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EDITOR’S NOTE: This tutorial is aimed for CS3/4 users as part of it contained the Warp tool. However, there are also instructions included how to mimic a similar effect with the tools found in lower versions.

Here is how to simulate a crushed dark velvet, fabric texture.

First set up your canvas according to the specs you desire. For this example I used a relatively small canvas of 4×4 at 150dpi.
Next, go to your gradient pallet (double click on any gradient to bring it into view) and generate a spectrum of gray tones that are pretty close in range.

Here is an example of the one I used:

Then on a new layer using the Liner setting create your gradient at an angle.

Then Edit > Transform > Warp that layer to give it that fabric flow. (You won’t see much of a difference but trust me on this it will come into play later.) Warp is only found in version CS3 or higher. So for those using CD2 or lower try using the Liquify filter found under your Filter menu to achieve similar results.

Then go to your Filters > Add Noise at the settings of Amount 9, Distribution Uniform, and check Monochromatic
Then Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur > setting 1.0 This will start to give it that soft crushed texture that velvet has.

Then use your Burn tool with the settings = large soft brush -I went with 400- Midtones, 20% op) To darken your fabric. And your dodge tool with the settings = midsized soft brush -I went with 175- Midtones, 11% op. To highlight your fabric. (Paint with these two until you have something that you like. I switched back and forth several times between the two and did lots of stops and stars and some dragging with the burn tool.) It’s hard to see here due to size restrictions, but you should start to really see your velvet texture at this point. When you are painting the highlights and shadows, keep in mind that the more light plays accross velvet in real life, the grainer it becomes.

Then add a Curves adjustment layer with the following settings:

and then set the blending mode of your Curves layer to Darken – 20% op. This is to get the light to really dance across your fabric.

Then add a Brightness and Contrast Adjustment layer with the following settings:

and then set the blending mode to Overlay – 50% op.

You should now have a crushed velvet texture to do whatever you like with.

At this point you can make adjustments in your velvet by going back to your original layer and messing around with your dodge and burn tools until it makes you happier.

And there you have it – how to simulate a Crushed Dark Velvet fabric. Hope you all enjoyed it!