What's your reaction?

[Bob Mc]

It's a little too soft for my taste - and the chin line is distracting - as others have pointed out.

That being said, it does grow on me the longer I look at it. I'd like to see a version with less softness.

What were the other 2 tutorials in the magazine?

Since it was the February issue, our local B&N will probably get it by July

Regards
Bob Mc

[DannyRaphael]

Thanks to everyone for the candid commentary and/or taking the time to cast a vote. This is just the kind of feedback I was hoping for.

As most of you know when you stare at something long enough, it's easy to be blinded to aspects of a piece that can be distracting or are lacking in emphasis.

Vikki: As one who greatly admires your skills and highly respects your "eye" for this type of thing, I was (a) delighted that you commented and (b) grateful for your "cut to the chase" observations, which I took as solid advice -- not harsh criticism. Your frankness made it easier for others who followed to not hold anything back. It's all good.

The poll results and comments so far pretty much sum up my own feelings ("In some ways I like it, but there's room for improvement") and confirm that for any given effect some people will like it and others won't.

Back to the drawing board. I'm a better person for having asked for this feedback.

Have a good Friday (as in Good Friday) wherever you may live on this wonderful planet.

~Danny~

[Fizzgiz]

You know Danny, I want to express my own graditude for this post. These are the extra things that make this site so different from the others I've encountered. There are so many sites that can teach you how to use programs, but I am also an amateur in photography and art in general. I am still trying to develope my eye for things, and that can't always be taught in the traditional way. I do know that alot is personal perception, and so this will vary. But, my thanks go to the one's here who spoke of her jawline, and the texture. Although I posted how the overall picture appealed to me, I did not mention these things because I really couldn't put my finger on what it was that didn't seem right. Now I'm not going back on my feelings, because I really do like it. And it was also interesting to see that there were others who felt that it grew on them somehow. There is obviously something here that draws you to it. So, good luck at the drawing board Danny, as I'm sure you'll improve on this. And thank you to all of you for helping me to develope my eye, as this will help me in all my work.
Jessy

[Vikki]

Thanks Danny.
This is what a critique is all about.

[DavidC]

It's worth having a look at Tim Shelbourne's site; in case its url has not been mentioned in this thread -
http://www.timshelbourne.com/start.html

[Xaran]

Another example of using this tutorial on a different image can be found at http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/turning-portraits-into-digital-sketches-oils-watercolors/9747-creative-portraits-desiree-ii.html

and an example of one of the other tutorials can be found at
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-based-art/9701-creative-interpretations-desiree.html
the basic steps of this one are also shown in a separate post.

Christine

[Gary Richardson]

Thanks Christine. As someone said earlier, most effects work on some images, and don't on others. I think the effect works well on the image you posted on the other thread. Probably because the eyes remained "strong", giving a focus to the picture. I've revised my earlier opinion (which was a marginal dislike) in the face of this new example.

[raniday]

Before I would say I liked this or didn't like it, I would want to know what look the artist was trying to achieve. What might not work as an 8x10 for Aunt Emma's coffee table could be striking as a book illustration or on a canvas with lights. If soft & dreamy with interesting texture is what he/she was after, that's been achieved. I've done plenty of 'em that I felt were misunderstood

[Swampy]

What Rainiday said. If this were to be the only picture that I had of my kid, grandkid, neice etc... It's way too soft and affected. On the other hand, a great illustration for a children's book, or Charmin ad.

[GillyH]

I voted "Somewhat agree".

I really like the idea, but first impression was that the canvas texture is a little too hot/big, or the opacity of the texture layer needs to be taken down a bit. After some thought, I'm also wondering what it would look like as a black and white image, with just her eyes in colour - either a luminous pale blue or green.

I think I have that mag. I'll have a look see

Gilly