So the point of a thumbnail drawing is to give you a better understanding of the general layout of your composition. Thumbnail drawings can be as simple as a few quickly drawn lines or shapes, so people of any creative level can make them.Ī photo manipulation is, essentially, a photo puzzle. But no, you don't have to be a master at drawing to do this. It allows me to know which elements I want in my final piece and which to avoid so I don't waste any time on unimportant details.Īnd in case you were wondering, here is my final Cinderella pumpkin carriage manipulation below:Įek! I know, I said the 'd' word.

I start out every project with this basic step. Here are the stocks I used for my Cinderella-inspired Pumpkin Coach Manipulation. Notice how I didn't just write about the visuals I needed, but also the words for the general 'feel/mood,' as well as the colors and composition. Just these words alone give me enough mental visuals to find the pictures I need for this project. You can do this easily by writing down a bunch of words on paper, on your phone, or even on a napkin to describe how you want your art to look.įor instance, if you want to create a magical Cinderella manipulation, maybe you'll write: In order to translate an idea effectively, you have to do thorough research into the symbols, colors, and realistic environments needed to achieve a believable result. But here are a few key points to consider.Īrt is like a school project. And depending on your experience level, you may even skip a few steps. The process of starting a photo art project will vary from artist to artist. So how do you go from just an idea to a finished photo manipulation? Perhaps a phantom light bulb goes off in your head, and that's when you decide that it's time to make something creative.

So test them out in your free time and let me know how you do! How to Turn Your Ideas Into Photo ManipulationsĪll art starts with a basic idea. Far too many expect to read an article or tutorial and automatically walk away with an 'aha' moment.īut only through the process of thorough experimentation, practice, and trial and error will these tips stick. Like this Calavera Sugar Skull Photo Manipulation.īefore we get started, keep in mind that every creative process is a journey. Learn how to make your portraits stand out. I'll show you which tools you'll definitely need to know, as well as the core concepts of stitching photos together for a new result. Today, we're going to tackle some helpful photo manipulation tips for the average Photoshop beginner. Some can create elaborate landscapes using a few simple pictures, while others make detailed characters with the right stocks.īut how do you get started with this fascinating medium if you're just a beginner? Photo manipulations, photo art, and photo composites are all ways artists use photography to make something new and creative.

Photoshop manipulation tutorial