Help emulating a technique?

[Tallis]

Maybe this question would be better posted in a technique or methods forum, rather than here. Any one have any ideas?

[angelize]

No Tallis you have posted in the right place I'll try to put something together that might help you. I am assuming you want to do this in Xara software. I'll be using the current version of Designer Pro. You will need to give me a few days

[Albacore]

The main thing here if your last example is anything to go by is to convert your photo into a sketch style. Have a look here there are loads of online filters that you can use I just picked this from a random selection: http://www.snapstouch.com/

Then its into Xara and maybe through your scanner to bring textures in again using layers. Also if your really want to go hard work have a look at this Illustrator tut but this is serious if you go down this route: http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials...tor--cms-24197

Swishes and flourishes are straight forward but most of what you have shown us was done in PhotoShop so it is hard for us to tell you which way to go in Xara. I would convert your picture of your friend using one of these online filters just do a search "converting photo to sketch" and have a try there it could save you time.

[Tallis]

thanks angelize. i hope i described my problem properly. i can do that big frank thing precisely- separate objects, fill with color or gentle bitmap like watercolor, apply splashes (vectorized spray, also filled with a paint/watercolor raster to look like splashed paint) etc. I can put scratches and fade them, i can put textured patterns, apply transparency, etc. But it just looks like a jumble. It's the "rhyme or reason" I'm missing that is evident in the sample links I posted. Or at least to me there is. I like the style because it de-emphasizes reality and emphasizes spirit, somehow. Anyway, I know it takes practice and Ive been practicing and practicing...

[Tallis]

Thanks albacore. My mother loved albacore by the way! She would eat salad and tuna for lunch at work!

Anyway, the sketch angle is a good one, I will look into it. Thanks for the Ill link.

[Albacore]

Good god I am being eaten now! Cheers no problem. Big Frank's solution is good because you can stay in Xara the whole time its just that some of the techniques required you can do better else where either in PS or there's a free programme called Gimp that you can try. So if your not going to make your drawing larger for some reason then you should try a decent bitmap editor it might be quicker.

[cmpan1]

Good god I am being eaten now! Cheers no problem.

LOLOLOL!