"Colorful Digital Abstract" Corel Painter 11 - Plus

Colorful Digital Abstract

I began this image as a photograph of Colored Glass in many forms and hues. I was browsing in Picasa 3.9 and went to an assignment folder from PainterTalk and found this and other photographs.

I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and resampled it to a display setting. Then I used the Tone Curve for some depth to the image. I saved that iteration in a New Folder. Clicking on it in Picasa I opened it with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted it with the Modern Painting settings, I saved that iteration. To open in Corel Painter 11 I used Copy the Full Path in Picasa, then I used Corel Painter 11 to paste the Open path in the Open image window. I cloned the original auto painted image.

Using the clone I opened the Warp Image tool and using that brush like setting I warped the painting to a completely abstract piece. I selected the Artist Sargent Brush and painted lines upon this abstract. I next applied Surface Texture using Image Luminance for more brushstroke texture. I saved that iteration.

I opened with PhotoPaint and added my signature. I then resaved the display size piece.

It has been some time since I have done a Digital Abstract like this and I enjoyed playing with the original brightly colored glass photograph. Sometimes you just need to create abstractions.

"The Blue Heron" Corel - Plus

The Blue Heron

Years ago a friend and his family lived in Paradise, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. He had a Carvers Shop where he carved marvelous Bird and Animals carvings. One of my favorite carvings was a beautiful detailed Blue Heron. It was matchless in detail and harmony of scale and vision.

I was browsing in Picasa 3.9 and came upon an image of a Blue Heron. I opened it with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted it. I selected Illustration, Intense Colors, Rough Paper and the Gritty Calligraphy Brush settings.

After the Auto paint I used the Soft Cloner brush to add back in some detail like the eye and feathers on the breast. I painted those back in leaving other details alone.

I saved that iteration and opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized it to a good display size. I added the jagged edges and a black border along with using Visible Watermark to add my signature.

This image brings back memories of myself, visiting my friend's Shop and sitting in his loft while I watched him work. I did this and finished writing "The Three Sleeping Umbrellas," children's story I told my own children. I had an older laptop at the time and it was bulky and hot. A summer's day I won't soon forget.

"Textured - Colorized 12-String Guitar" Corel - Plus

Gouache Painted 12-String Guitar

With a pencil sketch of my 12-String Seagull S12 Cedar guitar, I did some processing to make a colorful image. Using Corel PhotoPaint I Rotated to Portrait, then applied the Tone Curve for additional detail. I saved that and opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted with the Gouache settings.

This gave me the brushstrokes texture I wanted. I saved that iteration and reopened with PhotoPaint. Here I used Filter Forge's Photo Effects Colorizer plugin. I got the result of a brightly colored image. I added my signature and saved the display size.

I decided to add some more texture to the image so I selected the Effects Texture Canvas and added a stone-like texture to the piece. This satisfied my playfulness in doing an image and gave it some punch.

"Michigan Snowstorm" Corel PSP Pro X3

Outside the Side Door

Snow Covered Road

It's Snowing in the Midwest today. I got out my Canon Rebel XTi and took a few photographs from our side door, without venturing too far. Here are two of the photographs I took today.

I had Picasa 3.9 open and from the folder I opened each with Corel PSP Pro X3. I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal, then the Smart Photo Fix. I made little to no adjustments in these tools.

The snowfall is seen as light but steady, no big snow flakes at this time of day. But as you can see we are getting a few inches, as the Road photograph shows. I added my signature to the photographs and a black border for better display, resizing them in PSP Pro X3.

I am in my Studio/Office sitting next to a large window overlooking Bald Eagle Lake. Watching the snow falling is peaceful and calming. I do like the change of seasons, I just don't care for the cold. It is beautiful outside.

"Pixlr - Self-Portrait" Corel -Plus

Self-Portrait using Pixlr Online

I was introduced to Pixlr online today and I used my webcam to capture an image of me and play around with it in the Pixlr-O-Matic mode. I adjusted it a bit and added a film frame, increased the vibrancy.

Pixlr allows you to select differing ways to work on your images online without having to download any graphics program. They have App versions as well (though I don't know if they cost.) The online version doesn't charge you as of yet.

I wanted to adjust the image of myself a bit more so I opened the image saved to my hard drive at 640x480 with Corel PSP Pro X3 and used the workflow I have described here many times before. I did use the Skin Softening tool and also resized it to a larger display size.

I like Pixlr and it will be great fun to play around with it more whether using the advanced tools or the simplified version.

"More Old Times Montage" Quadtone Corel PhotoPaint

More Old Times Montage

Another Picasa 3.9 Montage using the Picture collage creator. I scanned in these old times photographs into Corel PhotoPaint and created blue Quadtones out of them using the Duotones settings loading a Quadtone blue color set.

In Picasa I used the Collage creator and made them superimposed upon one another. These are old photographs from our surrounding area here in Michigan. I saved each scan individually, making them Quadtones prior to Montaging them. I used the Tone Curve in PhotoPaint to give depth to the color, after I changed their mode to RGB images.

I used Filter Forge Frames film frame on the finished display sized piece. I enjoyed using these photographs of times almost forgotten circa 1900. I especially liked the school portrait that seems to dominate this piece.

"Sledding Postponed" Corel PSP Pro X3

Sledding Postponed

One of my favorite winter photographs. I have presented it prior to this but I did a new workflow on it and decided to share again. I have entitled it "Sledding Postponed."

I used Picasa 3.9 to locate the original smaller photograph taken with an old digital handheld camera. I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3, first increasing the size to display size, and using the Digital Camera Noise Removal on it. Then I used the Saturation Vibrancy on the piece to boost color. I use the Picture Frame to add a jagged surround and applied the 3D Effect to the edges for an icy appearance.

I added my signature with the Image, Visible Watermark and then finished with a black border.

These old sleds are no longer there sitting in the yard, broken and unused. I believe they are gone for good. So I am happy I got this shot before they disappeared from the neighbors yard.

They are talking on the Weather Report that we may be in for some light snow with little accumulation. Not like past years as a child when we used to get piles of it in December. It is raining now, climate change anyone?

"We Sing Karaoke" Corel - Plus

We Sing Karaoke [click for larger view]

A change of pace for me today. We had gone to a Graduation Party last summer and they had Karaoke there. Both my wife and I sang some songs together. One of our friends took photographs with my Canon Rebel XTi of us singing.

I browsed in Picasa 3.9 to that folder and found those photographs. I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and I cropped the photograph to a portrait size. I applied my PSP workflow of the Digital Camera Noise Removal, Smart Photo Fix, and Unsharp Mask soft focus. I also boosted the color with Saturation Vibrancy.

Saving that iteration, I opened in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and applied the Watercolor Sketch setting with the Wash brush. Auto painted, I took the Soft Cloner brush and added back in some detail to the faces and hands. Saving that I reopened in PSP Pro X3 and added the Ornate Picture Frame, and my signature. I resized to a display size for here.

I may not be a performer of my own music but I do enjoy some Karaoke once in a while. Other songwriters songs and lyrics and melodies are some how easier to sing than my own works. So we had an enjoyable time with friends.

"Artist in the Plus Music Festival" Corel - Plus

Hannah Clive

Daria Musk and Ram Rich

Shani S

Hanna Silver

Rebecca Perl

Suite 709

James Olmos

I wasn't able to make it to as much of the Artist in the Plus Music Festival as I wanted. But I was there for some great performances. The Festival was a great success and I thank all the Artists below for performing and supporting +John Voshell,
and all those for who had a part in making The Festival the Grand experiment that worked!

Google+ Hang Outs on Air are a fantastic venue for sharing Independent Musicians and the Arts in general.

I am posting these images I created using Corel PhotoPaint and Corel PSP Pro X3, not in any order, just as I have them listed.

I used PhotoPaint to crop and resampled the images to a working size. Then in PSP Pro X3 I did the rest of the work flow. With the exception of a couple of them I stuck fairly close to the screen captures I got. You can tell the ones I worked a little more on.

I did use Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 for those few and auto painted them along with the workflow in PSP Pro X3.

I would apply the Digital Camera Noise Removal, then the Smart Photo Fix tools. I added some Vibrancy in Saturation. I did apply Skin Smoothness and then an Unsharp Mask Soft Focus for highlights.

I added the frames and black border the majority of them in PSP Pro X3. They all are approximately the same display size. You can click on the Images for larger views with more details.

You can find all the Artists on Google+ and look up their profiles for additional information about them. Go to the About pages in profiles and each have many links for getting in touch with them.

Artists in the Plus links:
https://www.youtube.com/feed/UCtFo8vHoMRhh1oy-D9qUNAw

http://www.artistsintheplus.com

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ArtistsInThePlus/posts



Hannah Clive
http://www.hannahclive.com/

Daria Musk
http://dariamusk.com/

Shani S
http://shanirose.com/

Hanna Silver
http://youtube.com/astrobic

Rebecca Perl
http://www.rebeccaperlmusic.com

Suite 709
http://unlocksuite709.com/

James Olmos
http://www.jamesolmos.com/

"The Old Days, Montage" Corel Quadtone

The Old Days

Another short post for this day as well. Here is a "The Old Days Montage," I created using Corel PhotoPaint. I took two old photos of Ortonville and applied the Quadtone tool to them. Then I superimposed them in Picasa 3.9 as a collage/montage. I used Blackladder ITC font for the name in the corner back in PhotoPaint. I changed this image to RGB mode and using Filter Forge's Frames I added a film frame to the piece.

I also was able to get out my 12-String Guitar the other afternoon and it was in DADGAD tuning so I explored some differing lead and chords on it. I have some chords memorized for that tuning, but I love discovering new fingerings for chords. So I enjoyed myself playing some improvised chords and leads. Coming out of a musical slump now and it feels good.

"Intense Blues Digital Poster" CorelDRAW - Plus

Ain't Nobody Gettin' Away

Short post today. I combined some old "Blues Performers," into a Digital Poster. I used Corel PhotoPaint for the photos and the processing. I copied to the clipboard and pasted onto a new file in CorelDRAW. I added the blurbs and the backgrounds with the black signature and frame finishing it off.

I saved the large iteration and then resampled to display size. Funny I had more time when I got up this morning! Now it's dark out already. Amazing!

"Design for Life - Live for Design" Again - CorelDRAW - Plus

Design for Life - Live for Design [click on for larger view]

Continuing with the "Design for Life - Live for Design" phrase I selected in CorelDRAW the fonts Bodoni MT Black and Arial Narrow. Using them I created all capital rectangles of the phrase. I duplicated the Bodoni phrase and used Red as my main color and a black shadow behind.

I just used Arial Narrow on its own to complete the phrase. I duplicated again with the phrase placed within the other making one large rectangle. Grouping that I duplicated it and made it a smaller size. I ended up with the phrase five times.

I browsed for an Art Nouveau background in my Dover Publications Samplers and found one I liked. I lined up the five to dominate the floral design. I grouped the entire thing and copied it to the clipboard.

I opened as New from the Clipboard in Corel PhotoPaint. I saved that iteration as a jpg file. There I used the plugin Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge to add a linen effect to the piece. I had also added my signature very small in the lower left hand corner.  Saving that as a different large iteration I resampled in PhotoPaint for display size and saved another file.

"Design For Life - Live For Design" Art Nouveau - CorelDRAW - Plus

Design for Life - Live for Design [click for larger view]

I browsed in my Dover Publications folder using Picasa 3.9 and found this Art Nouveau floral square. I copied to the clipboard and pasted into CorelDRAW. In DRAW I lengthened it into a rectangle and converted to a bitmap. I adjusted the colors to a subtle Sepia tone overall.

I selected the Font AucoinExtBl, then designed the two phrases: Design For Life and Live For Design. I have used these before for image pieces. I applied Force Justify to create a square look for the phrases, adjusting line spacing to 70% the original.

I grouped the objects and copied to the clipboard and opened with New from Clipboard in Corel PhotoPaint. There I resampled for display size and added my signature in white.

"In the Spotlight with Tim Behrens" Corel - Plus

Tim Behrens In the Spotlight [click for larger view]

I watched the "In the Spotlight with Tim Behrens" on YouTube and made some screen captures with Picasa 3.9 of his performance. This show is put on by +Artists in the Plus as a Google+ Hangout and streamed to YouTube for viewing after.

The interview was as full of information about Tim's many activities and, of course, his music. He is an accomplished guitarist and pianist, as well as experimenting with Tech gear. His songwriting expertise was featured as he played to the Google+ Hangout audience.

I took one of the screen captures and opened it in Corel PhotoPaint where I cropped it and save as a working jpg file. I reopened from Picasa with Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized the file to a larger work file.

I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix tools to prep the image. I added some Vibrancy with Saturation boosting the colors about a third. Saving that iteration I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and used the Classic Oil setting with Canvas paper. I auto painted the image. Then I used the Image Luminance to add in Surface Texture. I saved that iteration and from Picasa reopened with PSP Pro X3 and added my signature and a jagged edge to the image. Finishing it off with a black border.

If you would like more information and/or to watch the show here are the links:

http://timbehrens.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob6Qq3Bbe3g

"Digital Ink 12-String Guitars Collage" Paint.NET - Corel

Digital Ink 12-String Guitars Collage [click for larger image]

I used multiple photographs of a Drama that I took in 2006. In Picasa 3.9 I created a Superimposed Collage of them. This blended them all into a color filled image with indistinct characters and letters. I opened it next in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted them using the Impressionistic settings. This gave me a good working painterly background for a collage of guitars. I saved this large iteration.

Next I searched for and selected two "12-String Guitars," images. I opened with Paint.NET and used the Ink Sketch with no color and a boost to the inking. I copied and pasted these into Corel PhotoPaint onto the background I made before. I duplicated the guitars and carefully placed them in rows, reversing them as I went.

Using the Font Bleeding Cowboys I typed the title. I used the Effects, Texture, Plastic tool for the three dimensional look of the title. I merged all and saved the large file with my signature. I resampled it for display size and saved that piece.

I used the plug-in Filter Forge's Frames to add a light film frame to complete the image and saved it one more time.

"Digital Collage Painted Martin Guitar" Paint.NET - Corel Painter

Digital Collage Painted Martin Guitar

I selected a "Martin Guitar," photograph from Picasa 3.9 and opened it with Corel PSP Pro X3. There I applied the Smart Photo Fix to it upping the color and softening it. I added some hatching to the image surrounding the guitar and saved the file.

From Picasa I opened with Paint.NET and used the Collage Paint tool to create the next version of the image. Still recognizable as a guitar I saved that file and opened with Corel Painter 11. I then painted the brushstrokes by hand, using the Artists, Sargent brush set for cloning, though I was not cloning at the time. I outlined the guitar and the framing using this brush. I saved that iteration.

Next I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and went two iterations back to the PSP image in Picasa. I copied that to the clipboard and pasted it onto the painted collaged guitar. Using the property Multiply I added back in details of the guitar. I merged these together added my signature in white and saved another iteration.

"Paisley Rectangles" Dover Clip Art - Mayang's Textures - Corel

Paisley Rectangles [click for larger image]

Late post this evening. I browsed to my Recent image folder in Picasa 3.9 and reminded myself I had gotten these four "Paisley," images from my Dover Publication Samplers. I first attempted to use CorelTRACE to create a vector image of the lower left hand image to color in with CorelDRAW. I soon found out it was a tedious job of patient work.

So I browsed to my Mayang's Textures and selected a greens and browns texture. I opened that with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and painted it with the Impressionistic settings Basic paper, Light Contrast color. This gave me a large work space for the paisley images.

Saving that I opened it with Corel PhotoPaint and from Picasa 3.9 I copied and pasted the paisley images one at a time. I rotated each one to lay on it's side to allow all four to share the space. I resized them to fit and used the Tone Curve to darken the line work. Then I merged all.

I saved that and then resampled to a display size and applied my signature to the work. I Like paisley work and Impressionistic work as well, so I enjoyed my play with both styles mixed.

"Old-Fashioned Beautiful Women" Dover - Corel - Plus

Old-Fashioned Beautiful Women

I was browsing in Picasa 3.9 in my Dover Clip Art folder and found two pieces of artwork. The first was a grouping of glazed clay studies, soft in color. The second is this great collection of "Old-Fashioned Beautiful Women."

I took the first image and from Picasa opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted using the Pastel Drawing setting with a soft brush. I saved that iteration. I opened that with Corel PhotoPaint.

I then copied to the clipboard from Picasa the "Women," and opened with New from Clipboard in PhotoPaint. each lady had a clip art number below them that I painted out with white paint, basic brush. I then copied and pasted them onto the background piece.

I used the property Multiply for transparency to allow the background to show through. I merged the two into one image. Then I applied Filter Forge's Photo Effects Vibrance to boost the colors just a bit. I added my signature and resampled the image for display size.

I really like Dover Publications Clip Art and enjoy making these types of images. This one highlights the beauty of women at another time and place, rather romantically, one might say.

"Concerts in the Plus Danni Rossner, Sonia Rao" Corel - Plus

Sonia Rao

Danni Rosner

I've been ill a few days so I am a little behind on my "Concerts in the Plus" postings. Today I wanted to share with you "Danni Rosner and Sonia Rao," images. Again these started out as screen captures from the Concert on YouTube. Max Lugavere was included but I have already done an image of Max from a Spotlight in the Plus hangout on Google+.

I opened the bitmapped screen captures taken with Picasa 3.9 in Corel PhotoPaint. There I cropped and converted to jpg file format to work with for display.

I opened them with Corel PSP Pro X3 and adjusted to display size. I applied Digital Camera Noise Removal and Smart Photo Fix on both, making differing adjustments to each according to need.

With Sonia Rao I upped the color and softened the skin texture. then I used the Art Media, Brushstrokes on the image. I added my signature using the Visible Watermark tool. I then applied a 1965 type photograph filter in the Time Machine tool. This gave me a frame and then I added a black border to it, saving that iteration.

In Picasa 3.9 I then opened Danni Rosner's image capture. I applied the workflow mentioned above for Noise and Photo Fix. Using the Unsharp Mask tool for some details. I used the effects, image effects, Seamless Tiling on it for a bit of duplication of forms. I also applied the Saturation Vibrancy tool for color depth. I added my signature then using Picture Frame I added the frame.

If you missed the Concert go here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw0rx13sTlE&feature=g-user

For Sonia Rao: http://soniarao.com/

And for Danni Rosner: http://www.dannirosner.com/

"Acoustic Magazine No.11 Parody" Corel - Plus

Acoustic Magazine No.11 Parody

A short post for today. Here is a Digital Collage Parody of Acoustic Magazine No.11. I did most of the digital cut and pasting in Corel PhotoPaint with an assist from Corel PSP Pro X3 for some alterations to the beginning background.

"Sara Corbin, MadCraft Concerts in the Plus" Corel - Plus

Sara Corbin

Madcraft

"Concerts In The Plus!" Sara Corbin, MadCraft gave a concert for Artists in the Plus on Google+ and it was streamed to YouTube. I did some screen captures from the concert.

The music was, as usual, excellent and the performers were great. I truly enjoy the concerts from Artists in the Plus on Google+ Hangouts and this was no exception. John Voshell hosts many individual artists that are unique and plain good at their craft.

With the Madcraft image I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and cropped then converted to JPEG for working on. I saved that file. I opened from Picasa 3.9 with Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized to a larger file. I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix. I saved that iteration.

I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted with the Modern Painting setting with Intense colors. I also used the Tone Curve to deepen the colors. Saving that I reopened with PSP Pro X3 and added the white jagged mat. Also added my signature. I used the Picture Frame to add the film frame.

Saving that iteration, I opened with PhotoPaint and applied Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge for the linen look and feel. I resampled to a display size.

Doing Sara Corbin I used a similar workflow at the beginning as Madcraft's image. Resizing and Photo Fixing in PSP Pro X3. I saved that and auto painted a Detailed Watercolor in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4. I cloned back in some details with the Soft Cloner brush, saved that iteration. Back in PSP Pro X3 I added my signature and the frame to bring out the pinks in the image. Saved that iteration for display.








For more information, or to watch the Concert go to these links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gd_xJ5QIjuQ

http://www.madcraft.net/

http://www.reverbnation.com/saracorbin

For those of you curious about my first ever CONTEST, which ended today: No one won as no one entered! Don't feel bad about it, I am not very well known and my music is a Retro 70's experimental style, which may not have appealed to some. So the CD goes to nobody! :-)

I appreciate the return visitors I do have and all those who like my Concerts in the Plus series of work. I watch my stats closely and they show interest in my Digital Visual Art and that can be enough to encourage me! Thanks for your viewing!

"Old Dodge Truck" Corel PSP Pro X3

Old Dodge Truck

1,005th Post to gatzkART! with only a few days left for the 1,000TH POST CONTEST! It will end on Monday the 26th of November as I had allowed two week for the contest to continue. If you haven't entered visit my 1,000th Post for the Contest details and read the details there. ENTER You May Win!

I truly like this "Old Dodge Truck," motif so I am creating another image from one of many photographs. They were shot with my Canon Rebel XTi camera. There is something about old used equipment that has a romantic appeal about them. What kind of hauling did it do, the people who used it, what were they like? How did they benefit from it's use? How long was it productive?

I opened the photograph from my external drive, where I hold a lot of my older photographs. I used Corel PSP Pro X3 to crop the photograph. I then used the Smart Photo Fix on it making the colors and depth lighter. I applied the Saturation Vibrancy to it to punch up the colors. Then I used the Art Media Brushstrokes for a painterly look. I went to Sharpen and chose the Unsharp Mask, Sharp Focus setting.

This really set off the painterly look and feel. I used the Picture Frame Albumen for the jagged edges. Then I gave it a Border, green in color. I added my signature using the Visible Watermark tool. I saved this iteration.

I have to admit I am using PSP Pro X3 more to my advantage for my images. Doing more in fewer steps and with good results. I'd love to upgrade to the latest version but for now it is cost prohibitive. I Resized to a display size and saved that for you viewing Pleasure.

"Concerts in the Plus, Mister Ebby, Suzen JueL" Corel - Plus

Mister Ebby

Suzen JueL

I joined another "Concerts in the Plus, " Hangout on the YouTube stream put on by Artists in the Plus on Google+. It was for the musicians Mister Ebby, a pianist and a singer songwriter, and Suzen JueL also a singer songwriter with Guitar, and TerryLynn Melody whom I had the pleasure of doing an artwork of her previously.

The music and performers were all very accomplished and excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. I used Picasa 3.9 to capture screens into .BMP bitmaps, which I converted to working JPEGS in Corel PhotoPaint.

For my Digital Artwork of Mister Ebby I used the following work flow. I opened the screen capture bitmap with Corel PhotoPaint and cropped it. I saved that and reopened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized. I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix to the image. I used the Saturation Vibrancy to add punch to the color.

Saving that iteration I opened from Picasa 3.9 with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4. There I auto painted with the Pastels Soft Cloner brush. I used the Soft Cloner brush to add back some details. Saving again I reopened with PSP Pro X3 and added my signature, a Cross Processing frame, and a black border. I decided that it needed some grunge feel to it so I used Filter Forge's Frames Grunge and played with various settings until I was satisfied and added the grunge frame.

On the Digital Artwork of Suzen JueL I followed much of the same beginning workflow as above. The beginning image was not as clear as I had hoped for but made for a decent piece. I was in PSP Pro X3 and applied the Effects, Art Media Effects, Brushstrokes for that painterly look and feel. I added Adjust, Back-lighting to the piece for some depth of color. I added my signature, a Cross Processing frame, and a black border to complete my piece.

If you missed the Concert here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAAF49kj0s&feature=g-all-u

"Concerts in the Plus Four Performers" Corel - Plus

Gretchen Chappelle

Kristian Jackson

David Santy

Paul Platt

On Google+ I shared in a "Concert in the Plus" Hangout Friday, by the "Artists in the Plus." I had the pleasure of meeting Gretchen Chappelle, Kristian Jackson, David Santy, and joined again with Paul Platt. The Concert was once again excellent, the music and lyrics were delightful and thought filled. Each performer took center stage in the Hangout and shared their differing styles of music. John Voshell our host was guiding the show as it went.

I had Picasa 3.9 open during the Concert and was able to get screen captures that were fairly decent for working with. I opened each one with Corel PhotoPaint and cropped out the Hangout surroundings and saved each one.

I opened them individually with Corel PSP Pro X3 and used my usual workflow. I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix to each, as well as the Skin Smoothness tool. I did each one separately, and saved them resized to display size.

I then opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted them. I used Classic Oil with an Impressionistic brush and Rough paper settings on Gretchen and Kristian. For David and Paul I used the Modern Painting setting with Rough Paper.

On each individual image I used the Soft Cloner Brush to add back in details. I saved these iterations and opened with PSP Pro X3 again to add the framing and any borders I felt needed.

After viewing these new images if you click on the HOME button Go to the 1,000th Post and read about our CONTEST. We have time yet for you to enter! If you enjoy Acoustic Rock and Folk Rock music I am offering a CD of NINE tracks Eight of which you can chose yourself from 30+ songs at My Acoustic Guitar Community Page and one BONUS track I will select. Please read the 1,000th Post for additional links and instructions.

"Old-Fashioned Transportation" Corel - Plus

Old-Fashioned Transportation

A quickly imagined and executed image for today. "Old-Fashioned Transportation," is the Theme. I have multiple pieces of Clip Art from Dover Publications and I chose two for this image. Browsing my Dover folder in Picasa 3.9 I found a great Art Nouveau piece with differing colors and accents.

I opened this image with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted using Detailed Watercolor settings. I saved this iteration and reopened with Corel PSP Pro X3 to resize it to a display size.

Saving again I opened it with Corel PhotoPaint where I copied to the clipboard from Picasa the Transportation Clip Art page, also from Dover. I pasted as New From Clipboard into Corel PhotoPaint. I painted out the little numbers from under each little piece of clip art and removed the page designation. I then copied and pasted it onto the background of painted Art Nouveau.

I then typed the theme in all capitals still in PhotoPaint. I saved that iteration. Reopening in PSP Pro X3 I added the signature with Visible Watermark and then the Platinum Picture Frame to finish off the image.

As we recently compared Old-Fashioned Communication to today's we compare Transportation today. The more things change the more they stay the same. (sic) We have faster cars with computer run installations. But accidents still happen, our batteries wear down, tires wear out or are damaged, we need glass repairs, Insurance, and Parking. Cars repairs and upkeep still is around and more and more cars are on the road each year as other countries build infrastructure for them.

We are dependent upon our Transportation - Automobiles, Trucks, Buses (need I mention Subways) to get around. When we are without a vehicle we become dependent upon the grace of others for such movement from one place to the other. Car pooling is a good thing and sharing a ride, safely, with others can express kindness. Though sharing is a kindness, I don't recommend picking up hitchhikers these days, sorry!

1,002nd Post to gatzkART! We still don't have a WINNER for our CONTEST as of yet. So I am extending the time limit to a week from the 1,000th Post. Enter and win!

"Rob Michael Musician Extraordinaire" Corel - Plus

Rob Michael

"In the Spotlight, Rob Michael." from a Google+ Hangout with "Artists in the Plus" lastnight. I wasn't able to get a good screen capture but, Rob was kind enough to provide a Hangout image for me to work with. 

At the Google+ Hangout, the music was vibrant and relaxing at the same time. Rob plays some amazingly clever jazz on his guitar. We all enjoyed it immensely. He is also an instructor of music and his link is listed below.

http://www.atmosmusic.com/wordpress/

I went to his G+ profile and screen captured his photograph first of all. I opened with New from Clipboard in Corel PhotoPaint and cropped the image. Saving that I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and enlarged it to a working size. I applied the Digital Camera
Noise Removal to it along with the Smart Photo Fix. I added some punch to the color with Saturation Vibrancy set about 33.

I saved that and from Picasa 3.9 I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and using the Watercolor Sketch auto painted the image. I then selected the Soft Cloner brush to add back in some details to the face and hands. I saved that iteration and reopened with PSP Pro X3. Using the plug-in Filter Forge's Frames I added the Grunge frame for the image. I also added my signature with the Visible Watermark tool. I saved for display.

1,001st post to gatzkART! Our CONTEST is still on and you can enter, visit the home page, go to the 1,000th post and follow the directions! We made it to 1,000+ posts with your interest and help, enter the CONTEST and you will have a good chance at
winning!

We are approaching another Milestone of 84,000+ Pageviews soon! Thank you for your interest in my Digital Art and Music!

"1,000th POST Enter the CONTEST" "Acoustic Magazine No.10 Parody" - Corel - Plus

1,000th Post - Enter the CONTEST

My Blog gatzkART! hit the 1,000th Post mark TODAY! I am offering a CD of some of my music to the winner OF THE FOLLOWING CONTEST:

NINE songs - EIGHT hand picked by the winner and one BONUS song on a CD with a jewel case, Artwork and notes, signed by me.

Here is how it will work:

1) Visit the blog from Anywhere, Twitter, email notifications, Search, including my Google+ Post marked 1,000th post.

2) Comment on the BLOG, NOTE: the comments need to be on the BLOG!

3) Leave name and/or email address (so I can contact you personally.)

4) These go into the hat,

5) I'll have my wife pull a name/email address. We email the WINNER! So we need your email address or some way to contact you!

6) The winner gets to select which songs they want (up to a limit of 8 with a bonus song added by me.)

7) I get their mailing address and they tell me which 8 songs they have chosen.

8) I make the CD, with a jewel case and Artwork and notes.

9) I pay for shipping (USA only, sorry.) And send to the WINNER!

10) It will take time to make the CD and the Artwork and notes so patience will be needed but this becomes a priority when the winner is chosen.

I have over 35 songs to select from on Acoustic Guitar Community which link is BELOW.

All names and email addresses will NOT be added to a mailing list or followed on Google+ (unless you want me to follow you.) Your Privacy is very important to me. I will have to approve each blog comment so no spammers will get through so your post will not
show up until I approve it.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE CHOICE OF SONGS:

http://www.acousticguitarcommunity.com/profile/KirkMathewGatzka





THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER. CONTEST WILL BE CLOSED IN 2 WEEKS FROM MY POST TO THE BLOG AND GOOGLE+, TWITTER.

LISTEN, CHOSE, YOU MAY HAVE WON! THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS CONTEST AND MY BLOG AND MUSIC!

"Old-Fashioned Communication" 999th Post - Corel -Plus

Old-Fashioned Communication

999th POST to gatzkART! Blog. Theme is "Old-Fashioned Communication." I was in Picasa 3.9 browsing my Dover Publication Clip Art folders and found this page of clip art.

I was talking to two friends the other night and the wife had gotten a new iPad and the husband got her old one. And he was recently introduced to Smartphones. How we communicate now is really not a new subject, but I pondered over it looking at this grouping of clip art.

Telegrams (hand delivered,) Telephones (the wired stationary kind,) Broadcasting (the radio kind,) Newspapers (real paper and ink,) Letter Writing (a lost art.) These are a few of the old fashioned ways of communication pictured.

I took another page of Dover Clip Art, it was an Art Nouveau piece and opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted a watercolor background. I opened the clip art of communication in Corel PhotoPaint and painted out the numbers under each little piece of art with white. I copied and pasted New from Clipboard the watercolor background.

At that point I merged the two using the property Multiply for transparency. I saved that iteration and opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 to resize, sign and place a back border on it. I finished those steps and saved it again.

In today's fast paced society did we lose something in the transition from the older ways, part of the personal touch? Or have we really created BETTER communications? How personal is your communication today? Hopefully full of creativity and thoughtfulness that I know still exists.

Watch for our 1,000th post and join our Contest for a Free CD of my original music, artwork and notes. Google+ users will have a chance, and you regular readers can COMMENT on the 1,000th post, your name goes into the hat, one gets picked and the WINNER gets to hand select eight songs from my 35 plus songs. The songs are found at the Acoustic Guitar Community link. I will add a BONUS track and get the mailing address from the winner and ship the CD free to the WINNER. (USA Only, Sorry!)

My Page on Acoustic Guitar Community, Listen and select your favorites, you may WIN!

"Acoustic Magazine No.9 Parody" Plus a Contest Idea - Corel - Plus

Acoustic Magazine No.9 Parody

"Acoustic Magazine No.9 Parody," is today's post. I started with a Mayang's Texture that I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and rotated to a portrait display. I saved that and opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted a watercolor.

Saving that I opened from Picasa 3.9 with Corel PhotoPaint. Then I scanned in some images from old guitar magazines for the Fake Cover. I used our Canon MP495 to scan then I copied and pasted, erasing what I did not want and placed them. After that I added the text for the cover.
 
998th Post to gatzkART! Maybe I should have a contest for the 1,000th Post! I could offer a MP3 CD of a few of my songs from the Acoustic Guitar Community to the Winner.

Comment on the blog, name goes in the hat, pull a name, they get to select which songs they want (up to a limit of 8 with maybe a bonus song.) I get their address and make the CD on my PC with a jewel case and notes. I pay for shipping (USA only, sorry.)

I have over 35 songs to select from on Acoustic Guitar Community which link is on the right hand side of the blog.

What do you think? Let me know! It would be fun to offer a CD of my music to a contest winner at the 1,000th Post for gatzkART!

"Grunge Guitars Blue Green" Corel - Plus

Grunge Guitars

"Grunge Guitars Blue Green" is a composite of two images. One is a textural green image. The other is a portrait of a 6-String and a 12-String guitar, a photograph I took with my Canon Rebel XTi.

I opened each in Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized to fit. On the guitars I used the Chalk tool for the line art. And I used the Smart Photo Fix on the texture for depth.

I copied the guitars to the clipboard and pasted as a layer onto the texture. I used Difference property on the Guitar layer. I merged both layers to one. I then applied Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge to that. I then used the Saturation Vibrancy to put some punch into the colors.

997th Post to gatzkART! The 1,000th Post soon as time allows in a busy week!

"Acoustic Magazine No. 8" Parody - Corel - Plus

Acoustic Magazine No.8 Parody

Let's face it! Some of us aren't as young as we used to be and are afflicted with aches and pains. But we still yearn to make music! And a little pain won't stop us! Here is a Parody of Acoustic Magazine No. 8.

It's about just that, growing old gracefully, rocking our hearts out. Even with painful aches we play on.

I began this fake cover with a contorted guitar player on one knee from an old magazine. I added the woman's face and the crossed eyes separately. I scanned the pieces in and placed them with the black border offset. I used my Canon MP495 unit to scan with.

I used the font Bleeding Cowboys for the magazine title and Arial Black for the rest of the blurbs. Its all tongue in cheek and for fun. I am not attempting to make fun of ailments many have. Just poking fun at old aged musicians with painful ways to go.

I did use Corel PhotoPaint for the bulk of the art and design. I did jump into Corel PSP Pro X3 for some fixing of the first scanned image, eliminating Noise and adding some texture to the piece.

996th Post to gatzkART! Only a few more to go to reach 1,000 posts. We have beat the 83,000 Pageviews Milestone! I thank everyone who is a regular reader and viewer of my digital visual art. Also many thanks to the curious who visit and browse this Blog!

"Singer Songwriter Eardly Jordaan" Corel - Plus

Singer Songwriter Eardly Jordaan

I attended a Hangout on Google+, since our power is now back on. "In The Spotlight" was Eardly Jordaan from the duo Band MINDS. They are a multicultural band from South Africa and South America that have joined forces for some very creative music.

I did a screen capture and opened with Corel PhotoPaint where I cropped the image and saved the iteration. From Picasa 3.9 I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3.

There I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix first. I resized to a display size in PSP Pro X3 as well. Saving this iteration I reopened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted a Detailed Watercolor of the image.

I used the soft cloner brush to add back in some details and saved this file. I reopened from Picasa with PSP Pro X3 and added the Polaroid frame and black border. Which is part of my workflow for these Hangout portraits now.

995th Post to gatzkART! Blog, only a short way to our goal of 1,000 Posts! We are also close to 83,000 Pageviews Milestone, will your view put us over that figure?
Feel free to click on the Home button and browse more of our Digital Artworks with a Music theme and other themes as well. Fill your screen with the art work with one click on the images, or try our Dynamic Views of all the artworks in a collection view.

"New Guitar Player Chording D" Corel - Plus

New Guitar Player Chording D

No Power at home at a wifi hotspot for a bit. Short post for today! I opened the Guitar Player Chording D in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and repainted as a Classic Oil Painting. I used the standard settings and did not change anything or clone with any brushes. Added the signature in Corel PhotoPaint. 

994th Post for gatzkART! When the power comes back on I will be posting again from home.

Thanks for your visits while I've been without power!

"Singer Songwriter Max Lugavere" Corel PhotoPaint - Plus

Singer Songwriter Max Lugavere

I watched the "Concerts in the Plus," last night with Max Lugavere and Paul Platt being featured. A great show with fine singer songwriter music! Artists in the Plus hosted this concert on a Google+ Hangout and streamed to YouTube. I caught the show on YouTube.

I did a screen capture and opened with Corel PhotoPaint to crop and save it. From Picasa 3.9 I opened in Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized it, used the Smart Photo Fix and Saturation Vibrancy for punch to the color.

Saving that iteration I opened in PhotoPaint and applied the Local Equalization tool then used the Tone Curve to add depth to the image. I also used the Tune Blur to smooth out some rough spots.

I used the Soft Clone brush to clone out some unwanted artifacts. I saved again and reopened in PSP Pro X3. Here I added the Polaroid frame and black border to finish the image.

993rd Post to gatzkART! closing in on my goal of 1,000 posts. I had hoped to do that this month but I may end up reaching it in November 2012.

"Singer Songwriter Deni Gauthier" Corel PSP Pro X3 - Plus

Singer Songwriter Deni Gauthier

Yet another Artists in the Plus "In the Spotlight" Interview and Singing with Deni Gauthier A Singer Songwriter, caught my interest. I did a screen capture of Deni performing and opened it in Corel PSP Pro X3 where I cropped it. I also used the Digital Camera Noise Removal and Smart Photo Fix on the image.

I then saved that large image and opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4. There I applied the Detailed Watercolor auto paint with settings for Rough Paper, and the Impressionistic Brush.

I used the Soft Cloner to bring back some details in the face. I saved that and through Picasa 3.9 opened with Corel PhotoPaint and did some free-form cloning to rid the image of artifacts. Saving that iteration I opened with PSP Pro X3 again.

There I added the Polaroid frame and a black border and saved once more at a display size.

992nd Post for gatzkART! Please continue to come back for our almost daily posts as we reach for that goal of 1,000 posts!

http://www.denigauthier.com
http://www.facebook.com/denigauthier

"Paul Platt Singer Songwriter" Corel PSP Pro X3 - Plus

Singer Songwriter Paul Platt

I'm featuring another Singer Songwriter Paul Platt from +Artists in the Plus on Google+. Paul shared with me a couple of screen captures from his "In the Spotlight" Interview Hangout from the YouTube Stream. I picked the one of him smiling. I downloaded it and converted it to a working size, cropping it as well in Corel PSP Pro X3.

I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix to the image. I used the Saturation Vibrance to give some punch to the color. Saving that iteration I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted with the Classic Oils feature. I used the soft cloner on his eyes and smile for a bit more realism. 

Saving that file I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and cloned out some unwanted artifacts. Saving another iteration I reopened from Picasa 3.9 in PSP Pro X3 and added the Polaroid Picture frame and black border. This was the final iteration. I saved for display.

991st Post to gatzkART! 1,000 posts is in reach as a goal!

"Acoustic Magazine No.7 Parody" Corel - Plus

Acoustic Magazine No 7 Parody

I decided it was time to do another Parody magazine cover. "Acoustic Magazine," which I have done before for this blog.

I browsed with Picasa 3.9 and selected a metal texture that was dark. I opened it with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and altered it to a Watercolor with light colors. I saved that as my background piece.

I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and began to build the front page piece. I scanned in images that I melded together for this cover using my Canon Pixma MP495. I used various type styles for the words on the page with an Alternative Tuning theme.

I scanned, pasted, erased and placed each piece and title one at a time. I even have a UPC code from a magazine for some realism. If you read the titles and other phrases you may get a smile on your face. After all it is a Parody magazine cover.

I merged all the objects (layers) and saved the larger iteration. I then resampled for display size and saved that.

990th Post! Working on that 1,000th post Goal!