blend modes explained

Blend Mode	What It Does	Effect Description
Normal	Displays the top layer as-is.	No blending occurs — pixels on top layer simply cover the bottom layer.
Multiply	Multiplies base and blend layer colors.	Darkens the image; white does nothing, black stays black.
Screen	Multiplies the inverse of the colors, then inverts the result.	Lightens the image; black does nothing, white stays white.
Overlay	Combines Multiply and Screen based on base brightness.	Increases contrast; darks get darker, lights get lighter.
Color Dodge	Brightens the base color to reflect the blend color.	Intense lightening; highlights are boosted dramatically, midtones stay.
Color Burn	Darkens the base color to reflect the blend color.	Increases contrast by darkening; shadows deepen.
Difference	Subtracts the darker color from the lighter one (absolute difference).	Inverts colors where layers differ; useful for creative or abstract effects.
Soft Light	Gently darkens or lightens based on blend color.	A subtle overlay; like shining a diffused spotlight.
Hard Light	A harsher version of Soft Light, combines Multiply and Screen.	High-contrast lighting effect; amplifies intensity.
Darken	Keeps the darker of the base and blend colors.	Replaces lighter areas with darker ones.
Lighten	Keeps the lighter of the base and blend colors.	Replaces darker areas with lighter ones.

Blend Mode	When to Use It	Example Use Case
Normal	When no blending is needed.	Adding a logo or icon to a design without any blending.
Multiply	To darken an image or add shadows and shading.	Adding realistic shadows under objects or deepening midtones in a photo.
Screen	To lighten an image or simulate light.	Creating a soft glow effect or simulating bright light over an object.
Overlay	To boost contrast and make textures pop.	Enhancing details in skin or fabrics in photo retouching.
Color Dodge	To create intense lighting or shine.	Adding sparkles, lens flares, or lighting highlights on metallic surfaces.
Color Burn	To deepen shadows or create high-contrast gritty effects.	Creating dramatic poster effects or adding depth to a stylized illustration.
Difference	For abstract, surreal, or comparison visuals.	Creating glitch art, testing pixel alignment, or designing inverted backgrounds.
Soft Light	For subtle lighting effects and texture enhancement.	Gently increasing contrast on portraits or applying a textured paper overlay.
Hard Light	To emphasize highlights and shadows more aggressively than Soft Light.	Adding strong rim lighting or punchy contrast to action scenes or comics.
Darken	To keep only the darkest parts of overlapping layers.	Merging grunge textures into a background while preserving shadowed details.
Lighten	To reveal only the brightest parts of a texture or image.	Overlaying bokeh or light leaks without affecting darker image areas.