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Tracy Feb 22, 2006

Okay, here's a couple of pics of my nekked 'No Name' bear.  He's the first I've shaded with oils.  Got a little too dark, and the background makes the shading look too orangey in the photos .  Any suggestions on background color for this guy?  I'm not sure what would work the best.  (He will have blue overalls eventually) 

Tracy

Judi Feb 22, 2006

Nice shading Tracy. :clap:  :clap:   Adding details like this really brings a creation to life.  You chose a very nice shade that compliments your mohair.  You can also try layering colors too for even deeper dimensions.

For a background color, I would try a lighter blue, grey, or even black.  You could always experiment with different colors and see what you like best.

Thanks for sharing yoru pictures. :dance:

BearBottoms Feb 23, 2006

I agree, grey background or something neutral.  Something less bold will really bring out his eyes and give the 'peeker' a better idea of his color.  That super bright blue kind of takes away from the focal point - the bear.

At any rate, he's beautiful, and I think you did a great job on shading!  It looks like it's natural.  I have yet to figure out how to do those open-mouthed bears, so I'm always in awe over them!

Kimberly W.

Marion Feb 23, 2006

Really beautiful ! I now want to try oils too ! :hug:

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorFeb 23, 2006

Nice effect with the shading, Tracy . . . I would probably go with a black background if I were photographing him.

Tracy Feb 23, 2006

Thanks gals!  For both the compliments on my shading (which I still think needs much work ) and the tips on background color.  I knew the bright blue would be bad, but was using this background earlier for a very dark brown bear for which it worked well (she's going on ebay this weekend).  I really had no idea what color to use for Mr. Nekked No Name!  I would never have thought of black.  I'm going to try that tomorrow, and grey too if I have something that color.  Wish me luck!      The photography is still a 'head scratcher' for me most of the time!

Tracy

Eileen Feb 23, 2006

Gorgeous bear, Tracy!

Does anyone know . . . is it possible to use a photo-editing program just to test different background colors?

Eileen

Just Us Bears Feb 23, 2006

Yes Eileen..you can using the magic wand tool.
Tracy...he's adorable and you've done well with the shading! I love the tongue...is it ultrasuede?

BearBottoms Feb 23, 2006

Hmmm, me thinks Mr. Nekkid No Name needs a black background....  You DO realize that if we keep this up, his name WILL be Mr. Nekkid No Name! lol 

Kimberly W.

Tracy Feb 23, 2006

Haley-Wow!  thanks for the visual!  I love the black, so black it will be.  What photo software do you use?  That's gonna be my next 'big' purchase (mohair doesn't count!   ) All I have right now is an antiquated version of Print Shop Photo Pro.  Does a few things, but not enough!  Oh, and Mr Nekked's tongue is ultrasuede that has been shaded and then coated with a gloss varnish for sculpey clay.  The gloss kind of soaks in and hardens and just leaves the tongue set in a natural looking position, etc.  Something I tried one day for the heck of it and liked it!

Kimberly- 'Mr. Nekked No Name' is way too long to fit on a tush tag!      I'll have to think of something soon.  Any suggestions? 

Tracy

Just Us Bears Feb 23, 2006

Tracy,
Thanks so much for sharing how you make your bears tongues look so realistic. Isn't it amazing what wonderful techniques are just 'stumbled' upon merely from having a go at something new.

I just use Photoshop 7.0 but the magic wand thingy should be on most upper tech photo editing software....Shelli???

The black does look good doesn't it. And BTW...I LIKE the name Mr Nekked!!!!

matilda Feb 24, 2006

TRACY!! love those open mouths. Especially the teeth.
I have many ?????????? about how you achieve all this.

Matilda

Tracy Feb 24, 2006

Thanks Matilda!      Ask away---I don't mind sharing!

Tracy

lbbears Feb 24, 2006

beautiful bear, I love the blue eyes, did you paint these?  I agree I like the black background also the best :clap:  :clap:
:hug:
Laurie

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorFeb 24, 2006

I just use Photoshop 7.0 but the magic wand thingy should be on most upper tech photo editing software....Shelli???

I don't have direct experience with any program other than Photoshop 7.0 but I have done some reading on various programs.  And my understanding is that most programs, nowadays, have some kind of "selection tool" that selects for "pixels of the same color", or "pixels very close in color", which is what the MAGIC WAND tool does.  I don't know what it's called in other programs, tho.  Sorry.

Eileen Feb 24, 2006

Wow, Hayley--cool FX! Thanks  :hug: Definitely the black.

Eileen

matilda Feb 27, 2006

The Teeth Tracy, how did you do them?
Are they a bought set? or did you make them your self?
How did you put them in?............etc............

I know I have a cheek dont I?........

Matilda

DebbieD Feb 27, 2006

I was the same way, Matilda...so you can be cheeky for me     I'm oh so curious about those teeth.... And is his tongue a 'pillow' type, or a single layer of ultrasuede?  You've truly pulled off a fantastic mouth Tracy!!!  His expression has totally captivated me...I just adore his baby teeth and smile 

I just LOVE Mr. Nekked and I hope he can at least keep that bit for his name     Although he does look something 'soft' like a Joey     Okay, I'll quit being gushy for now 

Tracy Feb 27, 2006

Laurie--The eyes are handpainted.  I haven't done too many of these, but this pair has turned out the best of all of them.

Matilda and DebbieD--Mr Nekked is nekked no more!  I made some bib overalls out of a pair of my hubby's jeans he 'grew' out of .  He does look so cute in them!(the bear I mean! )
                   
The teeth are hand made out of polymer clay--the front ones are actually one piece with each tooth sculpted into it.  I put a coat of gloss sculpey varnish on them for the shine.  I was brave when installing them this time and actually cut a slit into the mouth where each tooth was to go and then stitched and glued them in.  This is covered by a line of fabric paint for gums.  That method really worked well, and I have no doubts at all about the security of the teeth.  The tongue is a pillow type--made from ultrasuede and then shaded.  I also put some of the gloss sculpey varnish on it.  It tends to soak into the fabric, leaving a little shine and also stiffening the tongue a bit into a nice permanent shape that I think looks realistic. 

Thanks gals for all your compliments!     And don't worry about being 'cheeky',  I don't mind at all as I can be cheeky too!  

:hug:
Tracy