Old Hoss and the Minster

Another couple of goes at using what I have learnt in Painter. One is of "Dick" the horse belonging to Leeds Morris. Done using the impressionist clone brushes.

The other one is of York Minster this time the exercise was using Textured backgrounds and Chalks.

So far they are a bit paint by number ish but I can see some potential.

This little piggy had roast beef……..

..... an Italian meal as it happened.

Things have been as usual here always way behind with sorting photos and anything out. I finally got round to November. This particular very wet and windy day I had arranged to meet three good friends in York . Walter, Susan and Sid otherwise known as "The intrepids" hell needed to be intrepid to brave that weather. One of our original ideas was a walk around the walls as the rain was that really serious stuff described as "stair rods" I think, that wasn't going to happen so after meeting the three of them off the train we went for some breakfast and a chat. Suited me if in doubt eat and talk. Where we decide to have a trip around the railway museum its free its indoors and its got lots to photograph.

The Railway museum is one of the places that swallows time. After spending half an hour there we found the whole afternoon had past so we pulled up our collars and brave the weather again this time to have a look at St Nicholas’s fair which would have been good but the rain didn't put you in the mood for lingering which was a shame.

We then had a wet but enjoyable walk in the wet streets of York.

After that we settled on a nice little Italian restaurant were we had more food and a good natter. Despite the weather we had a good day out as always and I’m looking forward to a repeat outing.

This little piggy stayed at home

I can see this is going to be slow going but I'm just impatient . This is the second lesson I have worked through a bit rough but If i had spent more time would have been better but learnt another method of cloning.

I went through the given images and then tried one of my own. This is the worst part of learning any new software knowing what I want but not able to do it yet . I have been looking at and working from a book called "Painter 11 for photograghers" by Martin Addison. The image types are not really my cup of tea but its showing me where stuff is. So so far I'm finding it an informative book. Going to look at one more section tonight and perhaps use what I have learnt on one of my pics tomorrow.

Yet again this little piggy went to market

 

This time last year I counted up my small change and found I had £150 so this year l decided I would save up and get a new tripod. When it came to counting it all there was more than enough for my tripod, so have seen the new bamboo touch graphics tablet I decided to get one as well.. This is my third wacom tablet. The first one replaced a ready cheap tablet which was 0K at the time for handwriting bat nothing much else, and when I finally upgraded to XP it wouldn't work as I couldn't get drivers. After a while I decided to try again. This time I got my first wacom a volito it was a waste of time I couldn't get on with it. I put it down to me been tight and going for the cheap end again.

Just over two years ago I was made redundant and as it happens turned out to be one of the best things that has happened to me, but that another story. The point being that when I had got employment again I spent some of my money on cameras and other stuff needed of my hobby one of this was a wacom bamboo fun still at the cheaper end but was very impressed. This time I took to it like a duck to water and with windows 7 can even write this blog with it instead of keyboard.

A few days ago my new tablet arrived. This time in sexy black and with a touch enabled on the tablet. I liked the idea of that because when i was using the old fun I often use to try touching the working area of the tablet instead of lappy mouse pad. So far I'm loving this its as easy to use as its predecessor but the pen is more sensitive. Its still small enough to carry around with me but the working area it more than big enough and this time its better shaped for wide screen.

The other new thing is I have got a trial of painter 11 and I'm trying with varied success to use. The idea being that I will be able to use for free hand painting and mixed media type stuff. So far I have been just playing with the auto painting and cloning and practising using selection tools. Having used Photoshop for a while I think makes it easier and both can be worked on side by side when i get that far. Anyway here is one of my first attempts  reworking an old photo using mainly selected auto painting. Not brilliant I know but the only way to get to know a program is to play. 

If i manage to improve I might post some more

He's behind you!!!!!

Work tonight has been one of the more enjoyable nights I have had to work.
Had to get in a few hours earlier but I don't mind once in a while.
Do what was this big occassion?
It was the anual house trip to the panto.
The magic of the panto never fails to get to me. I boo and hiss with the best of them ( oh yes I do) . The jokes still raise a laugh even though they are the same old jokes every year. This year it was Alladin. Scenery incredible transporting the audience to a far off land. This year there were a few packs of brownies and other small kids there. Their excitment was catching. The students seemed to have a good time too. We had attempted to arrive for performance early as there was a tour organised first. But dispite ordering taxis days ago we were some how late for the tour . I was supporting 2 students 1 a wheelchair user and the taxi that arrived wasn't the wheelchair one we needed so took some time to transfer the student in then out of taxi. By the time we got into the theatre the tour was done. We were then very early lol but at least we were settled.



Then the fun began unfortunatly wasn't supposed to take pics so that's one off my program.



The manager telling us we weren't allowed photos heehee



The interval
A good time was had by all !

This little piggy stayed at home

 

On Tuesday I ended up having a day of work as  weather was bad. Think perhaps I could have got in but as it was a travel day for students first day back not many turned up so was told i didn't have to risk travelling. So having missed taking photos of the snow before Christmas I went for a walk into town these are a few of the photos i took.

 

A shed up the back lane took this because I have already got a B&W image of this from a while back.

This was still in the street of the neighbours  cant remember what was so funny though

 

The road into town

Short cut through the churchyard

And on the way to the river

feeding the ducks

 

I was very tempted to make a snowman band to put in the empty bandstand

Was good to get out and walk in the snow but as I think I have said else where the novelty is wearing off now.

Only kidding myself

Since Christmas I have been trying to walk more cos let's face it I do need the exercise.
So far I have been walking more but as far as any effect in calory intake goes it's been a bit of a waste of time.
The walking itself has been quite enjoyable having found s free podcast novel I have been plugging myself in and enjoyed the walk even in the snow I have enjoyed it.
A couple of times I have walked the 20 mins into town to get some shopping. The first time I did this I did ok got the few bits I needed and walked back home. Then then a couple of days later I set of again braving the icy footpaths and listening to my podcast. Every thing was going great till I arrived at the supermarket and couldn't find my purse . I did find enough loose change so I could still get some bread and milk so at least wasn't all in vain. The other thing I realised that my occasional trip in the car to the pub been replaced by a walk wasn't having much benifit either instead of just a couple of halves I was having 2 or 3 pints so calorie intake still exceding output. Hay hum.
I did manage to take a few pics on my walk but I will post in my next blog as I'm on my phone at the moment and pics on lappy.
Was glad this morning to Finnish work for a few days the snow was nice to go take pics of but novelty wears off when yer have to travel in it all though it has improved here .



Car park this morning much better



Not too much more snow over night



All though wasn't to impressed with icicles lol

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