Landscape Brief

For this brief I have chosen to work on creating a realistic landscape with a tablet. I followed techniques from Pxleyes.com
I like how they start creating shapes with the lasso tool (foreground and background) and then fill them with using colour gradient.  Further adding detail and texture on top. I don't really use the lasso tool as much but I can see how useful it could be if incorporated further in my work. This will help create an realistic forms and shapes in my work. From following this tutorial I have learnt some useful techniques with the smudge tool. (finger painting, sample all layers etc)

Heres the link

http://www.pxleyes.com/tutorial/photoshop/1329/Create-a-Realistic-Landscape-from-Scratch-with-a-Graphic-Tablet.html

Here I used the lasso tool to create the background and foreground layers of the mountains, rock and lake. I then filled them in colour using the gradient tool.  As the further away the object is  in background the lighter the colour is compared to the foreground. 

I then began using the smudge tool and highlighting areas where the light would hit which would be the top of the mountains. I did this with finger painting selected to achieve a different result. 

Then began adding more detail to the mountains. 

I then began working into the other mountains.

I then started working into the foreground rocks. 

I then further added more detail to the piece I ticked on the option sample all layers which was a more effective way of smudging and blending the colours together. 

I then did the same to the lake to make it look more realistic by creating random swirls with the smudge tool to achieve this effect. I also added a smoke effect using a brush from Darken's Tutorial. 

I further added a colour dodge effect to hight light the white areas but I think I could work into this more by reducing the white glow as it needs to be blended in more. As this is the main focus where your eye is drawn to.

I have applied a gradient ontop with overlay to make the drawing look more realistic. I like this version better. Overall I am have learnt some useful techniques from following this technique and I am pleased with the outcome. If I had more time I would wok on adding detail and tone. To make it look more realistic.  With more and more practise with the smudge tool I will hopefully will become better at it.

Heres my drawing in black and white.