[DannyRaphael]

FIRST MINI-CHALLENGE -or- NEW TO PHOTO-ART?
See below for "Information and Guidelines."

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PHOTO ART: Mini-challenge #64 – Jake and Joey

Here’s another “mini-challenge” to play with in the Photo-based Art category until the next major challenge is posted here.

The base image can be downloaded by clicking the link near the bottom of this lengthy introduction!


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Considering how much folks seemed to enjoy working on Colby the dog earlier this week, I'm sure you have just as much fun with these two, courtesy of Art Hill. "Thanks, Art!"

Have fun.

~DannyR~

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LEGAL VERBIAGE
Art Hill retains the U.S. and international copyright © not only for the original image, but also for any photo-art versions of it. Unauthorized distribution or use of this image without permission are prohibited.

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INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Unlike “official challenges” for this forum, which can be found here, this one will be self-contained within this thread. It is intended as an opportunity to engage in this art form until the next major 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? Animated entries are definitely welcome. There have been some really funny ones submitted in the past. Fish jumping, leaves falling, wheels turning. You get the idea.
. * 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.


A special message to those who are new to Photo-art
… Who may be feeling a little uncomfortable about posting an entry.

If you’ve read this far, it means you’re at least curious. That’s a good sign.

But what if you’re feeling a little squeamish about posting your first image?

From time to time I hear from those who want to participate, but have considerable anxieties about posting their creations in these mini-challenge. “I’m just a beginner. My pictures don’t belong,” “I see the works of others and I know I’ll never get that good,” “How am I supposed to compete with those wonderful creations?” are typical expressions of concern.

To which I say: Put your fears to rest. This isn’t a competition. You will not be judged in the traditional “art critique” sense. Your honor isn’t on the line. This isn’t about who’s best.

Don’t hold back from participating and posting your creation because your initial attempts don’t measure up (in your own mind) to images generated by folks with more experience than you.

This is a no-fault, all-fun way to jump in the pool. Everyone started the same place: The beginning. Everyone who is more skilled and experienced than you got to that point by practicing, experimenting, asking questions, learning from others, and participating.

Can one learn without interacting with others? Sure. Can one learn as fast? Absolutely not.

When you participate, others get to know you. That makes it easier to ask them questions. Asking questions leads to learning from those with more experience than you. It just keeps getting better and better!

By all means give it a go. You’ll be glad you did.

The pep talk cheerfully brought to you by:

Danny Raphael
Photo-based Art Forum Moderator

[d_kendal]

here's my try at this one, it was all just filters and blending modes:
1. on original layer - Stylize>Diffuse>Anisotropic

2. new layer - Stylize >Find Edges Overlay mode. 75% opacity

3. new layer - Stylize> Solarize in Linear dodge mode
90% opacity

4. new layer again - Artistic> Watercolor Normal mode,
40% opacity

- David

[phili1]

Nice touch David, I like the effect.

Well mines is a combo of Oil Painting and History brush.

[phili1]

They are so cute I could not resist.

I call this photo enhancement tech. I came from a girla named Lisa from Dp Review and the thing I like about it is that you can do it in B & W as well as color. It has a dramatic effect, great for portrait conversion.

[pstewart]

David, nice watercolor look.

Phili, wow, in the first pic they look like they overdid the catnip!
Nice work on that second one...like the b/w sketchy look.

Phyllis

[DannyRaphael]

David:

Really like the results you got. Appreciate the detailed "how-to" steps, too.

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Phil:

The Shan sketch is very nice. I liked general direction with the color version, but like Phyllis said, maybe you went a little too far. I know you won't let that stop you from experimenting further.

~Danny~

[Snoleoprd]

David and phili great stuff, I too appreciate the step by step procedures.

Here is my entry, cropped, sharpened, applied a mosaic filter, the sharpened again. the applied a dry brush filter.

Alan

[d_kendal]

Phili, Phyllis, Danny, Alan - thanks, all of you. When I do photo art now, I do any filters on a new layer and name the layer after the filter so I can actually remeber what I did
Alan - I really like your mosaic effect, I haven't tried playing with that filter yet.

- David

[Blacknight]

I started trying a watercolor effect, but didn'[t like it. Threw a copy of the original on the top of all the watercolor-ish layers and played with different blend modes and got this. I'm sure I could eliminate half the layers and get the same effect.

[jeaniesa]

Oh, COOL Phil!! Any chance you can look back through your layers and give us some clue how you achieved that effect? It works so well for this image!!

Jeanie

[phili1]

Here is the system I used. I got from DPreview a girl named Lisa. YOu can use it for color as well just leave out the B&W conversion. I use Digi Daans conversion to B7W.

Have fun with it.

[CJ Swartz]

Blacknight - that effect combo really enhances the look of fur! Wonderful lighting also. I'm trying to recreate it, but no luck so far --- any hints? Graphic pen doesn't seem to do it...

[jeaniesa]

Thanks, Phili!

Blacknight, I'm curious about your process too...

Jeanie

[Blacknight]

I didn't keep that particular Photoshop file, but I have a pretty good idea what I did, basically. The basis was Schwartzie's watercolor "explanation". which I have been trying to figure out - not very successfully. Anyway, I'll see if I can make it do it again...

[pstewart]

Blacknight, wow! I love that gray and orange pic! Excellent!

David, thanks for a great idea on keeping track of filters! Hope I can remember to use it!

Phyllis