Project 1: Photobashing Research and Concept
Concept
My aim is to composite three separate images and make the outcome appear like an oil painting on canvas using Adobe Photoshop. I have chosen to place my subject before a draped curtain with a fruit/flower crown on her head. I intend to use appropriate digital techniques to replicate the oil like surface texture of an original painting from the NGV, enhancing contrast between light and shade, and illustrating varying, defined brush strokes for the skin, hair, fruit and curtains.
Original painting & Sketch
Original Painting
(Nicholson, 1910)
My original painting is an oil on canvas by William Nicholson. Using this piece as a reference, I hope to recreate the thick yet intricate brush textures, the slick porcelain like surfaces and the accentuated use of light & shadow to simulate the appearance of fabric
Assets
Techniques
Techniques
I intend to increase contrast between light and dark areas of the image, adding distinct highlights/flecks, while accentuating shadow, to create a more slick and shiny surface (particularly for the fruit and areas of the skins). I want to apply a subtle cracked canvas effect over the image, whilst trialling a variation of soft brush and blur tools to achieve the desired stroke textures for the curtains, flowers and hair.
Summary
Taking Inspiration from a still life painting at NGV, our main objective for this project was to make a photographic image look like a painting using Adobe Photoshop. We began by compositing multiple images to construct a scenario, and then applied particular photo bashing techniques to mimic the artistic style and aesthetic of our chosen artwork.
During this assignment we must be mindful of copyright/image licensing, presenting our work digitally and in print, increasing our digital footprint and documenting what we have learned and our processes.
Through my initial research into Photoshop tutorials online, I was able to gain insight into certain tools and techniques used to make a photographic image look like a painting. Reviewing and studying these videos, I began to trial different methods out on my own work, evaluating which practices would be most appropriate to achieve the visual qualities I desired.
During my investigation, an important insight I made was the way in which different tools need to be used together to reach the full potential of their effect.
I became aware of how the brush panel and smudge tool can be used to simulate the appearance of realistic brush strokes on a canvas.
While some videos advised the use of the smudge tool alone, experimenting with both smudge and the brushes meant I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of utilizing them in unison. Together, they allow you to blend colours, as if you were mixing them in real life, creating a more fluid and textured surface.
The eyedropper tool was also vital in this process, as it ensured I maintained a consistent and realistic colour palette in reference to my photograph.
For example, when creating highlights in the hair, I was able to pick up the lightest tones in that area, paint in strokes and blend them.
The second insight evidentially prominent during this project was how to enhance the seamless composite of multiple images/image components, beyond the layer mask methods taught to us in class. Editing capacities such as colour match, colour look up, image overlays and smart sharpen effects, meant that I could fine tune certain parts of the image to better reflect the intricate characteristics of William Nicholson’s ‘The Black Pansy’.
When referencing my original painting I really wanted to focus on creating a particular resemblance between the canvas textures, accentuated highlights and fluid brushstrokes used for the Pansies and roses. I also wanted to hero the central subject, as Nicholson has done, making the flowers and skin more vibrant in colour, while shading the outside edges of the curtains.
When evaluating my final outcome, I feel there are some areas that I could improve in order to better meet the brief. I think using a more neutral colour palette or decreasing the saturation in my subject would have helped to create more cohesion in my composite, as well as ensure more obvious similarities between Nicholson’s painting and my own.
The difference between discussing what is possible in photoshop, and actually being able to produce these desired outcomes, can be challenging as a design student. I believe this assignment has allowed me to bridge some of the gaps between my understanding of Photoshop in theory and in practice.
Through research and investigation, as well as setting aside ample time to perfect these skills and techniques, I believe I have achieved my main objective.
Use of smudge tool, brush panels, filter effects (oil paint and smart sharpen) and overlay.
References
Nicholson, W 1910, The Black Pansy, Oil on Canvas, 60.0 x 54.8 cm, NGV, Melbourne.
Steve Patterson 2015, How To Use The Oil Paint Filter In Photoshop CC, photoshopessentials.com, viewed 7 August 2017, <http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/how-to-use-the-oil-paint-filter-in-photoshop-cc>
Steven Lilley, 2010, Curtains, viewed 7 August 2017, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/sk8geek/4677408707>
Picture Fun, 2016, Oil painting with masking effect in photoshop cc, Youtube, viewed 7 August 2017, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKvEGCmUAVo>
Blue Lightning TV photoshop, 2014, Photoshop Tutorial: How to Transform a Photo into an Antique Oil Painting, Youtube, viewed August 7 2017, <www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqiZC9gDNjI&t=3s>
Autumn Goodman, 2017, Image, viewed 20 August 2017, Unsplash.com, <https://unsplash.com/@auttgood?photo=vTL_qy03D1I>
Michał Grosicki, 2017, Image, viewed 3 September, Unsplash.com, <https://unsplash.com/search/photos/canvas-cracks?photo=-2j6-dS4VrQ>
Ellie O'Donnell s3431367
GRAP2530 Imaging
Project 1 Concept and Research
