Calibrate Monitor

Have you ever wondered if your monitor is calibrated for optimal image display?

As I edit my own images I decided it was time to learn how to calibrate my own monitor. I found it wasn’t as hard as I thought.

The best website that I found with clear instructions is this one http://homepage.eircom.net/~bot/paint/monitor.htm

I do have Adobe Gamma installed on my computer with a shortcut on my screen to find it quickly to check my monitor regularly. Adobe Gamma if installed can be found in the "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration" folder of your computer.

When I am setting up the Gamma using the large coloured patch from the website (link above) I stand back from the monitor approximately ten feet as this is easier to see if each patch is blending.

When asked to save your new settings, give it a name that is unique (do not save over the original file name as you may want to retrieve this back) so that you can request for these new settings to be used in other editing programs. Adobe image programs will already know your new settings. For example PaintShop Pro, you will need to go to File then Colour Management. In the Monitor Profile drop down menu, choose you’re newly saved monitor settings, click OK and you are now using your new settings for PaintShop Pro. You won’t need to do this every time you tweak your monitor setting if you save to that unique file name each time.

Once done your monitor should now clearly show all shades of greys and colour in your images.

Butterfly Pastel "work in progress" Completed

I have now reached my “More look than put” stage. I am undecided if I should do anymore work on the foreground or leave it as it is. I really don’t want to draw anymore attention to it so I am thinking the less it is worked the better.

I did touch up the two bottom daisies where tone was bugging me between petals. I also added more blue to the shadow on the bottom daisy.

The remainder of the butterfly was completed. I concentrated on light showing through the wings to bring them to life. Without the light they tend to be flat in colour.

The body of the butterfly I scraped the merest touch of pastel to depict hair. This helped to give the body more contour as well.

Mmmmmm….. more look than put!!! Is it finished? The next posting will be on my website, which will show changes that are done, if any at all.

Butterfly Pastel "work in progress" seven

Gosh the more I do on this work the more I see that needs to be done….eek!!

I removed the halo effect around the top left wing. I also refined that wing and made sure all the paper was covered.

It was then time to move onto the wing underneath.

I was disappointed I didn’t get more done today but then there is always tomorrow.

Butterfly Pastel "work in progress" six

It has been quite a busy day with Crutching some of our sheep. For those that don’t know the “Crutcher” cuts the wool of the sheep’s behind to help keep that area clean. I am the cook for the day when this job is done.

No more on the butterfly but I did manage to get some more work done on the daisy flowers along with some scrapes of colour in the darker foreground. There is quite a bit of colour in the daisy petals, which isn’t showing up on my monitor. I still may put some subtle pink & mauve mid tones back into the petals yet to depict more shadow.

I am aware at all times that I need to break up any halo effects around the larger shapes. I see one curving around the outer edge of the butterfly wing at the top. I am making a mental note to fix it tomorrow.

Butterfly Pastel "work in progress" five

I didn’t do a lot today on this piece as I am not feeling 100%. I had worked on the butterfly yesterday after my last posting. As the old brain is a bit foggy today I only added some colour to the remaining large flowers, as I didn’t dare touch the butterfly for fear of mucking up what I have already done. Hopefully I will have another update tomorrow.

Butterfly Pastel "work in progress" four

Before going any further with the painting today I decided to post a progress shot. I am feeling my way with the colours for the butterfly as this fellow is large with a 45 centimeter wing span. My main concern is that I don’t end up with flat looking dark areas in the wings. The reflective lights plus layers of different darks hopefully will bring this butterfly to life.

Butterfly Pastel "work in progress" three

More pastel was applied on the background as well as foreground.

I saw some flower shapes top right hand side and decided to make some of those shapes stronger as if they are little mauve/pink flowers out of focus.

I put the first focused flower in place to see if the depth was actually happening, which I feel it is

Basically I am flying by the seat of my pants by applying colour and tone to see what happens. So far I am happy with the way this is progressing