First Attempt-Pic to Watercolor

[lavega21]

Hi All,

I want to start learning how to make photos into oil paintings and watercolor. I follow a tut found here . The only thing is that I could not add the paper I do not know how to do step 45 with the plug in. Let me see what you think. Thanks.

[0lBaldy]

If you do not have the Plug-in..
You can use the texturizer in Photoshop

Depending on what version of Photoshop you are using..

For most versions:

Load Pikers Texture Jpgs into Photoshop
Image>Image Size (Constrain Proportions Checked)
Resize the shortest side to 8 inches
Save As > PSD Into Photoshop>Presets>Textures

To use:

Vers 7
Filter>Texture>Texturizer
In the texture box select 'Load Texture'
Go to the folder where you placed Pikers Textures... select texture
slide the sliders click OK

CS2:

Filter>Texture>Texturizer
On the right hand side there is a little blue circle with a blue triangle in the center above the Percentage block.... click the Blue Triangle inside the circle
A Pop-Up should say 'Load Texture' Click the button
Go to the folder where you placed Pikers Textures... select texture
slide the sliders click OK

Hope this work-around helps

[lavega21]

0lBaldy,

Thank you for that tip. It worked I added the paper texture. I don't think I went over board with it. I was just looking for a little bit of texture. Here is the new one.....Any feedback on the final results on either one? Thank you.

One more think....I also decided to mask out the texture out of the center of the rose and just leave it the texture on the pedals. I was thinking it would pop a little bit more. Any feedback on this idea?

[palms]

lovely work
another tip for you that i do (thanks to Swampy)

before adding your texture open a new layer and fill with 50% grey, change the layer blend mode to soft light now add your texture then you can alter opacity to taste etc and by changing the blend mode you get different effects

masking works well i think this comes more into play when using a texture on a portrait

look forward to seeing more of you work

Palms

[lavega21]

Palms1,

Thanks for the tip on the 50% grey. I agree with you about the masking, makes sense.
BTW, i went to your Flickr page and all I can say is WOW....Great Work. A

Any special tuts that you can suggest to practice watercolors, smudge or textures? I checked the resources here but lots of them are old and I was getting "page not found" on a few. Thank you.

[palms]

thank you for your kind comment and for taking the time to look

here are some links for you

pikers watercolour is probably the best watercolour around at the moment but here are some other ones

50 artistic painting tuts

on smudging

and for texture work you cant beat shadowhouse for textures, tut, and inspiration (he is also know as skeletal mess at flikr )
drat it just went to get the url and found some new interesting textures there, that is my afternoon taken up

that may keep you busy for a little while

Palms

[DannyRaphael]

Consider printing your artwork on 'canvas.' Many ways to do that: yourself [inkjet on canvas paper] or commercial sites like mpix.com, whcc.com, etc. If you do that, the digital texturing may not be necessary, or if used 'not as much needed.'

I've found that canvas makes works like yours look especially arty/more authentic.

Congrats on your first. I can tell it won't be your last!

[lavega21]

Wow...Shadow house is a great site. Like you said Palms, it should keep me busy for a while. Thank you.

Danny, thank you for your comments and for taking the time. I've been checking out mpix and others. I think that I need to start printing some of my stuff I usually just work on something and leave on my computer (wife hates that). My walls would like that too!

[Kraellin]

thank you, palms. i agree, shadow house is a great resource site!