Two Seasons, Two Tools

I just finished an image with a bit of an interesting story. Our daughter, Logan, is in her senior year at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln majoring in Meteorology. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, which holds an auction every year to raise money for the sorority house.

Last year, we donated a print that I did of the sorority house on UNL's campus. I shot the reference imagery in the late summer and then interpreted the photograph into an autumn scene using Corel Painter. The print was purchased by one of the sorority girl's parents and donated to the house where it now hangs in the dining room.

KD_autumn.jpg

I was subsequently asked if I would create a second version...this time in a different season. For the winter version I used my Photoshop Artists' Brushes. 

KD_winter.jpg

I find it interesting to compare the two paintings with the use of each application used to create each in mind. What strikes me—and I think that this should be a goal of the artist—is to not let expressive software impose its signature on the resulting artwork.

Looking at these images, I don't think that either the Painter or Photoshop pedigree is apparent in either painting. Rather, my style —if there is one— is what comes through the pieces.

If you have an image created using John's Artists' Brushes, send me a JPEG and I'll feature it here on the PixlBlog!

John's Artists' Brushes User: Lars Bjørstrup

bjorstrup_stillife.jpg

Danish freelance illustrator Lars Bjørstrup writes,

Just wanted to say that I am very happy with your great set of Artists' Brushes that I purchased from you last week. Here is my first painting with these brushes as a contribution to your pixlBlog. The painting is a still life based on one of my photographs - and a few notes on the process similar to what you describe in your tutorial videos.

You can view more of Lars' artwork at his website.

If you have an image created using John's Artists' Brushes, send me a JPEG and I'll feature it here on the PixlBlog!

John's Artists' Brushes for Photoshop CS5: Sample Painting

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Today's painting is another sample image done with John's Artists' Brushes for Adobe® Photoshop® CS5. A photograph was used as the basis for the image. I'm now in the process of creating a set of video tutorials which will accompany the brush set. I am planning on having the package go on sale in about a week. Stay Tuned!

The Artist's Brushes for Adobe Photoshop CS5 are $24.95 and will go on sale within the next 2 weeks. As an introductory offer, they will be available for $19.95. This special offer will be limited to a 30-day period starting the day the brushes go on sale.

If you would like to be notified when the Artists' Brushes for Adobe Photoshop CS5 go on sale, email me at psbrushes@pixlart.com

Photoshop CS5: John's Artists' Brushes Deliver the Goods

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This is a close-up sample of painting with my new Artists' Brushes for Adobe® Photoshop® CS5. As can be seen in the sample, my goal is to have these brushes provide a high degree of natural-media realism. The selection of six custom canvas textures that ship with the Artists' Brushes supply an authentic paint character to the applied strokes.

The Artist's Brushes for Adobe Photoshop CS5 are $24.95 and will go on sale within the next 2 weeks. As an introductory offer, they will be available for $19.95. This special offer will be limited to a 30-day period starting the day the brushes go on sale.

If you would like to be notified when the Artists' Brushes for Adobe Photoshop CS5 go on sale, email me at psbrushes@pixlart.com