"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.

"Digital Collage of Images Created with PicsArt App" Picasa

Collage of Images

While ill I created some images on my Tablet using the PicsArt App. I enjoyed using this App so much I got the Windows 10 version installed now along with AutoDesk's Sketchbook on my computer.

I did quite a bit of layering and using of PicsArt filters to create each image you see in the collage. I used polygon tools, mask layers, some clipart, some hand painting as well. Each piece will stand on its own, but I wanted to show the versatility of PicsArt.

I like the selection of tool for each thing you may want to do. I can "Enhance," a photograph, with a simple click, alter the strength of the changes with embedded tools. I can adjust Curves for RGB or the differing colors Red, Green, Blue individually.

I add layers directly and quickly by adding a photograph, with the selection of different properties, and adjust the opacity, too. Free clipart comes with the App as well as some great Fonts.

And the App will let you buy more Fonts and Collections for only about $00.99 each. I have not purchased any additional ones myself, and I am still finding many ways of creating great images without adding any yet.

PicsArt also has many #freetoedit photographs to offer to the user. I used some of them and some from Pixabay, and Unsplash. It also has multiple FX, Artistic, and other Filters to apply to your works.

I created the Digital Collage with Picasa 3+, which is no longer being supported, but still the current version works fine. After creating the Collage I saved it and opened it with Corel PhotoPaint. There I resampled from 120dpi to a 72dpi image, 1220 X 763. I saved it as an Optimized JPG 75 compression and 25 smoothing. I saved the display image with a new name.

As you share your works with the PicsArt Community, you can set it up to share with your other Social Media, too. I share with my Facebook timeline each time I post a new image to the Community. You can select how and where to share.

One other thing to mention is PicsArt App allows you to create Gif Animations of your creations in a step by step manner. Gif Animations are not accepted everywhere but are great fun to create.

"Digital Collage How To: Lighthouse with Slight Murmuration of Birds " Corel

Lighthouse with Slight Murmuration of Birds

I started this Digital Collage with three photographs from Unsplash Free Photos. I opened them one by one in Corel PSP Pro X3 and began the collage.

First I took the two photographs of Flying Birds and used the Crop tool on them to narrow in on the birds themselves. I applied the Threshold tool to each one, this made for black and white images to overlay. I placed the first one and sized to fit the Lighthouse Sky. I used the layer property Multiply and merged the layer. I did the same with the second birds image. This gave me a small murmuration of black birds. I merged the second layer of birds. I added my signature layer with the property Multiply as well, and merged all layers.

Still in PSP Pro X3 I applied the Smart Photo Fix with increased color, decreased shadows and highlights. I then applied the Saturation Vibrancy for a pop to the colors. I changed the image to a 16 bit RGB and Exported it as a JPG. I saved that large iteration with a light compression ratio. The higher I set the ratio the more pixelated the image became. So, I lowered it making for a larger file size. All this before re-sizing for display.

The download of the Lighthouse did not give it's location, and I am not certain where the original photograph was taken. Like many, I like Lighthouses as I live in the Great Lakes Area, and we have many of them throughout the State of Michigan.

"How it was Done - Very Tired Young Driver Image" Corel

Very Tired Young Driver

Today I have reached the milestone of 1,330 blog posts! Thank you for sharing with your friends!

Unsplash sent me their most recent group of Free Hi-Res photographs today. I selected the photograph of a "Very Tired Young Driver." I immediately was drawn to this image, the individual, his hat and shirt, and the amount of light in the entire image.

I opened it in Corel PhotoPaint. Here I applied the Threshold tool for some more white space. I had in mind a Texture Blended image, so I searched for a texture that I already had, not used yet. I located this Concrete Texture. I opened it and copied to the clipboard. I pasted it as a new layer and used the Property Multiply for transparency.

Next I used the Tone Curve to lighten the colors with some depth. I added my signature and saved that iteration. I then opened the image in Corel PSP Pro X3 and applied the Smart Photo Fix, adjusting the Shadows. I added some Vibrancy with the Saturation tool, this brightened up the colors a bit more.

After all these steps I resized the image for display, still in PSP Pro X3, then saved that iteration with my other recent Textured Portraits.

Comments, Shares, Pluses and Purchases always are welcome. Consider purchasing some of my Artwork as a Poster, framed or otherwise through my Zazzle Store. Go to My Art and Music for Sale page and send me an email of your selection from the blog history, I will upload my largest file to Zazzle and send you the URL to the Poster Page. Then you select size, matte frame, paper type. You can purchase it as just a Poster if you would like. Investigate my Zazzle Store for products and other Artwork there.

While you are here on the blog page, scroll down to the Music Kiosks from CDBaby to listen to Full Previews of my Alternative Folk/Rock Tunes. Try before you Buy!

"Azure Eyes Digital Collage" Corel

Azure Eyes Digital Collage

NOTE: I have made adjustments to the New Song: 'Wait Until Morning,' with CDBaby. It is currently unavailable for the Full preview listening or purchase. As soon as I can I will have this corrected with them. They operate on business days, so it may take some time, Please be patient.

Today's image is a Digital Collage with Texture Blended Photography. The Woman Portrait is from Stockvault Free images and the Texture from their Friday Freebies. I opened the Woman in Corel PhotoPaint and applied the Threshold with color, made slight adjustments and went from there. I opened the Blue Texture and copied it and layered it over the Portrait. I used the property Multiply with some Opacity alterations on the Texture.

I liked the Azure Eyes of the Woman and wanted to show them fairly clearly. I decided I to make this more of a Digital Collage, I searched my Dover Publications Sampler images. I found the Two Flappers and added the layer with the property Multiply, erasing a line which surrounded them. Now with the Flappers on the left hand side, I balanced out the composition with a Floral Corner Accent. I merged all of these. I added my signature, and resized for display. Oh, and I had opened the large iteration (a TIFF file,) in Corel PSP Pro X3 adding Saturation Vibrancy for the Azure and colors brilliance.

"Digital Watercolor Banjo Player" Corel

Digital Watercolor Banjo Player

Today I am  Excited, I just SOLD my first download on CDBaby of "Something Amazing." It is highly satisfying to have sold a copy. I would like to thank the purchaser though Anonymous if you read this you know who you are.

Today's image is a Digital Watercolor of a Banjo Player against Texture Blended wood and concrete background. I started in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 with the Watercolor Sketch setting and a Stiff Brush. I used the soft cloner brush to add back some of the detail of the face, hands, and embroidery on the jacket. I saved the large file as a TIFF file.

This I opened in Corel PSP Pro X3 and used the Smart Photo Fix tool for brightness. I then added Saturation Vibrancy to punch up the colors. The Wood wall looked good but I wanted some more texture, so I selected a StockVault Freebie Concrete one. I added it as a layer and used the property Multiply on that layer for transparency. I saved that file as a PNG file.

Being that it seemed unfinished I opened it in Corel PhotoPaint and using Filter Forge Frames I added a Film Frame to the piece. I also saved that, then resampled to a display size and saved as a JPG for the blog.

I have updated the Music Store at the lower part of my blog (please scroll down to it) so it has all my current CDBaby Singles for sale on it. Scroll through the small Images and have a listen to a Full Preview of each song. I have the Series of three from "Blind Guide," to "Reckoning," with the BONUS track of "Something Amazing," all listed. All Full Previews. Listen, enjoy and purchase a download if you wish! Thanks for all your Hits on each somg for the Previews!

"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. 

"Sad Homeless Man Portrait" Corel Painter

Sad Homeless Man Portrait

Another in my series of Corel Painter paintings. I selected this Portrait of a Sad Homeless Man from Morguefile. It reminds me of the sadness of my Father n law, who had Severe Parkinsons Disease, who is now deceased.

I opened the Portrait in Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and auto painted it with the Watercolor Sketch, as I did the "Bearded Man Portrait," I posted recently. I saved the large grayscale image in RGB color.

I opened it in Corel Painter 11 and this time did not clone the image, I sized it to the screen and chose Tint Round brushes to paint in color to this piece. I used flesh tones on his face and hand. With some Burnt Sienna for the beard. I worked hard on the eyes so they projected his sadness and dejection. His mouth curved down in a defeated frown was also hard to capture.

I used rough brushstrokes for that painterly look and feel. I also used some blending, but not too much. I saved that iteration with a new name. I opened it next in Corel PSP Pro X3.

Here I used the original iteration to add back some details and adjusted the Opacity. I added my signature as another layer. I then merged all layers and applied the Smart Photo Fix to add to the color brightness. I used the Effect Texture with a rough paper like I did with the "Bearded Man Portrait." 

I used the Image Information to add some information to the image file. Saving that large iteration, I resized for display here.

I hope you are enjoying my painterly efforts. Please remember to click on the image for a larger more detailed view. use F11 to open up your browser completely, and F11 back to the standard browser status. Thank you for your viewing my Digital Artworks.

"Blue Textured Redheaded Young Lady" Corel

Blue Textured Redheaded Young Lady

A Texture from Mayang's Textures of Blue Wood and a Portrait of a Redheaded Young Lady are the subject matter today.

I opened the Young Lady Portrait in Corel PhotoPaint. I applied the Threshold tool to it with color left in the image along with white space. I layered the Blue Texture over it and rotated it to portrait instead of landscape. I applied the property Multiply to the Texture for blending with the Young Lady.

I liked the contrast of her Red Hair and Pink Blouse with the Blue Textured Wood. I added my signature and merged all layers together.

Another striking image that required blending of the image with texture. I saved the large iteration and then resampled for display here. I set Compression at 75 and Smoothing at 33 for the JPG file.