Monochromatic Surreal Collage
Black and White images have a timeless quality which color work simply cannot match.
The main difference is CONTRAST. Varying the brightness and luminosity.
Surrealism is an art style developed in Europe in the 1920’s, characterized by
using the subconscious as a source of creativity to liberate
pictorial subjects and ideas.
Surrealist paintings often depict unexpected or irrational objects in an atmosphere of
fantasy, creating a dreamlike scenario; An art movement in which one’s dreams,
nightmares, sub consciousness and fantasy inspired the final works.
Step 1.
In your notebook on page 58 write at least 2 paragraphs about the most random ridiculous dream
you can remember. If you can’t remember one, make something up! (psst, no one will ever know.)
Read through your dream and pull out the words or phrases that stand out to you the most.
Next, make a list of photos/images/things, you will need to make it work.
You have my stock images to choose from as well as online resources, AND you can always take
the pictures yourself.
Now you need to sketch out your idea for what you to do to
incorporate all these images. It does not have to be a fancy well done
sketch. All you need is a plan of action.
Below is a scan of my notebook. This is how I put my dream together.
Matching the Lighting and Contrast.
Each image we add has different
lighting and contrast, so you need to
match them together.
Go to Image>Adjustments>Brightness/
Contrast.
Adjust as needed.
Photoshop Time
Create a new document. 8x10, vertical or horizontal. set resolution to 300.
Set mode to Greyscale. (image Adjustments > Mode>)
1. Background
Start with your background. Move into the new document your choice for background.
Adjust the contrast of it by using the image adjustments menu. * The Image Adjustment window will
be your best friend for this project.
Focal Point
What IS YOUR focal point? what do you want people to notice when they see your work?
To Tha Left.
<------There are 3 different pictures here, blended together.
Use layer masking and quickmasking to achieve
desired results.
Add some more “stuff”
Start adding your interesting objects into your composition
to add depth. Remember to change size to show distance.
*Don’t forget to adjust contrast and brightness.
Trick to Adding Depth.
Using different shades of gray helps
to create space. By eithor lowering
the opacity or using a lighter gray
shade you can make things look like
they are receding into the
background.
Adding Lighting
Adding punches of white to
boost the brightness is a must.
Get a soft edge white brush and
add a few bursts of light, adjust
blending modes as needed.
Lighting Trails
In order to get these types of trails you have to use the pen tool set on path not shape. Look back
in your notes on the pen tool to help achieve the swirly effect. You only have to make 1 good
one and copy it and resize it as needed. Erase parts of the line CAREFULLY to show
perspective and it moving in and out of objects. Be sure to add outer glows with the layer styles
to really achieve the effect properly.
It’s all in the details
Whether its brushes or images, making small detailed additions really amp up your work.
Hint Hint. :)
Add an adjustment layer to the top before completetion to wrap it all up in a nice bundle.
Remember to SAVE as a jpeg and put in drop box.