sharpartonline.com » creative

Pop Art Tutorial

SharpArt — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:35:02 +0000

There are many Photoshop tutorials out there with help on creating different finishes and effects. This one whizzes through one way of creating a Pop Art image.

I like the way he demonstrates very quickly with no messing around. You do have to watch his cursor closely to see precisely what he’s clicking on, because he doesn’t always tell you. But I have made quick notes to support this video which you can have to one side as well, whilst you chose your own image and work your way through the process. Give it a go – if you’ve got Photoshop that is.

Pop Art Images from Photoshop

Select image and duplicate
Image > adjustments > invert
Filter > blur > Gaussian blur > select radius about 7 ish
Change blending mode (on Layer window) to ‘colour dodge’
Change threshold (bottom of Layer window) jiggy it round until happy with detail – here set at 240
New layer > blending mode to Multiply – label skin and choose colour – paint bucket
Duplicate background > move to top > this to be ‘hair’, so change colour > filter > sketch > halftone pattern – size 2 contrast 50 – blending mode to either ‘overlay’ or ‘multiply’
New layer – Lips – blending to ‘multiply’ – red, zoom in and hide other layers to see what you’re doing
New layer – eye whites – blending mode to ‘overlay’ – white (erase any other section you don’t want so they can shine through)
New layer – eye colour – blending tool to ‘multiply’ – blue
Can change colours though ‘saturation’ if not happy
Can change background colour – blending mode to either ‘overlay’ or ‘multiply’.

I find it really useful seeing other people’s videos and watching how they use Photoshop. Everyone has their favourite techniques, sequences and ways of building up layers. I’d like to build up a library of different videos or written tutorials from which any of us could select the approaches that best fit the way we would like to work.

How useful was this for you?
Do you know of other tutorials that would help with making Pop Art images?

Please make a comment or suggestion. I would find it really useful with my work.

Rugby as Pop Art

SharpArt — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:22:38 +0000

Kiwi artist Aaron Tomlinson struck upon the idea of popular rugby players – particularly Dan Carter and Richie McCraw – as icons that would benefit from a Pop Art overhaul. He talks candidly to the local New Zealand Herald about his thoughts and what was fun about this idea. There has to be fun in Pop Art doesn’t there!

I like that way he links popularist images and icons and moves the ideas on to what is important, today.

You can catch the video here.

Roy Lichtenstein at Museum Ludwig

SharpArt — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:47:29 +0000

Roy Lichtenstein – Kunst als Motiv (Art as Motive) is a collection of about a hundred pieces which reflect his interpretation of other great modern pieces with a Lichtenstein twist. He uses his flat palate of bold colours and outlines and his now famous cartoon shadings with benday dots and blobs to break up the images and create his own slant on masters such as Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Mondrian and Dalí.
This exhibition at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne runs from 2nd July until 3rd October 2010.

Banksy Prints Stolen

SharpArt — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:04:35 +0000

If you’ve got a copy of Banksy’s book, Wall and Piece, you will have seen several examples of Banksy’s art being surreptitiously placed on the walls of famous galleries and museums.

This example, ‘Early Man Goes To Market’ appeared in The British Museum in 2005 and wasn’t noticed until Banksy announced it on his site. All credit to the Museum staff in recognising man’s base need for making marks andhoping the largest possible audience will see them. It is now in their permanent collection.

I’m sure this drew a wry smile from the artist him self.

I wonder if the recent reversal of fortunes of Banksy’s work from Art Republic did the same. Probably did. Two limited edition framed prints worth £16000 were stolen by a man and woman from the shop in central London. And this is not the first time this has happened from the same company. Apparently, 10 prints were stolen from the same company, only in Brighton. Tut, tut, Art Republic – very clumsy.

The police, who of course adore Banksy’s work, are investigating and are hard on the heals of the culprits, issuing these telling images of the couple they wish to question.

This is all so gloriously ironic.

And it goes on. Here are some other ludicrous incantations ….

London Banksy poster ‘removed after halo added’ – People spending time in London hotels may have noticed a Banksy poster at London Bridge station recently, but the artwork has now been taken down after it was.
Free: Banksy Poster | FADWEBSITE – Banksy releases new poster entitled ‘Forgive Us Our Trespassing’ Photo: LILY PAD PR Almost a decade since his last Don’t Panic collaboration during which time he has risen from street artist to cause célèbre, Banksy is back with a new …
Banksy poster “re-worked” on underground – Never defeated by the institution eh? The Banksy artwork, ‘Forgive Us Our Trespassing’ was transformed into a poster for London underground, but they denied the addition of a halo round the little boy’s head for fear of “inspiring” …

I love Ze

SharpArt — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:41:51 +0000

I found Ze Frank’s web site years ago and have loved gong back to it to doodle and play. He has the most amazing sense of humour. I just giggle at his dance classes. If you’ve not been there and done him yet, look at this as a taster Ze Frank: What’s so funny about the Web?

and then visit his site.

Scribbler art from Ze Frank's site