I don't know about the rest of you, but I love "Palette Play" in the Calmics section of Artella's Daily Muse. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a Palette Play Challenge? All of us are busy, so I was thinking about this being an entire month challenge.  I would like to see what everyone can create using just the colors in today's Palette Play.  I believe today's colors are "Lake" colors.  This challenge would show Cedra and Fred how much we enjoy their hard work.  I know I do!  Aunt Bobby, would it be okay to post a copy of the colors here?  

 I haven't heard from Aunt Bobby yet, but I imagine it should be alright to add the picture from Palette Play here.  It has nice, cool colors!

 Bill, I LOVE this idea!  (and I love Palette Play too)!  Thanks for going with it! cb

 Hello all,

OK here is the link to my response to the Palette Play challenge. It was a lot of fun and a great idea.

http://artellacafe.com/photos/the_gallery_of_lori/picture17889.aspx

Lori

I posted this in your gallery, but I'll post here, tool.  Your mandella is beautiful, Lori!  I haven't started mine yet since I'm still having a terrible time fighting with Effexor withdrawal.  (I wrote about that in my blog.)  I've got some ATCs to finish and get out in the mail, and then I'll concentrate on creating a picture.  I love the colors, though!

Lori:

 Hello all,

OK here is the link to my response to the Palette Play challenge. It was a lot of fun and a great idea.

http://artellacafe.com/photos/the_gallery_of_lori/picture17889.aspx

 

Lori

Bill -- I love the idea of this challenge!  I'd like to do one of these a month, really -- the problem would be picking out which Paulette (or Hugh) to use, right?

Of course it was great to reprint the Paulette here!  Thanks!

Hugs ~~ Aunt Bobby

Hi Bill, I like this idea too and will throw in a version. Nice Job Lori, love the colors and way you used them together.

Okay, here is my submission:

Hi everyone!

Bill - super idea with this Palette Play Challenge!  I love how Lori and annmarie have used the 'Lake' colors in their two very different yet strikingly similar versions because of the colors.  I've got one on the go as well and hope to post it soon.

~ chameleon

Hi Everyone!

Count me in!  Here's my contribution for this challenge.  It really got my creative juices going.  A lot of the time a creation kind of takes on a life of it's own and just evolves.  When I was done with this one, it reminded me a little of Halloween. Hmmm!  It's not time to Trick or Treat yet, is it?

 Hugs,     Julie    

Now, that is awesome, Julie!  The grass spikes surrounding the sparse, stark tree limbs bursting forth stars rather than foliage.  It does have all the makings of a spooky evening where the moon is shining bright, the ghouls are on a prowl and the time is just right to......play the Palette Challenge!

Mine's an undersea adventure . . .  same palette, different landscape.  The mermaid clipart image is from Karen's Whimsy at: http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/mermaids/mermaid.shtm.  Bill, this challenge was great and hope to see yours' soon!

~ chameleon

 Lori -- I love the way you've shaded your mandala for "depth"!  The weight of the colors is perfect.

AnnaMarie, you've used pixel-squares with such skill that they look round and dimensional!  (Like I wrote in your blog, I'd enjoy a wall border of this!)

Julie, I've read that you are "new" as an artist.  Your piece certainly doesn't like like that of a beginner.  Your stars look like they're turned! Between the bold placement of the grass and outline of the tree, and the "washed" look just over the horizon, I love it.  I don't see Halloween -- more like New Years!

chameleon -- You've managed to place this beautiful 'maid within a mystical ocean of textures and colors.  Thank you, thank you, too, for the link to Karens Whimsy -- I looked at her mermaids, and can't imagine how you did what you did!

Bobby, I'm with you: a monthly Palette challenge is a GREAT idea!

Bill, sending healing thoughts your way.

-- cb

 I'm LOVING this idea - great work for starting it, Bill!

Hi Everyone!

Constance, thank you so much for your kind and generous compliment.  I have to say that I was inspired a great deal by both Lori's and Annamarie's beautiful interpretations of this challlenge.  And, Bill, I wanted to say a special "Thank You" to you for instigating this challenge.  Barb, I fell in love with your Mermaid as soon as I saw her.  I've spent a lot of time on and around the sea and love all things related to it, including the Mythos.  She is beautiful.  I haven't checked out the web-site yet, but I plan to do just that.  I was wondering how you added the beautifully color and shading.  I am sure when I check out the link you provided, I'll probably have similar thoughts to Constance's.

Hugs,    Julie   

After seeing your terrific responses to the Water Goddess image, Constance and Julie, I thought I'd pass on the few simple steps I took to complete the artwork.  Once you’ve figured out how to navigate around the Photoshop world, you will be editing like a pro and doing all of the cool techniques in no time. Here's a few tips to get you started with your favorite image:

Background:  Open File > New > Blank File to set your size.  Mine was 6" x 6", 266 dpi;
Background Copy:  Duplicate Layer 1 > Select Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient.  Choose your custom colors for gradient: I selected the four colors from the 'Lake' Palette Play Challenge.
Select Gradient Tool from Tool Palette > Linear Gradient.  I started from bottom left to top right to get the background;
Background Copy 1:  Duplicate Layer 1 > Select Filter > Distort > Ocean Ripple;
Background Copy 2:  Duplicate Layer 1 > Select Brush Tool from Tool Palette.  The Brush I used was found under Pen Pressure > 91 Squid. 
Size 493 px (depending on image), Mode Normal, Opacity 63% (depending on image).  I used the light blue color (d2f6ff) to add the background brushwork;
Layer 1: Select Edit > Paste to insert your image;
Layer 2: Duplicate Layer 1 > Image > Resize > Scale.  You can determine if your image should be enlarged or made smaller;
Layer 3: Duplicate Layer 2 > Select Brush Tool from Tool Palette.  The type of Brush I used was found under Faux Finish  > 90 Sea Sponge 2.
Size 90 px (depending on image), Mode Normal, Opacity 100% (depending on image).  I selected the four colors from the 'Lake' Palette Play Challenge plus two others for hair and skin;
Layer 4:  Select Text Tool to sign your work.  Take a deep breath and congratulate yourself on the artwork you created. 

Continually Save, Save, Save your work.  When finished, save a copy as a jpg file.  Let me know if you have questions about anything:  Explore, Experiment, Enjoy!

~ chameleon