How to use a sketchPLATE: Paint by numbers, create layouts!

The blog post header featured image shows a sketchPLATE (layered digital scrapbook layout sketch template), a set of digital scrapbooking kit supplies & photos, graphically demonstrating combination to complete a layout.

This post may contain links through which we may earn a commission. #ad

The image shows a sketchPLATE (layered digital scrapbook layout sketch template), a set of digital scrapbooking kit supplies & photos, graphically demonstrating combination to complete a layout.
Introduction ~ How to use a sketchPLATE: Paint by Numbers, Create Layouts!

Let’s face it: sometimes you just need to get a layout done and down fast!  Here at Anita Richards Designs we have a number of sketchPLATES available in the Design Shop. Our easy to use freebie version sketchPLATES are perfect for newbies wanting to try out digital scrapbooking. For experienced digiscrappers alike our extended version sketchPLATES will wow your pixels on! Advanced layout creation is super easy with our sketchPLATES “painting by numbers” system. Relax and enjoy the process as you get a page or even an album done fast with our delightful designs. This straightforward exposé on what they are, how to use them and why they are a great method of scrapping will help you understand everything you need to know about our sketchPLATES. Keep reading to learn how to get the best bang for your buck from our range of fully layered digital scrapbook layout templates.


...oooOooo...

What is a sketchPLATE?

Inspired by hand-drawn sketches and designed as reusable temPLATES, our sketchPLATES are pre-designed layout compositions, aka layered digital scrapbook templates.

Our sketchPLATES are saved in the Photoshop native file format plus in the layered lossless .TIF format with capacity to fully edit, add & delete layers and layer styles. sketchPLATES often include specially designed Embellishments that may be retained or replaced during scrapping as the layout is completed by adding a photo or a number of photographs, journaling and other design Elements, for example, symbolic memorabilia Accents.

The completed layout is then either printed for insertion into a scrapbook album or uploaded together with other completed layouts for printing in a photobook or saved for printing at a later date.

See Our Latest sketchPLATES in the Design Shop


Start your Digital Scrapbooking journey on the right foot. Download your FREE TRIAL of Adobe Photoshop Elements, TODAY!

 

Why use a sketchPLATE?

  • Quick to Complete Layouts

Multiple page projects can be completed in very short order, sometimes even within minutes.

  • Simple to Scrap With

Using a sketchPLATE makes the process of layout creation as simple as “painting with numbers”. Clipping masks, pattern layers, styles, replaceable elements, …. scrapping made simple!

  • Use & Reuse

You may like to use the sketchPLATE many times over, in fact you can use a sketchPLATE as many times as you need and want there is no finite number of uses on your digitstash investments.

  • Flip or Rotate

sketchPLATES are highly customisable; make each page unique and your own right from simple adjustments like rotating or flipping the page through to rearranging positions of elements and even changing light and blending modes … Perfect for if you are doing two page, side-by-side, spreads and even albums!

  • Add Even More Details

Every time you use a sketchPLATE you make a layout that is uniquely your own and different from every other page you have created. By adding more embellishments, accents and other page elements as you wish you can make them more complex. By reducing elements to a minimalist few you can simplify compositions, especially if you are using more photos than the number included in the original design. The options at limitless!

 

How to Use a sketchPLATE

anita-richards-tutorial-saving-an-adobe-photoshop-custom-workspaceThe following tutorial was written whilst using Adobe Photoshop CS4. However, the basic interface commands are pretty much the same across all versions of Photoshop® Creative Cloud® as well as very similar in Photoshop® Elements from version 2 upwards. The workspace that you see on screen looks a little different to the Adobe® out-of-the-box workspace because I tweaked and customised it to help my "visual thinking" ~ you can customise and save yours too to suit your own unique and individual needs. Smilie face, with a big grin!

Using a sketchPLATE is pretty straight forward:

1. Choose Your Project

Screenshot of Photoshop CS4 workspace with scrapSNAP copy and chosen photo.Choose a sketchPLATE, photographs and the kit that you want to work with.
Open your sketchPLATE and duplicate it into a new tab.
(On the Menu Bar click on Image > Duplicate …).
Close the original without saving.
Save the new tab as your chosen file name (eg. sketchPLATE TAB)
Open your photos, duplicate them into the new sketchPLATE TAB.
(On the Menu Bar click on Layer > Duplicate Layer … > Document > sketchPLATE TAB), make any adjustments to the photos and process them for contrast, colour, brightness, tone, convert to black and white or retain full colour, artistically crop details, correct blemishes, etc. Close the originals without saving.
Open your chosen kit supplies and duplicate them into the new sketchPLATE TAB.
Close all the originals without saving; this protects the originals from being accidentally overwritten.

2. Position Photos, Papers, Elements … CLIP!

The image shows us a screenshot of Photoshop CS4 workspace with open sketchPLATE TAB, plus the photographs and the kit elements all piled into the canvas.
Screenshot of Photoshop workspace with open sketchPLATE TAB, plus the photographs and the kit elements all piled into the canvas.

At this point your project probably looks a lot like this…
The key to using sketchPLATES efficiently and effectively is to use the Clipping Masks command; this is the “paint by numbers” part of the the process.
You can use the clipping mask with both photographs and papers.
For example, simply place the photo on a layer immediately above the template photo shape layer and clip it; repeat the same process with papers on their respective layers.
(On the Menu Bar click on Layer > Create Clipping Mask)
Also, once the photograph is “clipped” to the sketchPLATE’s “photograph” layer, notice that the photo’s bounding box is still visible providing us with a guide on where the layer edges are located, enabling accurate repositioning.

Other elements of the page design are simply positioned as desired and resized if needed for the best effect.
At this point you also might like to add special title art and any journaling that you want to include that records the who, what, when, where, how, why of the memories captured in the photographs.

3. Finish by Adding Depth

Finish your design by adding a Drop Shadow to all the layers that need them to give the page the depth and a realistic paper scrapped appearance.
(On the Menu Bar click on Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow…)

With our sketchPLATES the layers already have in-built Drop Shadows so you already have some settings to use as a starting point ~ edit them to your heart’s content. Or…

COMING SOON: We also have Drop Shadow Style Action sets in the Design Shop; grab them now to save yourself a tonne of time from your digiscrapping process.

4. Save Copies

Screenshot of Photoshop File > Save command panel open.
How to use a scrapSNAP: Creating Layouts the Easy Way Screenshot 3

Save the completed layout into two versions: 1). save the layered version in either .PSD or .TIF if you are using Photoshop, then 2). duplicate the layout as a merged copy, flatten the layers and save as a high resolution .JPG for printing (the screenshot for last step has been borrowed from our tutorial How to Use a scrapSNAP: Creating layouts the easy way!).
(On the Menu Bar select File > Save As > NAME and, navigating to the destination Folder on your computer hard-drive, and giving your new layout a meaningful file name).

 

More Information Useful for Scrapping with sketchPLATES

If you are a digiscrap newbie:

 

Best in Class Software for sketchPLATES

The best software options to get the best use out of a sketchPLATE is imaging software that supports layers. We recommend Adobe Photoshop & Photoshop Elements. Corel PaintShop Pro & Pro Ultimate are also excellent choices.

If you are a digiscrap newbie, please read our article for better understanding about the best software options for digital scrapbooking and where to download free trials.

 

Top Tools to Help You with Your Scrapbooking

As your scrapping evolves you may like to consider using additional equipment to aid you in your creation process.

The most common tools that digiscrappers use are drawing tablets and styluses. Please take a look at our top recommendations for tablets and styluses:

 

New to Digital Scrapbooking?

If you are new to Digital Scrapbooking we have a Learn Digital Scrapbooking email series that you may subscribe to that comes with a bunch of FREEbie downloads to help you build your digiscrap supplies stash.

We also have a project running especially for sketchPLATE lovers, so please join in with us on our sketchPLATE Saturdays project page to stay in the loop for our sketchPLATE Freebies.


Subscribe to the digiSCRAP Journal

By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy and consent to Anita Richards Designs using your contact data for newsletter purposes.

 

What Now?

As you can see, using sketchPLATES to create layouts is both easy and enjoyable. I hope that you enjoy using them as much as I enjoy creating them!

Please Show Us What You Come Up With ...

Wrapping up for now: please do let me know if you post a layout using this set on your Facebook or Instagram by tagging credits with @anitarichardsdesigns. Please ensure that the layout is publicly viewable ~ I would love to see your beautiful work.

Thankyou!

 

How to use a scrapSNAP: Creating layouts the easy way!

The image is the blog post show notes featured image, showing a scrapSNAP (digital scrapbook pre-made layout) & a photo, graphically demonstrating combination to complete a layout.

This post may contain links through which we may earn a commission. #ad

The image shows a scrapSNAP (digital scrapbook pre-made layout) & a photo, graphically demonstrating combination to complete a layout.
How to use a scrapSNAP: Creating Layouts the Easy Way Introduction

Fact: sometimes you just need to get a layout done and down fast!  Here at Anita Richards Designs we have a number of scrapSNAPS available in the Design Shop.  Our easy to use scrapSNAPS are perfect for newbies wanting to try out digital scrapbooking.  Seasoned digiscrappers wanting to get a page or even an album done fast are also delighted with our designs.  This straightforward exposé on what they are, how to use them and why they are a great method of scrapping will help you understand everything you need to know about our scrapSNAPS.  Keep reading to learn how to get the best bang for your buck from our range of pre-made digital scrapbooking layouts.


...oooOooo...

What is a scrapSNAP?

scrapSNAPS are specially created Digital Scrapbook layouts with transparent photo spaces designed specifically so that you can scrap a layout in a SNAP!

Our scrapSNAPS are pre-made, fully embellished layouts, usually with either a single or multiple transparent windows, (although sometimes a layout is designed for blending a photo over the top, more about that another time) that are completed by adding a photo, or a number of photographs, together with any desired journaling or title work.

The completed layout is then either printed for insertion into a scrapbook album or uploaded together with other completed layouts for printing in a photobook or saved for printing at a later date.

See Our Latest scrapSNAPS in the Design Shop


Start your Digital Scrapbooking journey on the right foot. Download your FREE TRIAL of Adobe Photoshop Elements, TODAY!

 

Why use a scrapSNAP?

  • Quick to Complete Layouts

Multiple page projects can be completed within minutes.

  • Simple to Scrap With

Using a scrapSNAP makes the process of layout creation as simple as 1, 2, 3.

  • Use & Reuse

You may like to use the scrapSNAP many times over, in fact you can use a scrapSNAP as many times as you need and want.

  • Flipable

You can customise them to a certain degree by rotating or flipping the page … perfect for if you are doing a two page, side-by-side, spread.

  • Add Even More Details

You can make a scrapSNAP uniquely your own by adding more embellishments to make them more complex, especially if you are using more photos than the number included in the original design.

 

How to Use a scrapSNAP

anita-richards-tutorial-saving-an-adobe-photoshop-custom-workspaceThe following tutorial was written whilst using Adobe Photoshop CS4. However, the basic interface commands are pretty much the same across all versions of Photoshop® Creative Cloud® as well as very similar in Photoshop® Elements from version 2 upwards. The workspace that you see on screen looks a little different to the Adobe® out-of-the-box workspace because I tweaked and customised it to help my "visual thinking" ~ you can customise and save yours too to suit your own unique and individual needs. Smilie face, with a big grin!

Using a scrapSNAP is pretty straight forward:

1. Choose Your Project

Screenshot of Photoshop CS4 workspace with scrapSNAP copy and chosen photo.
Choose a scrapSNAP and your photographs. Open your scrapSNAP and duplicate it into a new tab.
(On the Menu bar select Menu > Image > Duplicate …)
Close the original without saving; this ensures that you don’t accidentally overwrite the original image with any changes.
Open your photos, make any adjustments to the photos and process them for contrast, colour, brightness, tone, convert to black and white or retain full colour, artistically crop details, correct blemishes, etc.

2. Edit & Insert Photos

Screenshot of Photoshop CS4 workspace with the chosen photo positioned behind scrapSNAP and additional elements.
Insert the photos into the duplicated scrapSNAP image file, placing them on a layer behind the completed layout, then simply resize them to suit the scrapSNAP design, paying attention to positioning for the best effect. As you are resizing be sure to maintain the proportions of the image so that it does not end up looking distorted.
(Photoshop users simply press the Shift key on your keyboard as you use the mouse to drag one of the corners to resize).
At this point you also might like to add special title art and any journaling that you want to include that records the who, what, when, where, how, why of the memories captured in the photographs.

3. Save Copies

Screenshot of Photoshop CS4 File > Save command panel open.Save the completed layout into two versions: 1). save the layered version in either .PSD or .TIF if you are using Photoshop, then 2). duplicate the layout as a merged copy, flatten the layers and save as a high resolution .JPG for printing.
(on the Menu bar select File > Save As > NAME by navigating to the destination Folder on your computer hard-drive, and giving your new layout a meaningful file name).

 

More Information About the Process of Using a scrapSNAP

If you are a digiscrap newbie:

 

Best in Class Software for scrapSNAPS

The best software options to get the best use out of a scrapSNAP is imaging software that supports layers. We recommend Adobe Photoshop & Photoshop Elements. Corel PaintShop Pro & Pro Ultimate are also excellent choices.

If you are a digiscrap newbie, please read our article for better understanding about the best software options for digital scrapbooking and where to download free trials.

 

Top Tools to Help You with Your Scrapbooking

As your scrapping evolves you may like to consider using additional equipment to aid you in your creation process.

The most common tools that digiscrappers use are drawing tablets and styluses. Please take a look at our top recommendations for tablets and styluses:

 

New to Digital Scrapbooking?

If you are new to Digital Scrapbooking we have a Learn Digital Scrapbooking email series that you may subscribe to that comes with a bunch of FREEbie downloads to help you build your digiscrap supplies stash.

We also have a project running especially for scrapSNAP lovers, so please join in with us on our scrapSNAP Sundays project page.


Subscribe to the digiSCRAP Journal

By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy and consent to Anita Richards Designs using your contact data for newsletter purposes.

 

What Now?

As you can see, using scrapSNAPS to create layouts is both easy and enjoyable. I hope that you enjoy using them as much as I enjoy creating them!

So whaddya reckon? Nice page coming up, wot? Please link us up to your Facebook or Instagram post with the credit tag @anitarichardsdesigns so that we can take a look!

Thankyou!

 

How exactly do I create a Digital Scrapbook layout?

Anita Richards Designs | Featured Image | Digiscrap 1050 | How do you create a digital scrapbook layout?

This post may contain links through which we may earn a commission. #ad

A visual queue card type image demonstrating a collection of digital scrapbook images and the same when arranged in a completed layout.

Creating your first Digital Scrapbooking page may seem like a daunting task at first blush. However, the good news is that it is actually much simpler than it seems. The key is layers. Once you understand how to use layers it becomes the proverbial piece of cake. In this blog post we will talk about the basics of getting started with your first digital scrapbooking layout project and work on a simple step-by-step walk through of the canvas file creation and design process commencing with a bunch of random files through to completed layout.

 

~~~ Full tutorial coming soon ~~~

 

[ad-banner-photo-light]

 

sketchPLATE Saturday 0008

The featured image for the blog post discussing the inspiration and creative process behind sketchPLATE 0008

This post may contain links through which we may earn a commission. #ad

sketchPLATE Saturday 0008 blog post introductory image demonstrating use of this layered digital scrapbook template in a finished layout.Wow! I blinked! and somehow September slipped away before I could find my feet for the sketchPLATE. I’m scoring it up as an “its 2020, just roll with it” month. Still and all, the extra time gifted an opportunity to step back for a moment to reassess where these sketchPLATES are heading. All in all… quite chuffed with how they are unfolding as a creative project that is uniquely mine.

So, to October’s sketchPLATE Saturday AND the all new sketchPLATE Saturday podcasts.

This project started life as a scrap lift sketch inspired by one of my layouts from a number years ago that I focused on to create the pencil sketch for this month’s template. I LOVED the long frame portrait photos in my original layout and wanted to rework a few ideas that bloomed when I created the page the first time around.

Overall, this page is carefully crafted to be a florist’s dream come true; the finished page positively bubbles and froths with flowers!

Supporting the full show of flowers, the background in this month’s pencil sketch is a little less “busy” than last month’s as there is less border inking / distressing. Nonetheless, the solid background base combined with the paint smear and brushwork adds a lovely dimension of depth to the page.

Interestingly, as I was scrapping this page, I ended up doing away with most of the brushwork originally included in the pencil sketch.

Photograph of the art journal penciling results in sketchPLATE 0008.

 

No doilies this month either, although I did borrow the naive style heart pattern from them, incorporating it into the decorative Memories coaster disks; a nodding recognition of part of my sons’ family of origin heritage.

The paint smear and ink splatters on this page were given extra special attention during the creation process, and I gotta say in all honesty, working on the techniques for making them realistic was loads of fun. Loving how they turned out and looking forward to creating the next batch of inked and painted goodies.

Apart from the background paper (from the Just Me Petite Collection), everything on this layout is original and unique. The flowers have all been custom created especially for this project and will become available in the Design Shop in due course.

 

So here it is, the page that is reborn:

Stilt Walking - A Digital Scrapbook Layout about my sons learning to stilt walk during their circus training class

Stilt Walking

My sons did circus training for kids for several years when we were homeschooling. They had an amazing time and learned so many fun skills, not to mention thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of being involved in circus performances.
There was also a deeper reason for getting them to do circus; both of my sons had issues with tight tendons in their legs and this was a way of incorporating a robust dimension of stretching and bodywork (their teacher was actually a fully qualified OT) to their physical education routine.
The photographs as the main focus of the page, of course, necessitated the use of long yet narrow portrait frames.
Once the photographs were positioned, the page was then lavishly loaded with flowers on and around them as a tribute to the setting where their circus classes were held. Their circus classes were held in a facility surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, filled with water features, flowers and fruit trees, thus the layout mirrors that memory.
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS.
Logan and Taran were supervised the whole time by a trained spotter; those were professional circus stilts that my sons were strapped into. A fall could have resulted in a serious injury.

 

As an aside: if you are at all interested in circus toys and activities for the children in your life, here are a few simple, safe suggestions for you to explore on Amazon. My sons used the Firetoys brand when they were homeschooling and I can absolutely vouch for their long lasting quality.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Firetoys & Circus Training
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. #ad

Photo of a set of three Firetoys Juggling Clubs. Photo of a set of two glowing Firetoys LED Glow Poi taken in a darkened room. Photo of a set of five Firetoys Juggling Balls

Not quite what you are looking for?
See more Firetoys & Circus Training gear on Amazon.
#ad

Heart Flower Finial Downwards

 

The compositional character of this page invokes a cascading visual triangle. The waterfall flow of flowers carries the eye from the strong, trellis-like horizontal brushes along the right hand side of the page, beginning the floral flood in the top corner, then down and across the photographs, finally arriving in the bottom left hand corner before the eye pops back to focus on the photographs.

The two Memories coaster disks add grounding to the page, hinting at the idea of water wheels and the concept of the wheels of life turning. The page makes a strong, albeit feminine statement, supported by the addition of white leaf sprays as a light hearted notion, harmonising and bringing all the embellishments together.

Lastly, the photographs are solidly backed with a simple sheet of notepaper, representing family history documented, thereby concluding this month’s sketchPLATE offering.

 

Rolling out sketchPLATE 0008:

The preview shows the completed layered digital scrapbook template, sketchPLATE 0008.

 

As shown in the preview, this sketchPLATE comes with the press tape style word label, the notepaper piece as well as the Memories coaster disks. Also included are custom warped shadows behind the photographs.

The layered .TIF and .PSD template files have basic drop shadows, ready for you to customise, applied to all the flower and leaf layers. Overall the template also includes the ink splats, paint smear and trellis-style brush worked lines.

From the get-go, this page was intended as a delightful expression of family memory keeping; the infusion of the soft, deep and warm colour choices of the layout add a sense of pride and satisfaction as viewed from a mother’s perspective.

Arguably, in today’s world, pink flowers are often not considered very masculine.

However, I am standing by the fact that, during the Victorian era, pink was for boys, recognition of yet another part of my sons’ family of origin heritage … I’m a little old fashioned that way.

 

The final product image of sketchPLATE 0008 as it is displayed in the Design Shop.

 

Ok, enough of the back story … FREEbie downloads for this sketchPLATE are now available through the Design Shop. To grab your free copy please use the coupon code GIMMEsP008 during checkout (there’s a screen display glitch, you won’t be charged the GST if you’re not in Australia, keep clicking all the way through), valid until Saturday 24 October 2020.

So, what are you waiting for? Go on. Go get it now!

Promotional coupon code for sketchPLATE freebie download.

The sketchPLATE Saturday Show

Heart Flower Finial Downwards

Aaaaand that‘s all for today. Please credit your post on Facebook or Instgram with the tag @anitarichardsdesigns so that we can see how your layout turned out.

Lastly, and certainly not leastly, thank you! Thank you for participating in today’s sketchPLATE Saturday, part of our ongoing Digital Scrapbooking Projects & Inspiration series. The complete index for previous sketchPLATE Saturday Projects can be found on the sketchPLATE Saturdays home page.

Enjoy!

The image, for posting on the Facebook and Instagram platforms, showcases the finished layout from sketchPLATE 0008.

The image, featuring sketchPLATE 0008 and a finished layout, was created for promotion on the Twitter and LinkedIN platforms.

A promotional image for publication on the Pinterest platform featuring sketchPLATE 0008 and a finished layout.
sketchPLATE Saturday 0008
Today’s #sketchPLATEsaturday FREE #template is every florist’s dream come true! boasting a veritable cascade of flowers framing two photos.
Visit the blog to download your complimentary copy NOW!
https://anitarichards.com.au/sketchplate-saturday-0008/
#AnitaRichardsDesigns #LearnToDigiscrap #DigitalScrapbooking #freedownload #inspiration #digitalscrapbook #layoutscrapbook #layouts #layoutdesign #scrapbooklayout #layoutsketch #digitaltemplate #circus #homeschool #ad

What’s the deal with using Digital Scrapbooking kits?

This post may contain links through which we may earn a commission. #ad

As you progress through the early learning stages in your new digital scrapbooking obsession hobby you will eventually get to the stage when you have some digiscrap supplies and you’ve started organising and backing up. The pages are starting to become even more satisfying and you are learning how to crop in ways that you never thought possible before. But what are you really able to do or not to do with the kits once you have them on your device? In this post we discuss what the deal is when you are using kits, what you can and can’t do, and touch on the applied copyright considerations when scrapping.

 


...oooOooo...

~~~ Full Tutorial Coming Soon ~~~