Mastering Photoshop Brush Settings: When a 1% Flow is Still Too Fast

In Photoshop, sometimes the smallest settings can make the biggest difference. When I retouch, I often have a brush set to 100% opacity and 1% flow. If you’ve ever followed my retouching education, you know how smoothly and gradually the brush dispenses paint.

This allows for beautiful transitions and gradations. It works well when blending colours on the skin or working with masks to fix light falloff, to name a few examples.

When using Photoshop, you may sometimes come across a brush that appears to dispense “paint” too quickly, even when the flow setting is at a mere 1%. This issue is a common one that I encounter on a weekly basis, either through direct messages or in forum discussions where users are trying to describe the problem. I recognize the issue immediately. Fortunately, after some investigation, I discovered that the solution lies in adjusting the brush spacing setting!

Brush settings 101

When using the brush tool in Photoshop, two main settings control the application of paint: Opacity and Flow. Opacity determines the transparency of the paint, while Flow dictates the amount of paint that comes out of the brush as you paint. However, there’s a third setting that plays a significant role in your brush strokes—Spacing.

The Unsung Hero: Spacing

Spacing, set to 25% by default, ensures a balanced distribution of paint and creates smooth, even strokes. However, if this setting is accidentally reduced to 1%, the paint output increases substantially, resulting in strokes that appear more continuous and less like individual dabs. While this effect might be desirable in certain situations, it can be frustrating if unintended! 

Fix the brush spacing

To check and adjust your brush spacing:

1. Access the Brush Panel: Go to Window > Brush Settings to open the panel.

2. Find Spacing: Look for the Spacing slider under the Brush Tip Shape section.

3. Modify the Slider: If the spacing is set to 1%, move it back to 25% or adjust it according to your preferences.

The culprit behind unexpected settings

I still do not know exactly why some people get this set to 1%, even if that wasn’t intentional. A potential reason could be presets! When using custom brushes or presets downloaded from the internet, be aware that they may have different default settings, including a lower spacing value. 

Conclusion

While brush spacing may seem like a minor detail, it can have a profound impact on your painting process in Photoshop. If your brush ever seems to be acting unpredictably, remember to check the spacing setting!

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