Painted Bobcat

I have been studying how to "paint" images in Photoshop using the mixer brush and various textures. This is one of my first attempts; as you can see I'm still a little hesitant to use big brush strokes... I used two custom brushes on this, one that I made myself for the bg and one of the standard PS brushes that I modified for the fur. This is really fun and I'm looking forward to getting better at it! I photographed this bobcat in the wild a few years ago, it was really a thrill to get this close and have the bobcat be so trusting of my presence. :c3:

Wow, this looks like a painting. A very good painting. The color, the background, and the bobcat, of course, are all wonderful. I'd read about the mixer brushes a while ago and didn't try them out, so I don't remember a thing. This is going to make me revisit them. You did a great job on this.

What a thrill it must have been. You really did a great job on this Kerry. The colour palette and the brushstrokes are beautiful. Looking forward to more!

This looks like one cool cat with that expression and relaxed pose. Looks like he is posing in a studio! I am SO envious that you found this animal. I have never even seen a bobcat, let alone photograph one. Wonderful background texture and strokes. I really like the way it blends so seamlessly with the cat. The yellow eyes and pinks on the nose and ears contrast so well with the browns & grays.

Kerry, prior to this posting, I had never accessed the mixer brush. Thanks for the introduction. It appears you are off to a good start with the technique.

Looks like a canvas ready for framing, a solid representation of a portrait done in oils. I'm not sure who would have been more nervous, the wild cat or myself, what a beautiful image you started with!

I must explore this technique. Not familiar with it in PS...

Hi, Kerry, it's funny but someone at my local camera club was talking about this technique last week:S3: It looks like you've mastered it already! I have a bobcat that lives in my area - I saw him recently at the end of my driveway (long limerock driveway) when I went out to get the paper. He was pretty nonchalant - looked at me and slowly trotted off. He was beautiful and quite regal looking as is your image.

Oh, man, I LOVE bobcats, and have only seen one in the wild. (Sauntering away from me faster than I could grab a camera.) This has a wonderful balance of painting and realism.

I love painting and have messed with Corel Painter on and off (mostly off) for several years. I think there is a less expensive version of it -- I only skim off the easiest 1% when I use it.

You made this bobcat look like a sweetheart. I know nothing about painting a photo, but whatever you did, looks good. Beautiful, subdued colors. Fabulous eyes. The only thing that I'd change is doing something to make the bobcat look grounded, and not floating.