check out the new AnnaChallenge (Paint It!) https://ozone.oscraps.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29278

i haven't done this technique for a really long time.
the apple is "painted" almost exclusively with a round brush from the ps default menu. the colors are done on separate layers and the blending modes vary. i keep painting over each layer until i get a look that i like. after i was done, i made a composite of the image and clipped it to some of Anna's watercolor fotoblendz masks. this gave it more of a watercolor look and blends out the edges. i added the urban threadz over the leaves and to both accentuate the shadow the apple casts and to give it some place to "sit." i know i am repeating myself ... but the threadz are a great way to add dimension without using a hard element like a brad. i did add some extra shadows to some of the threadz. i also added some stitching holes and a few splatters to finish it up.

Credits
Anna Aspnes
Watercolor FotoBlendz No.3 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10008448&page=1
Watercolor FotoBlendz No.2 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=44191&page=1
Light Textured Neutrals No.2 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=29736&page=1
UrbanThreadz No.2 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10008080&page=1
UrbanThreadz No.3 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10008555&page=1
UrbanStitchez No.1 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32916&page=1

Thanks for looking