Best methods for creating depth/impasto?

[DaveyJJ]

I have my used my own somewhat crude methods over the years for creating the appearance of depth/impasto to layers within Photoshop, but can anyone recommend a "best of methods" to do this in CS/CS2? Thoughts?

[Datameister]

On a practical level, this is difficult. Photoshop just can't do this like Painter can (although I must say, I personally can't stand Painter's impasto effects). One way to do this would be to record an action that creates a new layer and another that adds a faint Bevel and Emboss style and merges down. Assign a shortcut to each. Apply the first action for every few brush strokes and afterwards apply the second action. This could be a little awkward, but it's the only way I can think of.

Bottom line, it's difficult to do this for EVERY stroke within the painting. But if you want to do it here and there, it'll work.

[Zaknafain]

Aww... Thats something I want to do to. I really hate painters impasto effect (I can't paint with it and it looks like bevel & emboss).
Artrage creates quite nice results, but I can't paint with that either. As far as I know, Mullins and Aleksi do some of their works with artrage for the impasto effects.

[Datameister]

I think if we really want impasto effects, we're just going to have to go with traditional painting. Gasp!

[Idiot Apathy]

Why don't you try tweaking Painter's impasto settings for something a little more subtle?