Comment from Skyangel02
Your work is excellent. Surely you didn't paint all that texture by hand with only a mouse and brushes? It looks to me like you used a lot of filters, effects and tubes.
If you did do all this by hand without tubes, filters and effects, I have a lot to learn about digital painting and am more than willing to get any tips and advice from you.

 Comment Written 09-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 09-Sep-2012

Hi, Skyangel. First of all I thank you so much for the review. :) I don't know if you've had a chance to read FAR's definition of a digital painting (2D art)so I went in under "info" and copied in down for you.
Here tis: 2D art is a 2D image created totally on the computer electronic canvas environment with the use of painting tools and effects that emulate natural media styles. Sometimes reffered to as "Natural Media." This type of art makes limited use of plugins, filters and effects and is closer to the look of a traditional painting on canvas. No use of tubes or stock photography.
As far as special effects go, it says limited use--no specific amount--but I try not to use any more than 3. Tom once told me that any items painted by the artist, FAR does not consider a "tube" even though I may store those items in my tube folder for later use. Hope this helps some, and again, thank you so very very much. :)shawn

reply by Skyangel02 on 09-Sep-2012

Thank you very much. That broadens the scope a bit for 2D art. I was limiting my 2D art to paint brushes only and anything using filters and tubes, even if they are my own vector drawn tubes I was putting under digital creations.

reply by the author on 09-Sep-2012

I know there is a catagory for vector work. I never really stopped to read it though, because I don't do vector--don't have the patience for all those nodes, LOL. Sometimes it's so confusing. By the way, a huge congrats on your first place in Digital composition!! You had my vote, beautiful work! :)

reply by Skyangel02 on 09-Sep-2012

Confusing is right. I figure the digital composition category includes everything so its safe enough to put anything in there. ;-)
Thank you for the congrats. I'm glad you liked it. I had fun doing a series of the clock fractals.
You don't use vector shapes for the cups and vases you do? Are you saying you draw them freehand?

reply by the author on 09-Sep-2012

I paint most of them, but I don't use the traditional tools provided in the program, I most often use the smudge brush as my paint brush. I find it easier for me than the traditional brushes. Sometimes I will use shapes, but not in the vector mode. You know, circles & elipses, etc. I just plaster some paint onto the canvas, shape it with the smudge brush, then add shading and highlights and blend, still using the smudge brush. It's called smudge painting. It's just what I got used to doing before they came out with all the traditional brushes for programs.

reply by Skyangel02 on 09-Sep-2012

I thought all the shapes were automatically in vector mode. Mine always come up as vectors when I use them. I thought everyones did the same.

reply by the author on 09-Sep-2012

Don't know about any others, but in PSP you can use either vector or raster modes.

Comment from Katy
The cup does runneth over! Wonderful creation Shawn. So much beautiful detail in the cup, with lovely flowers and beautiful jewels flowing down from it. Love the beautiful color, and silky drape feel of the background. Simply wonderful work!

 Comment Written 09-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you so very very much, Katy. :)shawn

Comment from suenethery
Great art piece. It looks like a photo. I like the technique you used. Thanks for the description and for sharing.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you ever so much, Sue!! :)shawn

Comment from tina vanhorn
i love your display i love youe sexy colors i love your layout nice use of light hitting on your pic love your story tina

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you ever so much, Tina! :)shawn

Comment from osbornefishin
All I can say is wow. You have great tallent and I cannot find one thing that is out of place. I love your choice of colors and composition.

Oz

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you so very very much for the wonderful comments on this, Oz. I really appreciate it. :)shawn

Comment from Linda
This is absolutely stunning to view. Sensational compostion and vibrant colours. Gorgeous work on the goblet. A true piece of art. Wish I had more than 5 stars to give you. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Your comments are worth more than stars any day, Linda. I thank you for the thought, and the beatiful review. I really appreciate it. :)shawn

Comment from jesuel
What a beautiful piece of art the color composition is great but what I really like is the amount of detail amazing fine work here

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you so very very much, James!! :)shawn

Comment from Debbie Mahorney
This is great. I don't know anything about the digital painting, I'm still working on editing in PS. I know this is a very pretty piece. Great colors. Very calming effect.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you ever so much, Debbie. I really appreciate it. :)shawn

Comment from amfunny
This is beautiful. Love the colors in this. Excellent details. Wish I had a six left to give you. Top rate job!
I have a 6 now.. so chenged my rating. :)

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you, amfunny!! :)shawn

reply by amfunny on 14-Sep-2012

I have a six now so I just changed my rating... love this.. excellent job.

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Wow! Thank you, amfunny. You just showed me something I didn't know you could do so long after a review. Yesterday I unintentionally gave two artists a 4.5 :) I went back and changed them to a five, but it wasn't what I wanted to give them. Now I know I can go back Sunday and change it for them---if it will let me do it again. It's possible we are allowed only one change. Have you ever tried two? LOL. Again, thank you!! :)shawn

reply by amfunny on 14-Sep-2012

I think you can change as many as you want as long as you have the sixes.. it was my pleasure. I really liked this a lot. :)

Comment from slus
Very fun. Colors are great. The feathers add a soft and I wanna have fun feel. Nice contrast between the yellow and pruples.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2012

---

reply by the author on 14-Sep-2012

Thank you so very very much for the wonderful comments, slus. :)shawn