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Smudge......bride and bridesmaid....

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RayGuselli

RayGuselli

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Good day to you Ray, don't think I've ever had a negative feeling about your work but for me the Brides lips shouted out as being over done, of course I have no idea what the original was like. If you shut your eyes then open its the lips that grab attention rather than whole image.
Kindest regards
Carl
 
Many thanks to all...really appreciate the kind feedback

Carl...her lips really were that glossy....however...I have toned down a bit...see what you think

Best wishes and many thanks

Ray





--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
 
Much better for me Ray, thank you.
regards
Carl
 
I am sorry but I am not too keen on this image, the bridesmaid looks quite good but the bride looks like a waxworks figure, totally unreal. I know that this is a creative technique and I have seen some very good results from it, but this one is not for me.
 
Hi all

appreciate the feedback....it is interesting because this was the first time I decided to try something different.....it clearly is not working.

For the skin layers on the smudge, after they were done, I ran those layers only through Topaz denoise......NOT AGAIN.

I thought it gave a nice smooth finish BUT it appears to have detracted from the smudge...lesson learnt.

Best wishes

Ray

--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
 
Ray, you want a smooth smudges skin, not a plastic looking skin from denoising the image...
RayGuselli said:
Hi all

appreciate the feedback....it is interesting because this was the first time I decided to try something different.....it clearly is not working.

For the skin layers on the smudge, after they were done, I ran those layers only through Topaz denoise......NOT AGAIN.

I thought it gave a nice smooth finish BUT it appears to have detracted from the smudge...lesson learnt.

Best wishes

Ray

--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
Click to expand...
 
Hi Toermalijn

Yes...first time I ever tried this...guess it's the last...LOL

But it was worth the experiment to see...however, it is as you say...too plastic looking...

Will learn by the mistake!!!

Very best wishes

Ray
--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
 
Ray,

Of all the ones you have done, I honestly think this one is the best, and all of the others have been spectacular. This one just is amazing. Very nicely done my friend.

I can see this one enlarged, matted and framed on a living room wall. It is that good.

Conrad
RayGuselli said:
Hi

From an original by Fred James - a great photographer and guy---

Hope you like this painting

Best wishes

Ray



--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
Click to expand...
--
Conrad Birdie

"The truest measurement of a man's heart is not what he does when he has wealth, but what he does when he doesn't".
 
Dennis Worrall said:
I am sorry but I am not too keen on this image, the bridesmaid looks quite good but the bride looks like a waxworks figure, totally unreal. I know that this is a creative technique and I have seen some very good results from it, but this one is not for me.
Click to expand...
I think that is probably what makes it so good to me. I know, and understand personal opinions, and I will not question anyone else on those. But to ME, smudging is kind of surreal and dreamy, and unnatural anyway, almost like perfection. So, I guess it can best be described as some type of wax figure. Most wax figures I have seen are very good, and almost perfect looking.

So, yes, it is clearly surreal and dreamy looking to the point of pure perfection, but I guess that is why I like it so much.

--
Conrad Birdie

"The truest measurement of a man's heart is not what he does when he has wealth, but what he does when he doesn't".
 
Now you "have" stirred the pot...LOL

I guess it is how we each see the image.

My initial impression was that I liked the idea and result but when the negative feedback came I thought I had perhaps gone too far..

However, I suppose that it is still a tool in the box to be used if it is needed.....as you have shown, some people may actually prefer this finish......so I guess it is perhaps not to be scrapped but at least considered in the future.

Really pleased you like it and as always appreciate your feedback.

Very best wishes

Ray
--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
 
RayGuselli said:
Now you "have" stirred the pot...LOL
Click to expand...
I sure hope not. :)
RayGuselli said:
I guess it is how we each see the image.
Click to expand...
Yep. Always has been, always will be. And that is OK.
RayGuselli said:
My initial impression was that I liked the idea and result but when the negative feedback came I thought I had perhaps gone too far..
Click to expand...
To some, you have. To others, perhaps not. It is indeed personal tastes, and that is normal. I just saw it as something I would see hanging on a living room wall for years and years.
RayGuselli said:
However, I suppose that it is still a tool in the box to be used if it is needed.....as you have shown, some people may actually prefer this finish......so I guess it is perhaps not to be scrapped but at least considered in the future.
Click to expand...
It is always up to the individual, either the client or your own tastes. If you like it, that is really all that matters. Trust me, I have done some work even my wife hated.... :)
RayGuselli said:
Really pleased you like it and as always appreciate your feedback.
Click to expand...
Very Welcome.
RayGuselli said:
Very best wishes

Ray
--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
Click to expand...
--
Conrad Birdie

"The truest measurement of a man's heart is not what he does when he has wealth, but what he does when he doesn't".
 
Many thanks for the kind words...really appreciated...

For Ken...I did send a private message to another friend here as to what I do...

the best exponent of smudge is Scott Deardorff....his work is awesome and he is clearly the master....

http://www.scottdeardorffportraits.com/

Here is a link to the technique...

http://www.innographx.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3745&sid=38147ca42fef7f5235dcee6b0b0db19f

My process is nearly always the same and is as follows. (FOR PORTRAIT)

DUPLICATE LAYER
OVERLY SHARPEN THE TOP LAYER SO IT IS JUST TOO SHARP
CREATE A NEW BLANK LAYER ABOVE THAT
TICK THE BOX AT THE TOP, SAMPLE ALL LAYERS
THEN I USE THE SMUDGE TOOL IN PHOTOSHOP TO PAINT THE IMAGE

I START WITH THE HAIR ON THE BLANK LAYER JUST CREATED AND EXPERIMENT WITH BRUSHES (BUT SEE THOSE OFFERED ON THE INNO SITE ABOVE WHICH ARE FREE AND GREAT)
You need to experiment with strength to get nice flowing lines in the hair.

Once I have done that I then create another blank layer above the last.

Now I use a smoother brush about 20-30 strength to do the skin

The another new layer (a new layer for each part of the image in case I make a mistake)

Then I do the mouth

New layer – eyes and eyebrows

New layers for all other parts etc

Then I select the original image and all layers and hit ALT CTRL and E at the same time and it brings a layer to the top of all your smudge

Then I adjust levels etc and add a texture.

It takes a little getting in to but once you have it, it becomes addictive.

If you give it a try and get stuck let me know and I will try and help.

Alternatively, if the above does not help we will work something else out to help.

My very kind regards

Ray
--
VISIT MY WEBSITE HERE...HOPE YOU LIKE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77568703@N03/
 
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