Download a brush set

Just occasionally you may feel like having something a little different to play with in the form of brushes - or you may want to download a ready made collection of cloud brushes instead of creating brushes from your own photos of clouds. Whatever the reason I will help you to understand how uncomplicated it is to get and install them.
First find the brushes.
I simply type into the Google Search "Photoshop brushes" and you would be amazed how many links appear - and most of them offer free downloads (the brushes AND the download are free). If you need a specific shape - such as clouds, then put that into the search too "Photoshop cloud brushes" and that will find the specific brush sets that you can visit. Each of the creators of brushes let you see what they have before you download them - there are usually a few examples shown.
I have just searched for "smoke" to find brushes to put steam on a cup of coffee or add smoke to a shot of a smoldering log. That is a brush I would not be able to make myself. I found my smoke here but I am sure there would be lots of excellent sites I could have gone to.

 I could add just a little steam for a "not too hot" look....

 Or I could give lots of steam - it depends on how much I erase from the single dab with the steam brush.

Lets concentrate on Clouds, since that is what I have been showing up until now. This is a good site to go and chose some. There are dozens of other sites just as good. Click on the link below the set you would like to download.
The file is in a Zip folder and will go into the download folder you have put aside for all things you save from the computer. Do set a special folder so that you know where to find your downloads! In your browser go to Options then to Tools and (each browser is different) somewhere you will find an option similar to this.

I realise that most people put everything in "My Documents"  (now called "Libraries"!)but I go straight to one of my three drives and create my folders there. You do what you feel comfortable with - but deciding on your location means you will always know where to go looking for your downloaded pictures, programs, music, etc.
Back to our clouds - click on the Download button or link to get the brush folder.

The name of the brush folder will be shown on the pop up download box - this is important because just sometimes there are other things that can be downloaded on the same page and they are not what you want. (They pay to be on that page, they are a form of advertising). Click Save File for your cloud set.
If you feel like getting a few different brushes before you close your browser, go for it! I found some flames and some swirly brushes for borders! Now close the browser and open your Windows Explorer and find the folder where your zip files have been saved.
Right click on the folder (can you see that the folder has a zip?!)

In the pop up box that appears click Browse and find the download folder (the same folder that the zip is in) and click Extract.
Another folder will be alongside the zip folder, left click on it to reveal what is inside.

If, like me, you have quite a few things in your download folder already it might be clearer to make a new folder and drag the zip folder into it. If this is confusing information, ignore it!
When you click on the unzipped folder the brush is an ABR file or else it looks like in my illustration above, it depends on whether you have chosen to view as Thumbnails or as Details.
Right click on the brush or the ABR file and Copy - do this by holding down the Ctrl and letter C at the same time.
Now you have to put the file into Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Follow the route I have taken - it is the same for either program.

Now all you need to do is open your program and use the brushes.
Always put a new layer over your image before using the brush, that way the cloud can be moved or it can be made larger. If you paint a cloud and have used the largest brush size and it is still not large enough, use the keyboard and Ctrl+T to bring up "Transform" Then you can drag the corners out to enlarge your cloud or even distort it by squeezing in the sides and stretching the top or bottom.
Apply another layer if you want to add a different shaped cloud. You can add as many layers as you like and as many clouds as look natural.
Once you have finished and everything looks good, Flatten the image and save it.
Have fun with your brushes!
AJ