Art & Inspiration The Photoshop thread to end all Photoshop Threads!

I use Paint Shop Pro, it's not the best I'm told but I have experimented with and keep finding new tools to use. I don't read directions, I'm a guy, I learn by experimentation.

I used pictures of the truck and two different '57 station wagons. I just copied the wagon's trim:

 

Thanks again Bob. I saw the Valenti sign--do you work there?

 

I used Arcsoft quite a bit some years ago, mainly because it came free with some of my Canon software. It really works pretty well for the price and I'd guess that the newer versions might have a few extra bells and whistles. It supports layers which is essential for doing chops, drops, sectioning, swapping wheels and that sort of cut and paste work. It probably has the tools (hue, saturation, luminensce) to change existing body colors, but you'll want to mask out backgrounds so you don't make the sky green and the grass purple and so on. I can't remember how well it worked to make selections around the part of the pic that you wanted to alter. Trying to use the airbrush tool to do paint jobs in Arcsoft might be a little tedious. You'll have to experiment with the opacity settings and expect to build up your colors a little at a time. If you're doing this using a mouse it could really test your patience. This is where a graphics tablet will come in handy, especially one with a pressure sensitive stylus. But you might want to make sure that Arcsoft will support those features.

Paintshop Pro and Photoshop Elements seemed to be pretty comparable software from what I remember a few years ago. Either would be big step up from Arcsoft but still a serious bargain compared to the full blown versions of Photoshop. I suspect that both of them will support a pressure sensitive tablet though I haven't researched this fact for myself. If you're wanting to make really clean, sharp selections with smooth curves and lots of detail, (like for laying out flames, panels or scallops) look for something that has a "pen" tool "bezier curve" tool. Again I suspect that PSPro and PSElements will have these tools but that Arcsoft may not. I'm just not that familiar with the more recent versions of these programs.

For doing this kind of work you won't need to go out and drop big money for the high-zoot full version of Photoshop. Depending on just what you want to do, Arcsoft may be all that you need but it might take you a bit longer to get the results you want. To do actual paint work with the airbrush your best investment might in a basic pressure sensitive graphics tablet, especially if you find out that your Arcsoft does indeed support it. You should see the funky old obsolete Jam Tablet that I found for $30 at Big Lots years ago that that I'm still using. Had to hunt down some unofficial drivers to get it to work with WinXP but it still works fine.

 

I would really like to see the Olds with supremes and pinners, if anyone would be so kind.

 

Hey ClayMart, Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I am using the most tedious method that you spoke of in arcsoft and it is really frustrating. Even though I use many layers of a watered down opacity to keep the realism, it never turns out the way I want. I'm pretty sure that I have a connection for the good photoshop for free (unofficially, of course). And I'll have to check into the tablet--the mouse is near-insanity.

 

No, I don't, I didn't even notice the name. I just got the image from a Google search.

I'm in Germantown, just north of Milwaukee.

 

Would someone put Wide Whites on my DeSoto, please? I can make a better picture if this one doesn't work.
Thank You,
Jack

 

You guys are amazing. I sure wish I could do that, but typing and entering is about the extent of my 'puter knowledge. 'Puters came long after I lost my ability to learn new things.
Jack

PS .. I hope one of you will put Wide Whites on my DeSoto for me.

 

Hey, I worked on your car a little bit the other night. I did it sort of unconventionally. I printed it out and was sketching a design and then I got carried away. I scanned it back into the computer and tried to clean it up a little, but it is far from looking as good as the stuff that is posted. I am looking for a new program where I can really start to get cookin'. I took the Longhorn idea and ran with it--I made the scalloped areas mimic the Longhorn "horns" and half-arsed the color with colored pencil.
Again, sorry about the quality, but I wanted to get it to you sooner rather than later.

 

Here are a couple I did from old from Edsel adds.

 

You didn´t say what you intended for the wheels, so I took the liberty. Please get your front bumper chromed, it´ll look so much nicer IMHO.

 

Shades of the "Li'l Coffin" going on here. Like your mix of "analog" and "digital" artwork.

 

THANK YOU, James D. You are gooooooooooood.
Gotta keep my wheels for time being, got too much in them. I had originally sent bumpers to be chromed, then when I decided to do roll pan in the rear, I decided to paint the front bumper. Not to be a PITA, and I hate to be a bother, but would you give me another picture with my current wheels. JFI, I like the new DeSoto (your version), better than what I actually have, BUT, I am retired and my moneys are pretty rare.
THANK YOU AGAIN,
Jack

 

I´ll take a look at it soon.

Perhaps you could find some steel wheels and caps for a decent price, and sell what you have. I swapped them because you seem to have a fairly low profile tyre on there and I wasn´t sure you could get a direct replacement size with a WW. Are they 16" or 17" wheels or am I mistaken?

 

James D, the tires and wheels are 15's.
I am defientley going to look into some steelies, cause I like what I see. I just wanted to see what WW would look like with the Boyds?
Thanks,
Jackie

 

Thank you James D.
That's exactly what I was looking for. You were right, your ideas are much better. You have a great eye and talent. I really appreciate your hard work and your new idea. I have already begun checking on the steellies. Would be great If I can find some dog dish DeSoto hubcaps. Again, I can't tell how much I appreciate your work.
Jack

 

Thats OK Jack, no problem. Keep us updated and thanks for the kind words.

 

Good lookin stuff in this thread guys!! I know cars, but programs like Photoshop go over my head. How about a quick one for me. Just a few color changes. I'm thinking a sunset orange (GMcolor), a metallic brown, or any other color you can think of that won't be too flashy. I'm trying to keep the overall look subtle. If ya get a chance, that's be great.

 

This was my first attempt at photoshopping


>.o

 

...

 

I love these photoshopped ads...would love to do one of my 54 plymouth wagon and my 63 riviera...these would make some great garage art...very cool idea

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=2662&pictureid=28741 off the trailer slammed on ground flat black with red wheels and wide whites or chrome on wide whites please

 

can anything be done with this pic.....please

maybe late model dually wheels with flatbed(stake bed.


sorry its a phone pic...

 

ok i think i might finnaly have enough car together in a pic to ask if anyone can stuff a sbc in here or even better a hemi??change tires and add some to the rear??? color it?(wife says metalic/flake black)......or is this harder then lowering and all that??thanks if you can, and thanks if ya can't..ya can remove the wifes porsche too if ya want.....

 

There wasn't a whole lot to work with:

 

heres another same treetment http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=2662&pictureid=21991

 

Thanks for the quick color changes Bob. I must say the ole girl looks different in both those colors. Thanks again...

 

Hey, just gettin used to a new photoshop program so forgive the rookie mistakes. Things will get better, trust me.

 

please do another of my olds. same way before