More digital abstract figure studies

As I have mentioned in previous posts I did a series of abstract digital figure studies that a few people thought would be a good basis for paintings. I am considering doing just that, but won't literally copy these images, just use them as a launching point.


Some of these images, as the one above, are very abstract, creating very interesting designs.




I will probably start the series soon and will post some images as I progress. It could result in an exciting series of paintings.

Different color versions of an abstract figure

Here is another digital abstract figure study that I am thinking of using as a basis for a large acrylic on canvas painting.


Below are a few color variations that I experimented with. This is the beauty of doing studies on the computer. It took less than a half hour to do all of these color sketches. Accomplishing the same thing using traditional painting mediums would take hours to complete.









The image below is a negative of the preceeding image. This is done by pressing CONTROL and the "i" key. The computer is a very useful tool for creating color sketches.

A few more digital studies

Here are more of the digital abstract figure studies that I'm thinking of using as a basis for some new acrylic paintings. Doing color sketches on the computer can give you a whole new outlook on your work.


Some of these images are actually collages as I have incorporated pieces from other images while developing them.




As I was working on these I also had fun experimenting with unusual color combinations.


These images were all created using Photoshop Elements 2.0

Digital figure studies for paintings

Over the years I have done a number of digital experiments including many abstract figure studies. Craig Smith, my gallery owner, as well as a number of other people, have encouraged me to use these images as sketches for larger acrylic paintings. I am considering doing such a series, it could be a very interesting project. I would not merely duplicate the images, but use them as a starting point. Here are some of the images that I am thinking about using as a basis for the paintings.


I had fun doing these color studies of abstract figures. This particular image would make an interesting starting point for a painting as the colors work very well together.






Any the above digital studies would be an interesting basis for abstract figure paintings. This demonstrates how one medium can be used as a basis for work done in another medium. The computer is is an exceptional tool for creating interesting color studies.

Digital portrait sketch, step by step

Here is a very simplified version of how to digitally paint a portrait using a line drawing as a basis.


I first did a quick line sketch on layout paper using a Design 2 Art Marker. This tool is equipped with two nibs, one fine and a larger one for drawing bold strokes. The sketch was then scanned into the computer.


Using Photoshop Elements 2.0, I added a flat flesh tone with the Paint Bucket Tool.


Now I add tones to the hair and lips.


More inermedate tones are added.


Darker tones are added as well as some modeling to the face.


Sometimes I will flop the image I'm working on. Often portraits can get out of kilter and seeing a flopped view will help detect where you might have gone wrong. I use the Smudge Tool to soften some of the edges.


The finished rough sketch. I added some darker tones to the hair and softened them with the Smudge Tool



You can also easily turn her into a redhead or blond.



Even though this is a rather crude, rough sketch, it's a great way to learn how to render images digitally. Practice ! Practice ! Practice ! Actually, using the Painter program, even the simpler versions, will allow you even more flexibility and rendering options.

Digital photomontages & new exhibit

Here are a few more of my digital photomontages which were created in Photoshop Elements 2.0.


This one consists of only two photos, the background scene was photographed in New Mexico and the flowers were shot at home.


Another montage created using only two photos, again, the background was photographed in New Mexico.


On this photomontage, the background was shot in a modern furniture store in Milan, Italy. The foreground bird was photographed after it had unfortunately flew into one of the window panes in my studio.


The Krasl Art Center exhibited my photomontages in February, 2003.


I have a new exhibit coming up soon. It will consist of my Acrylic abstract painting, Acrylic figure studies, comic book cover parodies as well as sculpture.
This poster was done for the opening which is also a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor,Michigan. No date has been established as yet for the length of the exhibit, but it should be up for a couple of months.

More Dracula comic book cover parodies

Here are a few more of my comic book cover parodies adapted from art I had done for a book on Dracula. The art was scanned into the computer where I then added the color and the type.













To see the original ink line art go to my other blog, harryborgmanart.blogspot.com.