"Acoustic Magazine" Fake Cover - Corel PhotoPaint

Acoustic Magazine Fake Cover

I chose a magazine motif for a creative activity this evening. I created a digital collage in Corel PhotoPaint. I found some images in old magazines and, after cutting them out,  scanned them in using my Canon MP495 All in one.

On the main face I added the eyes of a female singer and her lips on the Blues player wearing the hat, which were both cutouts as well. I applied the Image, Threshold bi-level, on the entire collage prior to adding any text.

I used the names of myself and two Guitar singer songwriters I met on the Acoustic Guitar Community. I also used the band name of the first band I was in in our senior year at high school for the exclusive interview. I added a blurb about using the free recording program Audacity. And using a bit of humor added the six-fingered Blues lesson.

The Fonts I used for the various text phrases were, Arial Narrow, Bleeding Cowboys, Abadi MT Condensed  Extra Bold and Berlin Sans FB. for a realistic touch I added the UPC code from a magazine blotting out the numbers on the code.

I saved the large file with my signature and resampled for display here.

Listening --- Cowboy Junkies --- Blue Guitar

"Last Issue!" - Corel PhotoPaint - Digital Collage

Last Issue!

Today I took some time and created a digital collage. I found various images and pieces that I fit together by scanning the cut outs into PhotoPaint. It's entitled, "Last Issue!" Based upon the blurbs ONLY ONE MORE ISSUE  and  LAST ISSUE! that you get when your magazine subscription is or has run out.

I took the various pieces and placed them using a variety of properties like Multiply and If Lighter, If Darker. I joined disparate parts together especially the faces to create a giant smile and large eyes on them. I used more than one source magazine. I used the Tone Curve for depth of color and to make the words stand out.

I added the guitar motif as you all know I love to play the guitar, a 12-String Seagull. I have not been playing too much lately. Not enough time in the day sometimes. But I am thinking that "Last Issue!" might be a great theme for a song!

I saved the 300dpi large file and resampled adding my signature to complete the collage. I resaved for display here.



Listening --- Doves --- Caught by the River

"Miles Davis" - Corel Painter 11 Pen and Ink, Watercolor

Miles Davis and Friends

I took out some time from other activities to work on this tonight. I was listening to some "Miles Davis," jazz the other night and was inspired to do this image.

I opened Corel Painter 11, as I have yet to upgrade to 12, and penned Miles and the drummer and bass player using the Ball point pen brush. I then used some of Skip Allen's watercolor brushes on a new watercolor layer. I kept my approach as simple as possible for a basic look and feel to the piece.

I saved the file and reopened in PhotoPaint to use the Tone Curve for a slight increase in depth of color. And I added my signature. I kept the file at it's original size, for display.

Comments are always welcome. I do moderate the comments, though.

Listening --- The Steve Miller Band --- Your Saving Grace

"Ingenuity of Youth" - Corel PhotoPaint - PSP Pro X3 - Filter Forge

Ingenuity of Youth

Here is an image of my Grandson playing with his family's iPod. He is only about 18 months old and he knows how to turn it on, find the games and play some of them. I'll admit that I don't have one and he knows more than me!

I took this photograph with my Canon Rebel XTi and opened it in PhotoPaint. I cropped it some to make him the focal point, especially his hand above the iPod. I applied the Local Equalization to it and used the Tone Curve for depth. Then using Filter Forge Photo Effects Vibrance twice I saturated the colors. I also used the Frames for a light film frame.

I saved this large file and opened it with PSP Pro X3 to add the Picture Frame Cyanotype and a ten pixel black border. I did an iterative save and reopened in PhotoPaint. There I added my signature and resampled for display.

Listening --- C S N & Y --- Teach Your Children

"And It Was Mine" - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

And It Was Mine

I browsed in Picasa 3 folders to my Dover Publications Clip Art and searched for an Art Nouveau piece. Copying that to the clipboard I then opened CorelDRAW and pasted it into DRAW. I resized the floral clip art and turned to my Journals for some phrase. "And It Was Mine," is what I found.

I incorporated that full phrase using Dauphin font as the typography, which has a pleasant feel to it. I center justified both text excerpts, placing them on the digital page. I added using the rectangle tool two layers of enhancing colors.

I opened PhotoPaint and copied and pasted using File New From Clipboard at 75% the original file size, at 300dpi. I applied Filter Forge's Photo Effect Vibrance on it and then switched to the Grunge effects and added stain and a light frame.

Listening --- Pearl Jam --- I Am Mine