My first digital painting

Whoppss.. I think digital painting will be out-of-theme here. So let me just publish it for a side entry. This is my first attempt using photoshop to paint .. amatur job..

Original Image

Final Painting

Have you watch GTO (J-Dorama)? It's one of my favorite series. :)
..and Nanako Matsushina is my favorite actress~ <3

Image 2 : [Tree] - Seasons

This is an interesting pic to work with. I'm going to combine them into seasons.

Original photo

The Process

First, I split all 4 images. I open one single pic and extend the canvas size to the right, horizontally.

I paste another image on to the empty space, and another 2 images on the top of the other. They are now overlapped. Lower down the opacity to make sure the image is pasted precisely.

Add layer mask for the top images.

And add gradient fill to erase half of the area.

This is the outcome. I do the same thing to another images.

They are now become like this:

Now I edit winter part. I add snow effect and a moon (the same source from previous theme).

For the autumn, I add some sunshine using the combination of brush and lens flare technique.

Spring part, originally is quite plain. So I add some flower effect and adjust the color to make it look more purple-ish.

Finally for summer, I add a plain lens flare, and some highlight on the tree.

Now I exted the bottom part of the canvas. I rearrange both images as I want to make the photo vertical, instead of horizontal (as described in first few images above). 

I do some clean up at the combined area.

This is the final outcome :)

Final Image

Seasons

Story of the picture: From four separated photo I combined them into one image. Rotating as if in one tree, with the tree's reflection. This combination produce four seasons. It shows that in a year, season by season has passed. Weather in each season portrays the memories become faded but they are attached together in between the tree trunk.

image credit : trees  |  moon

Image 1 : [Lake] - Reflection

For the first theme, I will be using 3 main photos to create one scene altogether.

Original Photos

The Process

Firstly, I start working with lake. Using brush, eraser, and stamp tool to remove the sun and the lines on the lake surface.

Above and below - Can you spot the difference? :p

Then I adjust canvas size to add more space at the bottom area of the picture.

Using the transform tool, I select bottom part of the lake, and expand it.

Now, working with a swan. Using a magnetic lasso tool, I carefully select the swan. I want to remove baby swan later. Now I just crop the area that I need.

And paste it on to the lake.

Use eraser and stamp tool to remove baby swan and clean up the grass.

Adjust brightness using curve tool.

I want to add some shadow beneath the swan. So I inverse select the swan and make a shadow with black brush with low opacity. The task will be much more easier by doing this inside the selection.

Duplicate the swan, and rotate it with lower opacity to make a reflection.

And duplicate another one. Tada!

While the layer of swan's reflection is still selected, I add 'wind' effect from filter > stylize.

I do this twice (wind left to right & right to left) to make reflection effect more realistic. See the result below.

I add another layer with black and transparent gradient fill.

Adjust the color balance and add more blue.

Adjust background levels to give 'night' view.

Now I want to add stars. To do this, I use a basic star brush. And adjust some brush options to make it scattered.

Night, with a blue moon. I add, resize, and place a moon picture at the sky. 

I delete some area to make crescent shape.

...and adjust the blending options of the moon.

There you go. A glowing blue moon. Then I add moon's reflection with 'wind' effect like I did to the swans.

To give a romantic effect, I add some fireflies! I use a yellow soft brush around and make them glowing. 

Finally, I add some blue-ish on the swans.

Do some final touch. Below is the final image :)

Final Outcome

Reflection

Story of the picture: The love and the loyalty of swan; the beautiful birds. Swans has a long lasting relationship and had a monogamous way of style. They only associate with one mate for life.. and if one of them die, the other one will live alone until the end of time. Starry night sky with fireflies gives a romantic mood in the event and creates a silent atmosphere. It shows that they are together in their own world.

image credit : swan  |  lake  |  moon