Creative Portraits: Girl sitting on Fence

[DannyRaphael]

Photo by D.May.

[JustChecking]

tried something like colored pencil sketch, but i guess it ended a bit too "smudgy"... the bigger version has just a tad-bit higher definition...

[Punch]

1] Dupe layer
2] Filter>render>lighting effects
3] Dupe layer
4] Filter> brush strokes> ink outlines
5] Blurred some of the lines left in the face
6] Set opacity- 81%

Cheers... Kent

[jaykita]

Hi folks! I would really appreciate some constructive criticism on my creation.

[Punch]

Originally Posted by jaykita

Hi folks! I would really appreciate some constructive criticism on my creation.

Jaykita...

The figure achieves a painterly effect, especially the lower half. I find the eyes disturbing though. She looks a little spacey. Maybe a little dodge would be in order. Overall it looks a little washed out. I would like to see a little more contrast background to forground.

This is only my opinion....

...Kent

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by jaykita

Hi folks! I would really appreciate some constructive criticism on my creation.

I like the way you neutralized the background so it isn't a distraction. The dark (from the fence) to light (at the top) is a nice transition. The hair over her left shoulder looks very painted (you zapped just the right amount of detail). The overall low contrast makes her left arm almost blend in with the BG and her shirt, making it look out of place somehow. Perhaps a little dodging (or detail restoration via a hide all layer mask + copy of BG) around her nose and her mouth would bring back a hint of detail in her face that got lost in the manipulation.

My .02 from the peanut gallery.

~Danny~

[Punch]

Originally Posted by Punch

Jaykita...
She looks a little spacey. Maybe a little dodge would be in order.

Sorry I meant burn rather than dodge... I just noticed my faux pas and thought it would be better to correct my mistake in this way than to edit it in the original.

Hope all this is helpful... Kent

[jaykita]

Thank you Kent. You're so right. The eyes are expressionless. Will work on that. The washed out look was actually meant to be deliberate actually. Wanted a soft look. Thank you for taking the time. I appreciate that.
Thank you Danny. I appreciate your comments. Yes, the left arm blends rather too well into the background. The facial likeness is missing...
The image was done purely with Fractal design painter 4, a rather outdated software but i just LOVE it. I got the demo version of corel painter, though havent tried it yet. Wondering about the difference bet the 2, for me to spend all that extra money buying it. Better test-drive it then...

[jaykita]

Done purely with ps7.

[Punch]

Good work.

...Kent

[Punch]

Sorry...
I just couldn't leave this image alone.

1] Dupe bg
2] Filter> lighting effects [played with it 'til I liked it]
3] Filter> Gausian blur 1.4 px
4] Filter> Artistic> poster edges, edge thickness 2, edge intensity 8, posterization 5
5] Quick mask, soft brush low opacity and flow- painted figure, exit qm
6] Invert
7] new adjustment layer: levels [played with it 'til I liked it]


...Kent

[JustChecking]

Originally Posted by Punch

Sorry...
I just couldn't leave this image alone.

hehe, funny we had the same urge
and a neat stylization you got there


some Painter+PS7

[Neve]

This was such a nice photo I couldn't resist having a go.....many thanks for the pleasant view everyone of your submissions. Very enjoyable!

I started with the first part of one method and used the second part of another method.

PSP8.01

Duped bottom layer.
Layer 2 - Hot Wax Coating - Filter/Photo Wizz/Lum Neg/
Blend Mode/Hard Light/34%
Merged both layers.

Duped bottom layer.
Layer 2 - Filter/Impressionist/WC/Damp Translucent/Mode Normal - 50%
Merged both layers.
Applied a mask and filled a new background layer.
Merged. Applied a smooth grain texture.
Added a frame.

[brandonx49]

Hello alll,

Several glows and used diffuse combined with sharpening to bring out her hair.

Brad

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by brandonx49

Hello alll,

Several glows and used diffuse combined with sharpening to bring out her hair.

Brad

Very dreamy look, Brad. Nicely done.

[Duv]

Curves Adjustment to brighten
MF Watercolor action
MF Portrait Tool: Misty Glow, run twice
Impressionist: Conte; Faithful: Background: Image Brush 25%

Cheers
Dave

[jaykita]

Water-color-ful!

[Axleuk]

Originally Posted by brandonx49

Hello alll,

Several glows and used diffuse combined with sharpening to bring out her hair.

Brad

I agree with Danny in that it is very nicely done, however if i may be so bold as to offer my .02 worth and say i think the whites are a little too bright and are a slight disraction.

The overall effect is fantstic especially the hair, which i just love.

Would like to see a slightly less contrasty ( is that a word ? ) version.

Great Job !

[Axleuk]

Didnt spend too much time on this one.

Simplified the impressionist technique.

Base layer, level HS
IMpressionist filter, reduced brush size of approx 78% to give a more realistic feel
Copy image, levels, HS
dust and sctraches
Impressionist Filter again, this time lowering the brush size slightly again
Gausian Blur a fraction
Minor cleanup
Whitewashed the border to give the illusion of a painting
Artpaper texture to finalise

[Duv]

Originally Posted by Axleuk

I agree with Danny in that it is very nicely done, however if i may be so bold as to offer my .02 worth and say i think the whites are a little too bright and are a slight disraction.

The overall effect is fantstic especially the hair, which i just love.

Would like to see a slightly less contrasty ( is that a word ? ) version.

Great Job !

Very nice job on your rendition! With respect to Brandon X effort I do see what you mean. Unfortunately, when using filters and effects to get one outstanding result like in the face and hair, you have to compromise on other areas. Having said that I tried replacing the girls shirt with the original and that just killed the whole effect. I use these filters a lot myself and perhaps you have some ideas on how to incorporate them both.

Cheers
Dave

[Axleuk]

**warning, slightly inhebriated***

It has been said before, but i will say it again, Art is in the eye of the beholder.....so in general, no-one can really critisise anyone, but if that were the case, then i guess we would all be one big happy family and where would the enjoyment be then ?

Each person who takes the time to develope or at least attempt to show off their own renditions should be applauded, however with that said, i personally like to offer advice and guidance wherever i can.

My opinions are exactley that, MY opinions and they should be taken with a pinch of salt, because each person has their own unique style they try to adapt.

My comments regarding Brad's rendition where merely an observation, for instance, i like hamburgers with cheese, but can eat them without.

I am by no means an expert in any field, but i do like to offer an opinion where i can, but that is based on personal likes and dislikes not based on any formula.

When i look at any piece of work, i look for the things that personally appeal to me, but that doesnt mean it will appeal to everyone, just take what you can from every experience and run with it !!

Oh god, sorry guys, i get the impression i am rambling.

On a friendlier note, never post on while sloshed....it makes people think you are bonkers

oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!

[Duv]

Spoken as only it should be spoken on New Years Eve!! All the best to you and your family in 2005. And lest we forget the current tradegy ongoing, as pie eyed as we may be, perhaps a moment of reflection might be in order.

All the best to everyone.

Dave

[Neve]

I started in Painter 8. Brush/Water Color/Fine Camel throughout.
Decreased size and opacity as I did each layer.
The first pass with the larges size was not all over background but around
the edges of the girl only.
Reduce the size and did the girl all over.
Reduced the size and then did downward strokes
on her hair.
Soft Clone over her face and arms to
reveal some detail.

Opened it up in PSP8.01 and duped the bottom layer.
on the second layer (up)
Artistic Brushstrokes/Blurred Blockin/
Layer Blend Mode 50% - Lighten.
Eraser for eyes 4% mouth and ears.

[Legacy~Art]

What a delightful little girl!

I used pspv9 i am very new to this program i usually use photoshop7, so what i did is i went through the motions of doing a pencil drawing, and then i repeated it twice (quadruplet) and then i added a layer and added an overlay of brown crumpled paper, and this is what i got.

Legacy

[Axleuk]

Now thats a nice original method.

I love how clean the lines look without looking appearing too artificial (if you understand what i mean). It gives the impression of a wood burning.

How are you finding Painter ? It seems there are quite a few people on the forum jumping in for the first time, myself being one of them.

Happy painting

[Legacy~Art]

Yes Danny i have to agree that Brad is very dreamy it reminds me of the porcelain effect i have in psp.v.9.

Very well done!

[sidis]

Flipped and recropped to lead focus, and to get her head closer to an aesthetic rule of thirds intersection (although not as close as I'd liked...)

Blended a "sunlight" layer and a "tan" layer

Modified background with a combination of virtual painter and sandstone texture

Selective dodging, burning, and blurring

Added edge


.

[lkroll]

Usual filters that I use. Some contrast/color enhancements too. Hope you all like it (sacrificed a little quality to fit withing forum specs).

Forgot to add that I used some noise and Flaming Pear's Pixel Trash too.

[palms]

Used bert de wolff dreamy portrait workflow

Palms

[nebgranny]

Legacy
Where is the porcelain effect in psp9 ? Thanks Neb