Watercolor - Harmony

[Cheryl Slechta]

I thought I'd try something different and created this watercolor image from a color image.
I wanted a different look than the usual birds and blue water so I used Nik>Silver>Neutral with a vignette, then an old paper filter to tone it. I then used this watercolor texture on Color Blend mode and then Topaz Painting>Venice at a lower opacity. Finally, I used DAP watercolor and slightly masked back in the grebes. I added kanji meaning "harmony" and my chop.
I guess this was a "through the back door" approach but I liked the final results. (And I love grebes)

Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions appreciated:)

[Bill Randall]

I like it also. The paper effect is very appropriate and the over all watercolor feel really works. Hard to believe it was a photo. Good work.

[Dan Brown]

Everything here is great IMO Cheryl! Love the balance with the birds and the chop/calligraphy, the watercolor BG and the pano crop! Frame it!

[Patti Edens]

This is wonderful Cheryl! The crop is perfect and I love the color tones you ended up with. Thanks for the link to the textures - good stuff there. I also love Grebes - they are so cute.

[Christopher Miller]

Beautiful work, Cheryl! The watercolor look is perfect, it looks painted! :) Love the color tones and comp.

[denise ippolito]

Sweet image Cheryl and the filter work is lovely. I love the natural brushed border and the colors.

[Julie Kenward]

Outstanding work! Gosh, the soft colors in this are beautiful and the funny thing is it doesn't feel "fake" with the colored water in yellows and greens. Sweet!

I love Grebe's too...hardly ever get to see them but they always get my attention when they are flying through town. :)

[Arthur Morris]

Love the whole presentation and feel. Would like to see the faces of the two grebes lightened a bit.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Cheryl, nicely done. Love the textures and the crop. Agree with Arthur on lightening the faces particularly on the right-most bird.

[Anita Bower]

Congratulations. Nicely done.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. They're greatly appreciated.:)