Those abstract backgrounds...

[hikix]

Yeah- so I feel really stupid asking this question but it's like they say... no dumb questions.

I've been trying to create somewhat abstract backgrounds just to get rid of the dreaded white canvas and give me something to work with. Lately I've been doing the work by hand (well, not hand... but you know) and I was just wondering how you guys all do it. I've seen it done in speed paintings that some here have posted on youtube.com, but they're all too fast to pick up (and I feel stupid because I can't find any examples right now...). I realize that it's not that big a deal, I'm just more curious than anything.

By abstract background I really mean a layer I can put over linework with lower opacity to allow the lineart to show through, but more pleasing to look at than a solid color flat out or just plain white canvas.

I appreciate any help I can get on this matter.

[Basil]

it's not a stupid question at all. those youtube videos really go quick and it's always hard to figure out their process. a lot of photoshop artists will overlay a texture like a rocky surface or rusty metal to add realism.

this site, mayang's textures (http://mayang.com/textures/), has a lot of big free images you can use. once you paste the texture into your artwork, you'll want to experiment with blending modes, there's a drop-down menu at the top of the layer pallet. hope that helps.

oh, another thing they do is overlay a piece of one of their previous paintings. that way it's still all their own work and the piece might generate new ideas.

[hikix]

Thanks for the link :).

the last thing you mentioned is probably exactly what i'm looking for. I'm a real technical dummy when it comes to photoshop, so please forgive me for asking exactly how overlaying a piece of my existing painting is done to create a texture. I saw a guy (maybe a girl?) take a sample from one of their paintings, blow it up with low opacity, stretch it it various ways and change the color. Now that I type this I think it might be simply the transform tool on a layer set at a lower opacity? that almost makes sense...

if you don't hear from me it worked and i thank you very much for your answer. have fun!

[Basil]

no prob, when i said overlay i was referring to the blending mode you can select at the top of the layer pallete (overlay, soft light, hard light, etc). you can change the color by selecting your layer and going to image/adjustments/color balance.

[JJ McKool]

I was actually wondering this stuff too, so thanks for the post, lol