Photoshop> Brush tool> selected color swatch> wrong color

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
May 1, 2025
2 replies
1142 views

I'm using the Brush tool and working fine, but suddenly, the selected color from the swatches appears as a "gray" in the tool side panel (I don't know what to call the two switchable little color boxes). Should I restart?

Also, in my swatch library, I arrange and organize colors, and the order changes. And it's not because I resized the library; the grouped colors are separated far apart from each other.

See screenshot: PSD-swatch color selection-wrong-1.png

macOS

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible?

Sameer K

Community Manager

Hey, @rgbnites. Thanks for adding the screenshots; it helps. You might've selected a Layer Mask in the Layers panel. Layer masks are greyscale images, which is why you see a shade of Grey.

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

R

rgbnitesAuthor

Known Participant

Thank you! The Quick Mask is the culprit. I don't know how it is initiated, as I am working at a fast pace, painting with the brush tool, changing sizes, and changing soft to hard tips. It is annoyingly interfering with the workflow, probably hitting the wrong combo of keys with my clumsy fingers.

I have to stop, open Channels, and delete the mask. Is there any way to avoid the keystroke for a quick mask?

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