Saturday, July 12, 2014

Using Color Overlays

I have found that certain pictures can really blossom when I apply a color overlay.  This berry picture started out delicious, but with a few layers, it transformed into something too good to eat. :)

Sweet and Wild



black raspberries: Original
{original}

Cream overlay

1) A creamy overlay (I used #fde4ce, soft light) lifts the shadows and mid-tones, but keeps a juicy contrast, overall. I would have been happy with this, but then I tried a midnight overlay

Midnight overlay

2) The midnight overlay is just a dark color I chose to try to compliment the rich berry color. I chose #14081d, and set the mode to soft light (after experimenting with a few others.) It did make the picture a tad darker and muted the background a bit more, but it needed that for the next step.

3) The final step was adding a texture overlay. Shadowhouse Creations has lots of lovely FREE textures that I love to use.  This one is called "Used Canvas." Again, set to soft light, and adjust opacity.

Before and after

Both versions work, but I was going for a more antique, delicate, artistic look. If you want a natural, green, no-filter look, don't add filters!

Blessings,
Alyssa 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Wild and Wonderful

Keep on Flowing

Outside, looking around, wondering about all the beauty in this wonderful world.

The Wild Blossoms

These pictures actually inspired me with some thoughts as I looked through them. Why do I take pictures of wild flowers? Why is water so beautiful


North Fork
River Fern 
Sky on Earth

I've been enjoying my summer here in the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

Blessings,
Alyssa

Saturday, May 31, 2014

F is for Fawn

Illustrating such simple cuteness on the computer is what I call fun. Like I said, I drew this on the way to Kentucky. Beautiful scenery, by the way.

F is for Fawn

Blessings,
Alyssa

Friday, May 30, 2014

Project Botanical: Rhododendron

Between moving, mini vacation, and a kitchen remodeling project, I've been lacking in creative output. I did manage to draw another illustration in route to Kentucky, but then the kitchen took over...

  Kitchen: Before and After

So, yesterday, I decided to start a project that I have had in the back of my mind for a while. Botanical prints.

I want to gather pictures of local flowers and plants and take scientific-like photos of them for reference. Maybe, in the winter, when things slow down again, I can whip out some botanical prints for my home decor and some shop items.
The first flower on my list is the rhododendron, West Virginia's state flower.

Project Botanical: Rhododendron

So, I did a quick pen sketch, trying to focus on the quality of line the petals made.

Pen sketch: Rhododendron

Blessings,
Alyssa

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Mamma Goose, Daddy Goose, and Seven Little Juniors


Goose family

I like watching our neighbors, the Goose family. I think I should do something.
A painting?
Drawing?
Vector art? (like the cute little fox)
Anyway, at least I shot a picture that I can pull up if I ever do want to draw my own little goslings.

Blessings,
Alyssa

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Foxes and Strawberries for Retro

Yesterday, Photoshop's shared a tutorial link on their Facebook page. I couldn't pass up those little fox eye's and I had to try it out.

Retro fox

The colors seem bolder when I exported it as a jpg. I'll have to look into that.
I had so much fun creating this; I hope I have inspiration to do similar things in the future. My problem is trying to make something too realistic, unless I have something to go off of. What do you think? Realistic, or cartooned? They each have their place, I suppose.

Here is the link to the tutorial, if anyone is interested.

http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-a-retro-fox-illustration-in-adobe-illustrator--cms-20733

Blessings,
Alyssa

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Spring Visitors

I've always enjoyed photographing bumble bees, but yesterday, they kept me moving. The little creatures love my honeysuckle bush (I don't blame them!), and go from bloom to bloom faster than I can focus! I finally caught on and capture this little cutie.

Busy Bee and Honeysuckle Pink

What called me to get my camera in the first place was this lazy butterfly. It preferred the sweet nectar of the lilacs. I thought the purple blossoms complimented well his yellow garment and black trimmings.

The Monarch and the Lilac