Making Art With Textures

mouse over to see the before

I love using textures on my photos.... 

It's a creative process for me.... very much like painting. Layer upon layer ...blending, building, and chipping away... til I'm happy with the final piece.

I don't think texturizing is meant to be hurried or rushed. I think it's a process... a bit of an experiment.....and it should be a pleasure.

I often have people ask me 'how do you know which texture to use?'

There are so many right and fabulous textures. It really depends what you are trying to create. 

For me, it starts with a vision. The vision may come before the photograph...or it may come after, as I'm looking at the photo on my screen. Once I have a vision (a starting point) I begin building layers. Often the finished piece is not at all what I envisioned. And honestly that's one of the things I love most about the process. 

Today's photo was definitely a progressive piece....  

I had taken a bunch of shots out in the yard and on the porch, and at the last moment, snapped this one. When I opened it up.... it just seemed to say 'MAKE ART'! I knew some texture was just what it needed.

As you work with textures....play, experiment...and grow... the process will become more natural. It may even seem like a certain texture just calls to you.

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Here's my photoshop recipe for today's image......

Texturized with 'cloudy day' and 'inspire' overlay from The Studio Collection.

Layer 1 - Background Image

Layer 2 - Background Image sharpened to accentuate the detail in the petals.

Layer 3 - Cloudy Day Texture at screen blend mode Inverted (Hit Command - on a mac or Control - on a pc plus the letter 'I' with the texture layer highlighted). Added a layer mask and removed a bit of the texture from the petals.  

Layer 4 - Duplicate Layer 3

Layer 5 - Duplicate Layer 4 

Layer 6 - Inspire Overlay at Soft Light Inverted (see layer 3 instructions on inverting)

Layer 7 - Hue Saturation Adjustment Layer - Lowered the Saturation for a more soft and romantic feel.

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Have you been bitten by the texture bug?

If not, you really outta give it a whirl....It may just surprise you. :)

Today, share your a favourite textured photo. We'd love to see.

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If this photoshop/texture thing is brand new to you, check out my FREE Skinny-Mini eCourse that starts next week. I'd love to see you in 'class'.....

up close

Meet Ben.  

Some of you may 'know' my little boy already. We spend day and night together. My husband says we are joined at the hip. 

He's the cutest little guy.... so gentle and loving... sweet and full of character. There's just so much to love about Ben.

Today I pulled out my macro lens... it's been awhile! I've missed it! As I was taking close-ups of all the pretty flowers in our yard, Ben was right there with me .... I just had to take his pic. His beautiful golden lashes make me swoon. I mean...seriously... are they not just the cutest?

Today,  get in a little 'closer' to something (or someone) you love and share with us. I'd love to see.

p.s. I'm running a little 'up-close give away' at the Café.  Stop by and share your up-close photos for a chance to win a few prizes......  

the textured still - a tutorial

mouse over to see the before image

It's no secret I'm a 'texture-addict'. I love adding texture to my photos.... It's such a fabulous creative process!

Today I thought I'd share a little before and after....along with a photoshop texture tutorial.  

Here's the two textures I used to create the finished image. They are part of The Studio Collection.

                                 Flourish                                                                   Empty Page                            

I process my images in Photoshop CS5. You can also use Photoshop Elements 9, as well as earlier versions of both programs. Another option for adding textures to your images, is the free online program Picnik.

Here's today's still life photoshop recipe.

Layer 1 - Lilac still image

Layer 2 - Empty Page Texture at Soft Light 100% opacity

Layer 3 - Flourish Texture at Soft Light 100% opacity. (I love the added detail this texture created in the top left of the photo.)

Layer 4 - Created a new blank layer. Choose a soft round black brush at 50% opacity and brushed over the image to add a little depth. Changed the blend mode to soft light.  This is a non-destructive 'burn' technique'.

Check out a little video tutorial, if you like.

Okay, if that meant absolutely nothing to you.... photoshop and you are not best friends... or perhaps you are complete strangers.... that's okay too. It's easier than you'd think!

Here's a link to my 'textures in ten' tutorial..... It will give you some quick and painless texture basics to get started... And get this... adobe let's you download a 30 day trial of photoshop CS or Elements for FREE.  So really, you have nothing to lose. 

If you would like to give the whole texture thing a try, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at the Café, and get a nice bundle of freebie textures to get you started. :)

In honor of all things photoshop, I'd like to give away a spot in my Photoshop Essentials eCourse. It starts on June 21st. It will get you comfy with the program and well on your way to making pretty pictures. 

To enter, share a link to a fav textured photo...it can be yours or one you admire. Winner will be chosen at random, and announced at the bottom of this post Saturday (June 11th) before noon. 

Good luck my friends.... 

Update on Saturday, June 11, 2011 by Kim Klassen

**CONGRATULATIONS Cathy Bueti! You are the lucky Essentials eCourse winner! Thank you to all those who entered!

Oh so Good.....

Hello Sisters!

How are you?

Today I thought I'd share my new fav and oh so refreshing 'after-hike' treat!

The Raspberry Smoothie....and on special treat days...... just a little taste of extra-dark chocolate.

'mmmmmm'.....

Here's my easy-peasy recipe.... 

And so, my friends... how 'bout you?  Any treats you'd like to share? Have you snapped any 'tasty' pics lately? Do 'spill'.......

old and worn...tattered and torn.....

I have a love for old and worn, tattered and torn. I love rust and peeling paint...chipped and crackled... Bring it on! Definitely love old abandoned buildings....especially antique RED barns. The older the better. Even our home is 107 years old.  

'sigh'

Last Sunday (Mother's Day) John insisted we go for a drive.... he'd been out on an ambulance call the week before.... and discovered a few places he knew I must see! Oh my, was he right.  

We found this sweet old barn....on an abandoned yard.... I'm thinking it'd be a wonderful photo shoot location for sure! Is the red not PERFECT?  

I love images of old buildings, mixed with textures. Images such as this, and this and this...and oh my...THIS... Adore. Honestly, anything old ... and I'm in..... vintage pieces...yes please and thank you!

How bout you?  Do you love the old, and aged, creaky and crackled?  If so, I'd love to see...