To get used to PS, I'm only using PS for 3 weeks. Here's the first piece!

[WonderKid]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum because I'm not sure what the different is between ShowBoard and the Graphic Design Show Room.

So for three weeks I wont allow myself to use any other art program of any kind except Photoshop to make sure I get comfortable with it.

So first picture of the 3 week period is the following. As you can see I don't know what I'm doing.



Items used
1- Photo of MIKA I found off the interwebs.

2- Draw like squiggle...things.

This Pack

The edited WireFrame (The spikey thing of triangles) was also from that pack.

Critique me to the max
I need an excuse to force me to delve into PS's many menus.

 

[ibclare]

It's a good start. The shapes are interesting. I would have liked to see that one squiggle coming out of his ear and maybe other shapes contributing to the confused look, wrapping around his arm for instance, menacing his face a little. Otherwise they just kind of look placed there and don't tell much of a story.

Also the cutout is pretty good but the white fringe is there. Try refine shape or refine mask and work on the edge to diminish it. Then zoom in and clean it up.

One of our moderators recently made a excellent tutorial on extracting. It works well on the kind of background you have. Here is a link to that. There are also many good tuts if you google extractions in Photoshop.

Good luck this next 3 weeks. Keep us apprised of your progress.

 

[WonderKid]

Thanks for the comment and even more for the extracting link

Going to try and use it on a few pictures and see how I do

 

[IamSam]

Hey...........wonder............kid.?? Neither works without the other! LOL!! So Wonderkid it is unless you post your name!

I agree with Clare on the cutout. Your background is a little tame compared with your other color choices. I personally don't care much for the name (Mika) in text, but that's just me. Maybe if you used a more stylized font with a wicked layer style.

 

[jonnyfilmboy]

I think playing around in Photoshop is a great way to learn where things are, but there's a point that no one can get past without either reading a book or seeing a video or taking a class. Keep at it and I'd recommend one of the Kelby seminars. They do a great job of revealing things that you could learn on your own, but faster. They also teach in a manner that I do not teach in, but everyone is different. Keep at it!

 

[WonderKid]

Just a little update, I've been trying to work on new pieces, but I just get frustrated after it doesn't look like I want it to and end up just leaving it all together. So at the moment I'm just browsing youtube tutorials and hoping something will rub off.

I've only finished one, but it's like...half finished.



The original is this picture I found on tumblr.


Everything else is just random shapes I made in photoshop and manipulation of layers.

Trying not to go back to gimp but these PS menus and controls...they don't like me.

 

[Tioga]

On you tube search for Blue Lightning TV..... he has some good tuts!

Hope this helps

Ron

 

[WonderKid]

Thanks, those tuts seem really easy to follow

HOPE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

 

[ibclare]

Don't give up. It's admirable that you made this commitment. If you feel more comfortable on GIMP sometimes, go back and use it for a bit just so you can relax. DON'T take it so seriously. If anyone (a suspected idiot for certain) tells you that you can master PS in 3 weeks, just laugh and walk away. Not worth a discussion with the person. The menus and controls aren't as threatening as they seem. Only learn the ones you really need right now. I've been shopping for 12 or 13 years and there are some tools I have never used and have absolutely no interest in ever using. In fact, some of them are a surprise when I find them! But useless is useless. Everyone has their own methods, favorite tools, best methods for customizing the palettes for their own work flow, and so on. You'll get it. Just hang in there, have patience, and most importantly, relax and enjoy the journey!

 

[WonderKid]

Thanks

I went and tried this tutorial on youtube and am now finishing up the rough edges of my version.

Was really helpful in getting me used to keyboard shortcuts.

And I'm not hoping to master Photoshop in 3 weeks xD

I'll probably be well into college by the time I get good enough to be paid for it :naughty:

I just want to get decently used to it and just get the general feel of it by the end of the third week

I'm trying not to try so hard and get frustrated and it seems to be paying off :mrgreen:

 

[ALB68]

All cometh to he who waiteth..provided he worketh like hell while he waiteth. Patience and practice,practice practice. I been practicing for years now and learn something new every day from this site. Some very sharp and knowledgable people here, so hang around and keep a positive attitude, you will get proficient before you know it.

 

[cya]

I'm trying not to try so hard and get frustrated and it seems to be paying off

That's the best you can do! At the beginning, I was also very frustrated when stuff didn't turn out
the way I wanted it to. The best thing you can do, is loads of tutorials with stuff you like. First of, it's fun and secondly
you learn an immense load of techniques that will come naturally later on.


I really like psdtuts although not all tutorials are accesible if you don't pay... which I don't
This is more on the fun side

Apart from that, you already got some great advice here! Just try and don't give up!

I'll probably be well into college by the time I get good enough to be paid for it

Ah, well, that does come over time, show your work to friends, and soon they will ask you to do this and that. I can't
even remember how many flyers i had to design for my sisters school, they didn't pay well (and looking back some of them looked kind of ridiculous), but I was always happy that my work was appreciated.

 

[Taylor Blyth]

Hello there,
As an avid tumblr user I thought I would let you know that the tumblr photo edit you did would certainly get a re-blog from me! Love the dedication too. I have found with many things in my limited life experience that if you knuckle down with and make a commitment you can surprise yourself with how much you achieve. Good luck in reaching your goals

 

[WonderKid]

Thanks for all the support and help

I was looking at some youtube tuts and came across one that made had you make a headshot of Angelina Jolie out of words.

So I did a little bit of a different take on it