Newbie looking for Smudge Painting advice

[AmieBear]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking around for a while but have finally decided to join up.
I love playing with photo's especially smudge painting here is a picture i did of my little boy.
What do you guys think ?
Any tips or CC is most appreciated.

[amica999]

Hi AmieBear, welcome to RetouchPro. Nice to have you onboard. Your work looks great. I am not much in Smudging but would like to learn about it some more. Maybe you want to share your knowledge? Looking forward to see more of your work

Amica

[palms]

Welcome AmieBear What a beautiful little boy nice work too

I started a thread here with different links and info on smudging and also as somewhere you could ask specific questions etc about smudging as a lot of us are still trying to learn the technique

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...resources.html

hope you enjoy being here

Palms

[AmieBear]

Thanks Amica your very kind.
Palms your smudging resources are the main reason i joined up and have seen some wonderful work here.
I hope ill enjoy spending my free time here and learning lots more about photo art techniques.

[DannyRaphael]

Hi Amie...

Welcome to RetouchPRO. Glad you found us. The pic of your little boy is a treasure.

Disclaimer: There are many (and I do mean many) who are much, much better at smudge painting than I, so take the following with a grain of salt.

If the point of a photo-painting -- regardless of style -- is for the final result "to look painted," then one needs to take steps to make the final piece "not look like a photo." That generally means more contrast, less detail and bolder colors.

Many who are new at smudge painting trace image edges and barely smear other areas, which is a good beginning, but IMO isn't enough to achieve a convincing "painted look."

I offer this example to illustrate my point in terms of color and detail (less around the edges), not great smudging detail technique.

Tell you the truth I prefer a BW interpretation, but that's just me.

Smudging is a very popular and appealing look. Keep working on your technique. You'll get nothing but better.

[AmieBear]

Thanks danny in definately still trying to find the right technique if you don't mind me asking what brushes do you use at what oppacity.

[palms]

Originally Posted by DannyRaphael

Hi Amie...

Welcome to RetouchPRO. Glad you found us. The pic of your little boy is a treasure.

Disclaimer: There are many (and I do mean many) who are much, much better at smudge painting than I, so take the following with a grain of salt.

If the point of a photo-painting -- regardless of style -- is for the final result "to look painted," then one needs to take steps to make the final piece "not look like a photo." That generally means more contrast, less detail and bolder colors.

Many who are new at smudge painting trace image edges and barely smear other areas, which is a good beginning, but IMO isn't enough to achieve a convincing "painted look."

I offer this example to illustrate my point in terms of color and detail (less around the edges), not great smudging detail technique.

Tell you the truth I prefer a BW interpretation, but that's just me.

Smudging is a very popular and appealing look. Keep working on your technique. You'll get nothing but better.

Hey Danny you are a secret smudger good result

Palms