Black Capped Chickadee 2014

[Randall Farhy]

It's been too long. I'll try to get back in the swing of things. Still learning the new DAP software, for the life of me I can't figure out how to save an editable file. Anyhow, here's something a little back to nature, taken in the backyard. C&C always welcomed and appreciated.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Randall, I love this image - which DAP did you use? To save an editable file in DAP, go to File>Special>Save layered PSD.

[Randall Farhy]

Thx Cheryl. Dap Acryl Real, the first preset in the list. I can't recall all of the individual settings or palette, though for this one I did use the default brush size. I then retouched with the brush tool and outliner. It was then processed in CS6 with Topaz Adjust5 (layered/ blend modes) and levels adjustments.

I've tried saving as a PSD and while it opens the edited image, I am unable to alter it without first running a full process pre-set. Unless I'm missing something (which I highly suspect to be the case). Ideally I'd like to be able to save a processed image so that I can go back and fine tune it at a later date using the retouch/ outline/ canvas modes.

[Diane Miller]

Gorgeous! Perfect lookback pose and very interesting treatment. Think I might tone down the green a little, but that's a small point.

Which platform is this? iPad?? I have DAP on my iPhone and AutoPinter Express on my real computer, but haven't done a lot with either -- I'm too much of a control freak.

[Randall Farhy]

Thx Diane, I'll try a version with the green knocked down a bit. The version I'm using is P/C based, 64 bit. I wasn't sure I'd like using it all that much at first, but once I figured out to work with some of the parameters I find it offers some creative control. I guess it's a decent starter program compared to something like Corel's painter software or CS6 and mixer brushes, which require extensively more user input to achieve decent results. (Once mastered, I feel either of the latter two would be superior).

[Cheryl Slechta]

Randall, I'm using an older version of DAP so I'm not sure if it behaves the same as yours. When you open the layered PSD that you've saved out of DAP in PS the background image is live so you have to click on the DAP layer to make any changes in opacity, masks, etc. Anyway, that's the way mine works. A lot of times I'll do two DAP version using different artists and then blend the two together. It can be great fun.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I love the earth tones and the splash of green in the corner. The wash of colours is very nice too. Great piece Randall.

[Randall Farhy]

Thx Jackie, this one just seemed to fall together.

Cheryl, I hadn't thought about editing the layers in CS using masks and brushes, seems like it could help. Also like the idea of cross mixing styles as well as different textures etc-limitless possibilities. I'll just have to make sure I'm happy with the basic DAP conversion before saving it.

[Dennis Bishop]

I really like this just the way it is, although I'd be inclined to crop a bit off the right and follow Diane's suggestion about the green. The background is just wonderful as is the pose of the bird and the parallel diagonals of the bird and the branch. The catch light in the eye is great, and the contrast throughout the image is extremely effective. Very nicely done.