Sooner or later, you're going to have a photograph that suggests an artistic treatment. Photoshop filters offer a wide array of effects and techniques that mimic traditional media -- like the Watercolor filter. Here, we welcome Mr. Roger Pring, Photoshop expert to give you some starter points on...
Photoshop's Artistic Watercolors
Roger Pring writes...
Watercolor has long been a defining Photoshop filter, though the crucial illusion of one color running into its neighbor is only partly achieved. Use the Smudge or Healing Brush tool to help the illusion.
If you're looking to imitate gouache painting, however, search no further -- the slight darkening around the edge of each patch of color perfectly reproduces the effect of this more opaque pigment.
How it works
1 The dialog box offers three sliders. Though Brush Detail can be invoked across the whole scale, the remaining controls usually make a color image impossibly dark once pushed past the halfway mark.
2 Settings of 14, 14, and 1 will produce a reasonably painterly result.
3 On a monochrome image a "stippled" appearance results from setting Brush Detail at 14, and both Shadow Intensity and Texture at 3.
(Click the image above for the before/after enlargement.)
Using the Watercolor Filter
Although it's tempting to be gentle with this filter, often what's required is bravura painting.
1 The ocean scene and distant prospects provide scope for brushwork. (Click to see original)
2 Testing: Apply the filter to test the waters. Here, we've used Brush Detail 14, Shadow Intensity 1, Texture 1.
As you can see, the initial application is excessively dark.
3 Try another approach
It's a good moment to retreat and try another approach.
Go back to the original, and this time use Blur > Motion Blur with a Distance of 6 pixels to break up the image details.
4 Continue with the Diffuse filter from the Stylize menu.
Choose Lighten Only and apply the filter several times in succession by selecting Filter > Diffuse (or Ctrl/Cmd+F).
5 Apply Filter again
Finally, apply the Watercolor filter again but with Brush Detail 14, Shadow Intensity 0, and Texture 3.
The result is not a bad approximation of a watercolor painting.
Learn more crafty filter tricks-- download this chapter called: Crosshatch Brush Strokes & Stylize Trace Contour (PDF Format) excerpted by permission from Roger's book Photoshop Filter Effects Encyclopedia
Special thanks to Roger Pring and O'Reilly for sharing this article, excerpted from ...
Photoshop Filter Effects Encyclopedia
The Hands-on Desktop Reference for Digital Photographers
By Roger Pring
Photoshop Filter Effects Encyclopedia explains and decodes the settings of every filter that Photoshop CS2 has to offer. And, unlike many reference books, it is filled with easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes for creating truly amazing effects using Photoshop filters. Packed with hundreds of full-color photographs, clearly written instructions, and practical tips, this book is the ultimate, no-nonsense Photoshop CS2 Filters reference for creative photographers, designers, and artists.
The best part is that you don't have to be a Photoshop expert to create sophisticated, professional-looking results-the recipes take the guesswork out of the process, so you can work quickly and efficiently. Packed with hundreds of full-color photographs, clearly written instructions, and practical tips, this book is the ultimate, no-nonsense Photoshop CS2 Filters reference for creative photographers, designers, and artists. Check out Photoshop Filter Effects Encyclopedia today!
- This article is the exclusive property of O'Reilly Publishing and Ilex Press, Limited. © Copyright 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All images are the exclusive property of Roger Pring. ©Copyright 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Adobe Photoshop CS2
Upgrade price from Photoshop xx:
Upgrade price from Elements:
Photoshop CS2 full package:
Return to: Photoshop Tips & Tricks, or the Design Center Front Page
Participate in your Design Center
Lots of fun and information for all... don't forget, any community is only as good as the participation of its members. We invite your tips, tricks, comments, suggestions and camaraderie.- Ask for the DT&G Monthly: to receive DT&G newsletter each month, happenings in the Design Center and regular columns like the "Mail Bag" and "Cool Sites"
- SUBSCRIBE : to the Designers' CAFE email list
- Link to this site, and then show us the link. We'll send you any of our current door prizes, just for your trouble.
- Help Support The Design Center: with your donation, we say thank you with free books, listings, and even links on the front page!
- SUBMIT: a news link, new font, or product review
- SUBMIT: a link to a Photoshop web site