"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!

"Three Exploded Guitars" CorelTRACE, CorelDRAW - Plus

Gilbert Guitars Exploded

With Guitars in mind I searched for a photograph in my Picasa 3.9 folders. I found a pleasing photograph of three Gilbert Guitars. I opened the large file in CorelTRACE and turned it into a vector graphic.

Next I opened it with CorelDRAW and ungrouped all the pieces of the vector graphic. I exploded them and duplicated parts and placed them to my taste. I copied to the clipboard and opened in Corel PhotoPaint with New from Clipboard, resizing to 65% the original size.

I searched my Mayang's Textures in Picasa and opened one of light and water droplets with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4. I painted it as a Detailed Watercolor with Impression color settings. I saved this file and closed Essentials.

Using Picasa I copied the image to the clipboard and pasted as New from Clipboard to PhotoPaint. I rotated it 90 degrees to a portrait size, approximately the same size as the exploded guitars.

I then copied the guitar image (which I saved.) Then I pasted it onto the Watercolor background. I resized it a bit to more closely fit the background. I used the Property Multiply to add it with transparency, to the colored background. I also used the Tone Curve on it before merging to lighten it a bit.

I merged the layers Guitars with watercolor background. I saved this iteration. I added my signature in white. Using Filter Forge's Frames I added a Film frame to this piece. I resampled for display size, and resaved this iteration.

989th Post! 

"Multi-Guitars Revisited" Corel PSP Pro X3

Multi-Guitars Revisited

I was browsing in Picasa 3.9 through many folders and ran across this image from 2009. It is a composite of two photographs take with an older Digital Camera, our first. It was only a 5 mega pixel camera but took pretty good photographs, but was not sturdy at all and began to have parts fail after a short time. A lesson learned the hard way, buy as much quality that you can afford in a DSLR.

I opened this image in Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized it to a larger working size. I applied the Saturation Vibrance to it to punch up the colors for a fresh look. I then added the gold frame using the Picture Frame feature.

I kept the old copyright notice, as you can see, but it is an updated version of an oldie but goodie. I resized for display, and also added to the EXIF data upon the save.

988th Post to gatzkART!

I also posted my song "Wait Until Morning" to http://soundcloud.com/gatzka-music Come and have a listen, comments are always welcome. Acoustic Guitar Community  also has it posted there with other songs I've written.

"Threshold the Guitarist" Corel - Plus

Textured Guitarist

I used Google's Advanced Image search for free Guitars photographs and found a guitarist. I also visited Mayang's Textures and got a new blue scratched and peeled texture.

I opened the texture with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted with the Detailed Watercolor feature. I saved that and opened in Corel PhotoPaint and resampled to the size closest to the guitarist image.

I opened the guitarist image in PhotoPaint and selected Image, Transform, Threshold and lessened the detail of this Black and White image. I saved that altered image.

I reopened the blue texture now a watercolor, in PhotoPaint. Then using Picasa 3.9 I copied the guitarist image and pasted it onto the texture. I adjusted the size of it and applied the property Multiply to it to allow the texture to show through. I saved that iteration.

Opening this in Corel PSP Pro X3 I added color Vibrancy to give more punch to the color. Using the Time Machine Photo Effect I selected 1960 processing and gave it a outline. Then I used Picture Frame for the thin Black frame.

Saving that larger iteration, I opened in PhotoPaint to add my signature in white.

987th Post! Stay with us on our way to our goal of 1,000 Posts!

Still working on the new song "Wait Until Morning" It's coming along fairly well. I hope to record it on my computer soon, so I can share it. I'll probably post it to the Acoustic Guitar Community, or make another slideshow like I did with "Revel DADGAD."

"More Autumn Trees" Corel - Plus

Between the Evergreens

High Contrast Color

Autumn Road Full Sun

"More Autumn Trees," enhanced photographs are my theme today. Using my Canon XTi, in Full afternoon sunlight I captured these colorful trees. I used both Corel PSP Pro X3 and Corel PhotoPaint to enhance these photographs.

With PSP I used the Smart Photo Fix and Saturation Vibrance on photographs one and three. On photograph two I used Corel PhotoPaint and applied the Local Equalization then the Tone Curve. I also used Filter Forge's Photo Effects Vibrance on this one. This resulted in a High Contrast image.

I used my usual workflow for signature and display sizes.

986th Post for gatzkART!

"Autumn Walk Collage" Picasa 3.9 - Corel - Plus

Autumn Walk Collage

A short post today. I went for a walk with my Grandson and got some Autumn photographs. I used my Canon Rebel XTi. I did some cropping, color vibrancy, sharpening on each photograph prior to making the collage in Picasa 3.9. I used Corel PSP Pro X3 for processing and Corel PhotoPaint for my signature.

In Picasa I used Ctrl Click to select the separate photographs, a 16:9 ratio size setting and Picasa formulated the collage automatically. I used PhotoPaint to resample to a display size before posting.

985th Post to gatzkART!

"Barn and Silo - Guitar and Banjo" Impressionistic - Corel - Plus

Barn, Silo - Guitarist, Banjo Player

Today I tried some digital painting using two different photographs. One of a Barn and Silo and the other of a Guitarist and Banjo Player jamming. I opened the first photograph in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted it with the Impressionistic feature. The second photograph was in Sepia tone. I auto painted that one as well.

On both I used the Soft Clone Brush to add back in details. Saving both of those images I opened from Picasa 3.9 with Corel PhotoPaint. First the Barn and Silo then I copied and pasted the Guitarist and Banjo Player onto that. Using the Erase tool I trimmed the Players to just the two individuals. I resized them, placing them on the canvas with 70% Opacity. I added my signature as well.

I merged them both together. I then took the Clone Brush at various sizes and added color from the Barn and Silo to the Players to bring them into the picture more distinctly. I saved the large iteration. After which I opened it with Corel PSP Pro X3 and used the Smart Photo Fix on it adjusting the brightness, shadows, midtones, and sharpness. I added the ornate frame using the Picture Frame feature in PSP. I saved the large file and then resized for display.

984th Post to gatzkART! 

I am working on a new song, "Wait Until Morning" but am uncertain of the chord progression and melody as of yet. I have one written down (chords) with a melody in mind, but am not sure I am done yet. Needs something, not certain what but it will come. I may do another slideshow of digital artworks with this as the soundtrack as I did with "Revel" DADGAD recently. It is posted to YouTube if you want to see it. Or check my posts to Google+ in my Profile (scroll down.) +Kirk Mathew Gatzka

"An Impressionistic Study - Allison" Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 - Plus

Allison Studying

I used a phone photograph for today's experimental study. This was taken by my son Keir M. Gatzka of a close friend of ours, quite a while ago. She was studying in the back seat of his car and as you can see the sun blew out some of the image.

I liked this because of the focus on her face. I opened this photograph from Picasa 3.9 with Corel PSP Pro X3 and used my photography workflow on it. I resized it, ran the Digital Camera Noise Removal and Smart Photo Fix on it. I adjusted the color, then used the Saturation Vibrance on it. I also used the Time Machine feature Cross Processing tool. I saved this file.

I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and applied the Impressionistic auto paint. Then I used the clone brush to bring back details in her face and arms. Saving that painting I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and added my signature and saved again.

983rd Post! Still striving for that 1,000th post for gatzkART!


For browsing images try the Dynamic View tool on the right hand side column to see my many images in Google's blogger views.

Comments and shares are welcome.

"Missing Alaska Late Summer" Corel PSP Pro X3 - Plus

Alaska Road South From Anchorage

I browsed some photographs on my external HD and went to one of my Alaskan trip folders. I selected one of our road trips, South from Anchorage. I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3. I applied the Smart Photo Fix to it and the Digital Camera Noise Removal. I adjusted the Shadows and used the Saturation Vibrance as well.

I cropped the photograph and saved the large iteration. I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and cleaned up with the cloning Brush. I also blended the road with the Smear Brush. I cloned out some road markers (red ones.)

I was an overcast day that day with light rain but over all our visit to Alaska was amazing, we hope to go back someday. This was also when my Canon Rebel XTi was brand new. We took a massive amount of photographs. We used an online vendor to create a large size photographic book with many of the images, untouched by processing. It's a great remembrance of our visiting family and the beautiful area around Anchorage, Alaska.

I digress. I finished the image for display with the Visible Watermark of my signature. I resized to display size and saved the file. I did these in PSP.

982nd Post!

"Grunge Martin Acoustic Guitar" Corel - Plus

Grunge Martin Acoustic Guitar

I began this image with a photograph of a Martin Guitar. I opened it from Picasa 3.9 into Corel PSP Pro X3. There I resized it and applied Saturation Vibrancy for more color. I adjusted the Midtones, Shadows and Highlights. I used Effects, Art Media, Brushstrokes on it for a painterly look.

I applied a Linen Texture to it and saved that iteration in display size. I opened it with Corel PhotoPaint and added the paint splatters with dripping and changing their Opacity to 56 from 100.

Saving that file I opened CorelDRAW and created the upside down "Martin&Co" copied to the clipboard and pasted it onto the image in PhotoPaint. I added my signature saved that iteration and reopened with PSP to add the Picture Frame of Stained Parchment. I resized that back to display size and saved that file.

981st Post! A Grunge Martin Acoustic Guitar.

"Autumn Trees in Michigan" Corel PSP Pro X3 - Plus

Autumn Trees V

Autumn Tree VI

Late afternoon yesterday I was able to get some good photographs, right outside our driveway. Autumn V shows the sunlight hitting the now colorful trees and the partly cloudy sky. I opened from my Canon Zoom Browser EX program into Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3.

Here I ran the Digital Camera Noise Removal tool and the Smart Photo Fix feature. I increased the Saturation using the Vibrancy tool to give a bit more punch to the already great color. I saved the large iteration.

I used Filter Forge's Frames Plugin for a Photo Frame and saved that as a 96dpi, 1220 pixel wide file. From Zoom Browser I selected a second photograph, Autumn VI with a portrait view of the main tree.

I applied the workflow much like the one described above and saved that file. Again using the Plugin from Filter Forge I added a smaller frame and resized for display.

I opened each from Picasa 3.9 with Corel PhotoPaint and added my signature in white and saved for display.

980th Post to gatzkART! Closing in on 1,000 Posts!

"TerryLynn Melody Singer Songwriter" Corel - Plus

Singer Songwriter TerryLynn Melody

+Artists in the Plus on Google+ had an "In the Spotlight" Hangout the other night featuring TerryLynn Melody. It was once again a wonderful show with a fine interview. TerryLynn also played her Tacoma guitar and sang for us. As a Singer Songwriter she does amazing work.

I was watching the simulcast on YouTube and did a screen capture of her singing. I opened it with File from Clipboard in Corel PhotoPaint. There I cropped the image. I saved that iteration.

From Picasa 3.9 I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized to display size. I applied the Smart Photo Fix and made adjustments to the color, shadows, sharpness and a bit more. I saved that copy.

Again from Picasa I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4. I auto painted using the Watercolor Sketch with Rough Paper. I used the Soft Cloner brush for some of the details and color.

Saving that iteration I opened from Picasa with PhotoPaint and added my signature in white, also using the Touch Up brush a bit.

I opened once more in PSP and added the Taped Frame using Picture Frame, saving that file.

979th Post to gatzkART! Still quite a ways from 1,000 Post. Steady progress continues.

"The Music Stand" Corel PSP Pro X3 Infrared

The Music Stand Infrared

"The Music Stand" is a photograph taken by me with my Canon Rebel XTi. It features two Guitars as well. I selected this photograph for today's image. I browsed to it in Picasa 3.9 and opened with Corel PSP Pro X3. I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix tools. I made some adjustments, when I did I decided that I wanted to present this as black and white.

Instead I chose the Infrared tool and converted the image. I adjusted with a bit of Curves and saved that large iteration. I added black borders and a Thin black frame with the Picture Frame feature. I resized for display.

Simple workflow for a infrared image. PSP Pro X3 is a great program to work with and Corel has X4 out now.

Post 978th for gatzkART! Heading for that 1,000th post steadily!

"Acoustic Guitar Player Close Up" Corel PSP Pro X3

Acoustic Guitar Player Close Up

Here is a photograph I got from FreeFoto.com by Ian Britton (see EXIF data.) I downloaded the image at 800x600 and increased its size in Corel PSP Pro X3 to 1220 wide. I used the Unsharp Mask tool on it as well as the Smart Photo Fix adjusting it a bit.

I used the Skin Smoothing on it, too. I Duplicated that and applied the Effect Pencil for an edge and used the layer property Burn on it. I applied the Plugin Flaming Pear's ChromaSolarize for the brilliant color and slight pixelization.

I placed my signature with Visible Watermark and Picture Frame selecting one with edges. I then gave it a black border. I did all this inside of Corel PSP Pro X3 without changing programs.

This is the 977th Post On our way to 1,000 Posts!

"James Olmos Singer Songwriter" Corel - Plus

Singer Songwriter James Olmos

I attended an Artists in the Plus Concert Hangout on Google+ last night. +Vanessa Peters, +TerryLynn Melody, +Ryan Van Sickle and +James Olmos entertained us all. I watched part of it sharing with them and rotated out and finished watching on YouTube. I received permission to do this image from James.

I did a Screen capture of James Olmos to do a digital image of him. I opened the screen capture in Corel PhotoPaint and cropped it. I saved that then opened from Picasa 3.9 in Corel PSP Pro X3 to resize and do my usual workflow on the image.

After I did that I used the layer Duplicate with the Pencil tool, layering property Overlay, and merged them. From Picasa I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and used the Effect Distort Wet Paint for light paint drippings. I also used the Touch Up tool for a couple of spots needing attention. I added my signature before I did the wet paint look so it is dripping as well. I saved that iteration.

I reopened with PSP and added the Picture Frame and a black border. I saved that for display.

976th Post, still with the goal of 1,000 posts in mind. If I keep busy I may make it this month, if other things get in the way, it may not be until next month.

"Vanessa Peters Singer Songwriter" Corel - Plus

Singer Songwriter Vanessa Peters

I watched another "In The Spotlight" Hangout with Vanessa Peters hosted by Artists in the Plus on Google+. I missed the original Hangout but caught it on YouTube. Vanessa has been in the music business some ten years so she has paid her dues. She played a couple of her original tunes and sang. Wonderful style and singing voice. I gained permission from +Vanessa Peters and +John Voshell to use the following image.

Per usual I did a screen capture of the Event, between songs. I opened the capture in Corel PhotoPaint and cropped. I saved the resulting image, from Picasa 3.9 I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 to resize for display and cleaned up the image a bit. Per my usual workflow on these images I applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and Smart Photo fix. I adjusted color and sharpness and shadows.

Saving that iteration, again from Picasa I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted with the Detailed Watercolor, Rough Paper, full rectangle. I used the Soft Cloner brush to add back in some details. Saving that iteration I reopened with PhotoPaint.

There I used the plugin Filter Forge's Frames for a film frame and also touched up a couple of areas with the Touch up Tool. I saved that iteration for display after adding my signature.

975th Post for gatzkART! and a posting to Google+ and Twitter.

+Kirk Mathew Gatzka on G+ and @kmgatzka on Twitter.

"Meri Amber Singer Songwriter" Corel - Plus

Singer Songwriter Meri Amber

I met Meri Amber in a Google+ Hangout. She is a Singer Songwriter as well. I received permission to use a photograph from Pinterest. So I ventured forth and discovered one I liked and downloaded it.

I opened it with Corel PSP Pro X3 and resized it for display. I used the Digital Camera Noise Removal on it and the Smart Photo Fix. I went to Softness and added some softness to the photograph. I saved that iteration.

From Picasa 3.9 I opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted with the Impressionistic feature. I then used the Soft Cloner brush to paint back in details of the portrait. Saving that I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and used the Tone Curve to lighten up the dark shadows. I added my signature. I saved that.

I reopened with PSP and selected a Picture Frame for the piece, saving it with a differing name.

974th Post to gatzkART!

"Corey Koehler Singer Songwriter" Corel PSP Pro X3 - Plus

Singer Songwriter Corey Koehler

I participated in a Artists in the Plus "Spotlight" Hangout on Google+ yesterday. I met Singer Songwriter Corey Koehler. Of course, I could not pass up on an opportunity for another Digital artwork based upon the Singer Songwriters I am meeting. So I got permission from Corey to do one for him.

I don't do Facebook, so my source was YouTube. I did a screen capture of Corey Playing his Taylor Guitar and Singing. I saved the file after opening it in Corel PhotoPaint to crop it. To resize it and do some color work on it I reopened it with Corel PSP Pro X3.

There I sized for display at 96dpi. I used the Digital Camera Noise Removal and the Smart Photo Fix on it. I took the layer and Duplicated it and applied the Effect Pencil on it and used the property of Overlay to make the background photo show through.

I Merged the layers and saved that iteration. I then opened with Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted using the Detailed Watercolor rectangular setting. I then used the Soft Cloner Brush to paint back in some details to the face, hand, clothing and the microphone and stand.

After saving those changes I reopened with PSP and added my signature with the Visible Watermark tool. Then I added the old fashioned frame to it in Picture Frame. I saved that iteration.

This is my 973rd post to gatzkART!

"Dean 12-String Guitar" Old Photograph Style - Corel PSP Pro X3 - Plus

Dean 12-String Guitar

As I continue to display differing Guitars, featuring them as Digital Visual Art, I find many tools and features in Corel Products. I selected this Dean 12-String Guitar today from my Picasa 3.9 folders. I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3. I enlarged it to a 300dpi image. I used the Digital Camera Noise Removal on it and the Unsharp Mask tool.

I applied the Saturation Vibrancy to the image for some punch to the color. Then I changed my mind and wanted a slight sepia appearance. I used the Plugin Filter Forge's Photo Effects for an Old photograph look. I used a Picture Frame of Cross Processing to add to the older look and feel. I then applied the Photo Effect Sepia Major Age setting.

I saved that iteration. I opened with Corel PhotoPaint and added my signature using the property Color Burn. I saved that iteration.

I purposely added the scratches and the blurring for that old photograph feel. I think that the design of Dean Guitars is distinctive, such as the Bridge form on this Guitar, along with the quilted wood body style. Quite a unique Guitar. And a different treatment of a newer style instrument with the older photograph look.

972nd Post! Building to 1,000 Posts if Google will let me reach that goal! That's my hope!

"Cyanotype Textured Guitar Collection" Paint.NET - Plus

Cyanotype Guitar Collection

Using Picasa 3.9 I browsed for a Guitar Grouping photograph. I selected this one, a nice collection of Guitars. I opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and used the Digital Camera Noise Removal and also Resized it to 300.0dpi. I applied the Saturation Vibrancy to it to enhanced the colors.

I applied another feature that made it look like an older film photograph using Timeline. I saved that large iteration. From Picasa I opened with Paint.NET using the Ink Sketch tool for texture. I then applied the Adjustment (after adding a border) of a Cyanotype photograph.

Saving that I opened with Corel PhotoPaint, added my signature and resampled for display.

971st Post!

"Dual Guitars Infrared" Corel PSP Pro X3

Dual Guitars Infrared

I took one of my favorite photographs of our Guitars and selected it for today's image. For some reason the image was rotated upside down and I had to put it right. But I was puzzled as to which program did that upon saving the file.

I had opened the color photograph in Corel PSP Pro X3 and applied the Digital Camera Noise Removal and Smart Photo Fix to the larger file. I also used the Unsharp Mask on it for sharpness. I applied the Infrared Clean feature to it for the version I wanted.

I used the Visible Watermark to add my signature. Then I applied Borders to it for 75 pixels black border. Using Picture Frame I added the black frame with the slight edges. I saved that iteration and resized for display saving that.

This is our 970th post working to our goal. Only 30 more posts to go!