Suggestions requested- painterly flowers

[Simone]

Hi all, In another thread (in General Elements) Westiemom was kind enough to share her technique for some images in her gallery which I (among others) really loved....

And with Mother's Day coming I wanted to attempt a card using this technique with flowers, and she loves Impatiens.

I'm beginner with the painterly stuff so would love some feedback on this attempt before finalizing it. I used Anita's basic method, then tweaked more with layer blend modes, selected work in certain areas etc.

So, here are 2 versions for your critique - first is lighter/softer, and the second is a bit brighter/darker/more contrast. Preference ? All comments welcome as far as improvements could I do ? Thanks much! :)

Version 1 - link to pixentral
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ycmJJjW5QXbDqWzXRxthDdZ9SE40_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ycmJJjW5QXbDqWzXRxthDdZ9SE40]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ycmJJjW5QXbDqWzXRxthDdZ9SE40_thumb.jpg)

Version 2 (a bit darker, more contrasty) - link to pixentral
[/URL][IMG]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Rus4zCqIFN9VYrrVKmC6YJBVJPQEH0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Rus4zCqIFN9VYrrVKmC6YJBVJPQEH0]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Rus4zCqIFN9VYrrVKmC6YJBVJPQEH0_thumb.jpg)

[Martha]

They are both lovely! You did a great job with it. I think I like the first a little better. Could you tell me the name of the thread where you found the technique? I did not find it searching for "Painterly Flowers."
Martha

[mom to 4]

They both look good to me. It is amazing how the technique really doesn't show up until you view it in pixentral

[AngelicKim]

Simone, I think they both look great also. My preference though is the second, I like more color. It is odd how the first one doesn't show in your post until you click it and the second one does.

[pinkpepper]

well, i had a funny pink elephant show up on my screen when i clicked on the 1st link, but then seconds later the actual photo pulled up, maybe because she's using pixcentral as opposed to pixentral, anyways, i really like both pics, but lean more to liking the 2nd one better. but you could combine both and erase some of the areas that are too dark, and have the best of both worlds :) nice work, simone

[CalamityJanet]

Hi Simone,
That's a really nice effect! I like the second one better. And I think I'd like to see just a touch of green in the leaves. Either way, it's still a beautiful card!

[Simone]

Thanks so much for the quick replies! I fixed the links so they go to Pixentral now, not Pixcentral. My boo-boo; normally I use Pixentral but in a fluke I did not access it from my Favorites but instead just googled to find it and misspelled it. It looked different but I thought they had upgraded or something! Learn something every day!

Martha, the name of the thread in General Elements is "Westiemom....
I Love This" started by Scrappygirl, and here is the link to it.
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22296
Isn't it wonderful. I wonder if there is a "name" to this technique, or perhaps it's a Westiemom original...

Glad to know you think, generally, it's looking OK. Think I'll go for an in-between these 2, and bring out some green in the leaves as Janet mentioned since they are quite desaturated now. More comments/critique are welcome too, I'm open to improvement tips. Thanks! :)

[pinkpepper]

simone, i had a peek of your other pictures, and WOW! i have to say your gallery is now one of my favorites. mr and mrs cardinal, how adorable is that!

[Shari]

Simone - they are both great. So if you do something in the middle it will be great as well. I sometimes find I have to print to find out how the technique works. Your mother will be thrilled.
Shari

[Martha]

Thank you for the link.
Your gallery is filled with such beautiful photos! I love the montages. Also the pines, the winding road, and the South Coast of France.
Martha

[Bayla]

Simone,

They are both beautiful...though my personal preference is for the second one. Anita's sketch tutorial is good isn't it? I discovered it this morning and tried it out on a few different images. I need to go out and take some more pictures - I find I'm using the same five or six photos for all my tutorials!!!!

Bayla

[Rusty]

Simone,

I like it too and I jumped on that same thread -- the Baltimore Harbor just blew me away. I printed out the steps that Anita subsequently posted and have tried it on a number of images in the past week. Just love it.

I like your second one better. I have a bias to bright, vibrant, contrasty colors so the second provides a bit more of the punch I like. I would have picked fuchsia impatients to feed my color addiction :D

Rusty

[Simone]

Thanks for the additional reviews and preferences! Most helpful. Appreciate your taking the time. And, thanks for the kind comments on my gallery photos as well. :)

[westiemom]

Simone,

They're both really nice, but I think I like the second one better. I was playing around one day and discovered this technique. For some reason it works on lots of different photos. Your picture will make a lovely card. I posted two new photos from Baltimore Harbor in my gallery.

Anita