I thought i would try and put together the resources that are out there on the net about smudging this is by no means complete if you know of any more please post and i will add them to the list

Brushes

lindas brush/sarsa's hair
http://www.innographx.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=46443#46443
trimoons brush
http://www.trimoon.com/html/smudging.html
hair/fur brush
http://www.3dmenagerie.com/goodies/bag/brushes.htm

Sylvias smudging brushes
http://abc-impact.com/ (scroll to the bottom of the page, there are some backgrounds and textures too )

Techniques
Phyllis Stewart tips on smudging
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-based-art/6114-smudge-painting-tips.html
Phyllis Stewart
http://www.innographx.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18
Alan Buonforte
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=13999204
smudged eyes by Alan Buonforte
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1006&message=14703851
Scott deardoff's
beagle:http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=17101687
renaissance man:http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=18183049
Trimoons
http://www.trimoon.com/html/smudging.html
Anita Stanhope (Paint Shop Pro)
http://www.pbase.com/skyopal/anitas_tutorials
Rod Barker
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic2/522757/1
Amie Higgs (aka Amiebear)
http://amiehiggsdigitalartist.blogspot.com/2008/03/im-brand-new-at-this-so-im-definitely.html **


Smudging forum
http://smudgepainter.freeforums.org/index.php

Pdf's
beagle smudge by Scott Deardoff **
http://www.digitalimaging-uk.co.uk/reviews/Smudge.pdf

Faye Sirkus ( this is for painting in painter but has some useful tips for preparing to smudge as well )
http://www.corel.com/content/pdf/painterix/FaySirkus_PhotoshopUser_Sept05.pdf

Training cd's dvd's /online courses
(not free)

Brad Buttry's oil painting

http://www.mmkgraphics.com/tutorials/virtualpaint.html

Scott Deardoff gives online lessons check out this link for when lessons begin **
http://www.digitalartacademy.com/instructors/scott-deardorff/


Another link that has links ( I havent the time to go through them all some are already here but others) ** submitted by member mikajomc
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=74655

This is a link to a forum thread about "Virtual oils" and "smudge painting " there is a lot of posts there but some little nuggets of info if you read through them as well as some great work (which you have to register to see) Rod Barker is a name to look out for (start at the end of the post and work backwards)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=260882
Also i thought it could be the place for members to post questions and ask for or give advice

My top tip is read as much as you can and practice ( i still am)
there is no magic numbers for the smudge brush just general ones, soft pale skin needs less strength than someone older with a tan etc.
so just because something works once on one image does not mean it will work and the next

** denotes links from other members (thank you)

Palms

Thanks Palms...your resources amaze me and your willingness to share! thanks again..

Thank you so much Palms!!! I've been wanting to learn how to smudge, this is awesome!

-jordan in cinci

Here's a link to a pdf on smudging.
http://www.digitalimaging-uk.co.uk/photoforum/showthread.php?tid=153

Joe

Thank you all for your interest as more info comes to light i will add to the list

Now for all of those wishing to learn smudging or practice smudging here are some photo's for you to try out ( courtesy of www.fontplay.com and www.morguefile.com ( girl one))

For those wanting to learn
Have a go any problems you have, just ask ( sorry i personally wont have all the answers but maybe others will ) by using the same images it should make things a bit easier and fun

For those practicing
try and give some info on how you achieved your smudge, like which brush, opacity, sharpening etc

have fun

Palms

Heres a couple of different smudges of the dog photo
1st one done with the rough round brush at 80% opacity
2nd one done with one of the furry brush's at 80% opacity

Palms

Flower smudge
using trimoons smudge tool preset 23# at opacity 60% and his soften edges #1 at 19%( brilliant brush this one not just for smudge painting but for softening edges especially when changing backgrounds )


Palms

Smudge portrait.

I like to keep the various peices in different layers, than I can sharpen them separately.

Rô

I used the two brushes from one of your links to smudge the dog. A hair one and the one from Linda. I'm just learning.

Joe

Smudge portrait.

I like to keep the various peices in different layers, than I can sharpen them separately.

Rô

Good idea the different layers, not sure if you do this way but you can smudge onto a empty layer by doing
new layer, and checking the box at the top that says "use all layers"
problem with it, is that it slows the pc down considerably the more you do, but for say the eyes etc it is ok
or do this for a bit then turn visibility off on the background layer and you can see where you have missed smudging ! ! !
Palms

I used the two brushes from one of your links to smudge the dog. A hair one and the one from Linda. I'm just learning.

Joe

You are doing well Joe , If you have downloaded trimoons smudge brushes try the soften edges on your edges, I think it makes a better finish :)

Palms

....but you can smudge onto a empty layer by doing
new layer, and checking the box at the top that says "use all layers"
........then turn visibility off on the background layer and you can see where you have missed smudging
Exactly :bigthmb:

Rô

My attempt at the girl, and I send my apologies i thought this was a decent candidate to smudge for both those starting out smudging and for those who just wanted practice

WRONG :blush:

the freckles ( wished i could of got them back in ) and all the fine fly away hair cause some problems (take note)
And yes the dog has a few problems like blown out bits ! ! ! !

but i suppose it shows you what is meant be some images work better than others :grin:

Palms

when i have finished a smudge painting i sharpen, but different ways depending on the image. ( when you read the tutorials they nearly all use a different way ) This is quite time consuming so i have attempted :eek: to make a action based on the sharpening methods i mainly use.

It opens a duplicate of the image and makes 5 layers each with a different type of sharpening, just turn on the visibility (eye) of each layer to see the effect. this is meant to be mainly a visual guide so that you can make a quicker choice for your original

hopefully i have got everything right and it runs ok :grin:

Palms

Thanks for sharing this... I would definitely download all the smudge tools :-)

Just a quick up date i have added to the links ( rod barker technique and a post from another forum dealing with virtual paintings (smudge) ) Also at the moment i know the link to lisa's video is down, this i am hoping is down to maintenece work at nikon cafe will keep a eye on the situation though :)



http://abc-impact.com/
Palms

Oh wow, Palms, you did a fantastic job with this post! I had never heard of most of these threads.
I'm glad you added the link to download Lisa's video from my website, I know a lot of people enjoy that video.
Thanks for putting all this stuff together!!!
Sylvia

Oh wow, Palms, you did a fantastic job with this post! I had never heard of most of these threads.
I'm glad you added the link to download Lisa's video from my website, I know a lot of people enjoy that video.
Thanks for putting all this stuff together!!!
Sylvia

And thank you Sylvia for making Lias's video available it would be criminal to let such a useful video sink without a trace :bigthmb::bigthmb::bigthmb:

My pleasure! I had a heck of a time to find it!!!
If anybody needs Lisa's brush or pictures, let me know and I'll try to get them...
Sylvia

I'm so very sorry but Lisa just informed me that she doesn't wish to share her video on the Internet anymore, so I removed it from my website.
Sorry about that...
Sylvia

I'm so very sorry but Lisa just informed me that she doesn't wish to share her video on the Internet anymore, so I removed it from my website.
Sorry about that...
Sylvia

What a shame oh well will have to remove the links now

Palms

I thought i would add to the list of resources its a tutorial of sorts more a walkthrough of how i smudge painted an image.
http://amiehiggsdigitalartist.blogspot.com/2008/03/im-brand-new-at-this-so-im-definitely.html
I hope it all makes sense i haven't done a tutorial before let me know if it doesnt so i can change it

I thought i would add to the list of resources its a tutorial of sorts more a walkthrough of how i smudge painted an image.
http://amiehiggsdigitalartist.blogspot.com/2008/03/im-brand-new-at-this-so-im-definitely.html
I hope it all makes sense i haven't done a tutorial before let me know if it doesnt so i can change it

Thank you for your link I have added it to the first post of this thread ( just in case someone dosent go through all the posts) I will have a read through it and try it out over the weekend :)

Palms

A new forum has started up for smudgers
It was started mainly for people who had done Scott Deardoffs course but they welcome all other smudgers


http://smudgepainter.freeforums.org/index.php

Palms

Palms

Just so you won't come gunning for me here is a pic for smudging, I know you were going to post but I saw this and thought it a good one.
My effort is smudged but taken a little further by over sharpening to highlight the brush strokes, and has an added texture layer.

link to original zip file at Morgue file
http://storage1.morguefile.com/download.php?display=67152

link to higher res version of mine (over 1meg)
[img=http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/108/gorilla2582imsl8.th.jpg] (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gorilla2582imsl8.jpg)


Look forward to seeing some good versions

Peter

Peter, even though you did not show your first efforts, you truly became a smudge master. May I ask which brushes you are using?

Palms

Just so you won't come gunning for me here is a pic for smudging, I know you were going to post but I saw this and thought it a good one.
My effort is smudged but taken a little further by over sharpening to highlight the brush strokes, and has an added texture layer.

link to original zip file at Morgue file
http://storage1.morguefile.com/download.php?display=67152

link to higher res version of mine (over 1meg)
[img=http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/108/gorilla2582imsl8.th.jpg] (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gorilla2582imsl8.jpg)


Look forward to seeing some good versions

Peter

Yes Peter that does look like a good picture to smudge and i will have a go soon

As for your version :knockedou:bigthmb::grin: That is Superb

See both you and Amica haven't really needed me !

If possible anyone doing a smudge can they put in which brush they have used it would help a lot ( as would any other details such as strength etc)

Palms

Palms

If possible anyone doing a smudge can they put in which brush they have used it would help a lot ( as would any other details such as strength etc)
I think the brush was Smudge tool TM#23 (Trimoons???)
Strength I know was 35% and used a lot of alternating modes - Normal/Darken/Lighten.


And yes thanks guys, and Palms I certainly need you to keep me on my toes, you keep setting the bar higher with your posts.

Peter

Are these tool that I should download into Photoshop CS3 - or does CS 3 come with all these brushes/tools. I'd love to try something like this!

Janie,
You can download some brushes/presets from my website.
Sylvia

Are these tool that I should download into Photoshop CS3 - or does CS 3 come with all these brushes/tools. I'd love to try something like this!

As well as the brushes from Sylvia's site there are the links at the beginning of this thread, As well as what comes with Photoshop ( rough round bristle )

Palms

Well, didn't like the blues too much. Anyhow nice peace to practice, Thanks Peter.
Used Chalk light brush with almost an overall 60% opacity, different modes

I thought i would go more down the photo realistic way (sort of Scott Deardoff's way )
first i boosted the colours a bit, then raised the resolution to 200
added usm at the settings of 200 amount > 1.00radius > 0 Threshold, and ran the anisotropic filter ( the usm settings i used i had read somewhere that someone used, so i am giving them a try and the aniso i got from Scotts pdf )

on the actual smudging i used Linda's smudge brush at 40% for the face, ear and breast

Changed to the rough round bristle brush for the fur at 50%

changed the background ( less smudging :grin:) not 100 % happy with it though
Finished by using Paint daubs at settings 1&4 ( not really got on with this before but keep trying it, and a little usm i think it was 100>0.3>0
And finally a bit of dodge and burn

Again well done Amica I havent tried the chalk brushes, I will have to give them a try And i will get round to your cats soon i think a soft fluffy smudge for them ! ! ! !

Palms

Thank you Palms and giving compliment back on yours.

Peter, Amica, and Palms- really love all 3 of your smudge versions! This photo seems very well suite for smudging Peter, good choice.

Palms- you say the anisio made it HARDER to smudge? Any idea why? Was it just harder to see where you had smudged?

Thanks Jordan

Palms- you say the anisio made it HARDER to smudge? Any idea why? Was it just harder to see where you had smudged?

No its hard to explain but the brush sort of seemed heavier and took a little bit longer, not too sure if it was worth it , but when i get time i will try again without the aniso and compare the two

Palms

Amica hope you like this one i had to guess the eye colour hope i got it right !

I used trimoons #23 smudge brush at the set opacity of 73%


Palms

I like all the smudge versions here. Way better then what I've come up with. I must be doing something wrong. I've tried every brush available and any time I use an opp greater then 30% it removes all detail from the fur. No amount of sharping helps. Palms do yo vary the brush size as your going or do you basically stick with the one size on the fur? My attempt looks like a giant blue fur ball with a face on it.

Joe

I like all the smudge versions here. Way better then what I've come up with. I must be doing something wrong. I've tried every brush available and any time I use an opp greater then 30% it removes all detail from the fur. No amount of sharping helps. Palms do yo vary the brush size as your going or do you basically stick with the one size on the fur? My attempt looks like a giant blue fur ball with a face on it.

Joe


Joe please please post your blue fur ball it sounds great :grin:

I guess you are doing the guerrilla i change the size depending on the fur, using small strokes,
Seriously post even just a bit of what you have done then i can see what you are doing and offer some better advice that way

Palms

Joe please please post your blue fur ball it sounds great :grin:

I guess you are doing the guerrilla i change the size depending on the fur, using small strokes,
Seriously post even just a bit of what you have done then i can see what you are doing and offer some better advice that way

Palms

Hey Palms this is smudged at only 13% opp. Sharpened heavily and the fur still looks like crap. What am I doing wrong? It doesn't matter what brush I'm using.

Joe

Amica hope you like this one i had to guess the eye colour hope i got it right !

I used trimoons #23 smudge brush at the set opacity of 73%


Palms

Very nice smudge there Palms, and of a CAT as well, we don't see many of them here do we. ;)

Peter

Amica hope you like this one i had to guess the eye colour hope i got it right !

I used trimoons #23 smudge brush at the set opacity of 73%


Palms

Love it Palms, the eyes were shaded orange, but I do like the blue ones as well. By the way, he never looked that smooth in real life, he was a living "fur-ball". Absolutely beautoful, let me check if I have that brush as your edges look so perfect. Thanks for the play. Aynone wants more CAT pics, i must have hundreds of them, they are such thankful modells...no wrinkle removal, no makeup..:-)

OK, I finally did it. I smudged for real. I actually sat down and studied a few tutorials.
Here it is. <Gulp> I actually had fun doing this.

I used Sarsa's brush on the fur and Linda's brush on the face & ear. I used Sylvia's background brush for the background.
Sylvia- that brush is awesome!! thank you!

Hey Palms this is smudged at only 13% opp. Sharpened heavily and the fur still looks like crap. What am I doing wrong? It doesn't matter what brush I'm using.

Joe

Joe try this
usm> 200,1.00,0
then get the rough round bristle brush (from the thick heavy brush set)
opacity 50 size 30
zoom in on image to about 190-200% (big) then work from the outside in with small strokes ( best way i can say is about the same size movement as if you are doing a capital letter ) in the direction of the fur ( try not to scrub backwards and forwards you may need to go over the area a couple of times ) then sort of layer the fur on top of each other (Had a thought i mean all on the same Photoshop layer dont use different layers hope this isnt confusing )
when you think you have finished look over the image again a bit at a time to find bits that you have missed ( they are easy to spot when you have used the usm )
See how you get on take your time (sorry not a quick thing) and post any problems
thank you for posting there are plenty who say they cant do it and wont post it makes it hard then to see what the problem could be

here is a couple of images that i hope will help where i have done just a little bit ( so ignore all the background and unsmudged bits )
Palms

Love it Palms, the eyes were shaded orange, but I do like the blue ones as well. By the way, he never looked that smooth in real life, he was a living "fur-ball". Absolutely beautoful, let me check if I have that brush as your edges look so perfect. Thanks for the play. Aynone wants more CAT pics, i must have hundreds of them, they are such thankful modells...no wrinkle removal, no makeup..:-)

Amica i have added another image with hopefully the right colour eyes ( i had done them on a seperate file and kept the psd)
Not sure about anyone else but maybe try a human next, Harder i think ? so will look for a image for that.

Palms

OK, I finally did it. I smudged for real. I actually sat down and studied a few tutorials.
Here it is. <Gulp> I actually had fun doing this.

I used Sarsa's brush on the fur and Linda's brush on the face & ear. I used Sylvia's background brush for the background.
Sylvia- that brush is awesome!! thank you!

Jordan i think that you are getting the "bug" well done :)

Palms

I've never had much luck with the whole smudging thing so it is with some trepidation that I dare to post this.

After the smudge I took into Painter to muck up the background a little. I hope that isn't considered bad form in Smudgeland. :wink:

Okay, here goes (clicks "Submit")

I've never had much luck with the whole smudging thing so it is with some trepidation that I dare to post this.

After the smudge I took into Painter to muck up the background a little. I hope that isn't considered bad form in Smudgeland. :wink:

Okay, here goes (clicks "Submit")

"He who dares wins", glad you submitted
Its not bad, you got the bug as well.

Peter

And it is an addicting bug, just as everything else with this hobby!

Well done dc. The ear looks a little sharp, but I like the eyes. I have seen several smudge paintings where the background was done in painter!
I've actually been wondering how different it would be to smudge the whole thing in painter. I know some do, but I haven't tried it yet. Anybody have any tips on that?

I used Sylvia's background brush for the background.
Sylvia- that brush is awesome!! thank you!
You're very welcome!! :)
Sylvia

Thanks Palms for the advice. I'm going to learn how to smudge even if it kills me:grin: I mean it. :grin:Just kidding.:tongue:No really! This smudging is driving me nuts!:aghast:

Joe

I have added two more links to the origingal post one for Sylvia's smudge brushes (thank you Sylvia) and another for some more links from mikajomc (thanks)

Dc great work, as said there are quite a few people who use painter for the backgrounds as well as the smudging, but i dont have painter so cant really comment on that but maybe someone will jump in

Joe you will get there remember the best tool for smudging is patience and you might find that other subjects are easier Sylvia has said she finds people easier ( thank goodness for that maybe she will be able to give some more advice when we give them a try , Well if we smile nicely and say pretty please) Like jordan i find animals (Peter read that as cats ) and flowers easier

Palms

I have added two more links to the origingal post one for Sylvia's smudge brushes (thank you Sylvia)

Sylvia has said she finds people easier ( thank goodness for that maybe she will be able to give some more advice when we give them a try , Well if we smile nicely and say pretty please)
Palms
You're welcome! I just updated my site and placed some new smudge presets.

I used my "- SD - Oil Streaky" to do Janet's excellent pictures of the old lady (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56833&d=1206312483) and the old guy (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56821&d=1206298137) and version 2 (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56823&d=1206302180)
These are the original links to Janet's pictures:
Old Woman (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-based-art/21250-old-woman.html)
Old Man Revisited (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-based-art/21231-old-man-revisited.html)

As for the colors, I usually darken the outside, and lighten the face a bit with these steps:
Select the lasso tool, feather around 40, hit Ctrl J (Cmd J on Mac) to place the selection on its own layer, Ctrl M (Cmd M on Mac) to open the Curves, click once on the middle of the graph and pull it up a bit. Hit OK, adjust the opacity if necessary and merge (Ctrl E / Cmd E on Mac).

Any other questions, just shoot, but I'm not the big expert on the subject.:wink:

Sylvia

Thank you Sylvia, I have already admired your face smudgings, haven't been brave enough to give it a try, yet.

I gave up on smudging. I just cannot get it. But it did give me the basics for this rendition using Corel Painter Essentials 4.:depressed

I gave up on smudging. I just cannot get it. But it did give me the basics for this rendition using Corel Painter Essentials 4.:depressed

Oh dear that is a shame, but try something else later ( i felt like giving up on it earlier as well :eek:)
but you still ended up with a great image :)

Palms

Here's a picture to play with from www.freedigitalphotos.net. I think I'm actually getting worse.:grin:

Joe

Here's a picture to play with from www.freedigitalphotos.net. I think I'm actually getting worse.:grin:

Joe

you might think that but i think that is a great image tigers are hard to do and you have done the whiskers better than i could ! ! :bigthmb:

Palms

Palms I took your smudging advice from earlier and I also reread that beagle smudging tutorial. I tried it on this lion from www.freedigitalphotos.net. I used only the rough bristle brush at 60% and different sizes. I sharpened using USM with a low amount 25% and high radius 50 to help with the contrast and Smart Sharpen at 100 for the amount and a radius of 0.4. I think this one turned out better. Here's the pic to play with.

Joe

Palms I took your smudging advice from earlier and I also reread that beagle smudging tutorial. I tried it on this lion from www.freedigitalphotos.net. I used only the rough bristle brush at 60% and different sizes. I sharpened using USM with a low amount 25% and high radius 50 to help with the contrast and Smart Sharpen at 100 for the amount and a radius of 0.4. I think this one turned out better. Here's the pic to play with.

Joe

Even though i liked the tiger yes i think this is better still I think you have got it, a word of warning though don't get disappointed if maybe your next image dosnt work that well, that's just the way it is keep practicing and reading, I have been a bit busy lately (what with the holidays etc but we will get round to trying people out )
keep up the good work
Palms

Does anyone know where there is a working link to Lisa's video tutorial on smudging.

At last here is the tiger and lion both done the same basically
raised the resolution to 200, used usm (200 amount, radius 1, threshold zero) this seems to work for me on the animal smudges so will stick with that for now

smudge brush, tm#23 ( getting to like this brush a lot for furry animals ) strength 40, size mainly 30, ( just incase you dont know but the smaller the brush size (as well as strength ) the more detail in the fur, but also the more time and effort spent )
done the background and then
paint daubs 1, 4, then usm again at around 100 amount and 0.3 radius, this does give a sort of grain effect that i like
Finally a bit of colour tweeking like hue/saturation, oh and dropped the resolution back down for posting !

Palms

Does anyone know where there is a working link to Lisa's video tutorial on smudging.


unfortunately no, That is why i removed it from the list of links, Sylvia did have it on her site but was asked to remove it :bawling:

Palms

Excellent smudges Palms! I like how you desaturated the tiger background. But I am really loving your lion!! Do you mind sharing how you did that?

Oh! I like that lion Palms! Is that #23 brush your talking about free? I never saw it on his site. Is there something similar in Photoshop's default brushes?


Joe

Nice job, Palms!!

Palms- I have just gone through all my trimoon brushes, and I can't find #23. Can you point us to it?
(On the plus side, this just forced me to organize my brushes. And I found quite a few I had forgotten I had. :) )

Check out palms1 list of links to all kinds of things including Trimoons brushes. (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-art-resources/20346-smudging-resources.html)

Thanks Gunner. But I have those 2 trimoon brushes.
Maybe it's a typo Palms? In the link the brush is #22.

I'm not kidding when I said I organized all my brushes. I literally went through each and every tool preset I have downloaded. Opened each one, one at a time. Yikes! They were a mess! :eek:

Thank you Jordan, Joe, & Sylvia,

I used the same brushes etc for both photo's,

Now for brush #23 a long story but it was with a link of brushes with Lisa's video but the link died well before the video, When i was doing the original link i did email Trimoon to ask for another link or permission to post the brush but i have not received a answer.

I have had a quick study of the #22 and #23 the difference that i can see is that #22 has different settings to #23 but the same shape, so if you open the brush palette and uncheck shape dynamic and other dynamics that should be #23 ( if you dont want to do this every time you use the brush remember to save the brush )
Failing that I need to check on something but it will take me a day or two !

Jordan Tidy brush's wouldn't know where i was, It is one of those jobs i am always going to do but don't

Palms

That's an easy fix Palms! Thanks for the tip!

Bad link in old message.

Gunner- that is brush #22. But you can modify it to be #23. See Palms post #71 above.

Here is my umpteenth attempt. Not good but the best I have been able to do so far. I will not give up on it.

Here is my umpteenth attempt. Not good but the best I have been able to do so far. I will not give up on it.


that's what i like to hear, determination and your image looks fine, Why do you think it is not so good ?

Palms

I guess it's because I have looked at others' very good attempts for so long I can't see my own as sufficient-yet!

I guess it's because I have looked at others' very good attempts for so long I can't see my own as sufficient-yet!

I understand what you mean, i am guilty of that as well and i guess a lot of others are also. but in the end i have realised that i am me and not them and just try to do something that at least i like. :grin: failing that practice and ask questions , which is sort of what i thought this thread would be good for asking questions and posting images that they are not sure of
so that learning smudging may be a bit easier :wink:
Palms

Ok i said i would find a human photo to smudge, but i have failed i cant find one , so if any one out there has one please post it, mean while i will keep looking

Palms

Ok i said i would find a human photo to smudge, but i have failed i cant find one , so if any one out there has one please post it, mean while i will keep looking

Palms


Palms

What sort of things are you looking for in the Photo?
Do you want it uncluttered (simple background for example)?
Lots of hair or lots of skin or both (Beach shot possibly)?
Male? Female?
???

Peter

Palms, why don't you start with Janet pictures of the old lady and guy? They're pretty good subjects...
Sylvia

Here's a photo to practice on. Lot's of different textures. It's from my CorelDraw stock photo's CD so you can use it anywhere you want.

Joe

Smudged bride using mostly the #17 Chalk brush at 7% opp.

Joe

Peter i was looking for something relatively simple not too cluttered, for everyone to have a try at

Sylvia good idea :idea: ( Thank you for your brushes/tools i have been messing around with them and like them )

Joe what's going on here then ? not only a photo but a smudge as well ? great work there i take it you have found the hang of it? and was it easier or harder than a animal ?

Now it is going to be fun seeing all the different styles/interpretations (there is not just one style in smudging) So have a go any problems then just post it is easier to spot what the problem is with a image (don't be embarrassed)

Palms

Palms
Here are a few to be going on with.
I haven't got time to resize to post here, maybe later.
Hope you approve.

Peter



http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/peter-m/uI6neRpn1310.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/peter-m/t9oIt2Ci1573.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/peter-m/STXMbMdW137.jpg

Post versions now

Peter

You're welcome, Palms.
Good job, Joe. I noticed you painted her teeth lol
Sylvia

[QUOTE=Peter S;189331]Palms
Here are a few to be going on with.
I haven't got time to resize to post here, maybe later.
Hope you approve.

Peter


Thanks Peter that should give everyone something to get there teeth into

Palms

My version of the bride
i used linda's smudge brush at 40% and the dry brush for the hair at 50%

OK now for a question what do you think of the second version (tried something different on it and would like to hear your opinions )

Palms

Sylvia thanks for the nice comment. A bride should always be smiling on her wedding day. Even if you have to paint in the teeth yourself:grin:

Palms I found this one easier then the lion. At this point I'll try smudging anything. People, animals, rocks and anything else I can mess up. It doesn't cost nothing to try right? I like your first one the best but the second one has a kind of a HDR thing going on that's cool looking. I'm going to have to try that.

Joe

S
Palms I found this one easier then the lion. At this point I'll try smudging anything. People, animals, rocks and anything else I can mess up. It doesn't cost nothing to try right? I like your first one the best but the second one has a kind of a HDR thing going on that's cool looking. I'm going to have to try that.

Joe


That's it Joe dosnt cost anything, and the more you do the better you get
I will see if any one else offers any opinions then i will post how i done the second one

Palms

I prefer No.2 personally Palms. It's got a Lucis look to it.
Did you use Shadow/Highlight and boost the midtones?????


Used "-SD-Smudge Soft Captured Oils" brush but lowered the strength by about half for this one, then heavily on with the sharpening.

Peter

Palms
Here are a few to be going on with.
Hope you approve.

Peter


Post versions now

Peter

Thank you Peter, nice images you've found. Here's my 1st people-smudge. Believe it is quite more difficult than animals, though

I had smudge these two pictures. Carb

OK now for a question what do you think of the second version (tried something different on it and would like to hear your opinions )

Palms

I like the second one as well Palms. It has more contrast I think. Or better shadows or something. What did you do different?

Joe- you did a good job, nice teeth :)

Peter- for Palms it is cats, for you it seems to be women in hats :)

Peter, amica, carb- all great smudges!

I will be attempting the bride later today.

Here's what i did different, When i have finished the smudge including any sharpening I run CSpringers Contrast mask v.2 action

available free from here in the download section
http://www.atncentral.com/

On the bride it worked great but on other people images you may have to mask in places or alter opacity etc

It works great on animals and flowers
here is a before the action and after on the lion smudge
(sorry i was being lazy and didn't mask off the background but i think you get the idea !)

oh and it is a great action try it on some other photo's too

Palms

found this one hard, not the smudging but the other stuff i have given up trying to get the left arm to look better

Palms

I like the second one as well Palms. It has more contrast I think. Or better shadows or something. What did you do different?

Joe- you did a good job, nice teeth :)

Peter- for Palms it is cats, for you it seems to be women in hats :)

Peter, amica, carb- all great smudges!

I will be attempting the bride later today.


Thank you.
Women in hats - easier than curly hair!!!!!

Peter

Your right Palms not that easy this one.
Used Trimoons TM#23 for this.

Peter

Everyone did a great job on the bride. I gave her a try too but not real pleased with the result. I think it looks more like a touched up photo than a painting of any kind. Maybe too dark also.
I'm having trouble uploading here today so here are the links.
Nan

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/Nan18_photos/Bridesample.jpg

A little closer view.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/Nan18_photos/Bridecloseup.jpg

Nan- I think you did great. If you want it to look even more painted, maybe you could try smudging with more strength? What settings did you use?
But, honestly, I think its fine just as it is.

Everyone did a great job on the bride. I gave her a try too but not real pleased with the result. I think it looks more like a touched up photo than a painting of any kind. Maybe too dark also.
I'm having trouble uploading here today so here are the links.
Nan


Nan i think you can include yourself in the great job category,
that looks great as Jordan has said if you wanted a more heavy look put the strength of the smudge tool up, and a higher sharpen setting
As for being to dark, for my taste yes i would lighten it some more ( but you would loose the veil so would have to mask ) but that is just my taste,
now are you going to try one of the other photo's ? :grin:


Palms

I tried it the other way round and running the contrast mask first, think it is better doing it last !

Palms

@ All, very, very stunning results. Am a little short on time right now, but will try one of the pics someday soon.

@ Palms, like your last smudge when using the contrast mask before smudging, but I can't get used to that huge hand :-)

I don't know about this one. Turned into more of a cartoon then a smudge.


Joe

Palms- I love it! What makes you think its better to do the contrast last vs first?

and amica- LOL I never noticed the hand till you mentioned it, and now it just leaps out at me! :lol:

Thank you Amica
Joe again nice work
Jordan i found by doing the contrast mask first i had to keep going over the image for pieces that were missed (more than usual) and there where more halo/blown out bits, but in all fairness will try it again this way just to make sure

Palms

and amica- LOL I never noticed the hand till you mentioned it, and now it just leaps out at me! :lol:[/QUOTE]

LOL, Jordan to me this picture is ALL hand from first look :-)

Jordan and Palms, thanks for the comments. I'm working out which settings I like for the smudging. I've done some people before and was satisfied with the results. I just haven't figured out how to apply it to everything I work on.

Palms, I like the way big hand lady turned out. I'm working on another of the hat ladies but I won't attempt the one you did!
Nan

I finally finished the bride! I have started and stopped so many times, I have no idea what brushes I have used from one part to the next! :lol:
But at least it's finished! I hate having half done paintings floating around my laptop!
Thanks for the photo Joe.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikajomc/2405627627/sizes/l/

I finally finished the bride! I have started and stopped so many times, I have no idea what brushes I have used from one part to the next! :lol:
But at least it's finished! I hate having half done paintings floating around my laptop!
Thanks for the photo Joe.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikajomc/2405627627/sizes/l/

Your welcome Jordan. :)


Joe

I have added this Faye Sirkus pdf ( painter) although this is a painting it has a similar look to smudging, also there are some great tips to getting the image ready in this case to taking into painter but stand good for preparing to smudge as well,
and some great tips on doing eyes

http://www.corel.com/content/pdf/painterix/FaySirkus_PhotoshopUser_Sept05.pdf

enjoy

Palms

After spending a hour or two tracking down Alan Buonforte's workflow for smudging/painting eyes ( i knew this existed somewhere) i have added it and Alans workflow for smudging to the list
I think Alan is a bit of a forgotten smudger and was one of the first ones i became aware of

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=13999204

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1006&message=14703851

enjoy
Palms

Alan is one of the best I have ever seen. I'm glad you spotted that tutorial of his, he's really good!
Thanks for taking the time to share the goodies with us :)
Sylvia

thought i would show you a couple of doggy smudges i have done this week

first one was with the soft dry brush
and the second was with Linda's smudge brush

Palms

Fantastic work. Just love them, the dog also.

Fantastic work. Just love them, the dog also.

Thank you Gholmes the dog is a vistor to my neighbours (when his owners go on holiday)

Palms

thought i would show you a couple of doggy smudges i have done this week

first one was with the soft dry brush
and the second was with Linda's smudge brush

Palms


Both excellent Palms.
Could you explain your method for keeping the whiskers intact and still make them look smudged, do you just bring back the originals by masking???

Peter

Both excellent Palms.
Could you explain your method for keeping the whiskers intact and still make them look smudged, do you just bring back the originals by masking???

Peter

Mainly on the whiskers on these two i just smudged them as i went along, i do tend to smudge them onto another layer as it is easier to erase or correct etc and that then makes it easier to smudge between the whiskers on the layer beneath,
but on the second one, left side as you look at it , the whiskers go onto the background so i painted them freehand with a 2/3 size paint brush on a seperate layer then used the softlight overlay reducing opacity ( made the mistake of using white at first but in fact a light grey works better )
Hope this helps a bit but it is a case of whatever works :grin::grin:

Palms

Thanks Palms, I was dreading the freehand approach as I've not got that steady a hand for it.

Peter

Thanks Palms, I was dreading the freehand approach as I've not got that steady a hand for it.

Peter

I know what you mean but not too bad on a separate layer and it is only small strokes ! ! I have been collecting whiskas to make a brush for ease of use, keep you in mind when i have finished it ( not sure when though!)

Palms

Beautiful job on these Palms!! and what a gorgeous shephard :)

I have been trying different hair brushes ( again ) but was recommended on another forum by Ronnie to use Linda's smudge brush set at about 30% opacity as it seems to give a more painted look,and is quicker
I have had a try and have posted it for you to see along with the original if you want to have a go ! !

I had already gone back to using this brush on most of the animal smudges i do but at about 50% opacity for a softer look

the photo is from morgue file larger version here
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/?display=206340&

Any one else found different/other brushes useful ?

Palms

you've really become very good at this, palms! lovely rendition!

you've really become very good at this, palms! lovely rendition!

Thank you Craig, and thank you for the encouragement and support i have received from you right from the start :)
Palms

Thought i would post this link to a gorgeous smudge done by Trimoon,
that's the sort of smudge that i wish i could do, mind you i think he is the photographer as well so that's another wish :grin:

http://asnailpace.com/blog/?cat=65

Palms

Thought i would post this link to a gorgeous smudge done by Trimoon,
that's the sort of smudge that i wish i could do, mind you i think he is the photographer as well so that's another wish :grin:

http://asnailpace.com/blog/?cat=65

Palms

Whoa, isn't that outstanding?

Thought i would post this link to a gorgeous smudge done by Trimoon,
that's the sort of smudge that i wish i could do, mind you i think he is the photographer as well so that's another wish :grin:

http://asnailpace.com/blog/?cat=65

Palms


Ahhh Palms a very good picture indeed. But When your on form I have seen some of yours rival this, dare I mention cats at this point - no I won't :)

BTW the blouse in this one was as hard to do as the hair.

Peter

Ahhh Palms a very good picture indeed. But When your on form I have seen some of yours rival this, dare I mention cats at this point - no I won't :)

BTW the blouse in this one was as hard to do as the hair.

Peter

Thank you Peter, yes the blouse was hard and you have done a lot better than i did :blush:

Palms

Thank you Peter, yes the blouse was hard and you have done a lot better than i did :blush:

Palms

No just different - now I've heard that before somewhere.......

Peter

Here's a Lily smudge that i have worked on over the weekend i have included the original for comparison and if any one fancies a go ! ! !

Palms

Here's a Lily smudge that i have worked on over the weekend i have included the original for comparison and if any one fancies a go ! ! !

Palms

Now Palms, that is beautiful, not only because lilies are my favorite flowers :-) Very well done

Still beautiful Palms. Its good to see the original too. Seems to make the smudge more impressive. :)

Thank you Amica and again Jordan :)

what makes these lily's even better is that I spent a whole pound on 5 bulbs and some other bulbs (in a packet, they haven't flowered yet) shoved them in a pot and left them alone super


Palms

As always your images are sterling!

As always your images are sterling!


Thank you Gunner

Palms

Many thanks for all this information. Now all I have to do is understand and apply it successfully!

Dave

Many thanks for all this information. Now all I have to do is understand and apply it successfully!

Dave

Trial and error is the best way and plenty of practice, Dont forget there are lots of friendly members here who offer any help required along the way
good luck and at times it might not seem like it but smudging is relaxing and fun :grin:

Palms

Very Very Nice Palms

Peter

Trial and error is the best way and plenty of practice, Dont forget there are lots of friendly members here who offer any help required along the way
good luck and at times it might not seem like it but smudging is relaxing and fun :grin:

Palms

Thanks Palms, it may be a while before I ask for help as I am off to help lead an expedition to the Amazon for a few weeks. Hopefully I will get an image or two out there to smudge.
Dave

thank you Peter, love yours the background is super, Oh and i was thinking of sending out the search parties for you, :grin::grin:

Wow Dave,now that is a photo opportunity not to miss, take plenty we will want to see them :bigthmb:

Palms

It will be a great chance to take some images. Unfortuantely it is an expedition on which I will take photos rather than a photographic expedition - very subtle difference!

http://www.calico.co.uk/Photo/Amazon_2007/Amazon_2007.html is a link to some I took last year and have put up to tell the story rather than for their artistic merit.

Dave

That page won't play on my Mac. Seems it requires some kind of application that when I downloaded it there was an .exe file format for it, which doesn't work on Mac's at least not older ones.

That page won't play on my Mac. Seems it requires some kind of application that when I downloaded it there was an .exe file format for it, which doesn't work on Mac's at least not older ones.

Apologies - I should have mentioned that the version I put up needs a browser plug in to be downloaded to allow it to play and that only works on a PC. I should have made it a flash presentation so it would be platform independant.

Dave

Painter X, plus CS2.

That has a nice gentle feel to it Gunner :bigthmb:

Palms

Well, generally I am a gentle kind of guy. Except when I was a B-52 gunner