Piker's watercolor emulation tutorial

[Dron58]

Originally Posted by mikajomc

On step 55, glowing edges, what settings do you use? Or what look are we trying to get? (lots of lines, just a few big lines?)

Try, try and try. (In this case 3-3-14)

Originally Posted by mikajomc

On step 56, I think you need to add Desaturate.

I agree, it's my mistake.

Originally Posted by mikajomc

On step 62, after you add the layer mask, I think you click once with the brush?
Do you offset this as well?
thanks!

Yes, I click once, but with offset to right.

Originally Posted by mikajomc

When I got to step 62 I couldn't get it to look like yours.
thanks!

Use layer mask (see attach).

Thank you for your comments and questions.

[sponge03]

Thanks for the extra steps Vitaly, i will give it a go later on today.

We need to have you or someone that does nice watercolors like you as one of our RetouchPro LIVE tutors.

Thank you for your efforts.

[PeterI]

Hi Vitaly,

I hope I got all the steps in. I did not have the Plug-in for Paper texture so I added a pattern layer.

Following the tutorial this portrait of Nicole Kidman was the result, I ended up with a gray tint with the paper texture, is that normal, or is that avoid with the Plugin.

I need to learn how to leave more white space between the strokes...I will spend more time looking at your examples on FLICKR.....

Really enjoyed the process. Thanks again for sharing this tutorial with us.

PeterI

[Dron58]

Peter, I like your work. I have to retire.
For a white space don't paint layers above 1, only the details

[PeterI]

Hi Vitaly,

Thank you for the positive feedback.

Several months ago, I would see you digtal watercolors on Flickr, your work was by far some of the best work I have seen with digital watercolor, so convincing that most people assumed it was done with paper and brush. I was so inspired and determined to understand how you went about building your images, I decided to take an image that you had done and see how I could emulate what you were doing. by trial and a lot of error ;-)

I attached the AHB image that I did (notice the file name).

If imitation is the greatest form a flattery, then I am one of your biggest fans.

Again, I thank you for making your tools and process available here.

Peter

[Dron58]

Peter, this is wonderful.
I think should not imitate me, but outstanding masters of watercolor.
You can develop your own style with the proposed technique .
Photoshop is a wonderful tool for researchers.
I read some books about the real watercolor and think how to do it in Photoshop.
If there are interesting results, share.
A problem shared is a problem halved.

Good luck.

PS. I will prepare a video version of the tutorial today or tomorrow

[sponge03]

Hi Vitaly
I look forward to your video version of the tutorial.
Thank you very much for all your time and effort.

[PeterI]

Hi Vitaly,

I would totally agree that understanding the work of great watercolorist is the path to creating your own style. Of all the traditional art mediums, watercolor is my favorite, so I am always looking to understand more what make it so appealing. As a photographer working with PS for some time now, I am amazed at the depth of this program, it is a learning process every day and a joy to have such a tool to be able to be so expressive with.

Thanks again, looking forward to the video version.

[Joeven]

Great tutorial Vitaly. I'm going to give it a try tonight. Thanks.

Joe

[Dron58]

Video version http://pike.jimdo.com/piker-s-waterc...tion-tutorial/

[sponge03]

Hi Vitalty
Thank you very much for making the video tutorial, its excellent, much easier way for me to learn. Its like an early Christmas present.
Merry Christmas
Many Thanks

[Joeven]

Originally Posted by Dron58

Video version http://pike.jimdo.com/piker-s-waterc...tion-tutorial/

Hey Vitaly I can't see any video tutorial only a link to the text version. Is it not viewable in Firefox? Any chance of making it a file that can be downloaded?

Thanks

Joe

[sponge03]

Here is my watercolor version using Vitalys watercolor video tutorial.
Thanks Vitaly

[mikajomc]

Joe- I use Firefox and it works for me.
Although I haven't had a chance to sit down and watch much of it yet, it looks excellent.
Thanks again Vitaly!

[mcfly201]

Originally Posted by Dron58

Video version http://pike.jimdo.com/piker-s-waterc...tion-tutorial/

Great video Piker
just a couple of questions:

1) i see you do the watercolor at 1024 pixels wide, do you upsize later for large prints? (if i did a larger photo than 1024 pixels would it not turn out the same?)

2) i couldn't quite see the ahb used in layer 4? (could only see 3 layers in text tutorial)

sorry about all the questions, i'm keen to learn.
Thank you Piker

[Joeven]

Originally Posted by mikajomc

Joe- I use Firefox and it works for me.
Although I haven't had a chance to sit down and watch much of it yet, it looks excellent.
Thanks again Vitaly!

Thanks Jordan. It was my mistake. Had to turn off my add blocker. I downloaded it and just finished watching it. Pretty cool.

Joe

[Janet Petty]

Originally Posted by 0lBaldy

Boo-Hoo-hoo! Now I want a tablet !
I just can't justify the cost for only playing on RetouchPRO for the fun of it!

Maybe later.... still thinking on it...

Look at it this way OlBaldy, when you use a mouse, do your arm and shoulder hurt? Do you find yourself sitting at odd angles to manage the mouse? Do you tense up after being at the computer for any length of time? Do you have arthritis, or...?

When I made the decision to use a table, it wasn't about cost (even though that hurt a bit). It was about carpal tunnel, stiff neck and arthritic shoulders. The tablet really, really helped because I could put it on my lap or angled from the edge of the desk and use it without hurting. I felt it paid for itself the first week.

Good luck.

Janet

[Dron58]

Originally Posted by mcfly201

just a couple of questions:

1) i see you do the watercolor at 1024 pixels wide, do you upsize later for large prints? (if i did a larger photo than 1024 pixels would it not turn out the same?)

2) i couldn't quite see the ahb used in layer 4? (could only see 3 layers in text tutorial)

I work with the image of 1024 pixels because 1. faster, 2. instrument is tuned to such a size. Create your own set of brushes for larger size, although it requires a lot of time.

When your masterpiece is ready, you can change the size. Photoshop files (*. psd) increased without loss of quality, but not *. jpg. Llarge-print format companies often request *. tiff, it is also good increases.

Text and video versions do not quite coincide in layers, but the main principle. The number of layers depends on the depth of detail (2, 3, 4 or more).

[rtlaxn]

Great tutorial, Vitaly. However, I tried to manage download paper textures for Paper layer
(Paper.rar) and watercolor textures for Pigment layer (watercolor textures.rar), and ending at "Page not found" error?! Could you please mirror these two files to DepositFiles or other? Thanks again for your sharing.

[Dron58]

Originally Posted by rtlaxn

Great tutorial, Vitaly. However, I tried to manage download paper textures for Paper layer
(Paper.rar) and watercolor textures for Pigment layer (watercolor textures.rar), and ending at "Page not found" error?! Could you please mirror these two files to DepositFiles or other? Thanks again for your sharing.

Thanks for comment my tutorial.
I checked the links. My links are works.
If you have some problem, tell me know about this.
Yours sincerely,
Vitaliy

[ghealy]

Vitaly:

Огpомное спасибо!

I've come late to this thread and its tutorial. I really appreciate your work and your teaching.

My first (and very poor) attempt with the tutorial. Image supplied by Sylvie1065 in another thread.

I was not able to find the image used in the tutorial. If anyone knows where I can find it, I'd appreciate it to be able to compare my efforts again the Master, Vitaly. TIA

[gholmes1936]

Nice work Gene!

[ghealy]

Thanks Gunner.

[ghealy]

Had to have a try with Amica's image.

BTW, Gunner. I don't have a tablet either. (Definitely not in the budget after having checked out the costs. <Grin>) But I still impressed how well the results turn out using only the mouse.

[gholmes1936]

As am I, at my age and with a tremble in my hands, I don't think it would be wise for me to try and use a tablet even if I was able to purchase one.

[Veralisa]

Something you just said, Gunner, I've never seen discussed, and that is about a tremble affecting our artwork. I myself have had Essential Tremor for years now. Bother me? Sometimes. Anyway, maybe this is a topic for the Salon area. Just thought I'd bring it up.

BTW, Gene, I like how you tackled Vitaly's watercolor tut. You did a great job.

[ghealy]

Thanks, Vero. Your encouraging comment is greatly appreciated.