Tutorial: Trimoon CD discussion

[Bob Walden]

Hi all. The mailman just left and my watercolor tutorial has arrived. Heading to the computer room to take a look. Thanks Steve!

Bob

[T Paul]

I just got mine as well! Can't wait to check it out.

~T

[Trimoon]

[cricket]

me too......but

I got mine too, but I am unable to work the tutorial in such a way as to get the beautiful watercolor images that Trimoon has posted. I am now trying yet another image...I have already tried on 4 different images with mixed results.....but none of them look like water colors.

Any hints?? Any help???

Cricket

[Trimoon]

Cricket:
I posted hopefully some information that might help you at your post at dpreview. Steve

[jeaniesa]

Cricket,

I was able to get a pretty decent watercolor version of the Little Blue Heron image that came with the CD. Then I tried one of my own images and it doesn't look nearly as nice. I don't know if it's the image I chose or if I'm doing something wrong. I think it's going to take me a lot more practice before I can create the images that Trimoon does. Unfortunately, I don't have much free time on my hands right now.

I guess that's the long way of saying I don't have any great advice for you - but you're not alone in your repeated attempts to get a good watercolor!! If you want to post one of your "failed attempts", I might be able to suggest something, but I can't promise anything.

Here's one of my "questionable" attempts.

Jeanie

[Trimoon]

Jeanie:
Thanks. I think you did a wonderful job. Even when I do an image, it's hard for me to be consistent. I can do the same iage several times, but I have not the patience nor the discipline to stay the course. I want to always wander and see what else I can come up with. The tutorial was always meant to give direction and to teach the techniques that I use. I've noticed several people have been able to do the blue heron and have been able to come up with almost the exact look as I did and I don't know how they do it. I tend to stray too much.
Steve

[jeaniesa]

Thanks for the feedback Steve. I think the background is what I like the least in this image. I've seen some people that have just created a hint of color - kind of like a "fog" for the background. Perhaps that would work better for this image.

My other problem is that I almost never like anything I've created at the time I declare it done. Looking at this image a day after I finished it, I guess it doesn't look too bad.

I know what you mean about not being consistent. I never can be either!

Jeanie

[Bob Walden]

Jeaniesa, I think the owl came out great! Much better then my attemps at Helga. I'm not giving up though. The tutorial is great. It's me that needs the work.

Bob

[jeaniesa]

Thanks for the nice comments Bob. I think (like Steve said), the technique is meant to be flexible - but that usually means it takes practice to really learn it. Just wish I had more time to play!

If it's you that needs the work, perhaps you should attempt a self-portrait?

Jeanie

[Bob Walden]

I can't. My vest is at the cleaners. I spilled egg salad on it at a picnic.

Bob

[jeaniesa]

Bummer Bob!!

OK, I tried a different background with the owl and I'm much happier with this one. Turns out I just needed to experiment a bit more with all of the brushes the Steve provided. That about fills up my play time for this evening. I guess an hour a day is better than nothing.

Jeanie

[Bob Walden]

Ok, I agree with you. The second background is better. It makes the owl jump out. Still like the first one though.

Bob

[Bob Walden]

Jeaniesa, after looking again I have a teenie, tiny, little itty bittie comment. On the bottom of the owl the edge seems a little ragged. Maybe a little blur or softening might look nice.

Bob

[jeaniesa]

Yes, I noticed that too Bob, but being more concerned about the background, I ignored it. You're right of course, it doesn't look like watercolor at all! Thanks for noticing it.

Jeanie