::ANNA::

Layout Deconstructed No. 8

Shepherd | Eszter Baranyi

AnnaTeamer, Eszter Baranyi, made over a layout by another AnnaTeam member, ViVre during this AnnaPage MakeOver Challenge and shares her process for creating the page.

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1.  Create a New Layout at 12 x 12 inches 300dpi and open ArtsyPaper4.jpg from ArtPlay Palette Snow Fun. 

2.  Add transfers and overlays to increase the artsy effect. Open Overlay3.png from 12 x 12 Snowy Overlays No. 1 and position on top of the paper layer in the Layers palette.

3.  Open Transfer6.png from ArtPlay Palette Snow Fun and add to the layout on top of Overlay3.png.

4.  Select a clipping mask for the photo. Open FotoBlendz1.png from Original FotoBlendz No. 11.  Move the photo onto the layout on top of the FotoBlendz and clip the photo to the mask.  See the Instructions for Use eBook for clipping mask instructions for Photoshop and Elements.

5.  Open FotoBlendz6.png from Original FotoBlendz No. 12 and place it just below the previous FotoBlendz file. Add a Color Overlay layer style to the FotoBlendz6.png selecting a color from your photo using the Color Picker.

6.  Add a LoopDaLoop from LoopDaLoop Arrows No. 1 to highlight a/the subject in your photo.

7.  Add a selection of elements to the page. Open Frame3.png from ArtPlay Palette Sophistica, CrochetedSnow4.png from CrochetedSnow No.1 and Button6A.png from WoodShop Buttons No. 1 and position all three elements on the layout. 

8.  Apply Selective Coloring to the sheep by saturating the coloring the sheep highlighted by the frame and desaturating the remaining sheep in the photo.  Select the photo layer and create two Vibrance adjustment layers. Layer> Adjustment Layer> Vibrance then duplicate this adjustment layer.  Double click on the Vibrance 1 thumb in the Layers palette to open the dialogue box and increase the sliders to reflect the following settings: Vibrance -21, Saturation -46.  Apply a layer mask to the vibrance adjustment layer and mask the area inside of the frame.  Select the second vibrance adjustment layer with the following settings: Vibrance 1 copy: Vibrance +58, Saturation +29.  Apply a layer mask to the second adjustment layer and mask the area outside of the frame.

9.  Add title and/or text to the layout. 

10.  Add stitching to the layout to frame the page.  Open 1TiedTailed.png from KurvyKorner StitchBorders No. 1 and place it on your layout.   Add a Color Overlay layer style to the stitching to change it's color if desired.

Layout Deconstructed No. 7

This digital layout was created in Adobe Photoshop CS5 using ArtPlay Palette Blossom.

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1.  Create a New Layout at 12 X 12 inches 300DPI.  Open SolidPaper3.jpg and move onto the New Layout.

2.  Open Transfer8.png and postion on top of the paper.

3.  Select a photo, duplicate and desaturate the copy to create a black and white image.  Adjust the curves and/or Levels as desired.  Move the photo onto the layout on top of the Transfer8.png.  Clip the photo to the transfer and apply the Color Burn blending mode.

4.  Open and move Transfer4.png onto the layout.

5.  Select a photo, open and move onto the layout.  Clip to Transfer4.png.  Mask the edge of the photo using a layer mask plus brushes of your choice and apply the Multiply blending mode.  Adjust the contrast of the photo using the Curves/Levels as desired.  Duplicate the photo and apply the Soft Light blending mode in the Layers palette.

6.  Add the WordTransfer.png to the middle left of the layout.

7.  Add the WordART.png title.

8.  Add the SkinnyLinedOverlay across the middle of the layout.

9.  Add the Branch.png.  Apply an Element style from AnnaStyle Drop Shadows No. 1.

10. Add the Brad3.png.  Apply a Brad drop shadow from AnnaStyle Drop Shadows No. 1.

11.  Finish your layout with the story/journaling positioned over the masked photo.

Please download the free Instructions for Use eBooklet for further guidance on using Anna Aspnes Designs.

ArtsyTraditonal | Layout Deconstructed

ArtsyTraditional is a series of posts by AnnaTeamers, Amber Ries and Katherine Bley, that provide guidance and inspiration for combining artsy digital supplies into traditional style.

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Hi everyone!  I'm Katherine Bley and I am going to provide you with a peek into a traditionalist’s play on ArtPlay by showing you how I put an ArtsyTraditional layout together.

Please note that I usually add my photos first to a layout and then embellish around them.  In this tutorial I will show you layer by layer from the bottom of my layout upwards, to provide a better picture on how the layout comes together.

1.  Create a new layout at 12 X 12 300 DPI with a white background.  Select the background paper from ArtPlay Palette Gather.

2.  Add a transfer from the ArtPlay Palette just to make the fleur de lis a little more prominent.  Line the transfer up with the digital paper exactly so that the damask pattern blends seamlessly.

3.  Add the Love WordTransfer and reduce the opacity by 42%. 

4.  Add the dotted overlay from ArtPlay Palette Autum Haze.

5.  Add a couple of ArtStrokes from ArtPlay Palettes Gather and Sophistica.

6.  Add a GoldPaint Overlay and reduce the opacity by 26% for a more subtle look.

7.  Add a mask from Abstract FotoBlendz No. 1 and re-color using the Paint Bucket tool so that it coordinates with the color and tone of your layout.  The color of the mask can be sampled from the background paper.

8.  Duplicate the mask to make the mask more prominant.

9.  Add a photo and convert to black and white.  A sepia tint was added to the photo by creating a new layer, filling that layer with a color sampled from the background and setting the blending mode to Soft Light.  Reduce the opacity of the layer as desired.

10.  Add the frame from ArtPlay Palette Autumnal No. 2.  Customize the frame by clipping a paper from ArtPlay Solids Gather Paperie.

11. Add a title.

12.  Add the final embellishments.

Layout complete with little effort required. Really. Anna’s products do all the work so that even the traditionalist at heart can add a little ArtPlay to her and her family’s memories.

You can view the finished layout and a full list of supplies used with links to the products in Anna’s ArtStore at OScraps.

3 FotoBlendz Clipping Mask Techniques

Digital Supplies | Artsy Layered Template No. 31, ArtPlay Palette Scholarly (stained paper), Family WordTransers No. 1, FabricTextures No. 1, Family WordART No. 1, Abstract FotoBlendz No. 6

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What are FotoBlendz?

FotoBlendz are clipping masks enabling the artsy blending of photos into layouts by using the clipping mask function in Photoshop, Elements and Paint Shop Pro.

The basic technique for using clipping masks is as follows:

• Open the clipping mask and image of choice into your workspace.
• Drag both files onto your layout using the Move tool from the Tools palette.
• Move the image on top of the clipping mask and ensure the same order of layers in the Layers palette.  Note that the photo layer must reside above the clipping mask layer.
• Press CTRL + ALT + G (Photoshop) or CTRL +G to clip the photo layer to the clipping mask layer which will force the image to conform to the shape of the mask.

I used the Abstract FotoBlendz No. 6 clipping masks to perform 3 other techniques using clipping masks on a layout created with Artsy Layered Template No. 31.

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Technique 1 | Create a Border/Matte

Place a FotoBlendz clipping mask behind a focal image or prominant area of a layout, essentially framing that particular element which causes the eye to be drawn to it.

I created my page using my new Artsy Layered Template No. 31 making just a few minor adjustments.

A comparison of the page with and without clipping masks used as borders/mats:

Before

After

The clipping masks were positioned in a bold color behind a photo and the title to create emphasis and provide constrast.

I personally like to create brushes from the FotoBlendz masks when working with them for purposes other than standard clipping.

• Open the FotoBlendz clipping mask
• Ensure the mask has a width or height no larger than 8 inches.  Resize if necessary.  Go to  Image > Resize Image
• Go to Edit > Define Brush
• Select the Paintbrush tool from the Tools palette and select the newly defined brush
• Create a New Layer and stamp your brush in the color and size of your choice

Alternatively, you can open a FotoBlendz file into your workspace, drag the mask onto your layout and position according to preference using the Move tool from the Tools Palette.

Adryane used the same technique with a more subtle color to produce a similar effect. This technique is a great way to ground an element on a page and provide a solid area of color to a patterned background.

[supply list]

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Technique 2 | Create Texture

Use the same brush to stamp on a new layer and apply a blending mode to that layer.  You can experiment with both the color of the stamped FotoBlendz and the different blending modes.

• Create a New Layer
• Stamp FotoBlendz onto the new layer in the color of your choice.  I often select a mid or light grey. 
• Click on *Normal* at the top of the Layers palette and make a selection from the drop-down menu. I often use Soft Light, Overlay, Screen or Multiply.  Scroll through them with your up/down arrow buttons on your keyboard to test-drive them all, then select the best fit.

I like to apply texture on areas of solid color, such as the the solid black area in my photo, to create interest.

Kerry applied blending modes to her conventionally clipped images in the following layout.  She clipped the same photo to 2 different masks and applied 2 different blending modes.

 [supply list]

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Technique 3 | Create a Journaling Block

Use a FotoBlendz mask to provide solid color and separation for a title or to house your journaling.

• Open a FotoBlendz file into your workspace
• Drag the mask onto your layout and position according to preference using the Move tool from the Tools Palette
• Recolor the mask using the coloring technique of your preference

If you're like me, you might not always leave enough room for your journaling and so this little technique comes in really handy, and often.  Notice how the white masks provide the perfect primer for both my journaling and my title.

Donna has performed her own rendition of this technique by using masks in different colors.

[supply list]

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Three different techniques with an infinite number of outcomes.  Please post your layouts in the AnnaGallery.  I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Abstract FotoBlendz No. 6 and Artsy Layered Template No. 31 are currently on sale for a limited time here.

Download my free Instructions for Use eBook for more information on using my digital products.

Check out the NEW AnnaLift Challenge for this week. 

NewART + AnnaSampler + GiveAway

I have lots of NewART coming to the store on Friday.  Friday will be the official release day for my product moving forward.

One of the products I'm most excited about is the new AnnaSampler.

A collection of 8 carefully selected and co-ordinating components from some of my siganture product lines.  This particular set includes 1 each of the following:

• Paper
• FotoBlendz
• FotoGlow
• LoopDaLoop ArtStroke
• Element
• Brush (.abr and .png)
• Stitching 
• WordTransfer

The AnnaSampler has been concepted as in introduction to AnnaProducts.  If you have never used my designs then this set allows you to test-drive some of my signature lines with minimal investment.  It is also a proven success for anyone wanting to put a quick page together as shown by the AnnaTeam layouts featured below.  I seriously did the following page in 5 minutes as I demonstrated to my Mum how I envisaged this set to be used.  

All the components are pre-selected and designed to create a generic page making the process super-fast and relevant to all subjects of interest.

Here's a step-by-step of my page:

1.  Open the paper.

2.  Add the FotoBlendz.

3.  Clip photo to FotoBlendz.

4.  Place LoopDaLoop ArtStroke behind the clipped photo.

5.  Add FotoGlow.

6.  Add paint brush/digital stamp and WordTransfer.

7.  Add stitching and clock hand element.

8.  Finish with title and/or journaling.

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The AnnaTeam layouts show that this sampler is also perfect for more advanced digital scrapbookers.

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*Edited*  This GiveAway is now closed and AnnaSampler is now available in the store here.

I'm giving away an AnnaSampler to one lucky reader.  Leave me a comment telling me:

How would you use this AnnaSampler?

I'll randomly select a winner tomorrow.

In the meantime, sign up for AnnaNews to be notified when NewART is released.

Layout Deconstructed No. 6

A new layout and breakdown of my process aimed to show you how to make the most of the Burned Paperie and Tissue Textures BrushSet.

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The Digital Supplies

In this layout I used ArtPlay Palette Mist, Burned Paperie No. 2, Tissue Textures BrushSet, Celebrate WordTransfers and Distressed Edge Overlays No. 6.

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The Process

1.  Create a New Layout, open the 2 Burned Papers into your workspace and drag onto your canvas using the Move tool from the Tools palette.  Flip the second burned edge horizontally on the layout.  Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal (Photoshop) or Image> Rotate> Flip Layer Horizontal (Elements).  Add a Drop Shadow Layer Style to each burned edge to add dimension.

2.  Use the clipping mask function to clip a large portrait photo to the second burned edge.  CTRL + ALT + G (Photoshop) or CTRL +G (Elements).  Set the Blending Mode in the Layers palette to Multiply. Adjust the brightness of the image using one or more of the following tools: Brightness/Contrast, Levels and/or Curves.

3. Create a New Layer, clip this layer to your clipping mask.  You should now have both the new layer and the photo clipped to the second burned edge layer. Select the Paint Brush tool from the Tools palette with a Tissue Texture brush, increase the size to 2500 pixels and stamp once in mid-gray onto the new layer.  Set the Bending Mode to Multiply, and adjust the Opacity of the layer to tone it down slightly, if necessary.  The Opacity control is also located in the Layers palette.

4.  Repeat Step 2 in clipping a digital paper to the first burned edge and apply a Multiply blending mode.

5.  Open a second photo, convert to black and white, and clip to the same clipping mask as described in step 3.  You will now have both the photo and the paper clipped to the first burned edge. Blend the edges of the photos using brushes from ArtPlay Palette Mist with the Paint Brush tool + Layer Mask or the Eraser tool from the Tools palette.

6.  Add the Distressed Edge Overlay, the big white number/title, and another Tissue Texture layer to the clipping mask.  You will now have the paper, the photo, a tissue texture layer and the edge overlay clipped to the first burned edge.  Clip the number *38* to the clipping masked and re-order the layers by dragging the number layer down the Layers palette, and dropping it behind the tissue texture layer, so that the texture is transposed onto the white numbers.

7.  Add your remaining text.

8.  Add the WordTransfers and place them where the burned edges reveal the underlying background.  Re-order the layers if necessary as described in Step 6.

9.  Add remaining flower element and photo turn.  Place the accompanying flower drop shadow in ArtPlay Palette Mist slightly offset behind the flower and adjust the constrast and/or opacity of the layer as shown in this Using Element Drop Shadows video.

He Said

I little moment captured from tonight:

Digital Supplies: ArtPlay Palette Blooming Marvelous, Blooming Marvelous Add-On Clipping Masks, Abstract FotoBlendz Clipping Masks No. 5; Fonts are Garamond and Pea Kadee.

Techniques: 

1. Make a feminine kit work for a *boy* layout by focusing on the gender neutral elements and colors in the kit you are using.
2. Instead of re-coloring, or clipping digital papers to the various layers included in the Blooming Marvelous Add-On Clipping Masks, you can merge all the layers, by selecting them all in the Layers Palette, then Layers> Merge Layers.
3. You can clip a photo to one of the Abstract FotoBlendz, merge the two layers, and then clip  the new merged layer to the circle to a mask, such as the circle black paint from ArtPlay Palette Blooming Marvelous.
4. You can reduce the size of another Abstract FotoBlendz and define a brush.  Use this brush to erase the edges of another photo. Increase the brightness of the image and apply a Multiply Blending Mode.

Journaling:

Did you know when you grow flowers and plants they make OXYGENT?

I love that you kept repeating this little fact in many different sentences on our way home from your soccer game tonight.  You were clearly very proud to have learned something new at school today.  Dad and I just looked each other and smiled.  So stinkin’ cute!  19 April 2011

44 Observations About Our Modern Day Layout

My layout using the 44 Observations Layered Template.  I found a photo of Mount Rushmore, converted it to black and white, and then added a single family photos, shot by Farrah Jobling Photography last Summer.  The journaling is a list of pretty opinionated observations about our modern day.  They are written in no particular order. I just wrote them down as they came to me in the form of a numbered list. Lists are a much easier way to get down large amounts of written content onto a page.

Digital Supplies:  US of A PageSet, Light Textured Neutrals, ArtPlay Palette Autumn Crisp (flower - recolored), AnnaBlendz Artsy No. 1 BrushSet; Absolutely Acrylic Elements and Staple Its by Pattie Knox.

I clipped the papers from the US of A PageSet to the masks and used the AnnaBlendz Artsy No. 1 BrushSet to create black/edges behind some of the masks to emphasize the edges of the papers.  If I bring this layer to the top of the Layers palette, the AnnaBlendz Artsy layer can be seen as follows:

I also came across another neat article, Bicentennial Essay: Growing Up in America--Then and Now, that could be used as a source of inspiration.

Layout Deconstructed No. 5

Revisiting a few photos from February 2007, with a new layout and a breakdown of my process.

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The Digital Supplies

For this layout I used ArtPlay Palette Smooch, Love WordTransfers No. 1, AnnaBlendz Artsy No. 1 BrushSet, Distressed Edge Overlays No. 7

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The Process

1.  Create a New Layout.  Open paper and  Heart Layered Template from ArtPlay Palette Smooch.  Move paper onto the New Layout using the Move tool from the Tools palette.  Repeat with the Heart Layered Template ensuring all layers are selected in the Layers palette.

2.  Clip photos to some or all of the heart masks.  Move the photo onto the layout so it *sits* directly above the heart mask in the Layers palette, then [CTRL + ALT + G] in Photoshop or [CTRL + G] in Elements.  Optional: Adjust the opacity of the Drop Shadows.

3.  Add the Heart LoopDaLoop ArtStroke and the Transfer Border from ArtPlay Palette Smooch to the layout.  Position these layers on top of the background paper layer and before the Heart Template layers.

4.  Add the XOXO Black Frame from ArtPlay Palette Smooch and Love WordTransfer.  Position beneath the Heart Template layers in the Layers palette.

5.  Add a Distressed Edge Overlay from Distressed Edge Overlays No. 7, and resize to fit the inner edge of the XOXO Black Frame.  I also added my journaling at this point using Pea Kadee font.

6.  Blend an image into the background of the layout.  Set the photo to Multiply Blending Mode in the Layers palette and blending using a Layer Mask and the AnnaBlendz Artsy No. 1 BrushSet.

7.  Add remaining elements from ArtPlay Palette Smooch.

Layout Deconstructed No. 4

It was fun to scrapbook a little last night just for fun.  I have to admit it's been a while but other priorities, such as living life, have taken precedence lately.  

I had much fun with 2 of my new products: Hipster Plume PaperMasks No. 1 and ArtPlay Palette Santa Nicholas.

I originally designed the Hipster Plume PaperMasks No.1 to be used with digital papers + the clipping mask function in Photoshop or Elements, or re-colored as desired.  I really like them in white and layered behind images with other brushwork to create a decorative mat.

In this particular layout, I used the PaperMasks with photos.

1.  I started with my background paper from ArtPlay Palette Santa Nicholas:

2.  Position one of the Hipster Plume PaperMasks onto the paper, duplicate the PaperMask layer, and then merge the two layers to create a more *dense* mask.

3.  Open and drag an image on top of the mask and clip the photo to the mask. Press CTRL + ALT + G (Photoshop) or CTRL + G (Elements).  Adjust the Curves and/or Levels to achieve desired photo exposure.

4.  I used the same technique with the LoopDaLoop Santa element included in ArtPlay Palette Santa Nicholas.  I desaturated my image and boosted the contrast by increasing the levels, before creating multiple duplicates and applying Soft Light and Screen blending modes.

5.  Add the gold *HoHoHo* lettering, *Good* WordTransfer, the *S* from the BrushSet and add a third photo to the layout

6.  Place the other Santa LoopDaLoop included in the kit over the photo, using the first LoopDaLoop Santa element as a guide, before applying a Drop Shadow to create depth and dimension.  The red button completes Santa's hat.

7.  Finish the layout with a few more elements, such as the flower pinned to the page with the photo turn, and some supporting words.