gradients and some dents distortions. It is a simple sample of using
the gradient with one opaque color and one transparent color.
The only effect used is the built-it dents. There is only one layer
in this basic version but you could experiment the blend modes to
obtain even more amazing results.
My definition:
An abstract picture is something that looks like nothing, but it is
still nice to look at or so intrigating...
So this is only a guide to process and you must fill free
to use other effects or settings to create your own abstract art.
My example:
V3 (this tut)
V2 (link)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/MadJikF59/tuts/abstract/ab299.jpg
V1 to remind you...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/MadJikF59/tuts/abstract/ab20.jpg
Needed plugins:
- none -
My tutorial:
01.
create a new image (800 x 600). Go to Adjustments/Inverte colors to have it black.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s258/MadJikF59/tuts/dents/dents00.jpg
02. Set the colors:
- 1. On the colors windows click on the "More >>" button to open the
detailled version.
- 2. Set the Transparency - Alpha to zero.
- 3. Click on the double arrows to switch primary/secondary colors.
03. Choose the colors:
- 1. Be sure the mode is set to primary: each click on a color list
or on the wheel is affecting the primary color and so the secondary
doesn't change and remains transparent.
- 2. Click a light color in the color list, example: orange.
04. Draw some gradients:
- 1. Click on the gradient tool.
- 2. Choose a gradient mode (except the first simple linear),
example: reflected linear.
- 3. Click on the drawing area and drag to place 1-5 gradients. You
could change the color and the gradient mode as you feel it.
(If you want to change the color for another gradient, then first press Enter to finish the active gradient.)
05. Distort the image:
Go to menu Effects/distort/dents and set the values as here:
You should see the distortion on the image. You could click on the
Reseed button to change the random distortion till you find
something you like...
06. First distortion example:
As the Dents is a random effect each result should be unique
so your image must be different!
07. Draw some more gradients:
- 1. Choose another primary color.
- 2. Draw some more gradients, and test other gradient mode...
08. Second distortion example:
Previous effect is still in memory so you could rerun it by pressing
Ctrl+F as we don't need to change any value.
(or you could go to menu Effects/distort/dents to re-open the dialog
box and play with the Reseed button...)
(or you could play with Ctrl+Z to undo and Ctrl+F to re-run...)
09. More gradients in white:
Adding white or black colors gives some relief aspect...
10. With the associated distortion (Ctrl+F):
11. More gradients in black:
The dents effect is moving the image up. If you place the gradient in
the upper part of the image you won't obtain a good result...
And you should put the new gradient over the most representative color
to try to balance the general aspect.
12. With the associated distortion (Ctrl+F):
Don't repeat too much these steps as the dents effect will finish to
destroy the first gradients...
Between 2 and 6 distortion gives good results. More will have a quality loss.
If you want to restart from scratch, select the black color and
right-click on the image without dragging: the gradient tool will fill
the whole image with black.
End of tutorial
Enjoy and let me see your abstracts...
More examples:
Ok but what for?
These kind of abstracts could be used as texture or background.
With more work using some plugins you could create undersea scenary or planets...
