Make some abstract with PDN v1 (2017-10-21)

[MadJik]

This tutorial is available as a PDF. Click here to view or download it

 

Make some abstract with PDN v1

NB: this is a revival of a lost tutorial originally published in 2008. 

 

My definition:
Some abstract is something that looks like nothing, but it is still nice to look or so intriguing...

 

 

My examples:

 

 

 Other related tutorials:
V2 A way to create more abstract...  https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/21469-a-way-to-create-more-abstract/
V3 Do some abstract https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/21679-do-some-abstract-v3/
 

My tutorial: 

Needed plugins:
Polar Inversion Plus (Ed Harvey) use the built-in Polar inversion.

Gradient Blur (MadJik) https://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?showtopic=6532
Motion sharpen (MadJik) https://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?showtopic=9282
 

01. create a new image. As usual I build my tutorial with 800x600 pixels images. But it's really better to use bigger image (3200x2400).

 

 

02. With default colors (black and white) draw a linear gradient with angle between 30° and 60° for corner to corner.

 

 

03. Select the magic wand tool. Set the tolerance to 10-15%. Hold the key [Ctrl] and select 5-10 slices of the gradient. Try to have a regular gap between the slices.

 

 

04. With the selection, draw another linear gradient with a different angle (ex: vertical or horizontal).

 

 

05. Deselect, and menu Effect / Distort /Polar Inversion  (use the built-in Polar inversion.), Amount:0.80, Edge Behavior:Clamp to edge, Quality:5

 

 

06.  Duplicate the layer. Then Twist Effect Amount:18, Size:2, Quality:5. Hide the top layer.

 

 

07. Menu Image, Flip Horizontal, Select the background layer, [Ctrl] + F : repeat the last effect (Twist).

 

 

08. Select and show the layer on the top. Press F4 , and play with the blend mode to find interesting result...

 

 

  

 

 
 

Your choice could be different if the image is different (different angle, different colors...)
I choose mode Negation.

 

 
 

 

09. On the both layers, apply a gradient blur, see the setting on the screenshot:

 

 

10. Merge down the two layers.

 

 

11. Duplicate the new layer.

 

 

12. On the top layer, apply the motion sharpen effect: angle:0, centered, mode lighten, distance:100

 

 

13. On the top layer again, adjustment, autolevel.

 

 

14. Duplicate the top layer and  flip it horizontally, press F4  and choose a blend mode (Lighten)

 

 

15. Merge down the two top layers.

 

 

16. On the top layer again, adjustment, autolevel.

 

 

17. On the top layer again, press F4  and choose a blend mode (Screen)

 

 

18. Choose two colors : primary:yellow, secondary:red Add a new layer on the top,. Draw a radial gradient .

 

 

19. On the top layer, press F4 , choose a blend mode (Overlay) and set the opacity to 120.

 

 

20. Choose the default colors : primary:black, secondary:white Add a new layer on the top. Effect / Render / Clouds  (with defaults).

 

 

21. On the top layer (clouds), apply a gradient blur, see the setting on the screenshot:

 

22. Bulge Effect amount: -200, repeat it one more time : [Ctrl] + F

 

 

23. On the top layer, press F4 , choose a blend mode (Darken) and set the opacity to 100.

 

 

24. Now this is the magic moment. Flatten the image. And adjustment, autolevel.

 

 

25. You could go on like this: duplicate, distort, blend, add few colors, etc... and/or other effects (water reflection, rect to polar, polar to rect, etc)

 

[Seerose]

 @MadJik!

 

You're like a surprise egg.  I will try in the next days. Thank you so much for your effort.  

 

Sorry! I'll be back tomorrow to give you a reputation.

Edited October 21, 2017 by Seerose

[lynxster4]

@MadJik ...this is such an interesting way to achieve abstract art!   I had fun doing this!  Cheers and thank you!      

 

 

[AndrewDavid]

Thank You @MadJik The creation of a new lifeform

[MadJik]

34 minutes ago, AndrewDavid said:

Thank You @MadJik The creation of a new lifeform

LOL, This is something between ET, Maltazar and GRUT

[MadJik]

2 hours ago, welshblue said:

I like abstracts ... very therapeutic

 

I like black/dark gradients and orange. This image doesn't seem to be issued from this tutorial. And I like this. I like to show you some doors and you open one I never think about to create such piece...

[MadJik]

6 minutes ago, welshblue said:

I'm a big believer that Abstract Art should reflect the maker - mood/ personality

If I say I agree 200% that would be abstract as 100% should be enough...

 

[Seerose]

Edited April 16, 2018 by Seerose