Adobe Fresco: Where Digital Art Feels Alive

Victoria Pavlov

21 May, 2025

In the fast-evolving world of digital design, few tools have generated as much excitement as Adobe Fresco. More than just another drawing app, Fresco brings something rare to the table: it makes digital art feel alive. Whether you’re a seasoned illustrator or a curious beginner, Fresco offers a mix of power, realism, and freedom that can completely change how you create.

Real Paint, Real Time: The Power of Live Brushes

The feature that truly makes Fresco stand out is its Live Brushes. These aren’t just fancy digital tools — they’re engineered to replicate the behavior of real watercolor and oil paint. When you use a Live Brush, the paint doesn’t just appear on the canvas. It moves. It spreads. It reacts to other colors, just like physical paint would.

Watercolor brushes actually bleed into the paper.
Oil brushes smear and build texture as if you’re working on a real canvas.
You can layer, blend, and glaze, creating effects that were nearly impossible in other digital apps.

This level of realism brings a new sense of joy and experimentation to digital painting. For traditional artists making the leap to digital, Fresco offers a familiar and forgiving experience.

A Hybrid Artist’s Dream: Pixel, Vector, and Live All in One

One of Fresco’s greatest strengths is how it blends different types of brushes in a single document. You’re not stuck choosing between pixel and vector anymore — you can use both.

Sketch in vector for clean, scalable lines.
Paint in raster for texture and depth.
Add dynamic color with Live Brushes for movement and realism.

This hybrid workflow means illustrators, comic artists, and designers can do all their creative thinking in one place — no more switching between apps.

Seamless Workflow with Creative Cloud

Adobe Fresco is built to integrate. You can start a sketch in Fresco on your iPad and pick it up later in Photoshop on your desktop — or vice versa. The cloud-based syncing is smooth and reliable, giving you true flexibility in how and where you work.

Pair this with Fresco’s ability to export directly to PSD, PDF, or high-res images, and you have a tool that not only creates beautiful work — it fits perfectly into your professional pipeline.

The WOW Factor: A Tool That Thinks Like an Artist

Fresco doesn’t just look good — it feels right. The pressure sensitivity, the canvas response, the brush physics — all of it is designed with artists in mind. Even little details, like the way watercolor pigment pools or how oil paint mixes on the screen, are rooted in real-world physics and materials science.

Want to create a soft sky that melts into the horizon? Done. Want to mimic thick impasto strokes of oil on linen? You got it.

This isn’t about simulating art. It’s about redefining digital painting as a fully expressive medium.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Try Adobe Fresco

Whether you’re a hobbyist sketching on your iPad or a professional illustrator pushing boundaries, Adobe Fresco offers a space where art meets innovation. It’s intuitive, powerful, and inspiring. And most of all — it gives you permission to play.

So if you haven’t tried it yet, go ahead: download Adobe Fresco (it’s FREE) and see what happens when your creativity meets one of the most advanced digital canvases in the world.

You might just forget it’s not real paint.

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Just Starting Out? Here’s How to Build a Creative Career That Feels Like You

Victoria Pavlov

4 May, 2025

So, you’ve just graduated. Or maybe you’re on your way into design or photography school, feeling both excited and unsure about what’s next.

You love creating. You’re constantly seeing stories in light, color, lines, and moments. You know this is what you’re meant to do — but now the big question looms: How do I actually build a career out of this?

First, take a breath. You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. Your degree or school experience isn’t the destination — it’s just the starting line. School is where you learn the tools and practice your craft. But your real growth begins when you start working with real people, real projects, real emotion.

Start small. Photograph a local event. Design a flyer for a small business in your neighborhood. Offer to create portraits or social media content for a friend or a community group. Every experience builds your confidence, your skills, and your reputation. Real work is real progress, no matter the size.

And don’t underestimate the power of your local community. You don’t have to be in a big city to be seen. Some of the most powerful creative work is happening right in your neighborhood — you just have to look for it. Introduce yourself to local artists, makers, small business owners. Go to gallery nights, open mics, and pop-ups. Follow and connect with other creatives online who are building something where they live. People want to support other people who show up with heart and originality.

One of the biggest things I want to tell you is this: You don’t need to copy anyone else. You don’t need to look like other designers, photographers, or artists. You are not here to imitate — you are here to express. The most powerful work you will ever create will come from your lived experience, your emotions, your story. Let your heartbreak, your joy, your perspective shape your art. That’s what makes it real. That’s what makes it memorable.

It’s okay to build slowly. Social media will try to convince you that everyone else is ahead — but success doesn’t have a deadline. What you need is momentum, not perfection. Keep showing up. Keep creating. Keep evolving.

And yes, it’s scary to be seen. But building a creative career means letting people experience your work. That means posting your art, sharing your ideas, and standing behind what you create — even when it’s not “finished” or “perfect.” Your voice matters. Your work matters. You’re not too young to be a professional. You’re not too late, too early, or too anything. If you’re doing the work, you’re already in it. You’re already becoming.

Every creative you admire once stood where you are — unsure, curious, and maybe a little scared. But they moved forward anyway. Now it’s your turn. Be bold, be real, and most importantly, be yourself.

I’m rooting for you.

Photographers, Are We Still Storytellers in a World Full of Algorithms?

Victoria Pavlov

16 Apr, 2025

There was a time when a photograph was a moment — one click, one second, one chance to freeze a sliver of truth.

Back then, a photographer was a witness. A documenter. Someone who waited for the light to fall just right or for a face to turn slightly, revealing something unspoken.

But the landscape has changed.

Now, we shoot in RAW. We retouch. We composite. We train AI to generate dreamlike versions of what we once saw through the lens. In this new era, the photographer isn’t just a documenter anymore — we’re editors, curators, digital architects. We build stories in layers. We remove distractions. We adjust the mood. We sometimes even create what never existed in the first place.

And yet… the heart remains.

Because good photography — whether captured on a DSLR, manipulated in Photoshop — still begins with a question:

“What do I want people to feel when they see this?”

That, to me, is storytelling.

Technology has added complexity, yes. But it’s also unlocked new dimensions. Now, we can shape light after the fact. We can reimagine scenes. We can express emotions that were too subtle to capture in a single frame.

We’re not losing storytelling — we’re expanding it.

But here’s the thing no algorithm can replicate: intention. A camera, a program, an AI model — none of them know why you chose that angle. Why you softened the edges. Why you left that shadow in.

Only the photographer knows.

So no matter how advanced the tech becomes, I believe our role is more important than ever. We’re the ones steering the narrative — choosing what to say, and what to leave out. We’re not just clicking shutters anymore.
We’re creating meaning.

Let’s talk:

Do you think photography has lost its soul — or evolved into something more?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Adjusting My Workflow: Using the Kuxiu Magnetic Stand with iPad Pro

Victoria Pavlov

15 Apr, 2025

Kuxiu Magnetic Charging Stand for iPad: A Must-Have for Creatives and Professionals

As someone who works with technology and creativity every day, I’m always on the lookout for tools that streamline my workflow, elevate my workspace, and simply make life easier. That’s why I was excited to try out the Kuxiu Magnetic Charging Stand for iPad — and I can confidently say it has quickly become one of my favorite desk essentials.

First Impressions: Sleek, Solid, and Seriously Smart

The first thing I noticed was the design — clean lines, a solid base, and a strong magnetic mount that clicks into place with satisfying precision. It’s clearly made with quality in mind, and it doesn’t just look good — it feels incredibly secure. Whether I’m using my iPad in portrait or landscape mode, it holds steady.

Wireless Charging That Just Works

One of the standout features is the built-in charging. Once mounted, the stand begins charging your iPad instantly — no cables to fuss with, no extra setup. For someone like me who constantly switches between devices, this small convenience saves a surprising amount of time and keeps my workspace tidy.

Perfect for Artists, Designers, and Everyday Users

I use my iPad for everything — from editing photos to creating digital paintings in Adobe Fresco and reviewing client work. I absolutely love my Apple Magic Keyboard and honestly can’t imagine working without it. But when it comes to digital painting, I need a very specific angle for my iPad Pro — one that allows me to position my hand comfortably while I paint.
Unfortunately, the Magic Keyboard doesn’t give me that flexibility. I was constantly detaching my iPad Pro and either holding it in my lap or resting it flat on my desk. To be honest, it wasn’t the most comfortable or efficient setup.
That’s where the Kuxiu Magnetic Charging Stand completely changed things for me.
With Kuxiu, I can adjust the height, angle, and even rotate the stand — giving me full control over how I position my iPad Pro. It allows me to set it exactly the way I need it, whether I’m sketching, painting, or editing. The adjustable angle makes it super comfortable for long work sessions, and the stable base means no wobble while drawing.

This product checks all the boxes.

Now let’s talk about what I’d like to see improved in this stand.

The magnetic mount is great—it makes it super easy to remove the iPad when I need to move around, and just as easy to snap it back into place. But rotating the iPad Pro while it’s mounted is a challenge. I have to hold the iPad directly to rotate it, which often messes up my artwork because I end up touching the screen. Sometimes I even have to close the app just to reposition the iPad.
I’d love to see some kind of handles or grips around the mount that would let me rotate the iPad without touching the screen. Right now, when I rotate it, the entire mount tends to shift, which means I have to hold down the base with one hand while turning the iPad with the other. It’s not ideal.
Another issue is stability—when I raise the iPad to its highest position, the stand can tip backward. It definitely needs a stronger, more stable base to support the weight and keep everything secure.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. The Kuxiu Magnetic Charging Stand has improved how I use my iPad every single day. It’s more than just a stand — it’s a productivity and creativity booster.

This article may contain affiliate links. I only share products I use and love. Thank you for supporting my work and helping keep this blog running!

You can check it out here: Kuxiu Magnetic Charging Stand

(This is an affiliate link — I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase, at no extra cost to you.)

Is AI Making Us More Human? A Reflective Look at Tech, Emotion, and Connection

Victoria Pavlov

4 Apr, 2025

We live in a time when machines can finish our sentences, recommend what to watch next, and even book our appointments with a simple voice command. Artificial Intelligence is all around us—and it’s evolving fast. From both a professional and personal perspective, I find it incredibly helpful and genuinely exciting. I love technology, and I work with it every day. But amid all this high-tech convenience, I’ve found myself asking a question that feels deeply personal:

Is AI making us more human?

At first, that question might sound strange. AI is a tool, a collection of algorithms and data, not something with heart or emotion. But perhaps that’s exactly why we’re noticing something stirring in us. The rise of AI is challenging us to look inward. To reflect on what can’t be coded, predicted, or generated.

The Human Things We’re Holding Onto

As machines get smarter, we’re becoming more aware of the things they can’t do. They don’t feel. They don’t grieve, love, laugh spontaneously, or get goosebumps from a sunset or a song. They’re not gazing at a sunrise, listening to music, or caught in a wave of emotion. They don’t feel the sudden urge to grab a paintbrush and express what’s inside. They don’t feel the need to bring their emotions to life through art—whether it’s poetry, painting, digital or traditional. They don’t feel the urgency to call someone and share good news or pour their heart out.
And in that contrast, we’re reminded of what it truly means to be human.

We’re clinging tighter to conversations that matter. To stories, to shared moments, to stillness. We’re realizing that our ability to connect, to care, and to create meaning—those are not just soft skills. They’re our superpowers.

Slowing Down to Connect

Oddly enough, the speed of technology is inspiring many people to slow down. To unplug more often. To ask deeper questions. We’re craving time with loved ones, looking for purpose in what we do, and seeking joy beyond the scroll.

Maybe it’s because we know AI can give us information—but it can’t give us wisdom.

It can organize our calendars—but it can’t help us decide how we want to spend our lives.

The Choice We Still Have

The truth is, AI isn’t good or bad on its own. It’s a tool. The real question is: How do we want to live in this new world?

If we choose empathy over efficiency, presence over productivity, connection over convenience—we may just find ourselves becoming more human, not less.

And that, I believe, is something worth holding onto.

Custom Coloring Pages Made Easy in Adobe Express

Victoria Pavlov

31 Mar, 2025

Today, I want to show you how to create your own custom coloring page—one you can use digitally or print out and color with pencils.

In these exciting times, as technology advances every day, it’s no surprise to see kids watching cartoons on tablets or phones. From both my personal and professional experience, I’ve seen that children are just as interested in traditional art as they are in digital.

So I thought—why not take that excitement to the next level by helping kids design their very own custom coloring book, bringing their imagination to life? The best part? It’s super easy and a lot of fun!

Coloring books and pages aren’t just for kids—they’re a creative outlet for all ages. For children, coloring builds fine motor skills, focus, and confidence. For adults, it offers a calming, almost meditative break from the stress of daily life. Whether it’s a way to connect with your inner child or just unplug for a little while, coloring is a joyful, judgment-free way to express yourself.

Let’s dive in!

Open Adobe Express webpage

Click on “+” icon

To get started, open your design workspace. In the “Get Started” pop-up, type “Drawing” in the search field.

Click on “drawing”

Adobe Express created a new empty canvas. Click on “Templates.”

Express will redirect you to the “Templates” workspace. Click on “Generate coloring page” and type “Happy Puppy.”

Double-check the spelling (just in case), and click on “Generate.” Express will generate four variations of the puppy based on your text or prompt. Click on the one you like the most, and Express will add it to the canvas.

At this step, if you want to use your coloring page as a traditional one—using coloring pencils—click on “Download.”

You have two choices:

1. Download as a Transparent PNG – This version has no background, which is ideal if you’re not sure about your paper size. You can easily adjust the size of the puppy before printing, since there’s no background to worry about.

2. Download as a PNG file – This version includes a default white background, which is perfect if you’re ready to print it as is.

For digital coloring, follow the steps below:

Time to color this cute puppy! Click on the Brush tool. In the Drawing workspace, specify your brush settings. Express offers an extensive library of brushes, but for now, we’ll choose the “Hard Round” brush from the “Basics” library.

You can use any default color, or click on the settings icon to choose any other color you prefer.

Specify the brush size and paint away! Don’t forget that you can change the brush size, color, and type of brush at any time.

Now that you’ve finished coloring the puppy, click on “Background” and choose a color for the background.

Now click on the “Decorative” brush library, and then click on the “Ground Fern” brush. Use any color you like! Also, don’t forget to increase the size of the brush for a more natural ground effect.

Using this brush, add a few accents next to the puppy.

And voilà! You just colored your first coloring page—created from scratch and colored right here in Adobe Express.

Now it’s time to download your project. To do so, click on the “Download” icon and download the coloring page as a PNG file.

Whether you’re creating for yourself, a child, or someone who just loves to color, making your own custom coloring page is a fun and rewarding experience. With just a few simple tools and a bit of creativity, you’ve created something unique—from scratch—that brings joy, calm, and a little bit of magic to the day.

So whether you print it out or color it digitally, take a moment to enjoy the process. Art doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to come from the heart.

Happy coloring, and keep creating! 💛

Making a complex selection in Photoshop with just one click.

Victoria Pavlov

17 Mar, 2025

Proof That Magic in Technology Exists! Yes, now we can remove backgrounds or select complex objects with just one click—and the results are super impressive!

Most workflows require removing backgrounds or selecting objects, and not every background or object is simple. I know from my own experience that sometimes I spend so much time trying to remove a busy background or select a very complex object. Sometimes, it feels overwhelming.

So when I saw that the Photoshop team released an updated selection tool in Photoshop Beta, I jumped in right away to try it. By the end of my testing, I was extremely happy and excited!

Let me show you what I’m talking about.

If you haven’t downloaded Photoshop Beta yet, you can get it through your Creative Cloud app. Simply open the app, search for Photoshop Beta, and click download!

Start by opening the image you want to edit.

If you haven’t opened the Contextual Task Bar yet, go to Window > Contextual Task Bar.

In the Contextual Task Bar, click on “Remove Background” and watch the magic happen!

And this is the result—just in one click!

This is the magic I was talking about!

I recorded a video with a few more examples—you can watch it below. I hope you’re as impressed as I am!
If so, give it a try—remove a complex background or select a complex object using Photoshop Beta and share your results with me! I’d love to see what you create.

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Photoshop on iPhone

Victoria Pavlov

25 Feb, 2025

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my studio. Today is a very exciting day—Photoshop has introduced a new family member: Photoshop on iPhone! Yes, Photoshop on iPhone!! 🎉
It’s a game changer. Now, imagination and creativity have no limitations! We can work on our projects in Photoshop literally from anywhere. Isn’t this a dream come true?

If you know me, you know that Photoshop is like the air I breathe. I work with it all day, every day. And now, I can use it from anywhere—even while playing with our pups outside, just using my phone!

I am truly impressed with this release! Let me explain why.

Photoshop on iPhone has all the essential tools to work on any project—whether it’s creating fun graphics for my social media posts or delivering professional work for my clients. Everything I need is right at my fingertips.

I can seamlessly use my own images, access photos from Lightroom and Adobe Stock, and even leverage Generative Fill. From masking to painting, photo compositing to retouching—it’s all available right within the app, right on my iPhone!
As you can see I am super excited and I can’t wait to share with all the tips and tricks you can use in Photoshop on iPhone.

Here are a few images I created in Photoshop on iPhone

I recorded a short video for you about the new Photoshop on iPhone.

Head over to the iPhone App Store and download Photoshop on iPhone! Have fun, and let’s get creative together.
If you have any questions about Photoshop on iPhone or want me to record a specific tutorial, just let me know! I’d be more than happy to help and answer any questions.

If you enjoy my content, please subscribe to my blog, YouTube channel, or Patre on —it would mean a lot and really help me out!

Adobe Firefly Video (Beta)

Victoria Pavlov

12 Feb, 2025

Today, Adobe introduced a new Firefly model—Generate Video (Beta). It’s super exciting for a few reasons:

1. No matter how many years I’ve worked with AI, it always brings a “wow” factor when I see my text (prompt) come to life in digital imaging form.

2. Now, I can animate my stills without spending hours on it.

3. I can make my websites, blogs, social posts, and educational materials more interactive and engaging.

4. I can generate animations frame by frame or between frames with just a simple prompt.

In this fast-paced world, text-to-video is extremely helpful. So, without any further delay, let me show you how you can bring your vision to life with a prompt.

Let’s start with something simple: generating a sunrise over the mountains (sunrises are my favorite time of day).

Launch the Adobe Firefly website and select “Text to video (beta)”

I type this simple prompt into the prompt area: “Landscape of sunrise over the mountains.” Now, I’ll add a few specifications:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Shot size: Extreme long shot (I want the video to have a panoramic feel)

• Camera angle: Eye-level shot (I chose this angle because it provides a more natural perspective for this scenery)

• Motion: Zoom out (I chose this motion because it enhances the panoramic view of the scene)

After specifying everything, I click “Generate.” Adobe Firefly analyzes the prompt and all specifications and then generates the video accordingly.

Note: The current video length generated by Firefly is 5 seconds.

Now, let’s use the image I generated in Adobe Firefly (text-to-image mode). Of course, I could use any photo or image I have—whether it’s a photo, painting, 3D, or 2D image.

I created this cute creature because Valentine’s Day is coming, and I want to make a short video post for my social media.

I used this image as the first frame in the prompt area—frame space

I typed the prompt (a very simple one, but with a clear description of what I wanted): “A cute fur creature releasing beautiful hearts into the sky.”

The extra settings I applied:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Motion: Zoom out

And the result Adobe Firefly generated was exactly what I envisioned!

The next step was to generate a few extra videos for my post.

Prompt: Beautiful hearts flying in the beautiful blue sky.

Extra settings applied:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Shot size: Extreme long shot

• Camera angle: Low-angle shot

• Motion: Tilt up

Look at the result:

The next video I generated:

For this video, I used the same prompt and specifications as in the previous video.

To generate the next videos, I used the following prompt:

Prompt: Beautiful hearts flying inside the art studio.

Extra specifications applied:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Shot size: Long shot

• Camera angle: Eye-level shot

Result:

After gathering all my video b-rolls for my Valentine’s Day post, I imported them into Adobe Express. There, I added a few extra scenes, including text, design assets from Adobe Express (along with audio), and just like that—my post was ready!

Yes, guys, it’s really that simple!

This is the final result:

I know you’re wondering if I’ll be using Adobe Firefly’s text-to-video in my workflow. My answer? Yes, absolutely! Generative video adds an extra layer of creativity that my workflow needs.

In this blog post, I highlighted just a few features of the new Generate Video, powered by Adobe Firefly. I’ll continue this conversation on my YouTube channel, showcasing different examples and workflows. Stay tuned!

You can read more about the Adobe Firefly Video model on Adobe’s blog

Effortless Valentine’s Day Cards

Victoria Pavlov

29 Jan, 2025

Hello everyone! I’m so happy to see you here, and thank you for visiting my blog.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I know how hectic life can get. Between busy schedules and daily tasks, finding time to create a custom Valentine’s Day card can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

To make things easier, I’ve created a collection of beautiful, ready-to-use templates just for you. Whether you’re sending a heartfelt message to a loved one, a sweet note to a friend, or a fun greeting to brighten someone’s day, these designs will help you create something truly special.

Simply click on any template you like, and you’ll be redirected to Adobe Express, where you can use the design as is or customize it to fit your personal style. Add your own text, colors, or images to make it uniquely yours!

I hope these templates bring joy and make your Valentine’s Day extra special. Happy creating! ❤️✨

Template 1