Friday, March 27, 2009

Photoshop Tutorial - Fashion Portrait

Here's my first tutorial ever! It's going to be awesome so read on! lol. I'm going to teach you how to brighten eyes and teeth, get rid of blemishes, smooth out skin tone, and add a cool effect. I'll start by showing you the before and after photos...

Click to view larger.

We're going to start out by opening the file... you can get the photo I used by clicking the photo below and saving the large version on your computer.

Open it in Photoshop (I have Photoshop CS2, but it can be done with other versions, as well.)

Step 1
First we need to adjust the levels of the photo to make it brighter. Go to Image>Adjustments>Levels. Move the right slider(the white point slider) to the left where the histogram starts to get bumpy and the middle slider to the left a tiny bit(see image below):

Step 2
Now we are going to brighten and enhance her eye color. Select the Polygonal Lasso tool and select one eye(by clicking in several spots until you have gone all the way around the eye ans returned to your first click). Now hold down Shift and select the other eye. Then go to Select>Feather and choose a value of about 6 pixels. Next open up the Levels dialog and move the white point slider to the start of the histogram (or however much you want, use your judgment.) Now we need to take away the red in the whites of her eye, so select the Gray Point eyedropper(see photo below) and use it to click on the white of her eye until the eyes look right to you.
Now we are going to intensify the color, so go to Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation and move the Saturation slider to the right until you are satisfied with the results. I went to about +40. Good Job! Now with the eyes still selected, get your Elliptical Marquee Tool and hold down the Alt key while you drag over the Iris. This deselects the iris, but keeps the whites selected. Do this for both eyes. Now go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and enter a radius of about 2 pixels. After you've done that, you can deselect the eyes by typing Ctrl+D.

Step 3
Now for the teeth! They need to be whitened. Get the Polygonal Lasso Tool and select the teeth. Don't worry if it's not perfect, you can have some gums in there, no big deal. Feather it about 6 pixels (just like with the eyes). Now open the Levels dialog and slide the white point slider to the left a little. Now slide the middle slider to the left a little till it looks good to you. Don't make the teeth too white, though. We don't want it to look too unnatural. When you are done, deselect the teeth by typing Ctrl+D.
Step 4
Now it's time to get rid of all those blemishes. Zoom in to 200%. Press J and make sure the Healing Brush Tool is selected. Choose a brush that is about the size of a blemish (about 10 px) and 0% hardness. Now decide what blemish you are going to fix, then hold down the Alt key and click next to the blemish to sample that spot (in a smooth looking spot where the color matches the spot you are going to fix). Now you can let go of the Alt key and just click on the blemish. That's it! Do that wherever you see a blemish you would like to heal. Remember to take a new sample (by pressing alt and clicking) when needed. In the next step we will smooth out her face even more, so it doesnt have to be perfect. It should look something like this:
Step 5
In this step we are going to smooth out her skin more. Duplicate the layer by going to Layer>Duplicate Layer. Now go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to about 6 pixels and click OK. Now go to Layer>Layer Mask>Hide All. If you look in the layers palette you will see a black rectangle next to your layer. Make sure it is selected and click on the Paintbrush Tool. Select a brush that is about 65 pixels, and 0% hardness. Move the opacity of the brush to about 35% and the flow to 38%.

Make sure your forground color is white and start painting and clicking on her face. You can increase or decrease the brush size whenever you need to. Don't paint on the eyes or mouth or anything that you don't want blurred. But if you do paint over something on accident, just switch your forground color to black, and paint over the part you don't want blurred. (If you don't know how layer masks work, white adds the layer back in, and black erases it.) Be sure to get her neck, too. Anything that is skin, really. If you want to add detail back in after, like the smile lines, just select a smaller brush and, with black, paint over the lines so they get defined again. It should look something like this:


Step 6
The last thing we are going to is just add a nice glow to the photo. First go to Layer>Flatten Image. Then Layer>Duplicate Layer. Now go to Image>Adjustments>Desaturate. Then Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and select a radius of about 20. Next, in the Layer Palette change the mode from Normal to Overlay and bring the Layer Opacity down to about 60%. And that's it! Here's the finished image:
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and please let me know if you had any problems!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Portrait Photos

Not in the mood to type, mostly because my husband turned off the light so I can barely see the keyboard. So here are some photos I took today:













Tuesday, February 24, 2009

My Best Friends

I have three best friends...

One is my little sister, Callie. She lives only 30 minutes away from me so we hang out a lot. We recently signed up for a Photography class at a community college, so that will be lots of fun!! I can pretty much tell her anything and we are always planning new businesses. Not to say we've tried them all, but maybe one day! This is an old photo, but it's way cute and shows our sisterly silliness. Haha.


Jen and I met because Callie is friends with Jen's step sister. lol. Jen and I hung out because our families knew each other and we ended up getting along. Jen tried to corrupt me and I resisted it. lol. Most the time. Jen is pretty much the funniest person I've ever met. I can't help but almost pee my pants when we hang out. She should be a comedian. No matter what we've been through together we love each other to death :) She recently married Brett Hill, who is completely the perfect match for her. They are so cute!! Here is a photo from her wedding, She's the one in the white dress, obviously, and I am to the left of her :)

And here is Brianna Hill!! Funny how both my best friends have the same last name now. Anyway, Brie and I have been friends since 9th grade. She's a really happy person, always the life of the party. But not in a party girl way, if that makes any sense. In a fun way! She's got the loudest, most contagious laugh ever. Go to a movie with her and you will be laughing the entire time. I promise. Brie and I used to cut class in 12th grade and go to the mall. We are such rebels, but really she didnt have class after lunch, and my last class was teacher aide and the teacher let me leave early. lol. So maybe we aren't such rebels after all. My favorite memories with her is all our road trips to Monterey and San Francisco! Here's a photo from her goodbye party when she moved away :(

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Featured Artist: KVELL CREATIONS


Visit her shop at KvellCreations.etsy.com


How did you get started with your craft?

Started with a beaded headband I made for a holiday party. I wanted to buy one but it looked like something I would like to do. Wrong!! Not liked..LOVED doing!

What's your favorite material to work with?
Swarovski Crystals

Tell me a random fact about you?
I have a you-tube video on the net of me snoring. (loudly)

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Remember to have fun...Great ideas sometimes are born from mistakes.. There is never a dumb question...

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
Born in Virginia, have lived in Cuba and Argentina, Navy mom, married just over 2 years (found love again at almost 50)... work full time as a nurse.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Featured Artist: CSPaper and Beads


Check out her store at CSpaperandbeads.etsy.com
See her blog at cscraftstudio.blogspot.com

How did you get started with your craft?

I saw an article in a newspaper about making paper and decided to buy a kit. The first set I made was the night before my daughter was born. I was "nesting" (didn't know it at the time! LOL) and had completely cleaned my house and still had so much energy that I pulled out that kit and made my first batch of paper. I was hooked.

What's your favorite material to work with?
Right now I am having a great time with crayons.

Tell me a random fact about you?
I love office supplies!

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Stay true to yourself.

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I have moved on average every three years. Mostly around West Texas while growing up and from coast to coast as an adult (My Hubby is a Marine).

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Featured Artist: Ellemar Designs


Visit her shop at ellemardesigns.etsy.com


How did you get started with your craft?
I've always enjoyed creating with my hands - drawing, painting, clay, cross-stitch, and various other crafts - since I first discovered crayons as a little kid. I began working on ceramics a little over a year ago, at a local studio, and was hooked instantly. Right now the ceramics share equally with my interest in drawing/painting.

What's your favorite material to work with?
My favorite materials are extra fine point Micron markers for the drawings, and Mayco glazes in a fine-tip squeeze bottle for the ceramics. I've used craft acrylics for the few paintings I've done, and I can see that I'll have to learn a lot more about using different kinds of acrylics as I experiment as an artist.

Tell me a random fact about you.
I'm an avid gardener and I love to read about gardening (especially now, in the white of winter in the northeast).

Any advice for new Etsy users?
Take the best photos you can, and write the best descriptions you can. Love what you do, and do it to the best of your ability. Quality and presentation MATTER. And have fun!

Let's hear the condensed version of your life. . .
I'm a married lady with a great husband and two kids, a former special ed teacher who now home schools her own kids, and a nature nerd and history geek with a menagerie of pets. I'm just starting to discover myself as an artist, and really enjoying the process. Etsy is allowing me to learn and grow more than I would have ever guessed a year ago.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Featured Artist: Linda B's Jewelry Designs


Visit her store at lindab142.etsy.com
See her blog at linorstorecom.blogspot.com

How did you get started with your craft?
I beaded as a kid, then the passion starting while working on a bracelet project with some friends.

What's your favorite material to work with?
Stretchy wire bracelets, and jasper, carnelian, rhodonite and a mixture of gemstones and glass for earrings and pendant necklaces.

Tell me a random fact about you?
I've been crafting for a long time. I also stamp cards.

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Your photographs are very important. Read everything about making them the best and work on improving. Love what you do.

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I've been married for 100 years to my high-school sweetheart, am an only child and form very long friendships. I possess an odd sense of humour and can take things too seriously sometimes, especially my self and my work. I work full time for a professional association and the rest of my waking moments are for Etsy, it seems. LOL

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Featured Artist: MILES OF TEXTILES

Visit her shop at milesoftextiles.etsy.com


How Did You Get Started w/Your Craft?
I have sewn since I was in grade school, made my own clothes, etc. My ideas for what I currently make really took off when I lived in the Middle East while on assignment with the State Department. More detail of this can be found on my "bio" page of my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6764744

Favorite fabrics:
Every time I go through all my textiles each one of them is my favorite, it seems. But I'd have to narrow it down to saying an Indian sari is my favorite fabric to work with. The silks are so beautiful, pure in color and the contrasting borders can be used in so many different ways. Doing the type of piecework that I do one sari can last me literally years! Each is apprx 6-8 meters in length.

Random fact about me:
I'm now retired but in my former career I have lived and traveled around the world. Very happy to be finally settled and secure in the fact I do not have to move again. Just want a quiet life to focus on my creations - full time.

Advice for New Members:
I've only been on Etsy for one week however...my advice is to read everything possible about the site regarding setting up your shop, take criticism well from those who have been on Etsy for a period of time. Read, read, read is my advice. Get to be an expert on anything to do with Etsy if you want to be serious in selling your crafts on this site.

Condensed version of your life:
I think I've covered that in #3 (Random Fact).

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Featured Artist: Southern Girl Florals



How did you get started with your craft?
I used to help my Mom and Grandma decorate wreaths for Christmas when I was little. Eventually it got to where they were having me make the wreaths because they loved them so much, and then they were encouraging me to sell them and here I am!

What's your favorite material to work with?
I love a variety of colorful silk flowers!

Tell me a random fact about you?
I collect books (and I need to actually start reading some of them!)

Any advice for new Etsy members?
I am still pretty new to Etsy, but what I have learned so far... promote, never give up and have fun doing it!
Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I was born and raised in Texas. I became a registered nurse and I have been married for 3 years. I make my wreaths and arrangements on the side!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Featured Artist: Marie's Little Shop Of Creatures


Visit her store at marieisabella.etsy.com
See her blog at marieisabellasart.blogspot.com

How did you get started with your craft?
I have always been an artist, but this story I consider the start of the craft I was meant to make.

I was in college going through my basic classes and I had an interview with the head the art department. I showed him a book on creatures and told him I wanted to create them for the big screen. While he looked through my book, greasing up the pages with his potato chip grease, he told me it was a hopeless ambition. He then went on to show me artwork in his office that was a better option. Upset that my dream was turned down, I went against his advice and did them anyway. I started to sculpt huge creatures emerging from clay, creatures with a little bit of ogre in them, a slight hint of dragon and a dash of a gargoyle. Needless to say on the day of my art show, he bit his tongue and the expression on his face was as good as an apology for me:)


What's your favorite material to work with?
Well, from the story above, its no surprise that I prefer clay:)

Tell me a random fact about you?
My favorite color is blue:)

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Promote yourselves! Hit the forums, go to the chats and most of all talk about your art at work, you would be surprised how many people are interested to hear about it!

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I've lived in Pennsylvania my whole life, never moved away from home, went to a local college for art and got married to my best friend's little brother! Now I am handling a mortgage for our first home, my only baby so far is my dog Merlin and currently I am working as a Customer Service Representative and selling my art as well:)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Modeling My Personal Scarves

I crocheted all these scarves for myself! None are for sale in my store. Some I might be able to re-create, other's I cant... all explained below... Anyway, I figured I'd model them all for you to show off a bit, haha! Enjoy my silly photos!


Okay, the story behind this one is... I was in London for school and I found this awesome yarn in some small store in the Cotswolds. It has pieces of tulle hanging from it! So I paired that with 2 strands of black and turquoise yarn, and this scarf was born. I have no idea what the tulle yarn was called or the brand. I tried doing a search on the internet and came up with nothing. So I can't ever make this again :(


I asked Ginny from fatcatknits.etsy.com to custom make me this hand dyed merino wool yarn just so I could make myself this scarf! It's 2 different yarns, alternated. I am in love with it and finished it just in time for my Christmas vacation to Oregon. Where we had a blizzard. So it came in handy!


This scarf is actually about 6 years old! It was right when I discovered this really soft yarn, and So I made myself this scarf and a matching hat (Don't ask me where the hat went... I have no idea!)


I bought the owl crochet pattern online, and immediately crocheted it! So cute!! I stuck it on a scarf, and tied on a bunch of pieces onto the scarf at random places. You can't see that in the photo, but they are there. It's a messy, cute kind of scarf. Too bad I am not allowed to sell stuff with the owl on it, so sorry!


I made this scarf in London, too. I wanted to do a really random scarf, so I changed colors in the middle of rows, sometimes I used 2 colors at a time... very interesting! I love it!!


Haha, you can't see much of the scarf, but this picture is so funny, I had to use it!

Okay, the end. Hope everyone enjoyed seeing me pose silly, wearing my awesome scarves :)

Featured Artist: BOOKWORMZ


Visit her store at BookWormz.etsy.com
See her blog at bookwormzreader.blogspot.com/

How did you get started with your craft?:
I actually had a dream about the product, and when I woke up, I actually remembered it!

What's your favorite material to work with?:
Ribbons and Buttons
Tell me a random fact about you?
I can't stand the sound of fingernails... on anything...

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Come up with a unique product and promote. promote. promote. Both on and off Etsy!
Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
Grew up in Southern Illinois, lived in Florida for a couple of years, waited tables, worked retail, Graduated from college, grew up, moved to Chicago, got married and happily ever after! :)

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Featured Artist: Under Her Charm


Visit her store at underhercharm.etsy.com
See her blog at underhercharm.blogspot.com


How did you get started with your craft?
I've been doing various crafts since I was about 8, from sewing to jewelry making. This particular aveneue featured in my etsy shop was totally inspired by my kids - I wanted cool jewelry to show them off!

What's your favorite material to work with?
Sterling silver

Tell me a random fact about you?
I have two doctorates!
Any advice for new Etsy members?
Have perserverance and enjoy what you do! It took about 1 1/2 years for my shop to have real cohesiveness. It is always a work in progress, from promoting, to improving pictures, and of course, creating.

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
Grew up in Houston TX (best city ever), went to college at UT Austin for fine arts, then professional and graduate school at University of Houston, where I got an OD and a PhD in Physiological Optics.

We moved to Baltimore for 3 years, where I started my jewelry business. We are off to San Francisco this summer for my job at Berkeley. My hubby has 2 doctorates also (he's a real smartie pants). We have 3 little angels.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Featured Artist: Wirefox


Visit her store at wirefox.etsy.com

How did you get started with your craft?
This is all my Father's fault, I was in a dark room (gasp! film) around the time I started to walk, and had a camera thrust into my hands at a very young age.

What's your favorite material to work with?
Wire.

Tell me a random fact about you?
I can hold my breath over three minutes.

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Yes, post often, post daily, post, post, post! And please respect others in chat....:)
Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
o.k. Born in Colorado, adopted by a Costa Rican, and a retired art teacher and poet from Indiana, grew up in Colorado, with frequent trips to CT, Costa Rica, and most of the U.S. Went to a tiny little college for a while, went to NYU for a while, loved acting and directing films and plays at both, now getting ready for Grad School. Fine.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Featured Artist: Randomocity, Inc


Visit her store at randomocity.etsy.com



How did you get started with your craft?

I started learning to make jewelry to come up with some extra money when my hubby got laid off.

What's your favorite material to work with?
I love to work with buttons! There are so many different kinds!

Tell me a random fact about you:
I have an undergraduate degree in History.

Any advice for new Etsy members?
My advice is to stay original and keep Etsy friendly-promote on twitter and other networks.

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I grew up in TX, (still live there!), married my grade school sweetheart, went to college for history, became a receptionist, and started my own jewelry business :P

Recent Customs

I've had so many custom orders recently, I've barely had time to make anything else! Here's some of the custom orders I've created recently: