance the overall output of the image.

There are many techniques that can be used to create a poster or a press ad. The techniques you want to use to design a poster depend on the theme of the poster. In this Adobe Photoshop tutorial, you will learn how to design a poster to promote "A watercolor painting competition" event using a watercolor effect. There are plenty of ways to create a watercolor effect in Photoshop but in this tutorial, we will use the Layer Masking option. Layer masking can be used to create amazing water color designs and many other cool effects.

Follow the steps below to learn how to design a poster using watercolor effects in Adobe Photoshop.

Step# 1 -- Load an image
To start designing a poster, select a nice photograph and open it in Adobe Photoshop. You can use any other photo of landscape or even your own photograph.

Step# 2 -- Turn the image to black and white
To create a layer mask, turn the photograph into black and white if it is colored. To do so go to "filters", choose "adjustments" and then select "Black and White". Now adjust the shades if needed. It needs to be of a darker shade.

Step# 3 -- Create brightness/contrast layer
Once the photograph is in black and white, select "brightness/contrast" from the layers panel and adjust the bars. Set the brightness level to "150" and contrast to "-50". The level of brightness and contrast will vary according to the picture.

Step# 4 -- Create a threshold layer
Once done, select both the layers and press "Ctrl +E" to merge them. Then Duplicate the layer and go to filter, choose "adjustment" and then select "threshold". Adjust the level according to the photograph. Change the layer mode to "Multiply". Now select all the layers and press "Ctrl +E" to merge. Now the photograph is ready for layer masking.

Step# 5 -- Fill watercolor marks
Create a new layer and use the "Blood and Ink brush" set to fill the canvas with different watercolor marks. You can download any other watercolor effect brush pack which can be used to create watercolor marks. Fill the canvas by using different sizes and opacity of the brush.

Step# 6 -- Copy the layer
Once the canvas is filled with different colors, go back to the photograph layer and press "Ctrl+A" to make selection of the whole layer. Then press "Ctrl+C" to copy it.

Step# 7 -- Create layer mask
Now select layer 1 again and add a mask layer from the layer panel. Press "Alt" and click on the mask layer. You will get a plain white canvas. Now paste the photograph layer by pressing "Ctrl+V" and then press "Ctrl+I" to invert. Now make layer 1 visible and you will have the photograph in a watercolor effect.

Step# 8 -- Increase the size of canvas
Once the watercolor effect is applied, increase the size of the canvas according to the size of the poster.

Step# 9 -- Create sky
Create a new layer and use brush tool; the "blood and Ink Brush" set to create the effect of a sky. This is an optional step. If the photograph you used already has the sky, then you don't need to add it.

Step# 10 -- Insert text
Now insert the text using the type tool. Right now, we have used the "Gill MT Bold" font. You can use any other font for the text or even different types of fonts to write it. Adjust its placement and add different colors to fonts to make it colorful. However use only one or two colors for the text so that it looks appealing to the eye.

Step# 11 -- Place logo
In the end, place the logo of the sponsors of the event. Place it in the upper-left corner and the poster is now ready. You can use this method to create various water color designs in Adobe Photoshop.