Grid pattern tutorial

A tutorial to help you create a simple grid pattern for your images.

Step 1: Create a new image (5×5 pixel, transparent background)

Step 2: Zoom into the image (1600%). Take your pencil tool and create a border

Step 3: Go to Edit > Define Pattern and give any name.

Step 4: Open your any image. Create a new layer.

Step 5: Select your Paint Bucket tool (G) and in the options bar set the “fill” to “pattern”.

Step 6: Making sure that your new layer is selected, just click with the gradient tool to paste a grid pattern on the image. Now if you are using a large image, then the grid pattern should be a bit larger. (Instead of a 5×5 pixel pattern, use a larger one like 12×12)

Step 7: Reduce the Opacity of the new layer from the layers palette.

For Fading the Grid:

Step 8: Go to Layer > Add layer Mask > Reveal All.

Step 9: Hit D and then X to set your foreground to white and background to Black. Then, just drag your gradient tool over the half of the image you want the grid to fade into.

For Colourising:

Step 10: Right click on the Layers mask and select “Apply Layer mask”.

Then, hit Ctrl+U or go to Image> Adjustments> Hue/ Saturation.

Step 11: In the Hue/ Saturation dialog box select “colourise” and then move the sliders to get your desired colours. Be sure to move the lightness slider or the grid will stay black.

Step 12: Play around with the blend modes of the grid layer to get a multi coloured grid.

My beloved iMac: