Summary: Learn how to create a simple wood picture frame in Photoshop using a layer mask, layer styles and one of Photoshop's built-in patterns!

Written by Steve Patterson
Exclusively for Photoshop Essentials.com.

Part of our complete collection of Photo Effects tutorials.

In this Photo Effects tutorial, we're going to learn how to easily create a simple wood picture frame using a layer mask, a couple of layer styles, and one of Photoshop's built-in patterns!

Here's the image I'll be using for this Photoshop tutorial:

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Let's get started!

Step 1: Duplicate The Background Layer

The first thing we need to do to create our picture frame is duplicate our Background layer. The Background layer is the layer which contains our original image, and if we look in our Layers palette, we can see that it's currently the only layer we have:

Let's duplicate the layer using the handy keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+J (Win) / Command+J (Mac). If we look back in our Layers palette, we can see that we now have a copy of the Background layer, which Photoshop has named "Layer 1" for us, above the original:

Step 2: Add Extra Canvas Space Around The Image

We need to add some extra space around our photo. The extra space is going to become our picture frame. The amount of space you add depends on how large you want your frame to be. Go up to the Image menu at the top of the screen and choose Canvas Size. When the Canvas Size dialog box appears, enter how much space you want to add around the image. I want a fairly thick frame for my photo, so I'm going to enter a value of 1.5 inches for both the Width and Height options. Make sure you have the Relative option checked as well:

Click OK in the top right corner of the dialog box to exit out of it and have Photoshop add the extra canvas space. You'll see the extra space appear around your photo in your document window:

Step 3: Add A New Blank Layer

Next, we need to add a new blank layer above our two existing layers. With "Layer 1" (the top layer) selected, click on the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers palette:

Nothing happens in the document window, but we can see in the Layers palette that Photoshop has added a new blank layer for us and gave it the descriptive name "Layer 2":

Step 4: Fill The New Layer With Photoshop's Wood Pattern

To make our frame look as if it's made out of wood, we could go through the hassle of creating our own wood texture, but we don't need to since Photoshop comes with a wood pattern already built in! With "Layer 2" selected, go up to the Edit menu at the top of the screen and choose Fill. You can also use the keyboard shortcut, Shift+F5. Either way brings up the Fill dialog box. For the Contents option at the top, choose Pattern from the drop-down menu to the right of the word "Use". Then click on the little pattern thumbnail to the right of the words Custom Pattern and select the Wood texture from the selection box that appears (it's the fourth one from the left, top row):

Then, in the Blending section in the bottom half of the dialog box, set the Mode option to Normal and make sure the Opacity option is set to 100%:

Click OK to exit out of the dialog box. Photoshop will fill the entire layer with the wood texture, temporarily blocking the photo from view:

We now have the wood for our frame. We'll make it look more like an actual frame and bring back our photo next.