For this study of her I decided to try some handmade paper from India which was a popular paper for book binding. Again I coated the top with the clear gesso mixture before painting with watercolors. I did the stem with the few leaves and the Hummingbird then decided to add the backside of the flower towards the bottom because it was in the photo. I should have left it alone without the flower because with it painted in it doesn't look complete.
So before I do anything else I scanned the study and opened it in photoshop. I work in layers so it will be easy to delete and erase. The drawing or painting is one layer and then I create one or two layers above it. You can then apply color without worrying about messing up the original scanned copy. I played with the photoshop brushes till I was satisfied with the background.
But when I stood back I felt it was to much behind her head. So as you can see I removed part of the background so the top of her head was the natural paper behind her.I'm still not sure yet what I might do but at least I can get ideas this way with out totally messing everything up.
I have to say I love my wacom tablet and wouldn't be with out one now for painting in photoshop and some other digital applications.
What do you think about backgrounds and using photoshop as a tool for guidance? I am also toying with the idea of adding more sunflowers in the background.
I also want to thank everyone who has stopped by. Your comments are greatly appreciated. This week has been filled with meetings in the evening for two great events coming up. One is our Bird Festival at Presque Isle. Michele and I will have more on that soon. And the other event is with the art organization i belong to. We are planning an awesome gallery event this August so I will be talking about that more come summer.
In the meantime I will be painting every chance I get for the bird festival gallery show.
OMG . . I love this soo much! The expression on the hummingbird is perfect!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as ever. Re Photoshop - what a very sensible idea to trial alterations to a painting without potentially ruining it. I love photoshop - and I have a wacom tablet (it was a special offer with photoshop!) so I can see that will be handy, too. I think the same idea could be used for collage, but taking photos of different layouts before committing glue to paper. I only just thought of that, thanks to your photoshop posting.
ReplyDeleteThe flower was definitely not a mistake; I feel it belongs there, as does some sort of background behind the hummer.
ReplyDeleteI think that using Photoshop, whether for guidance or for finishing a piece, is clever. ANY tool the artist chooses to use can give a range of results. And with PS, it's so Easy to Undo! Sadly, Undo does not generalise to watercolour ;-)
Cheers
Nona
very pretty and lovely shades of green :) I do think that the flower looks all right, just gives a hint of shapes to the background and ties the flower the little bird is sitting on to the background
ReplyDeleteI use photoshop all the time to test out backgrounds and composition. Makes things so much easier. I don't use my tablet as much as I should, but it does come in really handy when sketching.
Lovely sketch, Toni! I do prefer the second background to the first, but I think I would like to see more of the sunflower stalks and maybe a few heads in the background. However, it's what you have in mind that counts!
ReplyDeletePhotoshop is one of my main programs on my computer and I'd be redoing a lot of paintings without its help. I haven't had a Wacom in quite a while. Sometimes I miss it, other times not so much.
I look forward to seeing how you finish up the hummer!
Toni, you asked what we think about using photoshop as a digital tool for guidance, well, I have found it very useful for me now when I do my "traditional" scrapbooking. I open up whatever size paper I will be using as a transparency and drag my pictures onto it and place them where I might want them, then drag them over onto an 8 1/2 x 11 transparency and place as many pictures as I can on it, and then print it. The pictures are the sizes I want. I also print out a copy of where I actually placed these pictures, which comes in handy when you have several layouts to do. Sometimes I need to have a background to make proper placement of the photos, so I scan in the paper I want to use, this makes all the difference in the world sometimes. I don't always know the paper I'm using, but when I do, this has really helped.
ReplyDeleteI love your drawings and dream of seeing and capturing a hummingbird some day. Beautiful, and thanks for sharing.
Mary Snyder/obsessedcropper
Beautiful Toni! TFS
ReplyDeleteAs usual, it's a beautiful painting Toni.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Photoshop helped me get past that "I'm afraid to touch it for fear of ruining it" syndrome. It is so easy to do and re-do until you like the effect. I have a Wacom tablet as well, but at some point in the last couple of computer 'fixes' it is no longer installed properly...must get that fixed.
As you might know, I sketch at work a lot using highlighters as my main medium...I know that won't stand the test of time so I scan the sketches and darken, lighten, change details, add color and save in PS. I hope in this way to preserve some of the drawings that I like.
Thanks Tom. I love it when the Hummers just sit at the feeder or up in a tree and just look around. they do get such and expression on their faces.
ReplyDeleteAnn yes it would be useful for trying out layouts in photoshop. Amazing how we rely on our computers now.
Thanks Nona. that is how I feel the computer and photoshop are just another tool.
Thank Jennifer. the flower is ok it just needs some more flowers I think. I'll let it sit for a day and decide.
Laure that is what I was thinking also. I've learned not to rush things and let them sit till they speak to me. lol
Ah Mary I will always remember us in CA and going over photoshop. I had an idea this morning I will have to pass along to you. I'll be in touch.
Thanks Becky it is so good to hear from you and now we have a connection on facebook.
Stevie it sure does help get over the fear sometimes. I'm so glad to hear you scan your sketches. We have to preserve our creations just make our kids wonder down the road what were they thinking! lol
ReplyDeleteReally lovely. How exciting to get a photo of a hummingbird perching let alone being able to paint one as beautiful as that.
ReplyDeleteI love the hummingbird. The are such jewels! I haven't used a walcom - sounds great. I think if it were my painting I'd add some sunflowers in the background but - it's yours - do what pleases you. No matter what you do I think it is great.
ReplyDeleteToni, I may be the odd man out here, but my favorite so far is the first study, with just the stem, flower, and bird. I've tried to train my own eye to focus on what is essential to describe a scene, and minimize all else. that's probably more important in photography because of cluttered background. I do like the final one you posted, also.
ReplyDeleteDear Toni, I'd like to critique it for you but far be it from me. I love them all. I'm just amazed that you capture the little bird so well and the photoshop terrifies me. I'll just keep cheering for you.
ReplyDeleteToni - I've had a small female Anna's hummingbird at my feeder all winter, even in the 20 degree weather we had this year, so this painting really reaches out to me - I like the more simplistic background in your first painting or maybe the use of a background color that would contrast with the hummer and make her stand out - thanks so much for sharing your art and techniques with everyone - I enjoy following your blog
ReplyDeleteBeautifully captured Toni! I love it!!! Good call on the background. Now I really can't wait to see them back here in my honeysuckle!
ReplyDeleteToni - She is so dainty and just beautiful! You are'right on' with her expression! I favor the background with the hummer's head showing up more - though I don't think I'd have noticed if you hadn't brought it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteI think using Photoshop to try out different approaches on layers is brilliant! I'm sure there are always those 'purists' out there who would disagree (change is difficult for many people)! There are photographers also who are purists and think that no image should be altered. Can you imagine?
I just LOVE your work!
The photoshop method really seems to work for you... this is beautiful. I like the way you can use layers. You are so up on all the techy stuff ... anything techy is like pulling teeth for me. Love this little watercolor Toni. Great job.
ReplyDeleteIt is just beautiful Toni and what a good idea to use Photoshop for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I love that paper also. And I finally bought some gesso, now I have to get up the nerve to try it so I may be lurking around checkingout your method.
...very interesting. I've never done that with Photoshop, but it's a great idea. I'm going to have to give it a try. I love all of your beautiful paintings...very inspirational. The hummer is as cute as can be with a great expression!!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've been on your blog and soooooo glad I stumbled in. I love birds so much, and this was just the best journey I've taken as I've gone through your blog. The hummingbird is just wonderful, but my favorite is the robin!!!! What a talent you have! Just perfect!
ReplyDeleteCora
Hey Toni,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to run across another artist from Erie. Your work is inspiring!
Toni, I just realized I think you have grown into even a better artist. I've known you for over a year? The American Robin and the female Ruby-Throated are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWith so much going on, you must work well under pressure. Some of us can do that - other's can't.
You brightened my day. (The Hummer helped, LOL!)
Mary
I love your hummingbird!!! I like the flower in the backround too!!
ReplyDeleteI can see I need to play with my photoshop more - Do you know of any good books on photoshop - the instructions/directions that come with the package is rather skimpy?
Of course Photoshop is fine until the computer crashes ... !!!! (Ugh)
ReplyDeleteOf course Photoshop is fine until the computer crashes ... !!!! (Ugh)
ReplyDeleteI like the last picture best. With a little background and her head above it all.
ReplyDeleteI think she looks like the focus of the painting now. I wouldn't add more flowers unless you want more of a garden affect instead of a portrait.
Kind of like adding that last piece of jewlery before you head out for a big event. Don't do it or you will be over decorated.
I think Photoshop is fair play. I use PS and Corel Painter and my Wacom tablet to make digital art, mostly derived from my own original digital photos. While I do this fully intending the digital versions to be comps of hand-made paintings, I am about 300 paintings behind. It's a lot faster to take photos and then do digital art than to make art by hand.
ReplyDelete