First time: I've played with brushes.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I've played with brushes.

(Download)

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent result! Can you describe what you did? Maybe a before and after?

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks Mike. This is actually almost a whole day of trial and error with breaks when I got too frustrated. It started with three layers, a background and a flower and ended up with two layers, a background, a flower and a single brush stroke. Oh and a layer mask and blend mode.

I started with the red flower I had taken with my cell phone earlier that day and a background I made a few months ago. I cut the flower from the background to almost to pixel level. Placed the background as an overlay with a layer mask opacity at 50% brought out the flower. A single pass with a "fur" brush finished it.

Here are the originals of the flower and the background. If anyone wants the background feel free to take it, no credits required for use or publication.

(Download)

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Curmudgeon wrote:

Thanks Mike. This is actually almost a whole day o... (show quote)

Thanks, Jack. I can see that I have a lot to learn.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Nice technique. I have trouble with the photo, though, because of the lack of unity. There is a little between the flower and the low intensity reds of the background. The strokes do not belong with the shape of the flower. I suggest keeping up your exploration, while trying to bring composition and techniques into more harmony.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

artBob wrote:

Nice technique. I have trouble with the photo, though, because of the lack of unity. There is a little between the flower and the low intensity reds of the background. The strokes do not belong with the shape of the flower. I suggest keeping up your exploration, while trying to bring composition and techniques into more harmony.

Thanks for the comments Bob. Each picture is a statement in itself. What is right and what is wrong is based what the artist wishes to express. Most flower pictures try to portray a quiet beauty and harmony with the other components of the story. In this case unity was not my intent. I almost posted just the cutout flower with the black brush strokes on a stark white background just to jar the senses.

I can tell by your comments that I was too subtle missed that mark by a considerable amount.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I really like the brush strokes with the flower and that is a great shot of the flower. The background i'm not sure about. It certainly gets your attention if that was what you were going for. I don't hate it but I think it would be very cool with a white background. It would have an Andy Worhal feel to it. I also think it is great that you keep pushing yourself creatively.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks Keni. It seemed like such a simple project when I started and became so difficult. Maybe I just got tired at some point and said "oh well" and posted it. Based on your and Bob's comments the background has got to go!

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Curmudgeon wrote:

Thanks Keni. It seemed like such a simple project when I started and became so difficult. Maybe I just got tired at some point and said "oh well" and posted it. Based on your and Bob's comments the background has got to go!

I am going to give you some of your own advise:

"While the commenter may be right, and often is, as soon as I change the photo it ceases to be my photo and becomes her/his photo. I often, well sometimes, incorporate the suggestions into my following post but only if it works for me."

🤗

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks Keni, for setting me straight.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

kenievans wrote:

I am going to give you some of your own advise:

"While the commenter may be right, and often is, as soon as I change the photo it ceases to be my photo and becomes her/his photo. I often, well sometimes, incorporate the suggestions into my following post but only if it works for me."

🤗

I always said in crits I conducted, "Listen to everything. However, some crits are made from subjective or narrow viewpoints, not understanding your intent. Some might seem on the money. Forget them all. Then, next day, look at your piece. If you have an urge to do something with it, do. Or, start a new piece, and pay attention to those crits that pop into your head as you work.