This weeks Lesson starts out with 'Making Selections with Gel Series'. After opening the Hibiscus image in our image editor we duplicated the original layer. Then hid that layer and made a selection of 400 X 100 pixels horizontally across the center of the photo. Activated the Auto Fx DreamSuite Gel Filter and used the Gel preset Pill Green. Next I returned to my image editor and added the text and set the type as a selection. Back to DreamSuite Gel and used the Gel preset Valentine. All those clicks and clings and clangs happened several hours ago and this is where I quit taking notes.

Take my word for it that Sara's tutorials are wonderful and very easy to understand (even for me)

So WaaaLaaa this is the image I created for the first part of this assignment. I'm calling it 'Hibiscus'... now how can you get anymore original than that? :ò)

Our next exercise was to use any selection and use the Gel Painter to selectively paint colors under or on top of the gel surface.

My first choice was the Egg ..

Wait! There is not a chance in this world that I can possibly remember all the effects I used to create this image. However, I do remember it required several individual visits to DreamSuite after new selections were made to achieve these results. Just counting the individual colors is not accurate because I managed to 'Gel Over' the same layer more than once!!

The egg alone was not suitable for posting so I encouraged it to invite some of it's friends to join him.

I have No idea how This Egg managed to persuade a little itty bitty Lady into a field of Crayon Grass!!

My next effort was focused on 'Adding Highlights with Gel Painter'.
I created a background starting with an image and adding a couple of different Texture Effects in PSP.

On a seperate Layer I added the Clover Shape, selected it, hid the Shape Layer and made the background layer active.

Off to DreamSuite and I chose DreamSuite Gel ~ Gel and the Preset Blob Green.

You know by now that the rest of the steps I implemented to obtain these results are 'History'.


This image of the Sun and Cloud was created using the same method as 'The Egg'.

I wanted to try that effect again assuming it could be done much easier the second time and with a more simple shape. "Don't even go there!" This one required only two less coffee breaks vs. The Egg.

Both were a lot of fun and I was pleased enough with the results to leave well enough alone!!

	Adding Realism with Gel Painter I started out with the Green Pepper image that was supplied. I selected each section of this green pepper individually, applied the Special Effects ~ Gel Painter and used the preset Brass Tacks.
In PSP7 I selected the green leaf top, duplicated the layer and applied the Effects ~ Enhance Photo and used the Manual Color Correction to make it darker. The stem was transformed similarly plus a bevel and a drop shadow was added. Just like the Egg, this Green Pepper was not brave enough to attend this Party alone. The Real Apple Tubes agreed to be his escort.

Happy St. Patricks Day!!