Jaxon

So beautifully delicate, with a great color scheme and the centers remind me of beadwork. Nicely done for just getting back into it. Your first one would make a wonderful signature while the second could easily be turned into a fascinating glossy orb. Something to ponder...

A big thank you to The Howler for an Excellent job hosting the SOWT #54 competition. Congratulations to pdnnoob, optical illusions or not it's a fine 1st place entry. Nice job delpart and histi, congratulations and Kudos to all who took the time to enter.

Helen - Starry Hoops is truly captivating, with a great choice of colors and the wow factor of the glossy orb is off the charts. Another exceptional piece to add to your masterful works.

Flip - Great looking album covers; your sigs are really crisp with nice definition and an uncluttered clean look. Love your space scapes, especially Cloud_Planet. That is an extraordinary piece! Flawless merging of the stock clouds image, outstanding job on the sun rays and stars. The soothing green makes me want to stare at it for hours. Impressive... B)

I agree, one vote wasn't enough. Maybe in the future there could be an opportunity for each voter to cast thier vote for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Didn't notice the optical illusion until you mentioned its existence. So, is it the top of the letter T in the word paint tilting forward?

Recent addition... Nightmare's Chaperon

@ barbieq25 - Each time I post something new, you're usually the first one to lend words of praise, encouragement, sage advice or all of the above. I just can't thank you enough for being there and paying it forward. :star: :coffee: @ Helen - You just made my week! After reading what you wrote I had a Vector moment (Despicable Me) shouting, Oh Yeah! Thank you ever so much for the glowing review and for challenging me to work outside my comfort zone. :star: @ NMD21 - Thanks for dropping by. @ dug - No apologies necessary... I am honored you took the time to visit and appreciate your words of encouragement. Thank you. @ delpart - Many thanks. My initial intent was to use the same background as my Marble N Wood piece. Spent more hours than I care to admit trying to get the glass ball and shadow to out shine all that wood. I was quite pleased with the outcome after coming to the following conclusions. 1.) If it ain't working, you're forcing it. 2.) Sniveling about it dosen't help. 3.) Applying the Keep It Simple Simon method works 99% of the time, with a 1% chance that your piece will turn out looking like something that came out of the north end of a south bound horse.

@ Helen - The following is my simplistic answer to your challenge posted on December 21, 2011 (page 2, post #29). Crystal Folderal There is so much more for me to learn about this subject and I fully intend to pursue your challenge further. Thanks for the nudge.

Thanks pdnnoob, a fine tutorial. delpart - Your text cut is really crisp and that background is just way beautiful. nitenurse79 - It's good to see you working through these tutorials and obtaining great results. yellowman - Your art skills are awesome. Here's my attempt.

@ skullbonz - Thanks a bunch. Your gallery is full of great looking space scapes, keep it up. @ welshblue - Much obliged sir.

@ barbieq - Once again thank you; the feeling is mutual. @ doughty - It doesn't sound goofy at all, it sounds like a very nice compliment. For that, I thank you. Appreciate you stopping by and glad you found a favorite.

My apologies for not responding sooner - got side tracked with work, the honey-do list and a selfish personal journey with PDN. (1.) Thanks Welsh - Your time devoted to this forum is most appreciated. :star: :star: (2.) I'm still my worst critic in my attempts at art, but when it comes to wordsmithing my wife has the qualifications. So it sounds like your art will keep improving as will my writing, wether I want it to or not. (1.) Up till now I've always felt the rules of art are antiquated and would interfere with an artists creative freedom. The online research I've done so far has caused me to rethink my position. Looks like I need to learn these rules so I can feel extra wicked when I break them. Your time devoted to this forum is most appreciated as well barbieq. :star: :star: (2.) Admittedly my wife's finger painting remark torqued my jaws a bit. After thinking about it for awhile, I came to the conclusion that technically she is right. I use a mouse and keyboard... So yes, I like to create finger paintings on my computer. You got a problem with that? :lol: You're welcome delpart and thanks for taking the time to check out my gallery of finger paintings.

Hello Weazlebee, All I could find was this thread. I think it contains enough information for a realistic teardrop. Next time you need to search for anything (PDN) paint.net related go here and use the search box. Or if you're working in PDN, ctrl+E will take you to the same search box. Hope this helps.

@ delpart - As happy accidents go, your desktop abstract is off the charts. It is mysteriously beautiful and thought provoking... Most excellent! Been gone for a few weeks, so doing a bit of catch up myself.

This is a pleasant surprise after being gone for a few weeks. Way to go nitenurse! Film Strip and Image in Panels are nicely executed and my favs so far. The way you've layed out your gallery leads one to appreciate your progress. Thanks for sharing.

Don't believe there is a bubble plugin, but Madjik wrote a great bubble tutorial. http://forums.getpai...create-bubbles/

Thank you Helen. So, my wife wasn't too far off when she said it looks like a finger painting?

Welcome to the forum qyler. Your Christmas Poster is beautiful! Nice use of the splatter plugin in the background, great choice of colors throughout the piece. The snow is wonderful, but I especially like the tree. It's fun, creative and very original. Good job! btw. Sweet looking sig.

Yep, laughter is pretty good medicine. All seriousness aside... Your ThistleDown Wallpaper is another beautiful example of your talent.

Thanks barbieq - Salvador Dali created some really beautiful and interesting art. Appreciate the art history lesson and glad you like this piece.

Outer Abstruse Still working on Helen's challenge, can't decide what I want to put in the center of the clear marble.

Outer Abstruse

Beautiful dark rich colors, warm glow and wonderful Victorian accent. I was basking in the serenity of the piece wondering about the "Dark Dreams" title, when I spotted the steam punk face/mask hiding in plain sight just left of the clutch parts. My, you are clever. My tin foil hat's off to you. Excellent!

@ jim100361 - Thank you. @ HELEN - Oh, that's a great idea! Thanks. Even though my first attempt at your glossy galaxy ball tute sucked sewage water, I accept your challenge. Yep... Got me some practicing to do. @barbieq25 - Much obliged to you for the tutorial hints. You know, I think you're right about the marble needing more gloss. It's interesting how easily some details get over looked while staring at your drawing for hours on end. Anyway, thanks for the accolades. @welshblue - Yes, Helen's challenge is a great idea. A see through marble would be like... Most Excellent! Thanks for your positive input.