Alluring Symmetry

Twelve axes of symmetry in ArtRage 4

One axis of symmetry in Webchemy

One of the more interesting things to play with in different art applications is symmetry, i.e. you paint something in one place and it is repeated in one more more other places. Above are two examples of where I've been playing around with it. The first is from an application called ArtRage 4, it's essentially a program which lets you draw/paint as if you used real oil paint, watercolours, etc, but on your computer. The second is from a web based application called Webchemy which has got a lot of tools for creating mockups for images which you then can use as inspiration for a finished image in another program. Or just play around with for fun.

Experiment 138: Eye

(Click the image to view it larger)

Seems like I have to give up any regular postings in the styles project, at least for now, have started working and don't have enough time to do it on a regular basis, at least not with all the other things I want to do :P I'll try to post an image every now and then though and if/when I have more time I might continue with the regular postings. For now I've created this Good Friday inspired piece as a general experiment, it's created using only gradients and warps (and resizing layers, and made easier thanks to smart objects, but apart from that :) ).

Another bonus while I work on other things

(Click the image to see it bigger)

Am still working on other things, but after seeing today's Photoshop User TV episode I got inspired to do the above. Or rather, I got an idea for how to do things better =) Or at least simpler. I'm using just a layer style to do what Dave Cross there needed two smart objects and a filter to do. Read on for more info on how I did it.

Bonus experiments

As you may guess I took a break from the 100 Styles series this week as well, and I'll most probably take next week off as well. As a small bonus while you wait I've taken these past experiments and posted them for your enjoyment. Both utilize Smart Objects to a large extent, but I haven't considered them worthy of their own posts, but together they're interesting enough in my humble opinion. If you're interested in knowing more about how they were made, please post a comment and I'll tell you more.

A break

I'm taking a break from the 100 Styles series this week, not only did last weeks posts go into this week, but more importantly I'm going to take some time to fix some other things. More info will come later, but as a clue I can tell you my website has got a "Down for maintenance sign"...

100 Styles 20 - Shadowy Creatures - Shadow

Shadow effect (Click the image to see it bigger)

A simple name, and some simple layer styles, but what really makes this effect are a couple of Smart Objects. Read on for info on how I created this shapeshifting shadow, as well as to be able to download the PSD file (just a style file doesn't really cut it for this effect).

100 Styles 19 - Shadowy Creatures - Shadow text

Shadow text effect (Click the image to see it bigger)

What is left when you remove the text? Is it just the shadow? Today's effect is the shadow of a text in either case. Makes me wonder what's left to explore for the last image on this theme tomorrow, but that's a question for tomorrow. Read on for info on how the effect is created and to be able to download the style file to experiment with yourself.

100 Styles 18 - Shadowy Creatures - 3D again

Another Pseudo 3D Effect (Click the image to see it bigger)

Played around a bit, and ended up creating another pseudo 3D effect, this time using the Inner Shadow and Drop Shadow to create a nice, soft look. Read on for more info on how it was created as well as to be able to download the style file to experiment with.

100 Styles 17 - Shadowy Creatures - Pseudo 3D

Pseudo 3D effect (Click the image to see it bigger)

Today I'm using a Drop Shadow to create a Pseudo 3D text effect, so shadow yes, creature no. Read on for more info about how to recreate the effect, as well as a chance to download the style file to experiment with yourself.

100 Styles 16 - Shadowy Creatures - Shadowy Creature

Shadowy creature effect (Click the image to see it bigger)

This weeks theme is called "Shadowy Creatures", and will feature just that, or at least something vaguely related. (It's more likely that there will be a shadow related effect without a creature than a creature without a shadow though. So, a focus on shadow effects in other words.) To start off the week I've taken the theme quite literally and created a shadowy creature: a creature made of a shadow. Read on for info on the effect, and to download the style to play around with yourself.