PHOTO ART: Mini-challenge #65 – Jack's Red Rose

[DannyRaphael]

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

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PHOTO ART: Mini-challenge #65 – Jack's Red Rose

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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Jack Zucker takes some of the pretties rose pictures I've ever seen. With this black background, I'm sure there will be some very intresting backgrounds added to this one... or basic black will look fine, too.

A rose may be a rose, but not after you guys and gals get done with it!

~DannyR~

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LEGAL VERBIAGE
Jack Zucker 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

[DannyRaphael]

A pretty basic effect using the action described HERE to create the base image from which I did a little tweaking with a layer mask.

[pstewart]

Danny, your outline method really worked well on this rose.

Phyllis

[GOLDCOIN]

Danny.....

YOur giving spirit is as beautiful as the rose you created.....

You are soooooo good to all of us!!!

[Snoleoprd]

Hi all,

Danny- very nice, the line up the stem almost looks like a seam. Nicely done.

Here is my entry. I applied a gaussian blur to a duplicate layer then changed the blend to multiply and then adjust in curves, then levels, then curves again until I like it. then I applied the lens flare.

Enjoy,

Alan

[JBCaffrey]

I'm still trying to come to grips with Deep Paint.

Jim

[jerry]

Hi Folks
Time to get back into the hunt..
Danny..Great action. I downloaded it a while ago and have been playing with it..You got really good results on the rose. thanks for sharing it..

Sno..Your star lighting effect is awsome..I have to play with them more..I am a lighting illiterate..

Jim..looks like you are getting a grip on Deep Paint..That is really attractive.. Do you have to hand paint al parts of the rose or does it have some filtering..

I tryed a watercolor based on the Jasek technique..

Jerry

[d_kendal]

Wow Jim, that's just beautiful - you got excellent results from that filter! I'll have to check that one out.

- David

[JBCaffrey]

Originally posted by jerry
Do you have to hand paint all parts of the rose or does it have some filtering..



Jerry [/B]

Yes, you have to apply each brush stroke so it's more labor intensive than some other filters. It is a PS plug-in for PC's only. Fun to use when you have the time.

Jim

[Blacknight]

Darkened and then selected background. Duplicated twice. One layer Flaming Pear SolarCell, the other KPT5 Fraxplorer. Deleted background on the third (top) duplication and set blend mode to Hard light. Adjusted with levels and sharpened.

[GOLDCOIN]

Wow Blacknight ....

You are one hard act to follow. That was exciting to behold, especially at this late hour.


A rose on ice....

[GOLDCOIN]

Just one more......

[Blacknight]

Ran an oil painting action called "Textured_Oils_PS7" that I may very well have gotten from here somewhere. A little sharpening and a watercolor frame set to darken blend. This looks like oil painting to me. Not all actions do. Worth checking out!

[pstewart]

Jim, really excellent painting job!!!

Alan, nice effect with lighting...sophisticated and romantic both.

Jerry, I love that ultra simple watercolor look, especially with the texture.

Goldcoin, nice "frost" and the background streaks are perfect with it.

Blacknight, looks like "roses on LSD" ...wow! I prefer the second one since the painting effect ties all the parts together.

I did an abstract illustration. Been experimenting with different ways to incorporate the cutout filter. Since the background had those big compression pixels in it, I put them to use by raising contrast then applying cutout and find edges and so on.

Phyllis

[Ka-El]

Hi

Pstewart i like your work.

I also post a cats in other mini-challenge.

Now I post my rose, hope u like it

Ill expect your opinions guys.

[Ka-El]

Here is my other rose.

Im trying to express contrast whit the first rose and this one

Hi.

Alex

[Blacknight]

That turned out nicely! I like the look!

Is your name from Superman? If my memory serves, his real name was Kal-El. Just curious.

[Ka-El]

its an anagram from Alek,

Besides its the name of my son: Kael

Thanx for your opinion

[jerry]

Phyllis, really nice illustration and abstract..welcome back

Ka-EI.. welcome to RP your entries are very good..I like the glowing effect.

Chuck..Hand painted or not, I like that last one..Is painter worth getting or is it just too hard to use..My tablet is on the way and I can get a deal on painter for buying a wacom..

Jerry

[DannyRaphael]

Ka-El:

Wow. Your creations are excellent. Glad you found RetouchPRO!
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Chuck:

Don't give up on Painter. Once you get the hang of it, you can do some amazing things.

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Jerry:

See above. I get the impression that many folks get painter, install and start it up - then are hugely intimidated by the interface.

I believe the secret to success is to find some good tutorials that walk you through some of the basic palettes, functions, etc. Once ya get the lay of the land, it makes a lot more sense.

Some very good (and reasonably priced) Painter-specific CD based tutorials can be purchased here:
http://www.artistrymag.com/

~Danny~

[jerry]

Thanks Danny
I just might take the plunge when I get my tablet up and running..(Can you believe it, it is in the house and my wife hid it till Xmas)
From what I am reading, Painter 7 seems well worth the $149.00 discounted price..

Jerry

[tom c]

Ulead Photoimpact..gif animator v4
tom c

[GOLDCOIN]

tom c..

How neat... I had to get a tissue to wipe up the water...

[pstewart]

Tom, nice job on the animation. That's something I've never tried. And doubt I will. I feel a lot more confident with pictures that hold still. Though I do like to look at nicely done ones, like yours.

This one is a thick oil painting, done with flaming pear's twist filter used twice on rose, once on background, at different settings, on a rose blended with sharp outline, followed with a bit of lighting effects texturing, and of course a background lightening/coloring.

Phyllis

[tom c]

looks like some refrigerator artwork..LOL
tom

[pstewart]

Originally posted by tom c
looks like some refrigerator artwork..LOL
tom

Tried to figure out what that could mean but still not sure...could you explain to an old dense lady? Thanks.

Phyllis

[tom c]

families with small kids usually have a refrigerator coverd with art work they made in school....


tom

[denschneider]

coloured pencil filter, then history brush to clean off the stem. then a noise and clouds filters.


Merged two posts (a failed upload) into one. - djr.

[DannyRaphael]

denschneider:

Glad to see you're getting into these mini-challenges. The colored pencil filter is among my favorites.

~DannyR~

[pstewart]

Originally posted by tom c
families with small kids usually have a refrigerator coverd with art work they made in school....

Okay, that makes sense. But I still don't understand the reference. Are you saying that my rose_painting.jpg shown on page http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...=&postid=39661
looks like a child did it? Or were you talking to someone else? Your post followed mine, but had no name attached to it to tell where your comment belonged.

Phyllis