Cynthia's Digital Gallery

Swamp Thing

2009-10-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether or not you saw this freebie download the other day from Dover Publications, but I snatched it. I thought it would be the perfect background for doing a creepy ATC. I followed Tanya's text tutorial and added some really spooky lettering.
Here are the links to her text tutorial-Have fun and be sure to leave her a comment!
For Photoshop Elements (this one done in PSE6)
Week 1
Week 2
Final Week 3

2" x 2" Challenge

2009-09-27T14:21:00.001-07:00

I created these two digital pieces using several elements. An image of a Victorian house & a crumbling castle, both with a reduced opacity. A wonderful stormy sky photo that is in the public domain and some truely awesome brushes created by: Annika Von Holdt.

Travel Journal Challenge

2009-09-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this challenge piece after working on it for a couple of weeks, every spare moment I had. I wish to thank the following designers for the use of some digital elements I used from their kits: FFD, Irene Alexeeva, MZimm, CVD, lizarddaudesigns & CAZ.

Illustration

2009-09-03T05:51:00.000-07:00

Before

After
This cat illustration started with a photo from Fiamma Franchi's stock photo (www.sxc.com) of the cat (top) and first converting it to a black and white line drawing. I began filling in certain areas with a small watercolor brush and opacity of about 25%. Then I layered it with the original photo again and started erasing areas that I wanted highlighted and to bring some of the color into the foreground. After playing with the opacity on some of these layers, I merged the layers and did some final tweaking with the pencil. I have to say, this is one of my first "illustrations" based on a photo and thanks to Fiamma for allowing me to play with this photo. I hope this sample of what you can do with your software, will encourage you to give it a try. It's fun and addicting! The other samples I have posted have all used different tools available in the software and some are still works in progress. Have fun!

Asian Influence

2009-09-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

Before

After
I didn't really do much with this photo, but sometimes simple is best.

Pear Advertisement

2009-09-02T06:27:00.001-07:00

Before

After
I used several brushes and filters while altering this photo, two of which were the dry brush & craquelure filters besides lots of layers. the background I used was created from Carolyn's monthly designer paper technique, bleeding tissue papers. (On "TheLatestTrendsinMixedMediaArts" yahoo group.)I played around with lightening the colors, then adding color using some water color brushes, tweaking the whole in color adjustments. I'm satisfied with how this turned out, but, maybe, I could tear the edges a little and distress it to look more like a vintage ad? Yes? No?
Well I just had to try my suggestion and work on this a little more. Here's the finished advertisement.

Old Barn

2009-08-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Before

After

Still a Work in Progress

2009-08-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Before Work In Progress
After blending two images together and tweaking them, I lost some of the beautiful color from the sky and water, so will keep working on this. The saying is from "Twilight" the popular Vampire book series, but it won't stay on the final piece. I enjoy working on this alteration because it is such a tranquil, relaxing moment in time. I could easily grab a cup of coffee, go sit on the back of this house boat and stretch my legs.