Learning to play with layers

[Su]

Hi!

I am just learning to use layers to build up and enhance images. I am new to digital art and this one was partly accidental. I use PSP 6.0 and would appreciate any comments.

<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-May-2001/orphalese.jpg" border=0>



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Su

"...beauty is not a need but an ecstacy...a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted."

[Gary B]

Looking at this from a traditional artist's perspective, I think it's great.

Can you recall which filters & layer options you used?

Gary

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"First you get you a pen and a ink."

[Fig]

Nice image you've created. The feeling of atmosphere is especially pleasant. Layers really open up a whole new dimension for Photoshop users. I think you will enjoy working this way immensely.

Fig

[dhenton]

I agree with Gary B, could you talk a bit about how you used layers on this. It's cool, but I'd like to know how layers helped you get the effects.



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"Art is anything you can get away with." -- Marshall McLuhan

[Su]

Well, I use Paint Shop Pro 6.0, so I am only familiar with it's capabilities. Actually, I have a library of images from software like Print Artist that has nice photos and clip art and I used two of these. I started with the clouds
<IMG SRC="http://sumweb.com/expressions/clouds04.jpg" border=0>
<IMG SRC="http://sumweb.com/expressions/mountain.jpg" border=0>
then pasted the cropped mountain top as a new vector layer and stretched it to cover the underlying cloud layer - added some transparency so part of the clouds would show through and rotated it on its side to look like a peninsula.
http://www.mannmadeimages.com has some good tips for making lens flares with PSP which I used in the light source.

Otherwise, I cropped out feathered sections of areas where the color matched what I wanted and pasted as vector layer and stretched as in the sky area.

Basically, I fiddled with it until that little voice inside said "leave it alone or you will ruin it".

At this point, I don't think I am much of an artist from scratch - I like messing around with effects and such - but I am learning

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Su

"...beauty is not a need but an ecstacy...a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted."

[This message has been edited by Su (edited May 14, 2001).]