Although you're probably all doing it anyway, here's an idea to try:

Take an image and make four new layer copies (so you have 4 layers, same image).

Working on 1, 2, 3 only (background is original, untouched, #4 is left alone)

#1 Impressionist - a wide setting, think chalk or such.
#2 Impressionist - something that textures (or not Imp, just texture plugin)
#3 Impressionist - a narrow tight setting, fine pencil, etc.

Now set:

#1 to 20%, normal.
#2 to overlay or screen (play a bit!), 33%.
#3 to either 40% or overlay or screen (play a bit!).

And finally set #4 to colour, and adjust % to suit (I usually use 40%).
As you see, I suggest playing with the settings a LOT!

Attached - I pinched the autmun trees from here, but forgot the original post (a painter thread, I think).
Anyway, the original is here, and my attempt.

You have away far too long...

Just checked out your site (http://members.westnet.com.au/fluffbutt/index.html). It's come a LONG way since you started out. Congrats on the progress...

And thanks for more Impressionist inspiration.

In other words...Layers 1-4 are copies of the original background. You've listed them from the top of the layer stack to bottom, something like this:

#1 (~20%, Normal) Impressionist - a wide setting, think chalk or such.
#2 (~33%, Overlay or Screen) - a texture layer rendered by Impressionist or, say, Texturizer
#3 (~40%, Overlay or Screen) Impressionist - a narrow tight setting, fine pencil, etc.
#4 (~40%, Color)
Background

Yes? No? Maybe?

Please comment or correct.

~Danny~

Sorry, Danny I was counting from background up

4 - colour overlay (to fix any colour issues from the filters)
3 - 40% overlay (for eg)
2 - 33% screen (for eg)
1 - normal 20%
BG

The whole idea is to combine multiple settings into one image, using transparency to adjust how much of the image is showing.
Then adjust the colours closer to the original with the colour layer. You might need a gamma corection too, on some images (darker, depending on screen or overlay used).

I don't suggest setting the colour layer to 100% - it looks wierd having a painterly picture with the same flat muted colours as most originals have (maybe 80% with a bright colourful image, flowers maybe).

Edit:
Actually given that I'm saying 'experiment' it doesn't really matter the order - just so long as the colour layer is topmost.

And I've not updated the site for a while - I have newer and more polished images to go up.. soon..

Fluffbutt, I like your tutorial. It's very tweakable. Here's a photo by Ben Spear and my attempt at using your tute.

Fluffbutt - I agree, it's tweakable. Tried it out alright in PSP8.1. Thanks.

Fluffbutt, I like your tutorial. It's very tweakable. Here's a photo by Ben Spear and my attempt at using your tute.

Very nice results, the only thing I'd add is that the middle distance is a bit dark, maybe the piccy needed a little gamma tweak before the work (or maybe a 50% mask over that dark background?)..

Great work though - it's FUN to do multiple filters/techniques and blend them into one..