May 2011 Class HOMEWORK THREAD-- Photoshop Layering

[Brian Barnes]

Welcome to the May 2011 Homework Thread!

This is the homework thread for the May 2011 Class, the Tutorial is HERE.

Your reactions, questions, and comments are most welcome here. We’d also love to see what you’ve managed to create. We won’t be critiquing value choices or composition unless you specifically request it.


BrianB

[Brian Barnes]

Homework Week 1

Using non-overlapping black painted layers over a white background layer, create a grayscale picture for value study.

Vary the opacities of each painted layer so you can distinguish between them as you work.

Save in a layered format (psd) to preserve the layers.

When you get a variation you like, save as a JPEG file. (The PSD file will remain as a layered PSD even though you’re generating JPEGs from it.)

Save at least 3 distinctly different studies from the original. These JPEG files are for showing in this homework thread. (optional of course)

Subject matter is up to you. Need ideas? How about a simple still-life arrangement (bottles, leaves, flowers, trees, balloons, fruit, sea shells, etc.)? Or possibly a simple scene with large silhouetted objects (barn, road, hills, trees, clouds, etc.)?

No need to make this exercise elaborate. Don’t be overly concerned with realism, contouring, shadows, etc., as these are just meant to be simple value studies at this point. We're only in Week 1. There are other methods yet to come that you may prefer. Save your best creativity for later.

Don’t forget to try the alternate painting methods (using the Erase tool or the Pencil and Fill tools) demo’d in the classroom thread.

Just have fun with it!

BrianB

[clode]

Super. Brian all these visual. I am fan and I m' register in the class… c' is an enthralling work. I see well how to improve my paintings with that. thank you for the exchange !!

[Strawberry Wine]

Brian, thanks for taking on this class.. I know I am going to learn a lot.

Cheers,

Gail

[clode]

I am not sure to have made the good exercises. but what I want to say to you Brians. it is that is the first time that I find explanations also clearly explained. for this software. .I have photoshop6 and I really had fun. merciii… here are what I have made. .I am ready to start again. to go better and better… I am always ready for criticisms. .positives or negative. .no problem...

[Brian Barnes]

Hi Gail. Good to see you here.

Clode -- I'm happy that you find my explanations clear. It appears that you have managed well to paint the shoes into separate layers and change their opacities. I really like your shoe idea. These types of value studies in a row always look like gallery pieces to me.
There are some overlapping bits showing however ... which means you have not completed the erasing and can sometimes see the layer below. With this method, the objects are supposed to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle or like "paint-by-numbers". When the opacities are changed you shouldn't be able to see unexpected shapes.
I also see you have used a transformation to flip the image over. I will be dealing with that feature next week.
It's good that you are experimenting. Keep playing! You are well on your way to success in the coming weeks.

BrianB

[MRSBB]

Thanks Brian. I have downloaded all your first class notes and will have a go. I did learn Control Z is an erase function, haha.............Lenore

[Brian Barnes]

Hi Lenore. I had forgotten about that shortcut. Never needed it. On the Mac computer it's Command Z.

Usually Control on PC = Command on Mac. (Confusing since Mac also has a control key used for other things.)

Good for viewers to know in order to avoid confusion in the instructions and discussion. Thanks for the reminder.

BrianB

[MRSBB]

This was my first go at layering. I'm sure it is all wrong. Had a heck of a time saving as a jpeg. In Gimp it wants you to import then export, but I did get it saved as a jpeg and as a xcf file.

I drew the hats with a brush on each layer, used the fill tool, adjusted opacity, but it looks funky...........Help

[clode]

Thank you Brian. I hurried as raises in a hurry. with barrier of the language j' made bad pupil but I will arrange all that. .pour to improve.

[MRSBB]

Ok, tried again. Any better?

[MRSBB]

Brian can you move an object on one of the layers? Where do I find the move command, or would it be Control M?...............Lenore

[hewill4giveu]

Brian would it be possible to put these instructions in PDF format for us to download for future reference? thanks

[clode]

I worked. .it is better. but there is something which I do not understand.
the shoes overlap or must they be cutted.. when they meet other piece ... like puzzle?? on my pictures .. I have not spot white .. ?? perhaps my eyesight??

[clode]

version two ..