I've been chasing butterflies all summer and have tons of blurry pictures of little moths and tiny butterflies. I was thrilled when this guy stopped in my yard long enough for me to get a couple of shots.

Here for creative interpretation. Have fun.

I used my pastels over ink action. Then changed the blending mode on the find edges layer to overlay and reduce the pattern fill layer opacity to 50%. A hue/saturation layer was added to boost color intensity.

Great photo Cheryl,

Here's my take on it.

Ken

Ken--great job bringing back the richness of the colors. I like the depth you gave the image. I'm with Don on this one--any hints?

Cheryl,
Nice photo and I like the pastel. Soft colors with the ink detail.

Ken,
Nice version as well. Nice and bright.

For my version (this was all done in PSP8 by the way), I first boosted the brightness and saturation a bit. Then I ran an edge preserving smooth followed by Brush strokes. Finally, added an old paper texture.

Catia

Don--your first is proof that martian butterflies can be beautiful too. :D The second is simply beautiful--in a very traditional way--and a suprising (although very nice) change of pace.

Catia--The pastels are lovely on this photo. The combination of softness and vibrancy in the colors is a winner.

can't resist a nice image like this! LOl

Very nice submissions so far!
PM - nice treatment.

Cheryl - thanks for this image! Have to agree the
pastel with soft colors and with the ink detail work well with the image. Executed very well !

oooooo - Ken - bold, strong, alive! This is a wonderful treatment to this image! WOW - love the colors.

catina - very nice painted feel! The added texture is not overpowering and just adds to the overall feel of the image. The brush strokes just work wonderfully with the effect. I like this!

Used cut out and textures with history brush.

Jill--that's very pretty. I'm not sure how to describe it, but the lines in the background are a really nice texture. Which part of what you did gave you that effect?

Oh --- sorry!!! :o:

I meant the nice stroked painting. Sorry!!!

Not that I do not like the outerspace one -- nope that is cool.

I guess I am in a more traditional mood tonight ---- now on another night the outerspace one would strike me strong! LOL

but I am in a traditional mode this PM (A.K.A evening not Photo Mauler!) --- :)
so hope you did not think I discounted the far out version --- did take a look and like what I saw! Sorry should have made a comment on both === but the painting struck home this time for me --- just a little more.

:mad: DARN! got to learn to be more specific!!!!!! Sorry!


Hey did you clear your PM box -- sent you some notes today! Had to use the E-mail-- but lord knows what E-mail is good for you anymore! LOL

Got to keep up with the PM stuff --- must have a busy box I guess! ;)

I would never know what it is like to be THAT popular! My box is always empty :(

Once again sorry for any confusion! Always a pleasure to view your work ------ HEY what about what IIIIIII did should merrit some type of review! LOL

EDIT: see below ------
Hey Don -- would love to reply to the PM's you have sent me but your box is full!!!!!!!!!! So don't think I'm not trying! LOL

Boy you must get moooga PM's!!!!

Cheryl - I added the texture at the very end it is on the overall image. Lowered the opacity and fill --- then made a new layer and rotated just a tad on the texture and brought down the opacity again. I really like this texture and use it a lot - I will usually work on opacity and fill much lower ---- this one I left a bit stronger than in most.

A not nearly as popular program as Photoshop, Corel's Photo-paint has a few filters that render very interesting results. This is output from PP's Watercolor filter. It was applied after moving the image around a bit (and cloning in the gaps) so the butterfly wouldn't be quite so close to the middle.

A wonderful image to work with (thank you Cheryl) and some great interpretations across the board.

- - - - -

Jilly: It's always nice to see your smiling avitar!

~Danny~

Dan - Now that is a very nice effect! I like the softness (word?) yet the colors stand out. The slight blur add to the overall image and effect!--- and you will see my "smiling" avitar always -- even if my work is not up to par! LOL


NOW Don - you do not EVER have to comment on my work! LOL
Thank you for you honest evaluation.
NOW go clear out that ever sooooo popular PM box!!!!


Heck I'm never afraid to admit I PM you ---- OK when YOUR box is full -- it is a bit fustrating! Ha Ha Ha Ha

Everyopne knows how I feel ! -- Switzerland is a wonderful place --- if for nothing else than your money! Ha Ha Ha Ha

YELLING ??? Heck you and everyone here would know if I was YELLING!

I don't yell ---- Nope no yelling here! --- and NOT at you! LOL (counterproductive -- I would think! -- and you would agree?) :)



BTW - Cheryl sounds like you worked in photopaint -- not something I have worked in -- but looking at Dan's submission it does look like some nice SW !!!!! May have to take a look at it.
Thanks both of you.

I'm a new member. I am so inspired and impressed with the visual display, variety of interpetations and ability to manipulate photo imagery. The butterfy was stunning. I would like to throw the question out.....if you were starting your careers over now, which softwear programs would you purchase? I have a painting background. There seem to be many combinations and levels from Photoshop Elements, PS8, PSCS to Painter 8----
Like to keep softwear purchases under 1 K. S

I'm a new member. I am so inspired and impressed with the visual display, variety of interpetations and ability to manipulate photo imagery. The butterfy was stunning. I would like to throw the question out.....if you were starting your careers over now, which softwear programs would you purchase? I have a painting background. There seem to be many combinations and levels from Photoshop Elements, PS8, PSCS to Painter 8----
Like to keep softwear purchases under 1 K. S

Hello, and W-E-L-C-O-M-E, Quail. Glad you found us.

Regarding software acquisitions (given your painting background)...

If you're pretty much a sketch/draw/paint from scratch type of person, I'd say Painter 8 would be all you'd need for openers.

If you want to manipulate photos:
* I'd buy an older version of Photoshop, say, 5.0 or 5.5 for < $100 on eBay. Then, at your convenience##, I'd acquire a Photoshop 7 or CS upgrade for $100-$150 = full blown Photoshop for $250 -- a considerable savings over buying the full-priced standard package. This is perfectly legit and a lot of people do it -- who know how to.
* Then I'd get the Painter 8 upgrade. If you already have Photoshop, you can get Painter 8 (upgrade) for about $200 less than the regular package. No loss in functonality. Works fine. (That's what I did.)

Why both?
* While there is some functional overlap, each has strengths the other can't touch.
* Photoshop can't touch Painter when it comes to natural media brush stroke effects, esp. acrylics, oils, impasto and watercolors.
* Painter can't touch Photoshop when it comes to overall control over images. Photoshop also has a functionalty called "actions," which are scripts that can be recorded and played back. (Photoshop Elements can be modified to play [some] actions, but you cannot record actions in Photoshop Elements. Painter has no action functionality at all.)
* While you could get Photoshop Elements 2.0 (less expensive than Photoshop), you'd lose out on being able to install the Painter 8 upgrade, which requires Photoshop. So you could have Photoshop Elements + Painter 8 (full edition) for slightly more than Full Photoshop CS + Painter 8 upgrade.

## I say "at your convenience" because Photoshop and Painter are not trivial programs to learn. There would be no immediate need to upgrade because there would be more than enough to learn with Photoshop 5 or 5.5.

Neither Photoshop or Painter is intuitive by any stretch of the imagination and you should mentally budget a couple hundred bucks +/- each on books, videos or training of some sort. (Suggestion: Look into www.eclecticacademy.com for some very reasonably priced, well organized, meaty content classes.)

Once you get into it, it's great fun! Hope I've encouraged, not discouraged you. By all means ask more questions if you like.

Again, welcome.

~Danny~

(Note: If you reply to this, I will start a "new thread" (with the related posts so far) since we're talking more about software recommendations than than the butterfly pics. No big deal.)

worked in Paint Shop Pro 9, used Impressionist, edge preserving smooth, hypertyle.
Sorry I don't remember the settings and forgot to write it down. :surprise:

Just a couple of Art History brush strokes on a 60% opacity white layer. Impressionisty on same layer: djrOil24 Image and default settings. Curves Adjustment layer plus added white vignette.

Cheers
Dave

Nice texture and colouring Diane. I rather like your result Duv, nice effect.

Regular stuff + paint engine>faded mosaic.

Yet another watercolour effect from me.

Christine

Yet another watercolour effect from me.

Christine

I love the delicacy of your edit.

Beautiful entries of a beautiful image! Diane - like the texture in your image; Duv - like the vibrancy of the butterfly against the bkgrnd; Sidis-like the vibrant hues!; Xaran - I like the delicacy of your image.

I'm not sure just what I did to get this -- I'm having to look at the record to see if I can do it again. I know I extracted the butterfly, duped it and rotated it to make it seem like another wing of itself (have to work on that rotation more), did some spatter and texture and layer blend modes??

I agree with Sidis, yours is beautifully done Christine.

CJ - wonderful creation :nod:

Painting with snapshots in Photoshop with Julieanne Kost --there's a VERY NICE tutorial on the net in pdf format, which i used for this image. You'll find it HERE. (http://www.adobeevangelists.com/pdfs/photoshop/tipsandtricks/PaintingWithSnapshots.pdf)
Today I learnt something new. :happy:

Painting with snapshots in Photoshop with Julieanne Kost --there's a VERY NICE tutorial on the net in pdf format, which i used for this image. You'll find it HERE. (http://www.adobeevangelists.com/pdfs/photoshop/tipsandtricks/PaintingWithSnapshots.pdf)
Today I learnt something new. :happy:

Wonderful result + a very nicely written tutorial.

2 treasures in 1 day. Not bad! :bigthmb:

Painting with snapshots in Photoshop with Julieanne Kost --there's a VERY NICE tutorial on the net in pdf format, which i used for this image. You'll find it HERE. (http://www.adobeevangelists.com/pdfs/photoshop/tipsandtricks/PaintingWithSnapshots.pdf)
Today I learnt something new. :happy:

Beautiful result, and an excellent tutorial. Thank you for sharing.

:thumbsup: What a beautiful result Jaykita. The colours are just so perfect.

Jaykita. That's a keeper!!

Dave

Thank you all. Deeply touched by your comments. Spurs me on. Thanks.

my version

Wonderful nkollias. Although all of the others are superb and I like them very much, yours is truly a work of art in my book.

Janet

Jaykita and nkollias --- wonderful works!!

I'm going to have to see if I can do something like them... sorta like them... ;)
Then I'll have learned something!

my version

This one downloaded just fine. A wonderful interpretation: The epitome of simple and elegant.

Glad you found our little fun forum!

~Danny~

What can i say. i needed a k-scope fix.

Boy, that would look great done in Stained Glass and hanging in the window!

Dave

There are some fantastic approaches and variations on this subject. I'm just so blown away with the various techniques you folks come up with!
Here's my humble effort done in PhotoShop.

Duplicate the Background and did a Posterization Ajustment Layer. Set this layer to Hard Light. Ran Plastic Wrap, Diffusion and something else (gee, it's hard to remember!), Tweaked with a Curves AL then merged all.

swampy

Kiska, ditto what Duv said. In fact if I hadn't seen his post, that is exactly what I was going to write.

Janet

There are some fantastic approaches and variations on this subject. I'm just so blown away with the various techniques you folks come up with!
Here's my humble effort done in PhotoShop.

Duplicate the Background and did a Posterization Ajustment Layer. Set this layer to Hard Light. Ran Plastic Wrap, Diffusion and something else (gee, it's hard to remember!), Tweaked with a Curves AL then merged all.

swampy

Hey, Swampy...

Welcome to the Photo-art forum. For one rooted into the vector side of illustration, you've definitely got the touch for this sort of thing.

re: "hard to remember"
I know what you mean... It takes a little time to get into that. Some people (like myself) duplicate layers as we go and name them accordingly. Others refer to History Palette states or record actions. Different strokes for different folks.

Anyway, keep the arty stuff coming. It's great to see new techniques.

~Danny~

Thanks for the welcome, Danny. It is a major leap from splines and beziers to pixels. Boggles my mind what some of you folks do!

wow-wow-wow-wow-wonderful renditions all around :bow:




-----------
just painter-oil and impressionist conte(?)... gee, 2 things, and i can't rem anymore :dizzy:

Such colorful and beautiful butterflies! JC, I think yours might be my favorite.
I just drew it on the chalkboard.
http://www.pbase.com/image/39728700

And what a chalkboard!!! Stunning.

Janet

Thanks, Janet :happy:

thanks a lot, raniday :wavey:

you're right, this thread is just full of great renditions :nod:

any beans to be spilled on your chalkboard technique? ;)

How about it ? Would love to know how it was done :)

Painter 8.1/Cloners/Wet Oils on butterfly and floral/Impressionistic Cloner on bg with lowered opacity.

There are so many good ones in this thread and I'm very impressed; but yours stands out. Awesome butterfly Neve.

Thanks Janet....actually this took just minutes to do! :nod:

Beautifully done Neve, but please explain 'Floral/impressionistic cloner'.

Christine

Hi Christine,

Should read:-

Painter 8.1

Cloners/Wet Oils on butterfly and floral

Cloners/Impressionistic Cloner/ on bg with lowered opacity

Cheers

Thanks for the explanation I thought I was missing out on something.

Christine

JC & Diane, glad you like the butterfly. (JustChecking, I think I finally "got" your user name! Some of us are slower than others :nod: ) Here's a link to the tutorial I used in this one. It's easy to follow, and like most good tutorials could be put to a number of uses.
http://www.innographx.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2524

catherine

JustChecking, I think I finally "got" your user name! Some of us are slower than others...
i don't think you're that slow, 'cause i didn't get it till now... it was just a "strike" when i first used it, w/ no real intention to suggest anything... on another board there was once whole thread on this, and all the interpretations i heard :eek: ;) ... which one's yours? :classic: :D

:pirate:

;) :wavey:


Photoshop: wonderful one, Neve! :nod:

You're from the Czech (Check) Republic!
I thought that was very clever; AND IT WAS AN ACCIDENT???

originally it really was... i've been signing in to my first board at like 4am, so my brain didn't work enough to think of anything good...

since then, i use the explanation you gave as a reason for the name, but originally it was really just an accident... :blush: :D

Thanks for the link to tutorial Raniday, I found another great Painter tutorial there as well.

Yes, JC, that's what I finally "got", that you were "Just Czeching" :wink:
Anyone who inspires so much conversation over his name has found a good user name. :thumbsup:
Neve, glad you found the link useful. Isn't the internet wonderful!?!

1. Filter>Artistic> Watercolor
2. Pattern Overlay >Clouds
Blend mode set to Overlay. Opacity lowered to 25(this will help give the wet edge look)
3. Luminosity Mask (Ctrl+Alt+ ~), Mode set to Screen
4. Merge Layers (make sure not to merge the original image. Make the original image layer not visible and then click on merge visible to create a new merged layer)
5. Art History Brush (set to original image). Setting Tight Short, dab strokes along flower and butterfly
6. NIK filters: Pastel, Ph.Styler Varitone (this converts the colors to bright and saturated)
7. Selected the blacks on the flower and toned down to green
8. Selective Color Adjustment layer to tweak colors
9. Texturizer –Art Paper Added
10. Splat > Edges>Torn Paper
11. Added drop shadow

T...

Facinating technique and supurb results.

Try as I may I couldn't even come close to the "wet edges" look you achieved. Once the Luminosity mask was active, you used AHB to paint within the selection?

- - - - - - - - - -

The other day I discovered another Impressionist setting that is quickly becoming a favorite: Stamp > Dry Rag. It renders a kind of watercolor like effect. I was experimenting with variations of that style on this one to create an underlying color layer.

After applying Stamp > Dry Rag, I set the foreground color to black (press D key) and Select > Color range to select the black blotches. Select > Inverse (to select the non-black parts of the image) then applied Impressionist. The color was nice, but it left the butterfly alone which looked weird. I repleated the Select > Color range exercise again. I deleted the active selection via Edit > Cut, leaving "holes" where the black had been.

The "blackless layer" was duplicated and the one below it was stretched/moved to cover up the holes left by the cut.

To get a nice butterfly outline:
* Copy the base layer
* Smart Blur / Edges Only
* Ctrl + I (to invert)
* Stylize > Diffuse > Anisotropic
* Unsharp Mask

Show Channels Palette
* Ctrl + click on the RGB composite channel (loads the selection)
* Select > Inverse (select the lines)

Back to Layers Palette
* Turn off all layers except for Base
* Click on Base (make it the active layer)
* Ctrl + J to create a layer of "colored lines". I think these look better than all black.

Anyway, that's the general idea...

Thanks again, T, for another inspiring post.

~Danny~

:bigthmb: :bigthmb: TP and Danny....lovely!

I am going to probably sound corny, but i shall say it anyhow.

Since joining this group i have watched your work turn into something beautiful just like a caterpilla turning into that beautiful butterfly picture, well done and keep them coming!

I am going to probably sound corny, but i shall say it anyhow.

Since joining this group i have watched your work turn into something beautiful just like a caterpilla turning into that beautiful butterfly picture, well done and keep them coming!
Dear Elle. You say the sweetest, the nicest things. Thank you so very much. I'm sure you are a lovely person with a great deal of good friends!
I'll tell you all something. Please do call me by my real name if you so wish. Its Judy. I like Jaykita a lot but i think the time has come to be myself....Judy. :hairbow:

Hi Judy, Hi Elle...I'm Pauline :wavey: :happy:

From the queen of corn to LA (aka Elle). You rock girl.

So do you Neve (aka Pauline) and Jaykita (Judy).

I sit here and wish I could learn all of your techniques, meet you all face-to-face, and give you all hugs. I'm glad we share this common interest.

Janet (you already know my name) :)

Art History Brush
Link to a larger image (http://upload.pbase.com/image/40415287)

From the queen of corn to LA (aka Elle). You rock girl.

So do you Neve (aka Pauline) and Jaykita (Judy).

I sit here and wish I could learn all of your techniques, meet you all face-to-face, and give you all hugs. I'm glad we share this common interest.

Janet (you already know my name) :)
Since meeting you may not be possible, still, here's a hug from me!

T...

Facinating technique and supurb results.

Try as I may I couldn't even come close to the "wet edges" look you achieved. Once the Luminosity mask was active, you used AHB to paint within the selection?

Sorry for the delayed response Danny, but I was out of town.

I went back through my steps and it looks like I left one out...(I've since corrected it).

After you apply the Water color filter, you need to add a pattern overlay. I selected the cloud pattern. This will help create the "wet edges" look.

As for the Luminosity Mask...paste onto own layer, set to screen then merge layers (make sure not to merge the original image). On the new merged layer is where I used AHB to paint some strokes. I set the brush to the original layer and painted away with different brush sizes; basically experimenting until I liked the look. I found the AHB to bring out some colors and soften the hard lines of the flowers.

Hope this helps!

Couldn't resist a second try at the butterfly.
This one done with watercolor action by ErickN from DPReview (available from Action Central (http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm#Watercolor)). Removed the texture layer from the action and substituted a WOW canvas pattern adj layer (about 10% opacity). Used a large oil brush.


First post here. Wonderful photo of the butterfly; thanks for providing the 'play toy'.
Used Trimoon's watercolor technique from his Artisitic Expression CD:
First dup bkgnd
added hue/sat adj. layer. sat=~+40
used Trimoon's watercolor tutorial
- added new layer; fill with beige (sp?)
- Steve's watercolor starter art history brush (purity about 20%)
- Steve's watercolor #1 art history brush (purity about 20%)
- added pattern adj layer with WOW watercolor pattern(10% opacity)

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who so generously provide info here. I've learned a lot just by reading.
Ron

First post here. Wonderful photo of the butterfly; thanks for providing the 'play toy'.
Used Trimoon's watercolor technique from his Artisitic Expression CD:
First dup bkgnd
added hue/sat adj. layer. sat=~+40
used Trimoon's watercolor tutorial
- added new layer; fill with beige (sp?)
- Steve's watercolor starter art history brush (purity about 20%)
- Steve's watercolor #1 art history brush (purity about 20%)
- added pattern adj layer with WOW watercolor pattern(10% opacity)

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who so generously provide info here. I've learned a lot just by reading.
Ron
Thank YOU, Ron, for the kind words and for the great detail. You picked a lovely pic for your first post. This one deserves the tender, loving care you used.

Glad you jumped in. Hope to see more of your creations in the future.

~Danny~

Hi all!

I'm new here too! *waves* I've been home sick all day, so have literally spent about 8 hours off & on surfing this site--I love it! I have learned so much already, I can't believe it--what a great group!

I am no stranger to Photoshop, but as I normally do 3d work, I mostly use it for sharpening & color correction. I have been doing some different work, mostly landscapes & wanted to make them look "painterly" so did a web search...and here I am!

I used a montage of tips & techniques from the links here on the butterfly...filters: watercolor, sprayed strokes, angled strokes, gausian & smart blurs, etc, along with a tweak in flaming pear's aetherize filter. Unfortunately, I lost track of exactly what I did as I kept trying out different things I was reading about! LOL Next time I'll keep a list as I go so I can post properly.

Anyway, thanks to everyone here who contributes so generously!
Hope to be able to contribute to the group sometime... :classic:

-Donna-

Hi all!

I'm new here too! *waves* I've been home sick all day, so have literally spent about 8 hours off & on surfing this site--I love it! I have learned so much already, I can't believe it--what a great group!

I am no stranger to Photoshop, but as I normally do 3d work, I mostly use it for sharpening & color correction. I have been doing some different work, mostly landscapes & wanted to make them look "painterly" so did a web search...and here I am!

I used a montage of tips & techniques from the links here on the butterfly...filters: watercolor, sprayed strokes, angled strokes, gausian & smart blurs, etc, along with a tweak in flaming pear's aetherize filter. Unfortunately, I lost track of exactly what I did as I kept trying out different things I was reading about! LOL Next time I'll keep a list as I go so I can post properly.

Anyway, thanks to everyone here who contributes so generously!
Hope to be able to contribute to the group sometime... :classic:

-Donna-
Hey, Donna:

Sorry you're under the weather, but I'm glad our little fun forum contributed to your recovery. :)

It's always a privilege to welcome someone new, especially when they jump right in and start sharing their art and methods right away like you did on this very nice interpretation.

Not to worry... "Keeping track" takes a little practice. We're a patient and understanding bunch. :)

Welcome aboard.

~Danny~

The first one I just touched up with levels and curves pretty much isolated on the butterfly. I only wanted to make the photo look nicer.

The next two I used the above manipulated photo and put a violet glow behind (above?) it. I changed the blending modes to Darken and Overlay respectively. I couldn't figure out which I like best, so........you get both.

T

Yet another watercolour effect from me.

Christine
That is really pretty, I like the softness.

Painter 8.1/Cloners/Wet Oils on butterfly and floral/Impressionistic Cloner on bg with lowered opacity.
Hi Neve,
That is beautiful! What do you mean by floral impressionistic cloner on bg? Where would that be?

I tried to give it a watercolor painting effect. I did quite a bit of playing around with gimpressionist and different layers in an effort to get a handle on how to anticipate the results . Still have a long way to go before I can envision a result and then get it, but it's fun learning.