Creative Portraits: Hands Folded

[DannyRaphael]

Just an awesome picture by D.Maynard. Wait until you see it up close. It's priceless.

Happy creating.

~Danny~

[Xaran]

A really lovely picture.

I couldn't resist trying the high key look on this one.

Christine

[Manjumena]

nice image to work with

[Xaran]

Nice picture Manjumena, not sure about the white lines/marks sort of makes it look vandalised.

Christine

[shariwb]

Wonderful picture! Xaran, I really like your high key rendition! Manjumena, very creative watercolor! I also went for a watercolor look:

[DannyRaphael]

I was messing with my favorite plugin, Impressionist. I'm not quite there yet on these custom style definitions, but I kinda like the direction.

It's different, anyway.

~Danny~

p.s. If you'd like to try the .set file, send me e-mail via my profile (not PM) and I'll send it to you.

[Fluffbutt]

Here's my attempt.

three layers

bg + impressionist with custom setting, like a watercolour pencil + previous layer with PE applied (again, custom setting that makes it look like a watercolour picture that's been soaked with lots of water).

Then opacity changes on the layers, and merged.

[Duv]

Boy, it's cold out here!! I better get back in the house!

Cheers
Dave

[LQQKER]

Kinda looks "caught in the act".
Cropped and straightened image.
Created background using impressionist and simplifying.
Adjusted color cast.
Nik filters used were midnight for outer border, skylight and gold reflector to enhance skin tones and contrast.
FP lacquer.
embossed bg.
simplified lightly.
Color balance.

[jaykita]

Used a pencil sketch layer on the other one. Eliminated background, lots of handwork with watercolor brushes and layers. I am truly happy with these results.

[jill8026]

Jaykita these are both just beautiful...I am new to this...and am wondering exactly how you got these looks!!! Thanks for any help...

[jaykita]

Hi Jill8026. I would be happy to help though I'm no expert on the subject, please note!! However must add that I am quite proud of my creation!
The tutorial by Janee on soft portraits is very helpful. You'll find this at http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/porcelain/porcelain.htm.
Mostly I worked with brushes from the wet media esp. the "watercolor light opacity" in diff sizes and opacity depending on what i wanted to achieve with the image, namely a soft portrait
I first started with new adjustment layer- channel mixer - monochrome - red 87, G50, B20, constant minus 30. Then i erased the background completely, well almost (posted image below) by new layer, fill white, add layer mask reveal all. I kept changing from black to white to rectify mistakes. Also i discovered a really low brush opacity like 20% or so makes a big diff, and brush heavy flow scattered helps when working around hair. Ok, next I lightened this monochrome image considerably. Again i achieved this by using a layer mask and brushes of really low opacity. Finally, paste the original image (the colored one with the background )over this one, screen blend at 100% opacity. Tada!!

[jaykita]

Sorry forgot to add that the one with the superimposed pencil sketch was achieved by first making a greyscale sketch in the usual way, converting it to color by new adjustment layer -channel mixer- (no monochrome) and playing with the controls till u get a nice brownish color to match the image. Use this as a layer, multiply blend.

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by jill8026

Jaykita these are both just beautiful...I am new to this...and am wondering exactly how you got these looks!!! Thanks for any help...

Hi Jill:

Wanted to say, "Welcome" to the forum and "Thanks for jumping in with your question."

...and to jaykita: Thanks for coming through with your description and link to Janee's site. She's got some terrific tutorials there.

~Danny~

[jill8026]

thank you so much for that great replay of what you did!!! you should be proud of it, the picture is just gorgeous!!!!! I have been lurking on this board for a while....and I just love it here!!!!