I suck at explaining things!

[saava]

Okay. I really, really tried to make this understandable. The thing is that I made this a while ago and frankly I can't remember WHY half the layers are there. I've said it many, many times before but I'll say it again: I'm very new to making wallpapers and half of my "technique" (notice the quotes) is basically Fuck Around Until Stuff Looks

Comments

[shannigansx]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to write all that up! I knew a lot of work went into making these, but I was still amazed.

One question. It's kind of generic, and not just about the wallpaper, but I'm using this as an example so you know what I'm talking about.

Soft light and screen blends.

Do you merge the layers first, then create the screen blend, or do you create the soft light and the screen blend and merge them all? I hope that makes sense. I've been wondering this for awhile now.

Re:

[saava]

On the layers where there's more than one layer listed I just got lazy and combined similar layers. each layer has its own separate blend.

So, say, the picture strip on the left is one layer at soft light and then another layer at normal blend.

...is that what you meant?

Re:

[shannigansx]

Yeah, that makes sense. I think I just more or less confuse myself. Thanks!

[_jems_]

Wow, what a process. Looks absolutely exhausting.

It's funny because I had that wallpaper on my desktop for several weeks, yet I never noticed the outline of Aeryn. There are so many details that just pass you by, you're just left with an impression of the image as a whole.

Downloaded the Crais wallpaper too and I'm putting it into rotation.

Re:

[saava]

Well, that one took me HOURS. I was working on it on and off for literally an entire day. I've actually gotten a lot better at figuring things out and blending and doing stuff in a more precise manner. :)

And, eee! Your icon! Depressing scene with Joni lyrics. And itty bitty text!

[indiana_jane_]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to write all that up! I'm always interested to see the way other fanartists work. Especially since their techniques are usually so different from my own. It's always a good education.

Re:

[saava]

Hee. Like I said before I totally don't even HAVE a technique. I was slightly hesitant to post this thing because I know that people who actually know what they're doing will read this and I have a silly paranoid fear they'll start laughing. A lot.

...glad you're not laughing. *g*

Re:

[indiana_jane_]

I totally don't even HAVE a technique

I understand that completely because neither do I. Here's a quick summary of my technique if you could call it that - Point, click and see what happens. If my reaction is 'ooh, pretty!' then I keep it. If my reaction is 'gah, ugly!' then I hit undo. I plan very little ahead of time. Mostly? I grab a few image, wing it and see what happens.

I mean I understand a lot of the Photoshop functions so I'm not JUST messing around. lol. But a lot of my work results from messing around.

I was slightly hesitant to post this thing because I know that people who actually know what they're doing will read this and I have a silly paranoid fear they'll start laughing. A lot.

I get that too. That's why I rarely explain my technique to anyone. Because I'm afraid they'll point and laugh and completely discredit me as any sort of graphic artist.

I feel like such a fraud! ;)

[alannahrose]

Ooh, lovely! This is a bit advanced for me with my current skill level, but I've bookmarked it for future learning oppourtunity!

Re:

[saava]

Cool. I realized after I posted it that I didn't really tell *how* I did anything. It's more of a placement thing.

[starlight1221]

*squee* yay! thanks so much! I'm so totally gonna read this tomorrow when I've completely defrosted from my insane venture into the cold :)

Re:

[saava]

I think I'm STILL waiting to defrost just from living in MN. *g*

Hope this is somewhat helpful!

Re:

[starlight1221]

now that I'm warm but possibly still frostbitten, wow. That is so totally helpful! I think the most I've ever used in my crap wallpapers is 10 layers. And I've gotten so many more ideas this way. I'll have to mess around tomorrow and try to make one :)