
Paint Tool SAI is a software that offers a range of tools and brushes for digital artists to create diverse effects. One of the default tools available is the blur tool, which can be used to create motion blur in an image. The blur tool not only blends colours but also has an erasing effect. This tool gradually erases the colour on the top layer, matching it with the layers below, creating a blurred effect. Artists can also use the Water tool for a similar purpose, as it blends, blurs, and spreads colour without erasing it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tool | Blur Brush |
| Effect | Eraser |
| Usage | Used for blending and blurring |
| Time | Takes a while to take effect |
| Strokes | Requires drawing over strokes to achieve the desired effect |
| Mouse | First click on a colour will only make it blur and blend |
| Water Tool | Can be used for blending and blurring but only on a tablet |
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What You'll Learn

Utilise the blur brush tool
The blur tool in Paint Tool SAI is mainly used for blending and blurring. It has an eraser-like effect, gradually erasing the colour on the top layer and matching it with the layers below. This process takes time and requires multiple strokes, even when using a mouse.
To utilise the blur brush tool effectively, follow these steps:
- Select the blur brush tool from the default brushes available in Paint Tool SAI.
- Apply the blur brush to the areas of your artwork where you want to create a motion blur effect. Take your time and make multiple strokes as needed to achieve the desired level of blurring.
- Remember that the blur brush tool has an erasing effect. With each stroke, it will gradually remove the colour on the top layer and blend it with the colours below. This creates a smooth transition between colours, perfect for motion blur effects.
- For a more subtle blur effect, consider using a mouse. A single click with a mouse will only blur and blend the colours without completely erasing them. This can be useful for fine-tuning your artwork and creating softer transitions.
- Alternatively, if you're using a tablet, the Water tool can be a great option for blending and blurring. Unlike the blur brush tool, the Water tool doesn't erase colour; instead, it spreads the colour, creating a smoother and more seamless blur effect.
- Experiment with different brush sizes and opacities to achieve varying levels of blur. You can also adjust the brush settings to create unique effects, such as a scatter brush for a leaf pattern, adding dynamic and varied touches to your artwork.
By following these steps and practising with the blur brush tool, you'll be able to master the art of creating motion blur in your Paint Tool SAI creations.
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Understand the eraser effect
Paint Tool SAI offers a unique feature that allows users to transform any tool into its eraser version with just one click. This trick can be particularly useful when you want to achieve crisp and clean erasing, especially when working with lineart.
To access this feature, simply locate the dedicated button for it. Once clicked, you can select your desired tool, such as a pen tool, and it will now function as an eraser while retaining the original tool's characteristics. For example, if you choose the pen tool, the eraser will produce crisp lines that match the pen's precision.
This trick eliminates the need for additional eraser types or the creation of a 0% opacity binary. It streamlines your workflow by saving custom brush slots and providing a quick and efficient way to erase with precision.
However, it's important to note that certain tools, like the marker, may not yield the best results with this method. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the eraser function "manipulating" their work, particularly on Lineart layers, which can be frustrating when trying to fix small mistakes.
To address these issues, you can adjust the tool bar on the side, play around with the stabilizer settings, and experiment with the opacity and flow to find the right balance for your erasing needs.
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Use a mouse for first click colour blur
Paint Tool SAI offers a blur tool that can be used to create motion blur effects. This tool is primarily used for blending and blurring colours and has a slight erasing effect. When using a mouse, the first click on a colour will only result in blurring and blending, without any other effects.
To achieve a motion blur effect using the blur tool with a mouse, follow these steps:
- Select the blur tool from the tool panel in Paint Tool SAI.
- Choose the desired colour you want to blur.
- With your mouse, click on the selected colour.
- The first click will initiate the blurring and blending process.
- Continue drawing over the strokes to achieve the desired level of blur and blending.
It's important to note that this process might take some time and require multiple strokes with the mouse to achieve the desired effect. Additionally, the blur tool tends to erase the colour on the top layer and match it with the colours below, so be mindful of the layers you are working on.
While the blur tool is effective for creating motion blur, another option is to use the Water tool as a blending and blurring tool. The Water tool not only blends and blurs but also spreads the colour, creating a unique effect. However, it is essential to remember that the Water tool works best when used with a tablet, as it is designed for tablet functionality.
By following these instructions and experimenting with the blur tool and the Water tool, you can create motion blur effects in Paint Tool SAI using a mouse for the first click colour blur.
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Explore the Water tool for blurring and colouring
The Water tool in Paint Tool SAI is a versatile feature that can be used for both blurring and colouring.
To begin, create a new layer above your base colours and tick the box for Clipping Group. This ensures that any changes made will only affect the layer it is clipped to.
For a watercolour effect, select Fringe from the Paint Effect dropdown menu. Adjust the width and opacity to achieve the desired look. The Fringe effect adds darker edges to your colours, which can be softened using the Oil Water tool.
For a more pronounced shadow effect, use a large Water brush on a multiply layer. This helps highlight reflections and add depth to your artwork. You can then smooth out these shadows to fade any unwanted areas, creating a seamless blend.
The Water tool is an excellent option for achieving soft shading and blending colours effectively. By adjusting the settings and experimenting with different layer effects, you can create a range of artistic effects with this versatile tool.
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Compare default brushes with other options
Paint Tool SAI offers a range of default brushes, including the blur tool, which can be used for blending and blurring colours. While this tool can help achieve a motion blur effect, it also has an erasing effect, removing the colour on the top layer and replacing it with the colours of the layers below. This process takes time and requires multiple strokes, especially when using a mouse, which only blurs and blends colours without spreading them.
To overcome this limitation, users can opt for the Water tool, which blends, blurs, and colours simultaneously, spreading the pigment instead of erasing it. This tool, however, is only effective when used with a tablet. Aside from the default brushes, Paint Tool SAI offers the option to create custom brushes, such as a scatter brush. This involves using an image as a texture and adjusting the scatter settings to spread it across the canvas in a random pattern.
The ability to save and export custom brush settings allows artists to enhance their artwork with dynamic and varied effects. For instance, a leaf pattern image can be used as a texture for a scatter brush, creating a unique and natural-looking leaf pattern on the digital canvas. The process of creating custom brushes is supported by program documentation and user tutorials, making it accessible to users who want to explore beyond the default brush options.
While the default brushes in Paint Tool SAI offer a solid foundation for blending and blurring, the ability to create custom brushes opens up a world of creative possibilities. Artists can design their own unique brushes, save them for later use, and add personalised effects to their digital artwork. By combining the default and custom brushes, users can achieve a wide range of artistic effects, including motion blur, and take their digital art to the next level.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use the blur tool, which is one of SAI's default brushes. This tool is mainly for blending and blurring and has a bit of an eraser effect.
The blur tool begins to erase the colour on that layer and match it with the one(s) below. It takes a while for this to take effect and quite a bit of drawing over strokes to achieve this.
Yes, you can use the Water tool as a blend and blurring tool. It will blend and blur but also colour, so it never actually erases colour, but spreads it instead.









































