Christmas is coming and it seems like my brain has taken an early vacation. :bawling: Every year I produce a christmas card to send to my close friends and family - and possibly some clients to remind them I am still alive and in the business!!

This year though it seems that I have gone dry. I have spent hours at my computer screen staring at images that just don't seem to be exceptional - or just have no feeling.

Retouchpro is the only place where I see work that I get inspired by - so here I am asking for some help.

Please help inspire me..... :bow: :)
Clare


________________________
I apologise if I have repeated a thread that is already here or this is in the wrong place!!!... I'm having a bad day.

Clare,

Just a thought. Thomas Kinkade (and others) have quite a few paintings that might inspire you. You might also consider something along the lines of Norman Rockwell for a more human touch. We had a challenge (http://www.retouchpro.com/challenge/manipulation/challenge6/index.html) or two around Christmas last year that produced some pretty good ideas too. I seem to remember at least one in the photo art category also. Hope you come up with something good. I'd like to see the final results.

Ed

Thanks Ed - I'll look these artists up and I will definately visit our gallery challenges.

Check out this site (http://www.freefoto.com/christmas/noel_1/index.asp). Perhaps some of these will strike your fancy.

BTW: The admin (Ian) at FreeFoto.com graciously allows me to post images from this collection for mini-challenges.

Thanks Danny this has given some ideas to work on. I'm still not to certain which way this years pic will turn out - I never am until I start, but this has given me some much need inspiration.

I have attached last years image

Greek Angel
(I can't remember whether I have posted this here before if I have I am sorry for the repeat!)

Clare

I don't remember seeing this one before. But even if it was posted, it's still worth seeing. I'd say that one captures the spirit of the season. Very nice.

Ed

Thanks Ed
I am finding it a little bit difficult to follow that one!

Hey Danny, I checked out FreeFoto.com, chose an image and made a Christmas card......just playing around.

The top is the original and the bottom is my new version

Marlene
www.thedigitalspectrum.com

Clare,
That angel is really beautiful.

Marlene,
I love what you did to that image to create a Christmas card. That's really pretty. You should print and send them. It's better than the cards they sell.
DJ

Clare -- the scanned background from your maple leaf would look beautiful on a card.

D.J. Thankyou! I'm going to be printing up postcards and I may include this.

Claire...lovely Angel!

Marlene
www.thedigitalspectrum.com

Thank you all for your kind comments on the Greek angel.

CJ - I think you have a good idea there - and it will give me somewhere to work from - the blank canvas has probably been the thing that has been holding me back this year. I will definately give this a try.

Marlene - I like what you created with your image. It is very effective - I prefer your image to the original.

I am going to revisit Dannys link and see what I can come up with.
Hopeful my next post will include an image :)

Well with Christmas looming I have finally finished my card. I have posted it in the gallery (click HERE (http://www.retouchpro.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1585&papass=&sort=1)).

Thanks to all for your inspiration, Have a fantastic Christmas

Clare

- - - - - -
Added link to the gallery post. - DannyR

Clare:

That's a lovely image. Just wonderful.

~Danny~

Thanks Danny :D

Thanks for putting the link in I should really learn how to do that!!!