Software:  PhotoImpact 10, 12 and X3           earlier versions may also be used

Title:    Simple Sunset Painting

Author:  Maureen Eves-Lavis

Level:    Beginner/Intermediate

Tools:  Paint-brush, Oil-brush, bristle-brush, Warping, drop-water, smudge, bristle-smear, dodge & burn

A fun and easy way to create a lovely painting with simple step-by-step instructions

MODES and WORKSPACES

Versions 12 and X3 has the ability for customised workspace modes, choose your own personal settings or Full Edit, providing you have all tools available to you for this tutorial.

Version 11 has five modes.  You will see them listed in the My Workshop Menu.  For the purpose of this tutorial, ensure you are working in "Advanced Mode" in order for all tools to be available to you.

Version 10 has two work modes, Basic and Standard. Basic Mode features a simplified workspace with larger buttons and the most common functions, whereas,the Standard Mode displays all of the functions.  We will be using the Standard Mode in this tutorial.If you see Standard Mode faded out as shown, then this is the mode you are using.  If you change from standard to basic you will lose any presets you may have saved.

 

Remember to save often

Use this arrow to help keep your place in the tutorial. Just right click, drag and drop to where you need 

 

Work in Mode and  save often as a .ufo 

 

STEP 1

Open blank size 500 x 400 pixels with canvas with colour almost black #5D5353

Click Mode on the attribute bar

Paint-brush size 20 - transparency 0,  50 soft edge

Paint circles of paint beginning with the brightest yellow, then moving colour slider down slightly and painting around yellow, so on and so forth untill you reach reds - like shown in picture on left.  If you middle yellow gets a little obscure you can go over it after painting all circles.

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo1

STEP 2

In Mode,  choose the smudge brush - settings:  size 20, soft edge 0, level 50

Start from centre and gently move brush in one direction outwards.  Don't overwork as this can make the paint look dirty

This takes a bit of time and patience.

 

STEP 3

Lower smudge brush to size 15, soft edge 0, level 20 and sweep very gently back and forth 

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo2

 

STEP 4

In Mode choose the bristle smear size 100, transparency 95, level 100, 

gently smear back and forth.  Be careful not to overdo 

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo3

STEP 5

In Mode choose the warping brush size 20, transparency 99, soft edge 0, level 39  

gently make half circle movements

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo4

STEP 6

In Mode and choosing the smudge tool at very low settings, size 10, soft edge 0, level 2 

gently smooth out areas

Change to dodge size 80, soft edge 50, level 26 and gently dab the yellow areas to give highlights.

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo5

STEP 7

In Mode choose the oil brush, preset light stroke, settings as default, colour black. Paint in land-form with small circular brush strokes

Choose your preset before the colour and brush size.  The preset will show as none, but don't worry it is selected and proceed to paint the land-form.

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo6

 

STEP 8

In Mode choose the bristle brush, preset grass, settings as default, paint strokes for grass around land-form.

Change preset to split 3 settings as default,  paint a tree trunk;  reduce size of brush and paint branches.  Your brush size can be between 1 and 3 for branches.

Highlight sunset a little more with a large dodge - size 160, soft edge 50, level 26 and gently tap sunset area

You can add your own little variations if you so choose.

Click out of Mode and Save as .ufo7

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Saving each as a .ufo means you can go back to each layer and change or add and or use for another painting project.

When happy with your painting, merge all

Open Easy Palette, Image Enhancements, Photo Effects, Sharpen, and Focus Sharp 1

On the Menu bar click on Web, Optimize and save your finished painting as a .jpg

Now you have a beautiful silhouetted sunset painting which you can frame and hang on your wall

I hope you've enjoyed doing this tutorial.  Happy Painting!

Site created and maintained by Maureen Eves-Lavis 

Creative-Designs

Terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me and all rights are reserved.

COPYRIGHT: Maureen ©Creative-Designs 2005 - 2008 Australia

This document may not be translated, duplicated, redistributed or otherwise appropriated without permission.