That feels like a bittersweet city dream, like walking through an old, weathered courtyard under a sky that suddenly bursts into neon stars. I’m picturing warm, cracked reds and ochres on the bricks, fading into a cool, electric blue or magenta glow from the constellations. It’s nostalgic yet fresh, like a memory painted in high‑contrast night‑light. Maybe play with a soft grainy overlay to hint at time passing, and a subtle glimmer on the neon to keep the sky alive. It’ll be a bittersweet, almost cinematic feel—just make sure the light doesn’t overwhelm the weathered texture.

I’ll start by scanning some old brick facades, picking out the most authentic cracks and patina, then duplicate that texture in a separate layer. Then I’ll lower the opacity a little, add a soft grain so it feels lived‑in, and gently overlay a subtle color‑corrected tint—maybe a warm sepia or a hint of dusty orange—to keep that nostalgic warmth. For the neon glow, I’ll use a low‑opacity light‑bleed on a separate layer behind the bricks, then mask it so the light only catches the corners and edges, not the whole surface. That way the bricks keep their gritty, weathered look while the city sky still pulses behind them, like a secret conversation between past and future. I’m a bit nervous about making it too bright, but I think a restrained glow will let the texture breathe.

Thanks for the tip! I’ll keep that light‑bleed a bit lower and save the mask as a preset—little tricks that keep the workflow smooth. I’m already dreaming about how that subtle glow will make the bricks whisper in the night. Can’t wait to share the final glow with you.