Wings- how do you make them look real?

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Hey Y'all! you will be happy that I was successful at downloading some new brushes and that they actually are where i put them.:D
Anyway, I need some advice on how to place the wings, how to change the color, etc to make them appear real.I know this is messy..i was trying to use the clone tool and it does not work well here.

I do pray for you all every day....well almost every day. :)

Here is the photo:http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1jTyt1OuEJeYaaaEL0AWdov3knHc1

[Tina_B]

I think what I would do is to try and cut the little girl out and put her on her own layer. Then would place the wings on a layer behind her and then merge them when you are happy with the way it looks. there are many ways to do just about everything so you will probably get lots of ideas coming your way.
Tina B

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Thanks, Tina!

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Oops...I did select the little girl and put her on her own layer, but when I try to get the background up with the 'hole" in the middle, it won't come up so that I can put the wings on.:(

[JulieM]

Charlotte,

I just read a blog post this week about a new class at Kelby Training called Fantasy Portraits. If you are interested in doing this type of stuff it might be worth investing in a month of training there. HERE (http://www.revellphotography.com/blog/?p=3231) is the link to the post I read and HERE (http://www.kelbytraining.com/online/all-classes.html&id=cuerdon_fantasy#cuerdon_fantasy)is the link to Kelby Training. Just a thought. :)

(The course would be geared towards full Photoshop rather than Elements but, as you know, workarounds are possible for most everything.)

[Diana]

Hi Charlotte,

Depending on the photo you're using, you may be able to use this simpler method, and not have to extract the girl.

Create two new blank layers above the girl. Stamp a wing on each blank layer. Resize and position the wings where you want them. Then erase the part of the wing that is on top of the girl, so that the wing appears as if it's behind the girl. You can also lower the opacity of the wing layers to make the wings look translucent.

Here's a Photoshop fantasy tutorial, and probably not exactly what you want, but it may give you some ideas:
http://pswish.com/dark-fantasy-art-photoshop-tutorial-fairy-sunset-landscap/

Here's a bunch of wing brushes, in case you don't enough of them... lol:
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/?order=9&q=fairy%20wings%20brush#

Diana

[frank abramonte]

Charlotte, the wings look fine to me. The only exception is that he wings overlap the girls shoulders. Using the background eraser erase the girls shoulder and strap so the wings look like they are on her back, and not on her shoulders.

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Hi Charlotte,

Depending on the photo you're using, you may be able to use this simpler method, and not have to extract the girl.

Create two new blank layers above the girl. Stamp a wing on each blank layer. Resize and position the wings where you want them. Then erase the part of the wing that is on top of the girl, so that the wing appears as if it's behind the girl. You can also lower the opacity of the wing layers to make the wings look translucent.

Here's a Photoshop fantasy tutorial, and probably not exactly what you want, but it may give you some ideas:
http://pswish.com/dark-fantasy-art-photoshop-tutorial-fairy-sunset-landscap/

Here's a bunch of wing brushes, in case you don't enough of them... lol:
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/?order=9&q=fairy%20wings%20brush#

Diana

Wow, that is a really cool tutorial...I want to do that when I get a good block of time. :o) Thanks!

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Charlotte, the wings look fine to me. The only exception is that he wings overlap the girls shoulders. Using the background eraser erase the girls shoulder and strap so the wings look like they are on her back, and not on her shoulders.

Frank,
So I don't have to clone stamp it...just erase the wings where they sit on the shoulder? I will try when I get home. Thanks so much!

Have a great weekend!

Charlotte

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Charlotte,

I just read a blog post this week about a new class at Kelby Training called Fantasy Portraits. If you are interested in doing this type of stuff it might be worth investing in a month of training there. HERE (http://www.revellphotography.com/blog/?p=3231) is the link to the post I read and HERE (http://www.kelbytraining.com/online/all-classes.html&id=cuerdon_fantasy#cuerdon_fantasy)is the link to Kelby Training. Just a thought. :)

(The course would be geared towards full Photoshop rather than Elements but, as you know, workarounds are possible for most everything.)

Thanks, Julie, I am watching the video right now. How interesting! I wish I could afford a real class....maybe when my college girls graduate.:D

Have a great weekend!

charlotte