"Vintage Abandoned House" PicsArt Photo Studio Plus

Vintage Abandoned House

I opened this photograph of a "Vintage Abandoned House," in PicsArt Photo Studio on my computer. I applied a tool to make it a Sketch-like image. After that, I used the Draw tools to select a couple of different Brushes to hand paint the sketch in color. (I have a Wacom USB Tablet with stylus connected to my computer for painting.)

I used the Mask tools to add a Border to the piece. Not quite what I wanted I added a Photo of a Rusty Texture using the Screen property. Using the Text tool I added my name and the year. I saved that image to my computer.

I went to Paint.NET and adjusted the Saturation for additional color. The blue painted sky lost some of it's blue to an overcast look. I saved the large image again.

The steps were simple, except for the painting by hand which took some time. I used Paint.NET to resize to display size. 95dpi, 1220 X 813 pixels, with 85 Compression for a smaller image. I save it with a new name.

I have three differing views of this Abandoned House in photographs. I did one other prior to this one. I may do the other photograph in a similar way. I think that the decay displayed is of interest to many readers.

With this post, I reached the Milestone of over 175,000 Plus Pageviews! Thank you for your patronage!

"How to: Guitar Man in Vintage House" PE5 Plus

Guitar Man in Vintage House

I selected another Guitar Man and a Vintage House photographs I found free to edit online. I opened the Guitar Man in Paint.NET and used Edit to Select All of the photograph. I applied the Eraser Tool and hand erased all the black background. I saved this with a new name as a PNG file to keep the transparency. .I closed that file and then opened the Vintage House photograph.

It was the interior of the older house used as the background layer. I applied the Effect Ink Sketch lightly to this. I reopened the PNG file and stretched to fit the large interior photograph. I had copied it to the clipboard and pasted it as a new layer.  I merged all layers, then I saved this file.

Next, I used Corel Painter Essentials 5 (PE5.) I adjusted the color of this large image with the Equalize tool. I then selected the Modern Painting setting with a Dry Bush and digitally painted the image. Afterward, I hand painted back in some details using the Soft Cloner Brush. I saved this iteration.

I used Corel PhotoPaint to Add my signature layer, saving this large image. Then I resampled the piece to display size. 72dpi, 1220 X 813 pixels. I decided to add one more Effect. Using Distort, Wet Paint I added dripping to the entire piece. I saved this for display with a new name as a JPG file with 75 compression and 25 smoothing.

"Vintage Truck and Arches" PicsArt App

I utilized PicsArt App for this image today and yesterday. I began working on it on my tablet. I layered two photos of the Truck and Arches.

I applied enhanced color, and saturation to the truck,  then I added a watercolor filter. I took the Arches photo and added it. I resized the image of the Arches to fit the Truck. I changed the opacity, to allow the Truck to show through, using the property Overlay.

I next used the painting tools on the Truck. Slightly more color depth for the next step,  I hand painted it. I used the Text tool for my name and year.

I saved at various times before the final product. "Vintage Truck and Arches."

Vintage Truck and Arches 

"How to: Vintage Rusted Truck In The Forest" PE5 Plus

Vintage Rusted Truck In The Forest

Another great photograph of a "Vintage Rusted Truck In The Forest." I like these honorable old vehicles that have seen better days of service. Here we see that it was labeled a "Resort Beach," service truck.

I opened it in Corel Painter Essentials 5 (PE5) and used the Effects: Equalize then upped the Saturation Uniform Color to 71%. I saved the large file. Next, I used that image to digitally paint. I chose a Pastel Drawing set for this. I selected a Chalk, Pastel and Crayons Brush the Scratchy Jitter Smooth Brush. After the digital painting I used the Soft Cloner Brush to add back in some details of Rust, and color to the Forest. I saved this iteration.

Opening in Paint.NET, I applied the Effects, Artistic, Ink Sketch lightly. I added my signature layer and merged down the layers, saving with a new name.

In Corel PhotoPaint, I adjusted the Saturation to 23 and used the Tone Curves to add depth. I quickly used Picasa 3+  and applied the Warmify filter to the full-color image. Saving that I used PhotoPaint to resample for display an Optimized JPG, 150dpi, 1220 X 810 pixels, Anti-aliased, Maintaining the aspect Ratio.

I have been using the free program Grammarly while I type my workflow. It is very helpful in Blogger to make corrections on the fly to my descriptions of each step I take to create an image. You can even Ignore a recommendation if it does not fit your narrative style. I recommend it.

"Red and Black Wood Hauling Vintage Truck" PE5 Plus

Red and Black Wood Hauling Vintage Truck

A little something different today. A "Red and Black Wood Hauling Vintage Truck," is the subject matter. I opened the photograph in Painter Essentials 5 (PE5). There I applied the Equalize tool, Sharpened the photograph and, Brightened it a bit.

Next I saved the file and used the image for Digital Painting. I did a Detailed Watercolor with the Soft Cloner Photo Brush. I next added more color and depth with the Illustration settings, a Digital Wash Brush. I added some line work with the Colored Pencil Drawing set, a Dry Ink Brush. I saved that iteration.

Opening in Paint.NET, I adjusted the Curves to add depth. Also, I adjusted the Saturation at 110. I added my Signature layer and sized and placed that with the property Additive. Merging layers I saved again.

I used Picasa 3+ to Warmify the colors and saved again. I next opened the piece in PhotoPaint. Here I resampled the file to 72dpi, 1220 X 813 pixels, Anti-alias and Maintained the aspect ratio. Before saving the display size image, I applied the Local Equalization tool, used the Tone Curve for added depth set at RGB. I saved the display file with a new name.

I am still learning about using Debian 8 Linux OS on my little Dell 1100 Inspiron laptop. I have tried to attach my Wacom Tablet to it and it worked immediately. I did an eyes and nose sketch with the touchpad and I then used the Tablet and Stylus to draw a full face. I also connected USB to an Epson Printer Stylus Photo 1280 I am trying to fix.

The printer was recognized and it attempted to print, which is the problem as it has not been printing. Blank pages came out. I think the print head is shot. Still playing with the printer to see what cleaning solution will do for it.

Overall my experience with Debian has been good. The laptop is slow to respond, with only 256MB RAM. But it is fun to learn any new computing tricks.

"Snowy Rusted Vintage Truck" Corel Painter

Snowy Rusted Vintage Truck

I chose a different subject, one of my favorites, a "Snowy Rusted Vintage Truck." I opened in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and Digitally Painted with Watercolor Sketch, Dry Brush. Saving that I Opened in Corel Painter 11 and used the Tinting brushes to add color to the image.

I saved the large file and opened in Corel PSP Pro X3 to up the Saturation Vibrancy by 33. I also added some Image Information and my signature. I tried something a bit different here, I used the Effects, Textures and selected from the standard textures a Canvas one. I increased the size of it by 1 from 4 to 5. Adding a very nice finished look to the piece. Look at it enlarged to see the texture.

I resized to display size for posting and saved that iteration. Importing here for your consideration.

NOTE: My New Song is about to be released! It is entitled, "Wait Until Morning," and will be posted to CDBaby soon. I will be posting about it as soon as it is available.

"Vintage Family and Bronx Intl Expo Map" Corel

Vintage Family and Bronx Intl Expo Map

Had some time today to browse my Public Domain Maps and Portraits. I selected this Vintage Family and a Bronx International Exposition Map. I opened the family portrait in Corel PhotoPaint. I also opened the Map in PhotoPaint. I layered the two images, after rotating the Map 90 degrees, and played with the property of the Map. I used Multiply and in addition changed the Opacity of the Map.

I applied a Gaussian Blur to the merged layers to soften the piece. I then applied a Filter Forge Film Frame to the image. I neglected to apply my usual signature to the piece, but that is not a big problem as these are Public Domain Images I am using to create another in my series of Map Layering 'Texture Blended,' images.

I hope you are enjoying my Musical contributions, even if you are only listening and not buying it is a pleasure to share with all of you. "Blind Guide," is to be followed by a song containing a warning for that type of person. Keep on the watch for it and subsequent offerings Musically.

NOTE: I now have a CDBaby Music store at the bottom of the posts. Please Scroll down to it and see the other tunes I have for sale. All are Full Preview songs, so you get an idea of what they are like. Comments, Pluses, Shares are welcome. 

"Vintage Europe Map Textured Woman Portrait" Corel

Vintage Europe Map Woman's Portrait

Today I used Corel PSP Pro X3 to create this image you see. I opened the Woman's Portrait first and applied the Threshold tool for black and white space. I did some adjusting of the portrait to balance the black and white favorably. I got the photograph of the woman from MorgueFile. The map was garnered by searching for free vintage maps.

I used the layer property Multiply, on it to allow the map to show through onto the white space. I adjusted the Saturation by 33 and played a bit with Curves to add depth to the image. I added my signature and saved the large iteration.

Resizing to a display size was next. It was a very simple and straightforward creation. I am searching for public domain maps to use in future images, Leave a note if you know of any good sites for that, thank you.

"Vintage Prom Queen Beauty" Paint.net - Corel

Vintage Prom Queen Beauty
(Click for Larger Image
with more Details)

I opened another MorgueFile portrait of a Young Beauty, in Paint.net. I applied the Artistic Oil Paint tool, High on Color and Coarse Brushes. I then took a scanned in photo of a number of young ladies in a Vintage setting, that I had scanned in the other day. I opened that in Paint.net, and selected all and copied it to the clipboard.

I went back to the oil painted Young Beauty and placed the scan as a layer. I adjusted the layer to fit and applied a property for transparency. I then applied the Artistic Ink Pen to the merged layers. I kept the color high and the ink setting low. I saved this large file with a new name.

I opened that file in Corel PSP Pro X3 and added a black border, with my signature as a layer with transparency. I added Image Information and merged all layers. Saving that iteration I opened in Corel PhotoPaint to resample and save compressed by 75 and smoothed by 33, with a width of 1220.

I imagine this Young Beauty daydreaming about her relative in the Vintage Photograph, and her own future. Perhaps a Prom Queen in the making.

"Vintage Woman and Horse on Paper Digital Collage" Corel - Dover

Vintage Woman and Horse on Paper Digital Collage

Had some time today to work on this Digital Collage. I used some images from StockVault's Free Textures (the vintage paper background,) and some Dover Publication Samples (Woman and Horse, Florals, and Art Deco Flourish.)

I opened the Woman and Horse in Corel PhotoPaint, here I applied the Tone Curve to deepen the colors. I separately opened the Vintage Paper (I cropped this image,) and here pasted the Woman and Horse, using the property Subtract.

I searched through my collection of Dover sample clip art for the Florals and added them, resizing and darkening with the Tone Curve before merging them. I used Color Burn and Multiply to add them with transparency. I added my signature using Color Burn for a burnt tone. I resized in Corel PSP Pro X3 and added Image Information: Title, Copyright, Sources and Programs used. I added a Mustard border to the image and saved the iteration you see here.

I have been extremely busy this month with an unrelated Project which will conclude at month's end. I am looking forward to creating more Art and playing and recording music with my 12-String Seagull Guitar in the near future. Not counting watching my Grandson!

"Woman and Guitar in a Field with Textures" Corel

Woman and Guitar in a Field with Textures

Today I selected two Free photographs from StockVault. One is the Woman with the Guitar in a Field that you see here. I used Corel PSP Pro X3, opening the original photograph, and used two Free Textures from StockVault as well.

I first applied the Threshold tool to the image for a lot of white space. I then used a Vintage Paper Texture for the sepia toning. I added a Stone Wall Texture for some more interesting contrasts. I then used the Wand tool to make selections of the white space and added a light yellow to the new layer I created from the selections.

I added my inverted signature as a layer, as well as used the Image Information tool to add Title, Copyright, etc.

I saved the large iteration after I merged all layers to one. I then decided I wanted to use a light border and a golden frame to complete the image. I saved again and then resized the image for display.

All work was completed in Corel PSP Pro X3 as noted in the EXIF information. I am getting better at using that program, it can do many more things than I have learned at this point. I am looking forward to learning even more. As I have just invested in a faster Computer I cannot afford to upgrade my programs I use for digital creative artworks. I have to pay off the computer in full before investing in newer programs from Corel.

"Bearded Smiling Man with Texture" Corel

Bearded Smiling Man

Due to a truly busy schedule I have not posted in many days. Having some time today allowed me to create this image and post it.

I got the free Man's Portrait from MorgueFile's site and the Vintage stained paper Texture from StockVault's Free Texture Friday. I opened both in Corel PhotoPaint and cropped them and then pasted as New Image from Clipboard.

I took the Man and I used the Threshold tool on it for more white space, also it highlighted his beard and eyes and mouth. I took that and copied to the clipboard and pasted it as a layer onto the Vintage Paper Texture. I used the layer property Multiply to create the transparency, allowing the Texture to show through.

I used the Tone Curve tool to add depth to the paper color. I added a black border using the Papersize tool. I then added my inverted white signature with drag and drop from a open folder window. Resizing the signature to fit the large iteration, I merged the layers to one, I then saved it. I resampled it to display size for the blog and then began my posting and workflow explanation. I used only two layers for this image, not counting my signature.

"Vintage Dodge Truck Digital Watercolor" Corel - Paint.NET

Vintage Dodge Truck

Since I had such an enjoyable time recently painting the Vintage Ford Truck I decided to digitally paint another Vintage Dodge Truck. I first located my folder of truck photographs taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and selected this closeup. I opened it in Paint.NET.

In Paint.NET I applied the Effect, Artistic, Ink Sketch for a Pen and Ink image. I saved that iteration and opened in Corel Painter 11.  Here I chose a basic palette and Watercolor Brushes for the digital painting.

After I saved the finished painting I opened in Corel PSP Pro X3. At this point I applied the Saturation Vibrancy for a boost to the colors. The original photograph was of a dirty, rusty brown color. With the  greater part of the background being foliage I used various greens for that area. I needed some punch to those duller colors. I did not clone paint this I did it Freehand.

I added a brown border and my white signature and with the Image Information added a Title, Copyright, and Camera, plus programs used to the Information.

I saved the large iteration and resized for display. Be sure to click on the image for the larger view!

"Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Six" Impressionist Version - Corel

Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Six

I just installed Corel Painter Essentials 4 on my main PC. It allows you to select a painting style. the colors type, the paper roughness, etc. Then you can allow the image to be Auto-painted in that style with your selections.

So one more time I grabbed the Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck for an image. I opened in Painter Essentials and selected the Impressionistic style with basic color, and Rough Paper. I pressed Start and the program "Painted" the image for me. I saved the large iteration.

I opened it in Corel PSP Pro X3 and used the Saturation Vibrancy tool set at 33 for a boost to the colors, which those of you who read my posts know I like to do. The Orange and Blue and Green's dominated the image.

I added Image Information, Title, Copyright, Camera used and Programs used. I saved that and then resized to display size to post here.

I thought I was done with this series of the Vintage Truck, but I wanted to try out the Auto-Painting of Painter Essentials 4 again. I hope you enjoy the Impressionistic image I have shared.

"Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Five" Paint.NET - Corel - Painter

Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Five

This close-up of the Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck was taken pointed directly at the Sunset. I used my Canon Rebel XTi DSLR Camera. In the original photograph the sky was washed out with white, and a tad of Sunlight was peeking through.

I opened the photograph in Paint.NET and used the Saturation tool on it at first. Then I decided to try my hand at Digitally Painting a Pen and Ink image. So I selected the Effect, Artistic, Ink Pen tool, no color just Black and White, and created the effect I wanted to Paint.

I saved that as a separate iteration and opened it with Painter 11. I used the Digital Watercolor Brushes Dry Mop, and Dry Coarse Mop at differing sizes to Paint the watercolor. I attenuated the Sunlight (with sun rays and spots) and made the Sky a Cloudy Blue. I saved that iteration with another name.

I added, in Corel PSP Pro X3 the Saturation Vibrancy for that Punch to the colors I like so much, though the image was quite vibrant to begin with.

I added my signature in black and gave the image a black border. With the Image Information tool I added Title, Copyright, Camera, and Programs used. It appears that Paint.NET also strips out the photograph's EXIF data.

Number Five will probably be the last in this series of the Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck. The Five shared images were selected from a number of photographs taken that evening beside the paved road. I believe I selected the best photographs to share. I hope you have enjoyed them.

"Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Four" Corel

Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Four

Today I selected this Head-on photograph of the Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck. I opened it in Corel PhotoPaint and created the image here. I used a different approach than the more straight forward photographs I shared in posts prior to this.

I first rotated the image to portrait, then fit to page. I applied PhotoPaint's Local Equalization for an almost HDR look and feel. I took the Tone Curve tool and added depth to the colors.

Applying Filter Forge's Photo Effects Vibrancy I added Punch to the colors as well. I selected a Texture from my Free Friday Texture collection of a panel of wood. This I copied and pasted as a layer upon the image. I adjusted the property of this texture and also the opacity of it. You may see the vertical lines it added.

Back to Filter Forge's Frames I added a Grunge variant Frame to the whole image. I then added my signature in white to another layer and merged them all. I saved this iteration as a large file.

I then opened with Corel PSP Pro X3 and used the Smart Photo Fix on the image, lightening it up slightly. Using Image Information I added Title, Copyright, Camera (Canon Rebel XTi) and Programs used to the information. It appears that PhotoPaint strips all EXIF data from the image when altered. I resized this image for display here.

"Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Three" Corel

Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Three

Here is a third view of the Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck taken one evening recently. I opened the photograph with Corel PSP Pro X3 and kept my approach to enhancing this photograph simple.

I applied the Saturation Vibrancy set at 33 to it for punching up the colors. I only added my white signature and a black border to this photograph. I saved the large iteration with Image Information, Title, Copyright, Program used and the EXIF data.

As you can see on the sign on the back of the Truck it had been used for the Oak Haven Farm Market in the past. You can almost imagine the Truck loaded with fresh vegetables for the Market, traveling there to sell it's wares.

I also like the large Barn in the background, as the surrounding ground is just now greening up with vegetation. It is sitting right on the property near the paved road where we parked so I could photograph it. I have wanted to do so for some time and that evening I had my Canon Rebel XTi ready and fully charged for use. I, unfortunately, am not always that prepared.

"Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Two" Corel

Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck Two

I took this photograph with my Canon Rebel XTi, I pointed the camera directly into the Sunset. Thus you will see Rays of the Sun behind the Vintage Ford Truck. It also adds white space to the upper portion of the photograph. I opened the photograph from Picasa 3.9 with Corel's PSP Pro X3.

There I applied the Smart Photo Fix tool. After That I adjusted the image with the Saturation Vibrancy tool set at 33. I also used the Curves tool to add depth to the color of the Truck and surrounding grass.

Using the Picture Frame tool I applied a jagged edge to the image, and a black border. I opened my white and black signature file and added it to a new layer, using the property Lighten I made the black transparent. I used the Highpass Sharpen tool for addition details. I saved the large iteration with Image Information of a Title, Copyright, programs and camera used, along with the EXIF data.

I then resized the image for display here.

I have other angles in photographs that I will garner some of the best for additional examination on the blog.

"Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck" Corel

Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck

Recently one evening I was able to shoot some photographs of a unique Vintage Ford Rust Orange Truck. I shot a number of these at differing angles and because of the evening time I was happy with the exposures.

I uploaded them to my PC and selected the photograph you see here. I opened it in Corel PSP Pro X3. Here I applied the Smart Photo Fix tool, which brightened it a bit. I then used the Saturation Vibrancy tool for a punch to the Blue Sky and the Orange and Rust of the Truck.

I opened my signature file in Corel PhotoPaint and Inverted it to white on black. Saving that I went back to PSP Pro X3 and added the file as a new layer making the black transparent. I also enlarged the signature to fit in the left hand corner. I merged the layers to one.

I used the Image Information tool to review the EXIF info and added a Title, Copyright, Programs used, etc. Next I selected from the Picture Frame tool a ragged edge for the photograph, applied a black border to it and did a Soft Light Highpass Sharpen on the entire photograph.

I have many more photographs of this Truck to share yet. I will be creating other views and styles to them, for your enjoyment. Please remember to click on the image for the larger view and use your F11 key to expand the view in your browser, F11 back to your standard view in your browser.

"Grunge Steampunk Woman Portrait" Corel

Grunge Steampunk Woman Portrait
Vintage Paper

I decided to create a similar image as the recent posts I have done. I chose another Digital Visual Collage with StockVault Woman Portrait and Dover Publications SteamPunk coloring page, along with a Vintage Paper Texture background.

I opened the Young Woman photograph in Corel PhotoPaint and applied the Threshold tool for the white space. I cropped the portrait to fit the Vintage Paper Texture, selecting only a close up of her face.

I then chose the Dover Publication coloring page of a SteamPunk Octopus-like creature with a great border. I applied the property of Multiply to this and fit to the image.

I next used Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge on the merged image and that added a great patina to the image. It also deepened the colors creating additional mood.

I added my signature in white and saved the image at 300 DPI. Re-sampling to fit my post I concluded my workflow.