Once you’ve gotten yourself accustomed with your program and the basics of GFX, you’ll want to get yourself some nice resources! Common resources which you should look into are:
Actions/PSDs
Photoshop actions come in the .ATN file format. They are a series of steps that have been recorded by their creator. Actions are used in various ways, but the ones you should be looking for are the series of adjustments, which when applied, will give your graphic a different color scheme. Basically install it onto Photoshop, hit play and it will do the adjustment work for you (though outcomes will vary, so make sure you find the right one). These can’t be used in GIMP.
PSDs are PSD colourings, which gives your graphic a different colour scheme when applied. They are very similar to Actions, except you don’t need to install anything and it doesn’t provide the steps leading up to the final result. Basically open up the file and drag it onto your signature. Both of these are very useful as they improve colour schemes and blend together uneven colours easily when needed.
Brushes
The programs recommended above will have some basic brushes automatically installed, but it is very limited. There is a huge variety of brushes you can find online.
C4Ds
The main focus of C4D styled signatures, they are 3D images which often have a transparent background. They come in 3 different styles, normal, effect and wireframe.
Fractals
Fractals are basically lighting effects, they mostly have black backgrounds, and are set on lighten or screen when used. Though sometimes they are also transparent.
Gradient Maps
The gradient maps adjustment is a great way to add photo filters and special colour effects to your signature. They can also blend together and adjust colours, and are often used with blending modes. They should have most of the basic ones already installed on Photoshop.
Patterns
Patterns are images which are repeated when filled on a new layer, useful for simple backgrounds and can also be used as a texture.
PNGs
Image cut-outs with transparent backgrounds, however, they are not the same as renders as PNGs are usually not the main focus of signatures. Instead, they decorate the signature and compliment the render. Mainly used in Scrapbook, Text, Vector and occasionally Texture.
Renders
Renders are most often the main focal of signatures, and are just images of an object, person or character with a transparent background. Make sure you save the render to your desktop and use it from there, otherwise if you copy and paste it, it will lose its transparency.
Textures/Stock Images
Textures are backgrounds with a unique patterning or design. Stock images are images of things such as a city or garden scenery. Both of these are mainly used as backgrounds for a signature, but textures are mainly used in texture signatures and are usually layered on.
☆ Websites ☆
Now you may be wondering, where exactly do I find these resources? The best place I can recommend to you is DeviantART.
DeviantART is a website which focuses on all sorts of art, including GFX. All of these resources listed above can be found here, but be sure to be wary of the resources you are using to avoid copyright. I would also recommend you to make an account there, so you can neatly save all of your resources into your favorites and join GFX focused groups.
If DeviantART doesn’t satisfy or not have what you’re looking for, here are some other websites you can use!
- Bakarenders – This website is a community dedicated to render graphics, and mostly focuses on Anime/Manga/Cartoon character renders.
- DaFont – You will already have some good fonts at your disposal, but if you are looking for something fancier, or something which blends in with your sign better, DaFont is a great site for free fonts.
- Sigtutorials – While this website focuses on signature tutorials (which I highly recommend you also checking out), it also provides a great variety of resources from C4Ds to brushes etc.