[palms1]

I thought i would try and put together the resources that are out there on the net about smudging this is by no means complete if you know of any more please post and i will add them to the list

Brushes

lindas brush/sarsa's hair
http://www.innographx.com/forum/view...?p=46443#46443
trimoons brush
http://www.trimoon.com/html/smudging.html
hair/fur brush
http://www.3dmenagerie.com/goodies/bag/brushes.htm

Sylvias smudging brushes
http://abc-impact.com/ (scroll to the bottom of the page, there are some backgrounds and textures too )

Techniques
Phyllis Stewart tips on smudging
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...ting-tips.html
Phyllis Stewart
http://www.innographx.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18
Alan Buonforte
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=13999204
smudged eyes by Alan Buonforte
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=14703851
Scott deardoff's
beagle:http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=17101687
renaissance man:http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=18183049
Trimoons
http://www.trimoon.com/html/smudging.html
Anita Stanhope (Paint Shop Pro)
http://www.pbase.com/skyopal/anitas_tutorials
Rod Barker
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic2/522757/1
Amie Higgs (aka Amiebear)
http://amiehiggsdigitalartist.blogsp...efinitely.html **


Smudging forum
http://smudgepainter.freeforums.org/index.php

Pdf's
beagle smudge by Scott Deardoff **
http://www.digitalimaging-uk.co.uk/reviews/Smudge.pdf

Faye Sirkus ( this is for painting in painter but has some useful tips for preparing to smudge as well )
http://www.corel.com/content/pdf/pai...ser_Sept05.pdf

Training cd's dvd's
(not free)

Brad Buttry's oil painting

http://www.mmkgraphics.com/tutorials/virtualpaint.html

Another link that has links ( I havent the time to go through them all some are already here but others) ** submitted by member mikajomc
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=74655

This is a link to a forum thread about "Virtual oils" and "smudge painting " there is a lot of posts there but some little nuggets of info if you read through them as well as some great work (which you have to register to see) Rod Barker is a name to look out for (start at the end of the post and work backwards)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=260882
Also i thought it could be the place for members to post questions and ask for or give advice

My top tip is read as much as you can and practice ( i still am)
there is no magic numbers for the smudge brush just general ones, soft pale skin needs less strength than someone older with a tan etc.
so just because something works once on one image does not mean it will work and the next

** denotes links from other members (thank you)

Palms

[skydog]

Thanks Palms...your resources amaze me and your willingness to share! thanks again..

[mikajomc]

Thank you so much Palms!!! I've been wanting to learn how to smudge, this is awesome!

-jordan in cinci

[Joeven]

Here's a link to a pdf on smudging.
http://www.digitalimaging-uk.co.uk/p...ad.php?tid=153

Joe

[palms1]

Thank you all for your interest as more info comes to light i will add to the list

Now for all of those wishing to learn smudging or practice smudging here are some photo's for you to try out ( courtesy of www.fontplay.com and www.morguefile.com ( girl one))

For those wanting to learn
Have a go any problems you have, just ask ( sorry i personally wont have all the answers but maybe others will ) by using the same images it should make things a bit easier and fun

For those practicing
try and give some info on how you achieved your smudge, like which brush, opacity, sharpening etc

have fun

Palms

[palms1]

Heres a couple of different smudges of the dog photo
1st one done with the rough round brush at 80% opacity
2nd one done with one of the furry brush's at 80% opacity

Palms

[palms1]

Flower smudge
using trimoons smudge tool preset 23# at opacity 60% and his soften edges #1 at 19%( brilliant brush this one not just for smudge painting but for softening edges especially when changing backgrounds )


Palms

[byRo]

Smudge portrait.

I like to keep the various peices in different layers, than I can sharpen them separately.

Rô

[Joeven]

I used the two brushes from one of your links to smudge the dog. A hair one and the one from Linda. I'm just learning.

Joe

[palms1]

Originally Posted by byRo

Smudge portrait.

I like to keep the various peices in different layers, than I can sharpen them separately.

Rô

Good idea the different layers, not sure if you do this way but you can smudge onto a empty layer by doing
new layer, and checking the box at the top that says "use all layers"
problem with it, is that it slows the pc down considerably the more you do, but for say the eyes etc it is ok
or do this for a bit then turn visibility off on the background layer and you can see where you have missed smudging ! ! !
Palms

[palms1]

Originally Posted by Joeven

I used the two brushes from one of your links to smudge the dog. A hair one and the one from Linda. I'm just learning.

Joe

You are doing well Joe , If you have downloaded trimoons smudge brushes try the soften edges on your edges, I think it makes a better finish

Palms

[byRo]

Originally Posted by palms1

....but you can smudge onto a empty layer by doing
new layer, and checking the box at the top that says "use all layers"
........then turn visibility off on the background layer and you can see where you have missed smudging

Exactly

Rô

[palms1]

My attempt at the girl, and I send my apologies i thought this was a decent candidate to smudge for both those starting out smudging and for those who just wanted practice

WRONG

the freckles ( wished i could of got them back in ) and all the fine fly away hair cause some problems (take note)
And yes the dog has a few problems like blown out bits ! ! ! !

but i suppose it shows you what is meant be some images work better than others

Palms

[palms1]

when i have finished a smudge painting i sharpen, but different ways depending on the image. ( when you read the tutorials they nearly all use a different way ) This is quite time consuming so i have attempted to make a action based on the sharpening methods i mainly use.

It opens a duplicate of the image and makes 5 layers each with a different type of sharpening, just turn on the visibility (eye) of each layer to see the effect. this is meant to be mainly a visual guide so that you can make a quicker choice for your original

hopefully i have got everything right and it runs ok

Palms

[Mchilly]

Thanks for sharing this... I would definitely download all the smudge tools :-)