Luminar Brush Explained: What It Is and How to Use It

What is the Luminar Brush Tool

The Luminar Brush (or Brush Tool in Luminar software by Skylum) is a selection / masking tool that lets you apply edits locally — i.e., only on parts of an image you “paint” over — rather than globally. You can “brush in” effects such as exposure, color, structure, etc., precisely where you want them, with control over things like brush size, softness, and strength. 

It is part of Luminar Neo (the current mainstream version) and appears under the “Masking” tools. 

Software and Tools where it’s used

Here are the main software/tools and contexts in which the Luminar Brush / Brush-Tool feature is present or relevant:

Also, note tools/software that do similar things (not exactly “Luminar Brush” but analogous):

• Photoshop: local adjustment brushes/masking
• Lightroom: brush, gradient, radial filters (local adjustments)

Other photo editors with masking/selective edit capabilities

Function / What It Does

Here are the functions and possibilities provided by the Luminar Brush:

• Selective editing: Only the parts you paint get the effect (exposure, color, structural changes, etc.). This allows for nuanced edits — e.g., brighten just the subject, darken background edges, reduce exposure in sky, etc.
• Control parameters:
  • Brush size (how large the painted area is per stroke)
  • Brush hardness/softness (edges of the brush)
  • Strength/intensity of effect (how strong the applied adjustment is)
• Masking & layers: The Brush tool is typically within a Mask or Masking interface, meaning you can create multiple masks, combine them, invert them, etc. The edits are non-destructive.
• Real-time preview: You can see the effect of brushing and masking immediately, which helps you fine-tune as you work.
• Combining with AI tools: Luminar’s AI tools often have global effects; combining those with brushing helps blend or restrict AI effects to particular areas. E.g., you might run an AI sky enhancement, then brush to reduce the effect on the foreground.

How to Use the Luminar Brush Tool (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a practical workflow. I’ll assume you’re using Luminar Neo on desktop (macOS or Windows). Some steps may be similar in earlier versions or plugins.

• Open your image
  Import the photo you want to edit and open it in the edit workspace.
• Choose the tool where you want the adjustment
  Decide what kind of adjustment you need: Light, Exposure, Color, Structure, etc. Or you might want to use an AI tool, but limit it with the brush.
• Open Masking / Mask tool
  In the UI, go to the Masking panel. Select “Brush” as the masking tool.
• Adjust brush settings
  Set brush size (diameter), hardness/softness of edges, and opacity/strength. If the brush is too soft, the edges will blend; too hard, you may see sharp borders. Adjust based on what you are trying to mask.
• Paint over the area you want to affect
  Use the brush over the part of the image you want to apply the effect to. You can undo parts, refine edges, or erase the mask in areas where you overpainted.
• Fine-tune the effect
  Once masked, adjust the effect parameters (for example, increase exposure, adjust color, tweak structure) so that the result looks balanced. Because the mask limits the area, you’ll see the impact only where painted.
• Soft transitions/blend edges
  If needed, soften the brush edges or feather the mask so that transitions are natural (less harsh). Using multiple masks or overlapping masks can help.
• Review & refine
  Zoom in/out; toggle mask visibility; compare before/after. Make small adjustments to the mask or effect until satisfied.
• Save / export
  Once done, save non-destructively (so you can revisit the mask later), then export in the desired output format.

Tips & Common Uses

• Use a brush to brighten faces or eyes without affecting the rest of the scene.
• Darken bright skies or blown-out highlights, just by brushing those areas.
• Improve contrast or structure in textured parts (rocks, foliage) selectively.
• Blend AI effects — e.g., AI sky replacement, then brush mask to reduce effect on edges.
• Use multiple masks if different parts require different treatment (e.g,. face vs background).

Conclusion: Unlock Precision in Your Edits

The Luminar Brush tool is more than just a painting feature—it’s the key to precise, localized editing. By giving you control over where and how adjustments appear, it transforms flat images into dynamic, balanced photos. Whether you want to highlight a subject, soften distractions, or refine AI effects, the brush ensures your creative vision comes through clearly. Mastering it takes only a few steps, but the impact on your edits is lasting.