testing a technique.

[nyergatian]

working on a portrait for a friend.
any criticism on the progress thus far is appreciated!
methods, tips, anything.
excuse the mishapen file, still working.

[nyergatian]

some progress.
again, crits are appreciated

[nyergatian]

last update for today.

[Elwell]

A process suggestion:
1. Use gaussian blur to reduce your original reference a barely discernable arrangement of shapes (the actual diameter will depend on the ppi of your ref). No details, no features, just gray blobs. Now, paint exactly what you see. You may find it helpful to flip your reference and painting upside down for this stage.
2. Decrease the radius of the blur by about 50%. Repaint your image, again matching the reference as closely as possible. Don't make up any detail! If you don't see it, don't paint it.
3. Repeat the above step, focusing the image and tightening up the painting.
4. Remove the blur filter from the reference completly. Add highlights, accents, and details as necessary, although you may find you have to do very little to the painting at this stage.

[DSillustration]

if i could MAKE you do what tristan said,
i would.

you really will learn a lot from doing so.

[nyergatian]

ill give it my best shot, i can use all the photoshop tips i can get. just started working with it this week. thanks for the help!

[nyergatian]

i tried using your tips. here's a wip shot of the landscape so far.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/nyergatian/onthedrivee.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/nyergatian/onthedriveref.jpg

[nyergatian]

another wip, trying a character as a break from that environment.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/nyergatian/battle.jpg

[stoph]

A process suggestion:
1. Use gaussian blur to reduce your original reference a barely discernable arrangement of shapes (the actual diameter will depend on the ppi of your ref). No details, no features, just gray blobs. Now, paint exactly what you see. You may find it helpful to flip your reference and painting upside down for this stage.
2. Decrease the radius of the blur by about 50%. Repaint your image, again matching the reference as closely as possible. Don't make up any detail! If you don't see it, don't paint it.
3. Repeat the above step, focusing the image and tightening up the painting.
4. Remove the blur filter from the reference completly. Add highlights, accents, and details as necessary, although you may find you have to do very little to the painting at this stage.

best advice you could get. i see youre applying it with great success. well done, Elwell, something i needed to hear also :)