Mastering Liquify Strokes: Techniques For Better Control

The liquify tool is a powerful feature in image editing software that allows users to quickly modify their artwork by dragging their pen around the image to change the position, size, and orientation of pixels. The liquify tool has several modes, including push, expand, pinch, twirl clockwise, and twirl anti-clockwise, each producing different results. Users can also adjust the strength and hardness of the liquify effect to control the intensity and sharpness of the deformation. Additionally, the Only refer to editing area box allows for isolating and modifying specific areas of the artwork without considering the influence of neighbouring pixels. While the liquify tool offers a lot of creative possibilities, it is important to use it ethically and responsibly, especially when modifying facial features.

Liquify tool overview

The Liquify tool allows users to "liquefy" parts of their drawings or images so that they can push, drag, expand, and distort their work. The Liquify tool can be used for retouching, fixing, or creating artistic effects.

The Liquify tool has a few parameters that can be adjusted, including brush size, strength, and hardness. The brush size changes the range of the liquify effect, strength increases or reduces the intensity of the effect, and hardness determines the sharpness of the deformation in brush strokes.

There are seven different modes within the Liquify tool: Push, Twirl Anti-Clockwise, Expand, Pinch, Push Left, Push Right, Twirl Clockwise, and Twirl Anti-Clockwise. Each of these modes produces different results and can be used for various effects. For example, the Push mode allows users to move areas of pixels smoothly in the direction of their brush stroke, while the Expand mode applies a magnifying glass effect that enlarges pixels outwards from the center of the brush.

The Liquify tool can be used for a variety of purposes, such as fixing mistakes, altering facial expressions, adding volume to clothing, and correcting anatomy mistakes. It is a versatile tool that offers both practical and creative applications.

Liquify tool modes

Liquify is a versatile tool that allows you to push, pull, rotate, reflect, pucker, and bloat any area of an image. The liquify tool has several modes that can be used to customize the type of liquify effect. The different liquify modes are as follows:

• Push mode: This mode will make it look like you've dragged your art across your canvas with your cursor. It's similar to running your finger through finger paint that's been spread out on a piece of paper, creating a unique pattern.
• Expand mode: The expand mode will make it look like your art is blooming from the center of your cursor. It's similar to pushing your hand straight down in the middle of the finger paint, with everything spreading out from the center.
• Pinch mode: The pinch mode will make your art bunch up around your cursor, giving it the appearance of being pinched. While the expand mode causes the art to balloon outwards, the pinch mode causes it to move inwards towards the cursor.
• Push Left mode: The push left mode will direct your art towards the left of your cursor. It's important to note that the right and left sides of your cursor will change depending on the direction your cursor is moving.
• Push Right mode: The push right mode is similar to the push left mode, but it directs your art towards the right of your cursor.
• Twirl Clockwise mode: The twirl clockwise mode will push your art into a swirl in a clockwise direction.
• Twirl Anti-Clockwise mode: The twirl anti-clockwise mode does the same as the twirl clockwise mode but in the opposite direction.
• Rotate Clockwise mode: This mode rotates pixels in a clockwise direction. Adjusting the strength and hardness allows for better control of the deformation.
• Rotate Anti-Clockwise mode: This mode rotates pixels in an anti-clockwise direction. Adjusting the strength and hardness allows for better control of the deformation.

The liquify tool can be used to make corrections to drawings, modify shapes, and adjust sizes. It is particularly useful in the preparatory phase of an illustration to adjust anatomical proportions or make final adjustments to finished illustrations.

Liquify tool settings

The Liquify tool is a powerful image-editing feature in Photoshop and Procreate that allows you to distort pixels in an image without losing quality. It is commonly used for retouching photos, especially those of people, and can be applied to any bitmap layer.

In Photoshop, you can access the Liquify filter window by going to Filter > Liquify or by using the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command (Ctrl) + X. The Liquify filter window is divided into three main areas: the toolbar on the left, the image or object being edited in the centre, and the Options Panel on the right.

The toolbar includes various tools such as Forward Warp, Reconstruct, Twirl, Pucker, Bloat, Push, Mirror, Turbulence, Freeze/Thaw Mask, Hand, and Zoom. Each tool has its own unique effect on the pixels of the image. For example, the Pucker tool moves pixels towards the centre of the brush area, while the Bloat tool moves them away from the centre.

The Options Panel allows you to adjust the settings for the active tool. The Brush options control the brush size, density, and pressure, which determine the area and intensity of the effect. It is recommended to keep the brush density on the higher end to create more natural alterations. The Reconstruct Options Panel allows you to revert changes and reconstruct distorted areas of the image.

In Procreate, the Liquify tool can be found in the Adjustments panel menu. There are eight Liquify modes: Push, Twirl (right or left), Pinch, Expand, Crystals, Edge, and Reconstruct. Each mode has four settings (Dynamics/Touch Controls) that can be adjusted using sliders: Size, Pressure, Distortion, and Momentum. The Size impacts the brush size and the affected area, while Pressure controls the strength of the effect based on how hard you press the stylus. Distortion affects the smoothness of the effect, and Momentum keeps the effect continuing even after you lift off the canvas.

Liquify tool effects

The Liquify tool is used to distort parts of an image. It allows you to push, pull, pucker, bloat, drag, and expand specific pixels without losing quality. The tool has many applications, from retouching to creating artistic effects.

The Liquify tool has several modes, each producing different results. These include:

• Push
• Twirl Anti-Clockwise
• Expand
• Pinch
• Push Left
• Push Right
• Twirl Clockwise

The strength and hardness settings can be adjusted to change how the tool behaves. The strength slider increases or reduces the intensity of the effect, while the hardness setting determines the sharpness of the deformation in brush strokes.

The Liquify tool can be used for various purposes, such as:

• Fixing mistakes and adjusting facial expressions
• Adding volume to clothing
• Fixing disproportionate elements
• Correcting anatomy mistakes
• Stylistic effects like smoke and clouds
• Creating simple animations
• Fine-tuning displacement maps
• Fixing clothing folds in fashion photography
• Bending logos to fit product shapes in commercial photography

The Liquify tool has a specific mode for portraits, called the Face tool, which automatically recognises facial features and allows for their modification. This tool should be used carefully and ethically, as it has the potential to significantly alter a person's appearance.

Liquify tool applications

The liquify tool is a versatile feature that can be used in various ways to modify and enhance your artwork. Here are some key applications of the liquify tool:

Retouching and fixing:

• The liquify tool is excellent for retouching and fixing mistakes in your drawings. With the "Push" mode, you can easily correct errors, alter facial expressions, and add volume to clothing.
• The "Expand" and "Pinch" modes allow you to fix disproportionate elements by enlarging or reducing their size.
• The "Push Left" and "Push Right" modes are useful for correcting anatomy mistakes and adjusting the placement of elements.
• The "Twirl Clockwise" and "Twirl Anti-Clockwise" modes can be used to correct the angle of slightly crooked elements and add creative effects to hair, smoke, and clouds.

Artistic effects:

• The liquify tool is not just for fixing mistakes but also for adding creative artistic effects. You can use the various modes to distort your drawings, creating unique and stylistic elements.
• The "Twirl" modes, for example, can add a dynamic twist to your artwork, while the "Pucker" and "Bloat" tools can create interesting deformations.

Post-process fixes:

The liquify tool is ideal for making quick post-process fixes to your artwork. Whether you need to adjust facial features, correct proportions, or fix shaky lines, the liquify tool can help you achieve the desired results.

Iterating your art:

The liquify tool allows you to quickly iterate your art without having to redraw everything. You can duplicate elements, hide the originals, and then use the liquify tool to create multiple alternate versions, exploring different facial expressions or design concepts.

Fixing mistakes early on:

Don't wait until your artwork is finished to use the liquify tool. It can be beneficial to use it at any stage of your creative process. For example, you can fix proportion issues early on, such as a head that's too big or hands and feet that are too small, using the "Expand" and "Pinch" modes.

Cleanup shaky line art:

The liquify tool can be a lifesaver for beginners or artists drawing with a mouse. It can help fix shaky lines and unruly curves by gently moving them into place with the "Push" mode and a low strength value.

Adapting patterns onto clothes:

Manga artists will find the liquify tool especially useful for fitting patterns onto clothes. By using the "Push" tool and adjusting the pattern to the curves of the character's clothing, you can create a seamless and organic look.

Customizing text and speech bubbles:

The liquify tool can be used to customize and distort text and speech bubbles, adding dynamic and dramatic effects to your compositions. Simply rasterize your layers and get creative!

Simple animations:

Believe it or not, the liquify tool can even be used to create simple animations. By slightly moving parts of a face or other elements in your artwork and using the timeline feature, you can bring your creations to life.

Creating special effects:

The liquify tool is not just for fixing mistakes; it's also excellent for creating special effects. You can use the different modes to simulate fire, smoke, glare, and even distorted backgrounds and ghostly figures.

Abstract art:

The liquify tool can be a fun way to create abstract art. By playing around with the different tool modes, settings, and color combinations, you can achieve trippy and unique artistic results.

Creating "cursed" art:

If you're feeling adventurous, the liquify tool can help you create "cursed" art. Go wild and make those eyes obscenely big, mouths creepily wide, and proportions absurdly distorted. It's a fun way to scare your friends or create memorable thumbnails for your projects.

Frequently asked questions