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My opinion? Photoshop just left Corel Painter in the dust…

I’ve been working a lot with Photoshop’s amazing, newly upgraded mixer brush tool. I’ve done quite a few paintings and I’m am consistently impressed with the tool’s “real feel”  interactive work flow.  How easily the mixer brush functionality can be customized is thrilling to me. I’ve been so inspired. The tool is so customizable I’ve even been able to add a little bit … Continue reading My opinion? Photoshop just left Corel Painter in the dust…

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Photoshop Foundations: Using Photoshop CC’s new guides tool… no more figuring out the math on scrap paper!

It has been a while since I’ve done a Photoshop Foundations tutorial. Things are finally slowing down now (beginning of the school year rush always gets me. No matter how much I think I’m prepared. HA!) I upgraded to Photoshop CC 2015 a few month ago but I’m just now getting around to exploring the … Continue reading Photoshop Foundations: Using Photoshop CC’s new guides tool… no more figuring out the math on scrap paper!

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Conceptual Portrait Masterclass | Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX | Oct. 10-11, 2015

Our Masterclass Coaches sat down and asked themselves this… “If we could host a dream conceptual portrait workshop, what would that experience include?” Access to beautiful landscape and studio locations Access to seasoned, professional models who are also dancers (score!) Access to professional portrait and studio lighting kits Access to hundreds of props and wardrobe choices Access to … Continue reading Conceptual Portrait Masterclass | Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX | Oct. 10-11, 2015

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Create beautiful hand-painted backdrops using the Mixer Brush Tool in Photoshop (includes my personal mixer brush tool presets!)

I have completely submersed myself in the PS mixer brush tool and I’m loving it in here. It seems the trend in portrait photography is creating images that look and feel painterly. One way to achieve that painterly essence is by applying painterly textures and  using blending modes to seamlessly merge them with your digital portrait. … Continue reading Create beautiful hand-painted backdrops using the Mixer Brush Tool in Photoshop (includes my personal mixer brush tool presets!)

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Utilizing basic color theory is a key factor in creating jaw-dropping, powerful images. Here’s how to use it…

When I plan an image one of the key elements I decide on is color. It’s important. Like, make or break your image important. You can have a flawlessly composited image however if your colors are “off” – if the colors don’t go with the story or subject matter – if the colors are uncomfortable to look … Continue reading Utilizing basic color theory is a key factor in creating jaw-dropping, powerful images. Here’s how to use it…

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Two great Photoshop tutorials on how to apply realistic make-up to your model in post…

There has been quite a few times, after finishing a shoot and pulling the raw images into Photoshop I have regretted the style of make-up I chose for my model. After the fact I wished I had applied the make-up to my model differently. I was browsing tutorials as I usually do and I ran across … Continue reading Two great Photoshop tutorials on how to apply realistic make-up to your model in post…

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Three fresh techniques for finding creativity when you are utterly blank…

In my fine art group yesterday a friend was lamenting she is having a hard time coming up with concepts that inspire her.  This is such a universal struggle. I post “Daily Inspiration” on this blog every single day in order to combat it. Now, typically I use visual cues to inspire me, but I realize a lot of … Continue reading Three fresh techniques for finding creativity when you are utterly blank…

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Photoshop Techniques: How to create independent, arcing motion blurs on objects using the path blur tool…

I was reading the posts in one of my artist groups and my dear friend, Kristy Velesko, shared a technique I’ve never seen before. In PS there is a tool that allows you to create multiple motion blurs and apply them to the different objects in your image independently… you can control their direction, speed, taper, and shape of motion all using the blur path tool. … Continue reading Photoshop Techniques: How to create independent, arcing motion blurs on objects using the path blur tool…