Watercolor

[fdlite]

Your opinions are welcome. I must say, I really enjoy playing with PSE:)

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=23580

[Wendy]

Hi ...

That looks really good ... which technique did you use :)

Wendy

[fdlite]

Wendy,

Thanks, I will have to answer your question tomorrow after I get home. Work, month-end, etc. The thing I have found to be the key in doing watercolors are short strokes and (in my case with a mouse) is to go over the picture changing the opacity of brush(es).

I will post what I did in a day or so.

Dane

[John L Gray]

Hi Dane,

Very nice watercolor. The colors and reflection are very effective. Enjoyed your gallery. Look forward to the instructions on your technique.

Thanks for sharing.

John

[Rusty]

Hi Dane,

I have yet to complete a "real good" watercolor. I have to assume that the reflection you did was especially difficult.

You really did that well.

Rusty

[fdlite]

First, Rusty I did spend some time with the reflections, difficult, on a scale of 1 to 10 maybe a 2 or 3.

Ok, there is a low point in the month-end work and I had a little time. Here are the instructions that I used up to this point.

For the most part, the instructions are from Photoshop Photo Effects Cookbook by Tim Shelbourne for CS2. What I am trying to do is adapt what he has to PSE, in my case 5.0. I have not complete this, but this is what was done to my watercolor attempt.


1 Like always and always
Open your picture and duplicate (ctrl/cmd+J). I changed the name on this new layer to Smart Blur. On the new layer (Smart Blur ... learned this layer naming from someone on this forum and I think it is a great idea) go to Filter > Blur > Smart Blur. (You knew it was coming)

Settings:
Radius 14.1
Threshold 68.4
Quality High
Mode Normal

2 Duplicate this layer (ctrl/cmd+J) (I called this layer GE for Glowing Edges).

Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges (can stop here if you're into neon lights :-) )

Settings:
Width 3
Brightness 9
Smoothness 10

Invert this layer (GE) (ctrl/cmd+I)

Remove the color/desaturate (ctrl/cmd+shift+U)

Blending mode to Multiply and Opacity to 41%

3 Duplicate the Smart Blur layer again and drag it to the top. Name the layer Painting or whatever.

Right now the following layers should be in this order (top to bottom).

Painting
GE
Smart Blur
Background

Ok, on we go ...

Painting layer:

Invert this layer (ctrl/cmd+I)
Blending Mode: Color Dodge (this will turn white, which is what you want ... or close)

4 Select a Brush, I went with one of the "Dry" type brushes and made the diameter around 39 px or so. Opacity was set to 60%. You could go lower, but what you want is to gradually build up the depth of color. I tried going higher and didn't like the look, just my opinion.

Fun part ... start painting on this layer (Painting) leaving room around the edges. USE SHORT STROKES and go in the direction of the grass (if you have grass), etc. Go over areas to "build up" gradually the depth of color(s). Remembering to leave white spaces here and there.

Use different size brushes to get the look/texturer.

This is currently a work in progress as I am not 100% happy with the outcome and expect I will be adding at least 3 if not 5 more layers. If I do I will post those and any other changes that might be made to the steps above. REMEMBER SHORT STROKES
and I have to repeat this one thing ... use short strokes. :-)

Thanks,
Dane

[fdlite]

Sorry I forgot one MAJOR thing, make sure that your forground color is Black (bottom left hand corner in 5.0) when you do your painting in Step 4.

Dane

[smiles]

Dane, simply beautiful!

[Rusty]

Thank you, Dane, for such clear instructions.

I'll bet I'm not the only person that's printed them off to try :)

Rusty

[selawela]

Hey, Dane:

Just printed my copy of the instructions! Thanks so much. Stay tuned for Dane's watercolor tutorial to be a hit, too!

Sela

[Wendy]

Hi Dane ...

I have Tim Shelborne's book too and I never thought to look in there ... its a great book and there are some really good techniques in there.

Most of them translate into Elements quite well ...

Tim is a member of the forum ... but I haven't seen him here for a while

Wendy

[John L Gray]

Dane,

Thank you for sharing the instructions on watercoloring effect. Look forward to applying the effect on my photos.

John

[fdlite]

Wendy, I just happened to go into a book store this past weekend and found this book. I've been reading a lot from people on this forum and books for months. A few months ago I join this forum and became a subscriber, one of the best things I have done in a while.

Anyway, back to the book (:rolleyes:), when I picked it up I wondered if I could translate this to Elements and for the most part it has worked. Like everything, once you do it one way it gives you the knowledge to try other ways and maybe improve upon (:confused:) were it becomes your own.

I only have 3 books on Photoshop (of the 7 or 8 that I have) that I keep going back too. This has became one of those books and one of the others is Scott's book.

I can't wait to see what others may do. As for me I off to get some tea, do some more work and go home play with watercolors. :p

Thanks to all for your nice comments.

Dane

[Wendy]

Hi Dane ..

Anytime you get stuck with the translation just ask and one of us will see if we can come up with anything :)

I have far too many book ...

Wendy

[Orphanannie]

Hi Dane,

Thanxs for the tut.... Found it very interesting to do. Is this the way it is supposed to look like? Please critique...


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1D8HUckTtbBIOB9PSJlgtNYi29v2E0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1D8HUckTtbBIOB9PSJlgtNYi29v2E0)

[ljameso1]

Tx Dane, Just printed out and look forward to playing(if I ever get done processing the thousands of pics I took on Safari).;)

[fdlite]

Andrea I like it!

I'm just happy that you and Linda (along with others) enjoyed the instructions and can't wait to see what others will do.

Tonight I hope to do another watercolor, add a few more layers and post for review and help.

Thanks,
Dane

[nkeevers]

Dane, thanks for the tut...can't wait to try it out. I think I need to take more pictures now...road trip this weekend for sure!!:D

[Orphanannie]

Tried another one.......

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1PATLs5FvdH3PGyogx9HqICAw9ODS_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1PATLs5FvdH3PGyogx9HqICAw9ODS)

[Martha]

Dane, It's beautiful! As is yours, Andrea.
And thank you for posting instructions. I'd like to try this technique even though I'm not so good with brushes.
Martha

[fdlite]

Finally had some time last night, started another watercolor and have put it into my gallery (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=23680).

Add a new layer that I color filled off white (kind of). Need to work on those brush strokes, but ... also enlarged one of the brushes and when along the edges to give it that paint following the water look.

Andrea, I'm coming to you for answers. Those look really nice.

Dane

[Orphanannie]

Hi Dane,

Really like your addition.... I sent you an email.....

[fdlite]

I think the next step or layer that might need to be done, after looking at my last watercolor attempt, is to add texture to the pic? I have also determined that the length of the strokes, size of the brush(es) are the key. Brushes used on the last one are under "Wet Media Brushs" the Scattered Dry Brush and Watercolor Heavey Pigment.

Dane

[christellf]

I think the next step or layer that might need to be done, after looking at my last watercolor attempt, is to add texture to the pic? I have also determined that the length of the strokes, size of the brush(es) are the key. Brushes used on the last one are under "Wet Media Brushs" the Scattered Dry Brush and Watercolor Heavey Pigment.

Dane
Hi, I am new to some of these techniques. I am trying to do the watercolor steps from your instructions. I am working on the painting layer and trying to fill in with short strokes. Am I supposed to fill in the complete picture with strokes?
Also, when I think I am finished, how do I blend it all to make it look like your finished picture? Do I also have to merge all the layers together. I am stuck on how to move on with steps. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Christell

[fdlite]

Christell,

I did not merge the layers together nor did I "paint" the whole picture (you can see parts of the picture that I didn't paint). I changed the size of my brush on my strokes. Some of brush sizes were large some small, but in time this will start to fill out.

Also go in different directions. If you have a tree for example, make your stroke up and down. Water I normally go left to right and the sky I have found (for me) angle strokes.

I finished the last one (that I posted above) with the brush Watercolor Heavy Pigment and increase the brush size a lot and then just click to kind of blend in the other strokes (again short strokes or just click).

I've only done 3 or 4 of these and still learning.

Would like Rusty to let me know what he thinks since he has tried or has create watercolor pictures too? Come to think of it, like to hear from anyone what I need to change.

Christell, I would like to see your picture when you're done. I bet it will be great.

As for me, one more day of work and a road trip to the Smokies to take pictures. :-)

Thanks,
Dane

[christellf]

if you don't merge layers do you turn each layer off to see what the picture looks like on the smart blur layer as you are working on it? Your watercolor with pink flowers & water reflection, how do you get it to where you don't really see the detail but more of a blended blurred look. Also after you apply the strokes do you look at the smart blur layer often? Not sure if I am explaining this clear enough...

[fdlite]

Christell,

Each layer creates a buildup of your picture.

Layer order (top to bottom):
painting
glowing edges
smart blur/background copy
background

If I have to see what is below (mine normally comes out with a very light image on the painting layer, you can see that outline on my pictures that I posted) I would lower the opacity until I could see some of the outline. Once I determine what I wish to fill/paint, I then reset the opacity.

The brush that you use will allow you to change the opacity of your strokes. Mine is set anywhere between 30 to 41%, depending on the brush I pick and how much I want to reveal (the brush size also helps in the buildup). I do this to create a buildup, each time I go over an area more is revealed.

The answer to your last question, I try not to look back at my other layers unless there is an object that I am looking for and want that location to be revealed or not. Even then I only do that once or twice.

Thanks,
Dane

[photoshopsusieq]

Dane,

Thanks for sharing this technique. I copied the instructions and will have to give it a try.

[christellf]

Christell,

Each layer creates a buildup of your picture.

Layer order (top to bottom):
painting
glowing edges
smart blur/background copy
background

If I have to see what is below (mine normally comes out with a very light image on the painting layer, you can see that outline on my pictures that I posted) I would lower the opacity until I could see some of the outline. Once I determine what I wish to fill/paint, I then reset the opacity.

The brush that you use will allow you to change the opacity of your strokes. Mine is set anywhere between 30 to 41%, depending on the brush I pick and how much I want to reveal (the brush size also helps in the buildup). I do this to create a buildup, each time I go over an area more is revealed.

The answer to your last question, I try not to look back at my other layers unless there is an object that I am looking for and want that location to be revealed or not. Even then I only do that once or twice.

Thanks,
Dane

Dane, Here is the picture I have been working on. Not sure if I did it right. I don't think there was a lot of contrast in picture. That might be what I was having trouble with. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Christell
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1rz4FslnpwAah7K7nrLk1job9Rnr1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1rz4FslnpwAah7K7nrLk1job9Rnr1)

[fdlite]

Christell,

I like the picture, I think it looks cool.

You might want (?) to leave some white space, but I think I would put a frame on it.

I have came up with a couple more things/layers for this, that I did last night that I will post later on. Notes are at home and I am at work.

Thanks,
Dane

[fdlite]

Christell,

Just a thought, go back to your picture, go over the leave that is hidden by the flower some and make it just a bit darker and see if that will give it the pop that your are looking for? Like I said, I like it, but that might be the only think outside of a frame I would do.

Dane

[christellf]

Dane, I added a frame & tried to let some white show through but was having a hard time on sunflower petals, so I kind of highlighted the tops of them instead. Is that the kind of framing you had in mind?
Thanks
Christell
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bBQwUK5lBiNneV0ZF5IJ2e2SUslv_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bBQwUK5lBiNneV0ZF5IJ2e2SUslv)

[fdlite]

Christell,

I think the border makes it pops.

Sorry that my response to your reply has taken so long, I went to the Smokies this weekend to take some pictures (or waterfalls, deer, etc. and of my first elk that jump right in front of my car and one in the back). And no I did not hit either one of the elks nor did I ended driving over the mountain ...

Thanks,
Dane

[christellf]

Dane,
Thanks for your reply. I will try the watercolor technique on different pictures to see what works better. We have been to the Smokies about 4 times. It is so beautiful. I know you got some great pictures. i guess it is time to start my own gallery. Everyone does a great job trying out there own styles.
Thanks,
Christell

[fdlite]

Ok, one last watercolor before riding off into the sunset. Think this will be my last one posted for a while.

Gatlinburg, TN (Roaring Fork waterfall).

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=23839

Comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Dane

[Wendy]

Dane ...

Its perfect !! ... and looks great. Nice work on it :)

Wendy

[christellf]

Dane,
Your watercolor waterfall really came great. & also your orton effect.I love both of them. I knew you would take some awesome photos in the Smokies.
Beautiful job,
Christell

[JuliaM]

Dane,

Thanks so much for the tutorial.

I love your gallery. I think my favorite is the walkway picture. It looks like such a peaceful place.

JuliaM

[fdlite]

Thank you Julia, it was a very peaceful place. I was setting on a bench when i took that picture.

Dane