Ok. Right. So I'm barely a graphic designer.
I'm just getting into the habit of calling myself that.

ANYWAY. In my classes we're learning how to use the Adobe Photo Suite... It's awesome.

This one exercise, using the pen tool to create paths, was done in Illustrator.

I started with this photo:



Then I started mapping out paths with the pen tool. I relate it to essentially creating line art - making it look like a page from a colouring book:



Next, I started filling it in, using the gradient tool to give me a neat kind of glow. I have yet to learn gradient mesh work, but I thought this turned out pretty well for a 100% novice:





So yeah. What do yall think?
Don't move this thread. Seriously. I actually would like for this thread to be seen and not stored in them "other" forums.
AND -- I need opinions from the GENERAL public, which is where GENERAL DISCUSSION comes into play.
Keepit here. Please.

From one who knows NOTHING about PhotoSuite that's like DaVinci!! That is HELLA cool Sammi!! It looks great!

Thanks Kev!

I like it

That's beautiful!

Keep in mind I know NOTHING about graphic design, but I think the highlights (on the face, shoulder & pomegranates) are a little bright & I wish the tones on the face were softer & more blended (the way they are around the mouth). In the photo, there's a shadow on the tip of your nose - if that were subtly represented in the design it would make the nose look less exaggerated.

Again, I'm talking out of my ass. It's a great first effort!

are you learning CS4?

looks awesome!! How long did the penwork take?

It's fab!

It's great.
if I had some cash to spare I'd be buggin you to do this on a photo of me.

It might be an idea to get a webpage going and put this service on offer.

Rightly said:

I like it

Very pretty

It looks wonderful. The light hitting your shoulder detracts a bit from your face, though. The light/shadows on your face (above & below your nose), if a bit subtler would help a bit.

All in all, though, you reflect the composition of the photo really, really well. Great job.

Thanks yall.


- Yeah I'm learning CS4 - this was done in Illustrator. I don't have a palette yet, I believe we're getting those next semester, so my work will look better.
- i dont't care about the gradients! they took me FOREVER especially because i didn't use (nor know how to use) the mesh gradient tool (for those who are well versed in adobe jargon)
i'm happy with how it looks
- the outlines took me about 3 days to do (a little bit here, a little bit there, then i just got sucked in and finished it up)
the filling in took me about 2 days? again, off and on

i'm mega happy with it (considering i didn't even know wtf the pen tool DID until recently)

it'll only get better from here

thanks for the critique, yall.

My shininess is just the manifestation of my goddess like aura.

cool, but what would it look like if you used all the lines/shapes you made with the pen tool?

ufoclub said:

I might play around with that, but i don't think it'd look as nice
who knows
thanks for the suggestion though

missmad said:

I've been thinking about freelancing, but I'd like to get a lot better at this first

sammij said:

I think that's why I don't do stuff like this!!!! my clients pay by the hour and don't have budgets for me to spend days now if only there was a QUICK way of doing these things, not so totally manual because the end result sure is impressive!
Sometimes Aldi have the pen/tablet for sale, it's a really good one too and the price about half of any other brands, I've read reviews! otherwise Wacom is a good brand for that.

I need to get CS4 because Photoshop Elements and I do not get along

I think it's cool. It looks like you're peering out mischievously from behind the shadows in a faery forest.

ZombieKitten said:

We're getting the wacom tablets next semester i'm not sure which model but i hope it's good!
oh and i'm sure it really doesn't take as long as i took if it's done properly - which i'm sure it wasn't

freelancing's going to be siiiiick if I charge hourly

sammij said:

I'm sure it would take me at least a full day to do it, and I know my way around Illustrator

do you have any musical ability, sammi? that just screams debut album cover to me.

bboy87 said:

I've never used any of the programs before outside of photoshop cs2... and i forgot all of what i had learned on that anyway

if you have the right kind of help, you can learn rather quickly!
cs4 costed me 450$ - and that was the student discount from the original supposed 1600$

PunkMistress said:

Duuuude. YES!

sammij said:

I got an education version too I was teaching photoshop

ZombieKitten said:

all i used were the pen and gradient tools
the original photo was set as a template and i worked on a new layer



it'll get even more difficult once i master the gradient meshing tool!

whistle said:

Unfortunately, no
I've been told that about many an image of me

maybe i should start taking vocal lessons - i'm a fast learner when it comes to the arts

ZombieKitten said:

do you do private lessons?