I'm often asked (be email, of course), how I create my images.
The first method is to take a number of images, break them down into pieces
and create a composite image from the result. This involves creating a new image
from scratch as the pieces don't fit together in color or lighting. All the
pieces provide is a guide to get the sizes correct. The preferred method, though,
is to have people submit digital images of themselves by email. I can use these
to create fantastic mythological images. If you'd like to see yourself on Mermaid's
Tail, here's the steps you need to follow:
- Get some digital images of yourself. Several is better
than one because it gives a choice of starting points. They can be taken with
a digital camera or scanned in using a scanner. Your images have to be large
enough to work with or I won't accept the commission. There's a number of
commissions I've had to refuse because the useful piece is too small. Your
face and body should be at least 500 pixels by 500 lines (6" on a side
when you see it on your monitor). The bigger they are, of course, the better
the final product will be.
- The images don't have to be nude. They're mostly to get
the face and body shape right. But if you want a mermaid, parkas just won't
do. I've had good success with bathing suit shots, though. Just how much you
want to reveal depends on the who the final picture is for, after all. A gift
for a special someone might warrant a bit more skin, an image to be hung in
a family room, a bit less.
- Attach the images to and email and
send them to ne at Crystal Pathes
(Art) Inc. In the email, tell me what mythological creature you'd like
to end up as. If there's some special color, background, or whatever you'd
like, tell me that too.
- I'll take a look at the images and the request and create
a rough version of the final work. This will be emailed to you as soon as
I get it done. Look it over and let me know what you like and what you don't
like.
- After we hash out the details, I'll create the final work.
As it progresses, I'll email you the results. Feel free to comment at any
time. Just remember changes are easier when we're just starting out than when
we're nearly complete.
- After everything is done, I'll email you a final JPEG
image. If you want a paper copy, I'll arrange for the work to be professionally
printed and shipped.
- I'll produce a story that goes with the image, too. This
will be put up on Mermaid's Tail as soon as I can create it.
When I create the roughin, we'll discuss prices. The price
depends on a number of factors including the size (smaller images are harder
to work with), the number of people in the final image (each takes time to get
right), the final size of the image (if you are printing it, larger images cost
far more than smaller ones) and finally whether there's an absolute deadline
for the piece. For standard-size (8" x 10") works, I charge $25 US
without a story. I charge $25 to write a story based on the picture. For anything
larger or smaller, we'll have to discuss the price as more work is involved.
As the creator of the artwork, I retain all rights under
copyright. So if it isn't a picture of you or you didn't take the original picture,
I can't work with it until the photographer of the original gives permission.
The original photographer retains the copyright until they give permission.
Many works on this site are only labelled as "Modified by" instead
of "Copyright". Should the holder of the copyright on the images I
used to create my photomorphs wants me to remove the work, I'll be happy to
do so once they present their evidence of copyright.
If you want to see some of my satisfied customers, check
out the Digital Art section of Mermaid's Tail.