Lesson 3: Painting

Okay, here's Lesson 3, finally. Boy, do I have a lot to learn!

The first image--the boat and fish--I did with just a couple of brushes: the #9 round and then larger round brushes to fill in the color. The waves I did with the same large brush, but with Scattering and Color Dynamics added.

In the second part of the lesson--linking and transforming, I used the elliptical and polygon tools to create the shapes of the presents, and then used the gradient tool to color them. I'm sure you can tell I used the brush tool to draw the bows--they're so irregular! I'm just starting to get used to that Wacom pad. It's cool, but it will take a bit of practice. I know we only had to post two images--the before and after--but I've given you a bonus image: I wanted to try out more of the tools. The first is called "Gradient Presents" (I LOVE gradients!); the second is called "OOPS!" and the third is called, "Ohhhh Noooo!"

This was FUN!!!

Screenshot

..and with Variations

I didn't like this one as well, but it is still better than the original.

And with Color Balance...

Here they are again, after using the Color Balance process.

And More Curves

This is a picture of my mom and her twin brother, taken at least 60 years ago. As you can see, it's pretty discolored, but at least I got more contrast out of it.

Lesson 2: Curves

Okay, this is so much fun! I'm going to dig out that box of old photos I almost threw away and see what I can do with them.

Lesson 2: Levels section

I know, I know, I don't have to post all of these, but look what a difference this made! Now, on to Curves :)

Lesson 2: AutoContrast section

I know I didn't need to post this one, but it made such a difference, I wanted to put it up. Here are the before and after shots, using AutoContrast. Who knew I could save these pictures?!