had a try on a bride we did a few weeks ago, honest comments please...

Original
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/492199947_0b2892c31d_o.jpg

Paint

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/492216668_71600b44e7_b.jpg

See http://www.rangefindermag.com/Magazine/Archives/April04/painter.tml for interesting discussion that touches on the differences between photos and paintings.

One of the challenges in this sport of photo manipulation is "conveying the illusion of a painting" beyond closeup inspection on a monitor. Up close your painted version definitely has some painting characteristics, but if you step back a few feet it looks like colorful, highly saturated digital art, but not necessarily a "painting" per se. (IMO there is too much detail in her crown and the flowers.) Nice job on the skin tones, eyes, outside blues, etc., however.

Success depends to, too, on presentation. If your artwork was printed, say, 30x40 on canvas and framed (or gallery wrapped), this would go far in the right direction.

Did you use Painter for your transformation?

Thanks for the comment, the article gives me a better idee of what a painting must be...
I only used PS CS3 on this one, but I did get painter yesterday, so i will be playing with it over the weekend.

Me and my wife are accually wedding photographers, but I would like to add the paintings as a addon for the brides. The Idee is to print it in large format on canvas.

Must say my idees of painting was very limited, before I joined this forum. I have learned lots so far...... This bug has bitten me!!!!!

Thanks for the comment, the article gives me a better idee of what a painting must be...

I only used PS CS3 on this one, but I did get painter yesterday, so i will be playing with it over the weekend.

Me and my wife are accually wedding photographers, but I would like to add the paintings as a addon for the brides. The Idee is to print it in large format on canvas.

Must say my idees of painting was very limited, before I joined this forum. I have learned lots so far...... This bug has bitten me!!!!!Welcome to the "been bitten" group. :)

Since you've already made a substantial investment on gear, CS3 and Painter X, consider the following...

One can spend a lot of time trying to self-learn Painter, which IMO is as challenging and unintuititive to learn as Photoshop.

If the goal is return on investment sooner than later, consider looking into offerings from Sutton & Sholin, who earn boatloads of $ doing this type of thing. Learn and adapt proven techniques vs. struggling to invent the wheel yourself.

JEREMY SUTTON
http://www.paintercreativity.com/

DVD production quality and content is excellent; many styles demonstrated end-to-end + Painter setup, WACOM tips, custom brushes, etc.

His book is v. good too, but IMO book learnin' is not as effective when trying to learn this type of thing. Book content pretty much same as DVDs, but more written detail of course.

Easy resale on eBay for book or DVD if that's your thing.

MARILYN SHOLIN
http://www.msholinprosales.com/shop/software.html

Marilyn has a very unique and colorful style. I cannot imagine anyone mistaking her artwork as "a photo" regardless of size or viewing distance.

She is a skilled portrait photographer who transitioned her business from high volume/low profit per customer sales to a low volume/high profit (and less stress) model. She is very successful at selling her work.

----------------

Content of the above training offerings is based on Painter 9, but 95% applicable to Painter X.

HTH...

~Danny~

Thanks for the info will have a look.....