Photoshop II

I thought I had grasped the layering issue, but I am still very green, and practising is a MUST. Bear with me, I will get there …

Today we made our own brushes – a promising concept.



The compositions can be saved as ‘patterns’ within the system, which is very useful to fill in areas later on. These are a couple of silly examples, but they show the principle.

Photoshop

Today, I have been working with Photoshop. Although I believe it is an amazing tool, I am still getting my head round it. Particularly with the layering … the tutor compared it to screen printing and somehow it makes more sense now.

We started with a 4x3 grid to practise brush choices. It was far too tempting to go all over the page …

 

Then, we repeated the process in colour

 And finally, we built up some layers:

1 Import an image

2 Create a new layer: Outline (and using the brush draw the outline of your image).

3 Create another layer: Fill (choose a colour and select the bucket tool).

4 Drag the Outline layer on top of the Fill.

5 Create a new layer: Colour (to add colour using the brush tool)

6 Once complete, flatten the layers (Layers - Flatten image).

          7 Save it as a JPEG

  

 

 

      

  Using a Filter (Filter – Filter Gallery)

Working on Irregular Repeats

During our last session, I tried to reproduce a Quarter drop repeat with mirror and reversed drop pattern with a potato stencil and acrylic paint.

Although, I did understand the pattern, the potato stencil did not provide the sharpness to show such a complicated pattern, and also it was very hard to asses by eye the exact distance between the shapes. This is what it came out.

Being as stubborn as I am, I was determined to get it right. Working with lino enabled me to get sharp edges and a pre-set grid aidded the alignment …. Success !!! see what you think...

Repeat Patterns: Four Basic Units

I have found an extremely useful website which clearly explains Repeat Pattern. The main points are…

• A pattern relies upon three characteristics: a single motif, repetition of the motif, a system of organisation.
• There are four basic ways to repeat a motif so it becomes a pattern: rigid repeat, half drop repeat, reflection and rotation.
• The page continues with clear visual representations …. But I let you find out for yourself !!!

http://www.teachnet-uk.org.uk/2005%20projects/art-repeatpattern/repeating%20patterns/pages/WhatIsPattern.htm

Also, this glossary of pattern design terms might be useful. Not only they are defined, but also they provide a cute little illustration. Hope it helps … Some examples are:

http://www.artlandia.com/wonderland/glossary/

Now that I know it is working, I might be able to post something decent !!!

First day