A Noob at Photoshop

[Warbsywoo]

The Artisan's Studio

Just got Photoshop (my version is 7.0) last week, and I've been playing around with all sorts of stuff on it.

I have to give props to Derek for at least teaching me the basics of it. =P
And yes, I rarely ever use non-B/W stocks. XD
I will eventually though when I actually start making sigs for people.

Oldest to Newest (methinks):

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

8.)

9.)

LOL, I came up with a WWII theme for the following tags/graphics/whatever you may call it:

10.)

11.)

12.)

13.)

14.)

15.)

16.)

17.)

18.)

And finally:

19.)

CnC pl0x. I really really need to improve before I even think about opening up shop.

 

[L]

Bumped

As I stated at FFK... IMO the 17th one is the best one. but it's that gay blue text. >.>

Actually, I just noticed the star. XD

But I can tell it got a great variety of brushes used in it.

 

[Warbsywoo]

A great variety doesn't even begin to describe it. XD
I used a TON!

Also, yeah, the star's a bit random, I admit. XD
And the blue text, was something I shouldn't even have done but did anyway 'cause I was a dum-dum.

Anyway:
Update:

What do you think of this one?

 

[Eidolon]

Out of those 16 is my fav. I think you've done really well. You have some nice composition/design. Execution could be better but you would expect that from a 1 week newb

I like the use of symbols and shapes. It's coming on well.

 

[Warbsywoo]

Haha, thanks.
I'll do my best to get other things in order and experiment, experiment, experiment.

But so far I'm consumed with userbars like the one in my sig. 8D
I'm going to go apply the ImageReady techniques to animate the lighting in my next works, just as an experiment and see how those go.

 

[Holic]

...HAHAHA. You and AG crack me up. You both have a noob photoshop thread up,. what are the chances of that?

ahem. anyways, I'm going to pretty much post exactly what I posted in AG's thread.
--------------------------------------------

You're not bad for just starting out man. Haha, better than I was anyways. But some tips.

1) You're overdoing the color. Its not pleasing to the eye. Think of it like clothes. Brighter and lots of color isnt always better. Try to see what looks together and feels right.

2) Its better to work with smaller sigs. You wont feel pressured into filling up empty space and people wont get frustrasted when you fill out a request and a forum prohibits them from using it cause of size issues. Plus, small is the hip nowadays.

3) You got borders. Good. Here's a tip for a less intrusive border though. Easiest border is the stroke border. Pick the Select Tool(box maker) and right click inside the sig. Click "Select All". Right click again once that is done and go to stroke. I usually go with 1p Inside. Now you have a simple frame.

4) Whenever possible, use renders. Trust me, it makes your job much easier. All the cutting is already done for you and usually done well. I use planetrenders a lot if Im looking for images.

5) Fonts. Most people cant do text well. But it really can make the difference between a good sig and a bad sig so you better try your best. DaFont is a good place to DL fonts.

6) Watch out for the noise WB. Noise meaning all the pixel spots. Unless its being used to achieve a specific effect, it looks bad. It might be because of how you are layering stuff and using filters.

<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --> And thats all I can think of off the top of my head. I hope you keep it up man. I expect to see more from you! ^__^ __________________

 

[Warbsywoo]

Thanks for the tips Holic.
I already took the links for planetrenders and DaFont, plus many others.

And yes, you'll see more. I would say I'm practically addicted to Photoshop right now. xD

I've already adjusted my signature size to 375x100, that should be about right.

Also experimented with a bit of overlay layers. And...voila:

CnC for this new style?

 

[Shahab]

No#6
The black text does not match the sig, try the color of the chinese text or the splash color
So as the font

Do you use filters on images or use several layers so as BG / stock etc for making them ?

14/16 and 18 are good for me
Specially 16 for its brushes used in the blue part of it. but the black text need more work

 

[Warbsywoo]

Yeah, I use a lot of filters. xD
Actually, I usually duplicate my stock now and add a lot of masking stuff and filters to achieve that look like in 16. :\

Anyways, update:
Signatures I did for people:

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

 

[Casanova]

Much <3 for the Cookie Monster sig.

I think the war themed sigs you've done are top class, very patriotic.

 

[Warbsywoo]

Newest:

Took me about 2 hours. D=

 

[Mitsuki]

I've been meaning to post on your thread for quite some time now. So...what's your secret? xD How do you do smudging?

Hmm, we have like...the same mindset or something. I see that you also did a tank...and a plane. Lol, I was actually looking for some jet plane stocks a few days ago too. War themes are kinda fun to do.

 

[Daenerys]

I too thought I'd already posted in your thread...

Anyway, I love your smudging, it looks amazing and it's really effective. the Yoda sig you made is the best example of this :3

 

[Warbsywoo]

Haha, thanks. I'd come up with a smudging tutorial but I'm just starting out with the stuff too. >.>

One thing though. I don't know how other versions of Photoshop do this, but there is a place where you can change the settings or 'scatter' of your smudging brush.

A few tips that I can say for sure:

1.) Always use a chalk brush or a grainy brush to smudge since it makes it more effective.

2.) Duplicate your stock layer (if that's what you're going to smudge) many times and smudge with different brushes on different layers. Good smudging effects don't come with just one layer.

 

[Reality.Fantasy]

Oh, hah, that's probably why I am rubbish at smudging. I always use(d) one or two layers for it, forgetting that it's probably better to have multiple layers of it to pull it off correctly.

And you did the Yoga signature? Very well done, one of my faaaavs!

 

[Warbsywoo]

Some new thing from me:

Editor's Note: I only have my 'themed sigs' thread open 'cause that's where I'm putting all my Euro 2008 sigs. If staffers have a problem with this, PM me first before you merge the two or something. Thanky.

Found some inspirational tutorials on the interweb, and decided to test out a couple of techniques, including using the pen tool.

 

[Mitsuki]

This is really good. I really love your text too. I'm not really sure what to think with the image though. I don't think I like the idea of meddling with someone's face, even for artistic reasons. =/ That's just me though, but I think you managed to pull it off rather well, so thumbs up for that. The background has that soft feeling to it, which really fits the image of Rachel. Very nice job!

 

[Warbsywoo]

Wait, what do you mean?

 

[Mitsuki]

Er, what do you mean, what do I mean? o.o About the face, you mean? I had thought that you did a bit of smudging on her lower face (up to her cheekbones and down)...unless I'm wrong...?

 

[Warbsywoo]

Oh, no. That's not smudging.
That's just the rippled image and the lines that makes it look that way, which was added for a ripply effect. Faces are never to be tampered with, I understand that.