I had previously done a tutorial on a neat grass effect [link]

Although I was able to reproduce the effect, I thought there might be an easier way to mask the grass. My solution consisted of using the star brush on the path made from the letters. After you mask the grass with the text selection you can create a nice mask around the edges just by applying the star brush to the text paths with the brush shape dynamics turned on.


Since you are using to to paint on the mask, it's completely adjustable if you go to big or not enough. After I completed the lettering I just added the flowers and vines with brushes and shapes I drew in illustrator.

I'll post the full widescreen version on my site soon and if I have time later I'll do a tutorial on the whole process.

The full size 1920x1600 version can be seen here: [link]