Haydn Russell's Digital Art Gallery

Overview: This image is a vector graphic I created in Adobe Illustrator. As this was my first project in Adobe Illustrator, I followed a tutorial  on YouTube. The final image came out very well and is a good start to using the tools I learned while studying the program. Process: The above image is a combination of dozens of layers, each with their own unique properties. The simplest items were perhaps the small blue stars and meteor-objects as they are simply filled in polygons that have been resized and rearranged. The two small planets located on either side of the subject were also simple, they are a combination of the same shape resized with each having a slightly lowered opacity than the one inside of them. Throughout the entirety of the image, the theme of utilizing gradients is heavily present. Each of the smaller planets have gradients, the two "moons" on the ring have gradients, and each of the flowing layers within the glass planet itself have gradients. These a...

Overview: The above image was a short project I made in Photoshop. I've been learning Illustrator recently and wanted to do something quick in Photoshop to make sure I don't forget anything I've learned. The final product is a composite of four images, the archway, the planet, the astronaut, and the space scene in the background. It was simple to make and the only real skills involved were color matching and masking. Process: To create the image I first had to make the space background. I simply layered it over the archway and create a mask so that it fit into the correct space. The floor was originally orange in the photo I used so I then created a blank layer, filled it with a sample purple color from the space photo, then played with the opacity until it looked like a proper reflection. Next I took the planet, originally orange, and fiddled with the color mixer until it was a purple color. This way the scene was sort of monochromatic. The black area around the stock ...

Overview: This image is inspired by a poster for a game called Fallout 4 . The intention of this image was to both create a composite to practice color matching and to learn how to use the light effect rendering filter. It took an estimated twenty minutes to complete as it was a fairly simple project. Process: The image is a simple composite of two images, the blast and the city. Both assets were found on free to use stock sites. First I masked the mushroom cloud so that it no longer had its original background. It was then placed on the city image and duplicated. The duplicate was then changed to a lighten blending mode and the opacity was brought down so that it was a little less harsh. Next, a mixing brush was used on the bottom of the blast so that it mixed with the city features below it. With the shape of the cloud done the next step was to add the light. Using filter>render>lighting effects.Using a pin light focused on the blast it added the spreading light effect that...

Overview: The two images shown are a before (left) and after (right) of an exploration and practice I did using the brush tools in Photoshop. I completed this project independently before I created this blog in an attempt to learn the different tools available to me within the program. It is not my finest creation, but I believe that it displays the growth in my talent throughout the previous months.  Process: The process in the image above was done using only the brush tool, ripple filter, and multiple layers. While using the brush I held the Alt. key which allowed me select a color to paint with. I then went to each piece in the image and painted over them with the correct colors, adding layers so that I could paint roughly in certain places and simply hide the rough edges under the more refin ed pieces. One important lesson I learned in doing this assignment was how to use the brush settings. I used different brush hardnesses depending on what section I was painting, su...

Overview: The above image was a new type of graphic exploration that I have never done before. It implements a free to use 3-D model and stock photos that were used as a part of this tutorial  by  Nemanja  Sekulic. This tutorial provided the general guidelines but the finer details of the project I left up to my own determination. This assignment took me around three hours to complete and allowed me to learn how to use the 3-D work space in Photoshop. Process: As mentioned before, the guidelines for the process and the assets for the project were part of a tutorial. The focus of the project was realistically panting the train in the image. To do this I opened the 3-D work space layout and proceeded to open the train file. Next the train layer was dragged to the book image and placed. With the two combined I then positioned the train using the movement tool until the wheels were above the horizon line (which darkened them in the 3-D landscape) and it ali...

Overview: The above image is a very strange photo created using a tutorial. It includes the implementation of a shadow, reflection, removal of the insides of the light bulb, and obviously the addition of the fish and water within the bulb itself. It was created primarily as a way to practice combining images when one is transparent. Process: The image was relatively simple and took me around twenty-five minutes to create. Using this tutorial  I combined the fish, water base, splash, and bulb. The bulb initially had all the typical wires and electrical components so I had to remove them. This was done by using the stamp clone tool to copy clear parts of the light bulb to cover the unwanted bits. Doing this the effect was still choppy so to complete it the newly added colors were blended using the mixing brush. With this done I layer the water base over the bulb and created a clipping mask. To make the water fit within the bulb the clipping mask was selected and refined usin...

Overview: The above picture is a composite scene manipulation. Using three different images (the street, cowboy, and ripple) I have created this surreal image above. It is my first large scale composite so in creating it I learned the tools required to color match images in order for them to appear more natural. I am very proud of the surreal effect of the image and the "time travelling" effect that I have managed to create. The final image took me upwards of five hours but was well worth the effort.  Process: As of when this is being written, this has been the most complex composite I have created. It combines three images to create an anomalous effect that I am proud to have achieved. Following this tutorial  I applied a multitude of layer masks and adjustment layers to each image in order to achieve colors that matched and did not seem to be ripped from other scenes. Another major piece of the creative process was the implementation of perspective lines. Removed for...

Overview: The above image is a word portrait After seeing the same type of image on bill boards, in magazines, and other forms of advertisements I wondered if I might be able to do the same thing. For this image I used the same portrait as was used for the Double Exposure Image  post. For the text I wanted something relating to me so I used an essay I had written called What's Worth Fighting For .   Process: To create this image I first had to create a layer with layer mask using the original portrait. This was done using the select and mask tool and then changing the output to layer w/ layer mask. Next I created a blank layer that then was filled with black using the bucket tool. This created the nice black background. Next I selected the entire image with a text box and pasted the essay onto it. Once the text was in place I used the create layer mask button to add a layer mask. Once done I alt-clicked on the layer mask of the portrait layer, used the select inverse ...

Overview: The above image is a demonstration of the ocean ripple effect found in the Photoshop CC 2018. On top is the original image found here . Below is the image when rotated 180 degrees, reflected over it's x-axis, and the filter is applied. I chose to do this because it shows potential to allow for a simple liquid reflection effect that could be used in nearly any setting. It may not be as high quality as a liquid reflection hand tailored to the image, but in a time-sensitive scenario I can envision this being quite useful. Process: The photo was created using the filter gallery in Photoshop. After first making a copy of the original image, it was reflected over both it's x and y axes to set the foundation for a reflection effect.  Due to an altered interface in the newer additions, in order to use this filter I had to reintegrate the filter into the program. This was done by going to Edit>Preferences>Plug-ins and then selecting the "Show all Filter Gallery ...

Using a tutorial by  Yulia Sokolova , I learned how to create a double exposure effect. The image above shows the original stock model, and the bottom shows the final product. To achieve this effect I first needed to isolate the model from the rest of the image using the magic wand tool and the layer mask utility. Once isolated, the image was then subjected to adjustments that boosted contrast and increased the black point of the image. The next step was to insert the monochromatic forest image. This image was then rotated 180 degrees and a clipping mask was applied to place it in the previously created layer mask. With the desired shape created, the model was then adjusted to become a monochromatic image with hues applied in order to appear in the same color style as the forest. Finally, the blending mode of the two images was set to screen instead of normal to display the composite of both the model and the forest. Following this were only minor adjustments such as brushing ove...