I used a base layer for the BG (the squiggly lines) which was a tree trunk eaten by bugs or termite. Various textures used from Bellefleur, converted to B and W, and then some more texture added with a brushed on texture. The birds were a brush from Shadowhouse, on different layers with different blending opacities to give more depth.
12-06-2015, 11:45 AM
Judy Howle
A very striking image! I like the squiggly lines from the tree trunk and all of the textures you used. The bird brush is a great addition that really makes the image!
12-06-2015, 05:09 PM
Cheryl Slechta
Very cool, Jackie! When I first saw it I thought you'd been at the Bosque:S3: This could be so many things - it's wonderful to have an image that you can let your imagination run wild.
12-06-2015, 09:03 PM
Dennis Bishop
Especially with the addition of the title, this does a great job of capturing both my eyes and mind. Your idea of using various blend modes for the birds was very effective. I like their distribution, too. Black & white was a good way to go, and you have a nice range of tones. I really like this.
12-07-2015, 10:26 PM
gary ellwein
This is most creative and draws one in. I particularly like the distribution of the birds. In my minds eye, the linear elements have the appearance of Spanish moss. As so, may they hang straight down (picky). Did you consider using a graduated blur on the wood element in the upper portion of the image in order to impart a bit of depth?
12-09-2015, 12:37 AM
Kerry Perkins
That's really nice Jackie, very creative and excellent execution. I love the birds winding through the image.
12-09-2015, 07:07 PM
Nancy Bell
Totally love the abstract and other-worldly-ness of this! Those bold curving and intertwining lines with the birds weaving through them is captivating...going off into the gray twilight zone of the mind! Also makes me think of "the Birds" by Alfred Hitchcock. Super creative and very well crafted!
12-12-2015, 01:41 PM
Diane Miller
Wonderful!! I see a swamp in Florida. Great image to engage the imagination and have a pleasant time wandering through it.
12-13-2015, 07:02 AM
Anita Bower
A creative image, perfect for OOTB. Well conceived and executed. I like the B&W. I like the birds--would not have guessed you used bird brush. The bg is interesting and causes me to look closer. The only distracting element for me is the oval in the middle--it is just a bit too centered and prominent for my eye. Otherwise, outstanding image!