[Issy]

Hi All
My first posting.2 images-one a South African sunset and the other a vulture/buzzard coming in to land.I used the sunset as a background layerground pasted in the vulture flattened the image.
I then duplicated the layer and applied impressionist Med Cov Chalk on the background layer.On the duplicate copy layer I applied a layer mask.I then brushed away to reveal more of the vulture.
Its my first and I would appreciatte critique etc.
Thanks
Issy

[JimJam]

Welcome to RetouchPRO Issy.

I would love to see your combined image before the application of the Impressionist filter to see if it matches my imagination.

In my opinion the filter effect is to strong and covers up to much of the background image, if my imagined view of the photo is correct.

You could reduce the opacity of the filtered layer over the original combined background layer or change the blend mode. I find that an opacity of between 30 and 80% and a blend mode of Darken,Overlay or Soft Light usually works best.

This is just my opinion of course.

Good idea on the combination of these images btw.

[sunfly]

Hi Issy,

I really like your combination of defined textured brush strokes and the gentle watercolour blur washes on the wing tips of the vulture. The delicate stark wing tip strands are also mighty interesting. And the colours.... beautiful! A really nice piece. Thanks for posting... looking forward to seeing more.

Sherry

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by Issy

Hi All
My first posting.2 images-one a South African sunset and the other a vulture/buzzard coming in to land.I used the sunset as a background layerground pasted in the vulture flattened the image.
I then duplicated the layer and applied impressionist Med Cov Chalk on the background layer.On the duplicate copy layer I applied a layer mask.I then brushed away to reveal more of the vulture.
Its my first and I would appreciatte critique etc.
Thanks
Issy

Welcome to RetouchPRO, Issy. I'm glad you uploaded an image for comments.

I like the concept a lot and the background colors / texture are great. Had you not described the content beforehand, I would not have recognized the subject as a "vulture" shot head-on in flight, but that may be due to image size constraints. If you printed this at, say, 24"x30" or so, subject recognition would probably not not be an issue.

Don't be discouraged by the candid comments so far. Use them as a source of inspiration to keep experimenting/growing.

~Danny~

[Issy]

Thank you,JimJam,Sunfly and Danny.Your comments are very welcome and heartening.
JimJam-I intend trying your suggestions.Perhaps a little more definition of the background would enhance the image.
Sunfly-thank you for your kind words.
Danny-Yes it does look better when its enlarged.I will however define the vulture a bit more.I am using the concept for a series of big 5 images.I will use the suggestion and advice provided.
Issy

[Kraellin]

issy,

welcome to RetouchPRO.

i find your image intriguing. the background suggests heat, a very hot, arid day in a mountain desert area. with heat comes those heat waves that distort and blur things. therefore, the vulture is out of focus and looks quite natural for the setting. so, i'm not sure i'd change anything. it tends to invite the viewer to figure out why the vulture looks like it does and that's a good thing in art... invite the viewer to participate. add a little something the viewer needs to do. so, i like this. and that is somewhat what impressionism was all about, getting the viewer to fill in the rest of the image or to explain why it is the way it is.

[Issy]

Hello Kraellin,you are very intuitive and have summarized it perfectly.Sunset in an area similar to Arizona or Utah.I thank you for your words of encouragement.
All the best
Issy