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kaligargoyle — Cold Hands, Warm Heart
Published: 2006-12-12 20:24:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 1846; Favourites: 47; Downloads: 9
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Description
Oddly, I found a style of computer coloring that I really, really like. Or rather, a style of coloring I can manage with Photoshop Elements 2.0 and a laser mouse. Serious abuse of the Burn, Dodge, Smudge, and Blur tools. It also came out darker than I intended.This wasn’t supposed to be any kind of big project. In fact, this sketch was only inked so I could trace it for a certain pencil technique, I didn’t even erase all the pencil lines! You can still see the texture from my color test. But I got this urge and well... here it is. I will still finish my colored pencil version of this (I’m gonna end up racking my brain over how to do the steam effect) and then we can all compare.
Zuko, from Avatar, and my OC Amaya. I thought this would be a cute scene. It’s getting so cold outside. *really shouldn’t complain about her above-freezing winter*
Colored Pencil Version: [link]
Medium: Pencil/Ink, Photoshop Elements 2.0
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Comments: 26
As usual, your work rocks! This is such a romantic pic! Though, I admit now, I am curious to know, if someone were to ask, would you take art requests? Nothing Zutara related, of course, since that is the enemy, but other stuff.
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I usually don’t take requests simply because I always have a huge Art To Do list. I practically work myself to death, plus I’m a horrible procrastinator. 
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Aww i want Photoshop elements, I looked for it in cosco and it was $70. I love the effects with the steam and Amaya's Jacket. How long does it usually take to do a picture, in one sitting maybe?
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Ooh, I didn't exactly time myself and I tend to lose track of time when I'm working on the computer. I'd guess it took me anywhere from one to three hours, and that's just the coloring, line art was scanned in. It's a relatively simple picture, something with more detail, more colors, would take longer.
There are free trials available online for many programs, before you put money into them, to see how they work for you. I was lucky enough to get it free with my scanner (technically my dad got it with his scanner.)
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That's officially the cutest thing I've ever seen. 
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Wow. Your coloring always amazes me. This is simply beautiful.
So you have Photoshop Elements 2.0, eh? I have that too, only it's 5.0. you say you use the blur, dodge, and smudge tools eh? I'll try that.
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Yeah, I got it free with my scanner. I used Burn and Dodge at low intensity to do the shading (Keeping in mind that, like pencil, it’ll get darker the more you go over an area. Or for Dodge, lighter.) then blur for a softer look. Except for the hair and Zuko's scar, which I colored and then used Smudge (at 75%) to get the texture. It takes practice. And layers, each color needs a separate layer.
You play around long enough and you'll find all kinds of cool things. Experimentation is the key! XD
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AWWWWWWWWWW that's so cute you should make like ummm i'll note it later well this is still really cute!!!!!
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I think the thing that bothers me is Amaya's hood. The little sharp wings of her hair stick out although I don't mind the swoop of her front locks on the lower part of the hood... But overall very nice! Maybe Amaya's cheeks can be flushed with the cold in your second version of the pic...
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I tried adding some color to the cheeks but I couldn't get the blending right and it ended up looking bad, in my opinion, so I left it out. I may add it back in the pencil version.
As for her hair, I was covering most of it with the hood, but since her hairstyle is basically her most prominent "identifying feature" I felt like leaving the bangs outside the hood so that it was unmistakably "Amaya". Similar to why I decided to place Zuko on the right so we see his scar (in early sketches, he was on the left and we couldn’t see the scar), and there's no question as to who the characters are.
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ditto coloring is wunderful ^^
I gonna ask you some questions how you do that ^^
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Thank you! And ask away! I love answering questions. ^_^ (Mostly it was just messing around and experimenting with tools.)
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this iz beautiful^^ you should do this more often
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I've been practicing, it's getting easier and more fun. Usually when I find a new technique or medium, I like to play with it awhile.
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