I’ve started playing with creating digital pieces in a new way – building the final image onto a separate background rather than creating the background as a texture added to the photograph. I’m finding the background to be a versatile element, which can be used again and again.
For my Paint Party Friday post this week, I thought I would share how easy it is to create a painterly background with mobile apps, along with a few of the pieces created from the background.
To start a background, you need some sort of images that is mostly blank but has some texture or variation. I have started looking for these types of simple images in my daily photography… brick, stone, concrete, bark. All would have interesting texture.
For this example, I started with a Kim Klassen texture, Felicity, copied over to my iPad from my computer:
My first step was to use the Glaze app, to make it more painterly AND to increase the resolution. I love that you can save higher resolution than the original out of this app!
The output still felt a bit digital to me, so I ran the image through the Artista Oil app to add some more variation. I like this app for all of its options, both in painting styles and variation of strokes, etc.
Finally, the blending. Starting with the Glaze output as the base, to give the highest resolution file, I blended the output from Artista Oil in Image Blender to get the final background below:
Now I have a nice, painterly background with high resolution (4096×4096) to use for future creating. So far, I’ve used this background for four different pieces.
First, the original piece the background was created for. This is one of those pieces I mentioned earlier in the week that I liked when I shared it but a couple of days later I didn’t like it anymore. What I was trying to create originally didn’t work out, but I discovered this whole background idea so it was worth the time invested!
Next came one of my recent favorites, called Vanishing:
The third piece was another attempt with some of the same elements as the first one. I like this one better:
And finally, this last one, entitled “The earth’s secrets are held within a seed,” is another recent favorite:
While the color is similar between these pieces, due to the starting background, you probably wouldn’t notice they were all built on the same background layer if I hadn’t told you. As you build up and blend the other layers, the background changes and shifts from where it started. I could also easily shift the color of this background, and create a whole new look for the next piece.
I’ve created a couple of different backgrounds now and will continue to create and use them. They are proving to be a versatile element that adds a new dimension to my creative process. That’s the power of playing around: In the process of creating what might turn out to be a mess, you discover new ways of doing things.
Lovely pictures Kat, and such an interesting, informative article. I can see I shall have to get an iPad soon, it’s a bit hard trying to work on the iPhone screen all the time lol.
Have your tried French Kiss Textures and Pixel Dust Photo Art for textures? Both sites have beautiful fine art work for photographers. 🙂
Thanks for the article. It is very informative.
What app did you use for Vanishing.
I love that look.
Happy V day!
Kat, I’ve seen some of your posts with these images and just found this post today on how you made them. I love the painterly look you’ve created and I also like your geometrical ones. I’ve started creating my own textures – I love the paint and mess and getting away from the computer (I don’t have an i-anything at this time). I also love to work with geometric images in Elements.
Thanks for all your inspiration!
Happy Valentine’s Day 🙂
They all have so much atmosphere… and the vanishing one is spectacular … but more than anything I love that you are creating such painterly effects… wonderfully soft…xx
Vanishing is my favorite too! Thanks Tracey.
Wow, you really do some amazing things. That vanishing tree is beautiful!
This is truly a great piece…good job and digital maneuvering!!
Hugs Giggles
This is fantastic artwork. HPPF
I am loving learning more about using apps in art. This is wonderful. Blessings, Janet PPF
Thank you for the tutorial!
Love that geometric-like silhouette against the textured background.
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
This is gorgeous Kat, I really loved seeing the progression of the layers. HPPF!
My favorite is also “Vanishing” that tree that seems to leave me love. Saludos
I really adore that tree that you did in decim8. Honestly, I can’t get that app to do much for me – but you my dear – nailed it on that one.
I love seeing how to make a beautiful background. I really like how you manipulated Kim’s lovely texture into something new and totally different. Beautiful work, Kat.
Loving all those wonderful layers and your brilliant use of the digitals.
Happy PPF, Annette x
http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
Lovely outcomes!!!
Supercreative and awesome! <3
These are all lovely – thanks so much for the lesson.
This work is so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing your technique. I was wondering what app you used to blend the image with the background?
Thanks! I do all of my blending using the Image Blender app.
That was fun! I just created several! Thank you!
Awesome! I’m glad it worked for you.
What a great idea! I absolutely LOVE that final piece, with its central background circle and the way the tree interacts with it. So very, very cool.
fascinating pieces-LOVE the nature inspired!!
Gorgeous images… the one with the moon is my favorite ♥
Fascinating!
I really like the first/last piece and the one with the tree where the lines drift off.
Thank you so much for this information. I do more and more with my iPhone…I can upgrade to an iPhone 5 in March…I’m so excited. Anyway, would you be able to tell me which app to get to create the circle? I see them on a lot of images, but I’m not sure where to look. Again, thanks for all the inspiration…your work is truly amazing!
Suzette
Thanks Suzette! The circle was created with Afterglow.
Thank you!