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How to use the Smudge tool

The Smudge tool drags colour along with the stroke, like a finger pulled through wet paint.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Blur and Sharpen. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. It has no shortcut key.

How to use it

Choose the tool. Right-click the drop icon in the toolbar and pick Smudge. It has no shortcut key.
Set the strength. Lower Strength gives short smears; higher pulls colour a long way.
Drag. Drag in the direction you want the colour to move. Shift-click to smudge in a straight line.

Smudge strokes pulling the mint colour of a bicycle frame into the wall — Screenshot from the editor, 13 November 2026.

Options bar settings

Size and Hardness: The brush diameter and how soft its edge is.
Strength: How far each stroke carries the colour.
Finger Painting: Starts each stroke with the foreground colour, as if your finger had paint on it. Holding Alt (Option on a Mac) does the same for one stroke.
Pressure: Pen pressure changes the size.

Tips and common mistakes

Use small, short strokes for wisps of hair or smoke; long strokes look like streaks.
For mixing colours more like real paint, the Mixer Brush gives more control.

Related

Photostar is a free online Photoshop alternative that runs in your browser. There is no account to make, and your files stay on your device.

Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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