FIRST MINI-CHALLENGE?
See below for "Information and Guidelines."

Here’s another “mini-challenge” to play with in the Photo-based Art category until the next offical challenge is posted here (http://www.retouchpro.com/challenge/index.html).

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PHOTO ART: Mini-Challenge #33 – Fall Leaves

In some parts of the country, such as where I live in the state of Washington, Fall is upon us and leaves are starting to turn.

Given all the fun we had with the yellow-pink rose challenge, see what magic you can apply here.

Sorry a little slow to post the mini's this week. Good intentions, not so good results.

Enjoy the minis...

~DannyR~

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INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Unlike “official challenges” for this forum which can be found here (http://www.retouchpro.com/challenge/index.html), this one will be self-contained within this thread. It is intended as an opportunity to engage in this artform until the next official challenge is posted.

The rules are more-or-less the same:
* It’s a challenge, not a contest -- intended to provide opportunities to experiment, share methods and/or techniques and, most importantly, have FUN.
* Everyone who participates is a winner.
* There’s no expiration date.

GUIDELINES:
1. Use any method, application(s), style(s) you like:
. * Convert to sketch, grayscale, abstract, watercolor, oil painting, pen-and-ink, Conte crayon, impasto, van Gogh or any style of your choosing
. * Add elements from other images (collage) or replace the background
. * Hand painting? Tracing? Freehand? You bet. Always appreciate entries of this nature.
. * Apply filters from your favorite application(s) or tweak it with 3rd party plug-ins
. * Feeling animated? A big bug chewing on one of the leaves?
. * Any or all of the above

Bottom line:
How you create this masterpiece makes no difference. Whatever floats your boat as long as you follow guideline #4 in the process.

2. When done, reply to this thread and attach your work (don’t forget the 100kb size limit).

Note: Multiple entries OK if you’re so inspired.

3. By all means include some verbiage on how you achieved your masterpiece so others will benefit from your skills and experience. Make it as descriptive as you like. Grammar and spelling will not be graded. Priority given to content, not how it is written.

4. Have fun.

For this challenge I used a technique from the "One-Click Wow!" book but decided to stick with the brushes in PS7.

After saving the original picture as a pattern, I filled a new layer with white and then, using the Pattern Stamp with a watercolor brush and alternating between impressionist and normal modes, painted the image onto the white layer. When I had the look that I wanted, I added a texture with Paint Engine.

Jim

From their shape and color these look like sumac leaves. They are among the brightest fall leaves of all, so I enhanced the saturation a bit to bring out the red. I tried for a really wet watercolor look. Just used filters...no brush work here. Trimoon, Jim, and Wanda intimidate me to the point where I am afraid to go near a brush now!

Phyllis

I'm new at this and new to this forum. So here goes my first attempt of a challenge!

JLC, I like the soft wet look you have achieved...looks a bit like you are seeing the leaves from a rain drenched window. Very nice! Hope you stay around and do more!

Phyllis

JB, beautiful, that "One Click Wow" book must be something. Just great!

Phyllis, this is wonderful:) You pick up that paint brush right now, I love your painting:)

JLC, welcome, your entry is really pretty! Are you sure it's your first attempt:D

Wanda

OK, what I was trying for was a parchment type stationery look. I used the same procedure as I did for the rose. I used the magic wand to get rid of the background. Several layer masks with different colors, taking off with wet media brushes. Don't blame me for the little saying on it. I was fooling around just to see what it would look like if written on. My husband and son threatened me with bodily harm if I deleted it! My small contribution. Thanks everyone:)

Wanda

Wanda, just when I think you can no longer surprise me with your talent, you come up with something else amazing! The poetry card idea is truly inspired, and beautifully executed.

Where did those lines come from? Your poem? Or whose? And thank your family for me...they have good taste!

Phyllis :)

Jim:
Sure like this one. I've got that WOW book on order and a PS7 upgrade waiting to be applied. It's mostly your fault! :D

Photoshop:
Gorgeous colors. You're just amazing.

WANDA:
Ditto what Phyllis said. Plueeze... just keep amazing us, OK?

JLC:
Wow. When you start participating in a challenge, you sure don't hold back. Nicely done.

Don't hesitate to try some of the other mini-challenges. There's no expiration date on any of them.

When you get some time, might I suggest you pop on over to this thread (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=761&perpage=40&pagenumber=1) and introduce yourself.

In the mean time, WELCOME -- and keep having fun!

~DannyR~

Silly experiment, but what the heck. Painted on a mask over a blue layer with a leaf brush after a few passes with more basic brushes. Brought out some texture with render/lighting effects.

Phyllis

Not a silly experiment Phyllis... I rather like the effect!

Lisa

I used a filter from KPT Effects called Pyramid Paint. Fooled around with hue & saturation and then added some texture.

Lisa

wow that's impressive Lisa, it looks like a real watercolor painting. :thumbsup:

- David :)

Thanks David... but I can't take much credit for it. KPT made if pretty easy.

Lisa:tongue:

Phyllis, Danny, thank you soooooo much:)

Phyllis, "Where did those lines come from." You had to ask, so I have to admit it! They're mine. I'm always writing little poems, my mind never stops!! However, it does go on vacation sometimes:D Thanks again, you guys really know how to lift ones spirits!!!

Wanda

Phyllis your "silly experiment" turned into something quite beautiful! I love it:)

Lisa, your entry is an AWESOME watercolor, really wonderful to view:)

Wanda

Lisa, that KPT effect is just gorgeous! Gets rid of detail and adds punch! Wonderful choice for this subject.

I have the old 2.0 version of KPT and have wanted to get the new one, but it's not cheap at $200. Is this feature one of the basic filters included with a newer version? Looks like it uses a combination of cutout and pixelate (the menu choice that makes the little squares) along with an overall texture. Probably more in there...would be interesting to experiment and make your own action for a similar effect. (Cheaper too!)

Phyllis

How about dry pressed autumn leaves?

Wanda,Phyllis,Lisa and Angue

Very pretty submissions ,all different, and all well done..

Wanda..So now you are a poet also..How can we keep up.

Here is my try..Similar to the rose entry..

Jerry :D

Jerry, really beautiful again. You're really getting the hang of this PhotoArt. Good going!! Your version reminds me of frosted glass sort of, and I REALLY like how you put extra leaves in the image. Very creative idea:) Can't wait to see what you do next:bigthmb:

wanda

Since I got some new KPT CDs I've been trying lots of new things. This effect is made with KPT3 twirl and KPT6 materialize. The twirl filter makes kaleidoscopic images, and the materialize filter adds texture and lighting to make the image look either concave or convex, and like metal, glass, plastic, etc. This one looks like ceramic to me.

Phyllis

Second pic uses a different twirl treatment, and shows both the concave-metallic look of materialize and the convex-glassy look.

Phyllis

Third and last pic is a set of coasters made from the leaf picture.

Phyllis

I have only just started to do some of the mini-challenges, so I am taking advantage of the fact that they never expire!!

There are some really fantastic images here, I love the paint effect that Phyllis used with the leaf brush. I have never found a use for that one - it produced a creative gem- well done

Here is mine - How I created it is a bit more tricky - I did the image this morning but didn't get a chance to post it until now!

It went along the lines of cutting out the leaves from the back ground - loads of filters including the crome effect
The background was created with the motion blur and then making it greyscale.
The frame was created with a filter again - ahh I just can't remember !!!

Hope you like it
Clare

Fall Leaves watercolor
I played and played until this.

Wow Trimoon,

Love the water colour effect and the blending that comes out of the frame is a nice touch

Took the challenge and here's my version. I'm not real good at documenting my steps, but roughly here's what I did. I duplicated the image, flipped it vertical and pasted as a reflection back onto the original. I applied a "flood" from Flaming Pear to the reflection, adjusted opacity, applied a staggered wind filter and gave it a slight buzz. Flattened and cloned out distractions. I'm a newbie here and really love everything I'm seeing here, seems like a great group and I'm feeling right at home. Thanks for all you share.

Marlene

Clare, very interesting treatment. Can't decide if the leaves look non-organic, like something from a futuristic society run by robots, or natural but fighting hard for survival in a bleak future where pollution has touched every living thing. In either case, it's a powerful image!

Marlene, very clever idea...love the reflection. Looks cool and inviting like a crisp fall day!

Trimoon... I am out of words. I have to fall back on "wow!" I especially like the way you tweaked the colors adding a yellow to warm and brighten it.

Phyllis

Marlene,

A nice variation on the leat theme. The water / reflection effect has worked really well.

Phyllis
Thanks for your comments - sometimes I wonder where my inspiration for this type of image comes from - I am not a particularly 'greenpeace' person ( although I recycle requlary ) So I'll have to go with the robot vision - or may be I have just watched the matrix a few to many times!

Clare

Gosh, some really wonderful creations since the last time I checked this thread...

TRIMOON:
If this is an example of the forthcoming watercolor treatment, let me stay IT'S STUNNING! Like the framing and watercolor effect "outside the lines," too. Really enhanced the effect.

CLARE:
The stark contrast between background and foreground really set off your interpretation. Nicely done.

OhThatGirl (Lisa):
Another outstanding result. The colors and textures are great. How do you continually come up with such great combinations?

TONY:
Glad to see you're not sulking cuz the Mets and Yanks got bounced! This "neon" effect is really unique; you, too, do textures and colors very, very well.

JERRY:
You just keep getting better and better. Keep it up! This technique is addictive (in a good way), isn't it?

PHYLLIS:
What do you eat for breakfast (or do you have time for breakfast)? Your experiments are awesome... then you go on a Kalaidescope discovery trip.

Thanks for taking all of us along. It's a mind opening ride!

MARLENE:
So glad you found our happy little playpen. Your first mini confirmed my suspicions after seeing some of your works elsewhere: You are very talented when it comes to this kind of thing. The mirroring / reflection are brilliantly executed.

Welcome and may we see many more of your creations in the future.

~DannyR~

Now that’s a keeper Chuck.. :)