Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hi all,

I have been making progress lately on a new algorithm which will allow me to create synthetic brushtrokes with variable curvature. It is a bit early yet for me to show an example, but I think it will look quite convincing.
The idea is to create a new effect like Painting 7 (brushstrokes), but with different stroke placement and thicker paint. Not quite impasto, but hopefully pleasant enough...

In the meantime, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays! Here is a watercolor from a photo I took a few months back in my hometown of Lyon(s), in the Croix-Rousse area:

 

Best regards,

David

The trials and tribulations of a hobbyist programmer

Hi all,

I know, I know, long time no see... I've been pretty busy lately and could not devote as much time as I would like to FotoSketcher. Such is the plight of the hobbyist programmer ;-)
At least, I am not alone as I have recently learnt that I am part of a large group of 7.5 million developpers worldwide (cf. http://www.computerworld.com/article/2487084/it-careers/the-rise-of-hobbyist-programmers.html).

As for FotoSketcher, I still find time to do some research, think up new ideas, test new algorithms. Once in a while an idea is not too shaky and its translation into code within my capacity as a developper. That's when you see a new effect in FotoSketcher!

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. In the last couple of months alone, I have tested, refined and discarded new algorithms, which simply did not hold up to my expectations. But that's OK. It is part of the fun and a failed idea often sends me on a completely different route, which might lead to a nice new effect.

I'm currently working on some realistic brush strokes to better emulate a hand painted look (using transparent textures, Bezier curves, new stroke placement ideas, etc.).  I don't know yet if that endeavour is going to be fruitful, but I'll keep you posted.

I had also tried a totally different approach, based on the merging of hundreds of different layers - made of geometric shapes - hoping the resulting image would coalesce into a arty approximation of the source image. Alas, the results were rarely up to scratch.

Here is one of the best abstract examples I could produce (click image to view in full size):

Well, it's back to the drawing board for me :-)

Best regards,

David

P.S. As usual, if you like FotoSketcher you are most welcome to buy a me a nice cup of coffee (or tea!).