Tool manual

How to use the Art History Brush tool

The Art History Brush repaints the picture with stylised strokes taken from an earlier state, for a hand-painted look.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with History Brush. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. Press Shift+Y until it is selected (Y on its own picks History Brush).

How to use it

1. Choose the tool. Press Shift+Y until it is selected, or right-click the history brush slot and pick Art History Brush.
2. Pick a style. In Style, choose Dabs, Short strokes or Long strokes.
3. Paint over the picture. Each dab scatters strokes coloured from the source state across the Area around the brush.

Options bar settings

• Size, Hardness, Opacity, Flow: Like the Brush: size and softness of each stroke, and how strongly it covers.
• Style: The shape of the strokes it lays down.
• Area: How far around the brush the strokes spread.

Tips and common mistakes

• Use a large size with Long strokes for the background and a small size for the details.
• Paint on a copy of the layer, so you can lower its opacity and let some of the photo show through.

Related

• How to use the History Brush tool
• How to use the Mixer Brush tool
• How to use the Smudge tool

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Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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