INTRODUCTION
It is possible to convert an Adjustment Layer into a Layer Mask.  A black mask hides it’s linked layer from the layer below and white reveals.  This lesson will demonstrate the effects of painting with black and white on colored layer.

CREATE 2 LAYERS AND FILL WITH COLOR
Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.  Select “Set foreground color” (on the Tools Bar)  and select red + OK > press the X key (shifts red to the background) > click File + New + Blank File (or Ctrl +N) > set dimensions 11X14 inch, Resolution 72, Color Mode RGB Color, Background Contents = Background Color > click OK.  On the Layers Palette,  right-click the Background layer + Duplicate Layer > click OK >  click the top layer on the Layers Palette (makes this the active layer) > select “Set foreground color” (on the Tools Bar)  and select blue + OK > select the Paint Bucket Tool > click the red blank file (turns blue).

CREATE LAYER MASK
Click the bottom red layer on the Layers Palette (becomes the active layer) > select “Create adjustment layer” (black/white ball at top of Layers Palette) + Levels… + OK > hold the Alt key and tap the horizontal line between the top layer and Levels 1 (links the top layer to the   Levels 1 layer and creates a layer mask which is the rectangle on the right).

PAINT THE BLUE LAYER WITH BLACK AND WHITE
Click the right white square on Levels 1 (makes the mask active and sets Foreground/ Background colors white/black).  Note with a white mask, the top layer is visible and it covers the red layer below.  Press the X key (puts black as the foreground color) > select the Paintbrush Tool > right-click and select Brush 19 > draw a large circle on the blue layer (because the brush is black, the top blue layer is blocked and we see through to the red layer below) > press the X key (foreground color white) > with the same paintbrush tool, paint a large X that passes through the red circle top, bottom, left and right sides (white reveals the top blue layer and hides the red layer below).

TRY A DIFFERENT COLOR – ADD TEXT
Select the bottom layer on the Layers Palette > change the foreground color to yellow > close the visibility eyes on the blue layer > select the Paint Bucket Tool > click the red blank file (turns to yellow) > make the foreground color black > select the Text Tool – Arial, 72 point, black > type HELLO > turn on the visibility eye on the blue layer (note that the circle becomes yellow) > click the layer mask (becomes the active layer) > select the Paintbrush Tool > paint on the blue layer to uncover HELLO > when all of HELLO is visible, clean it up by using the Rectangular Marquee Tool (tap the M key) to draw a rectangle around HELLO).  Paint black to clean up inside the rectangle > click Select + Inverse, switch to white foreground color > paint outside the rectangle to form a perfect rectangle around HELLO.

CONCLUSION
This lesson gives a better understanding of the layer mask and the use of white and black paint to reveal and hide areas of the top layer.

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