Lichen Swag

Very clever Vasanthi --- I like it a lot! Perhaps a slightly livelier background would add interest without taking away from the beautiful lichen --- maybe a blurred green/darker green difference cloud layer, but that's just my taste. An excellent image as presented!

It is so unique and striking - very creative.

Very nice design/shape, and quite unique. I always see "creatures" in shapes, and this one is no exception. Two front legs....a swishy tail....
It works , of course, as an abstract very nicely.

Gary Briney wrote:Very clever Vasanthi --- I like it a lot! Perhaps a slightly livelier background would add interest without taking away from the beautiful lichen --- maybe a blurred green/darker green difference cloud layer, but that's just my taste. An excellent image as presented!

I tried a textured BG but it was distracting and did not complement the image.  Instead used the gradient.

Ron Day wrote:It is so unique and striking - very creative.

Thanks Ron.

Cynthia Crawford wrote:Very nice design/shape, and quite unique. I always see "creatures" in shapes, and this one is no exception. Two front legs....a swishy tail....
It works , of course, as an abstract very nicely.

Cindy only after reading your post I was able to see the creature that you were taking about.  Nice Imagination.

Very interesting lichen. I agree with Gary about a darker BG or "something" to make the lichen stand out more.

I like the way its standing on those two front legs and kicking up at the rear with a nice swish of that tail!

jerryb wrote:Very interesting lichen. I agree with Gary about a darker BG or "something" to make the lichen stand out more.

Jerry and Gary,  Here is a variation.

I like the modified version --- perhaps with a slightly stonger drop shadow?

Gary Briney wrote:I like the modified version --- perhaps with a slightly stonger drop shadow?

The new version looks like it has a shadow.  But it does not have one.  I have no idea how to do a drop shadow.  Help appreciated.

Vasanthi, Here's enough info to get you started (assuming you're using ps or pse) :

- Make selection of the lichen,
- Copy it to a new layer named Shadow,
- Invert it, [edit: or just fill the selection with black or gray]
- Move Shadow layer under the actual lichen layer and above the background,
- Shift the shadow position down and to the right about 10 pixels,
- Gaussian blur the Shadow layer 5 to 10 pixels,
- Reduce opacity of the Shadow layer to taste, usually about 70%
- Put another invert layer under the Shadow layer to restore the green background color

It's much easier than it sounds, and soon becomes second nature!
Gary

Thanks Gary.

Vasanthi Balson wrote:

jerryb wrote:Very interesting lichen. I agree with Gary about a darker BG or "something" to make the lichen stand out more.

Jerry and Gary,  Here is a variation.

Like this one a lot!  Tones and texture  give it more to hang on to, and it is less floaty.

I see an upside down ostrich! Very creative and I like the addition of the texture.

Thanks everyone!