Winter Solstice and a Birthday

Today is the shortest of the year as far as daylight hours are concerned in my part of the world. And it is also my little boy's birthday. How did he get to be 28 already? Happy Birthday, Adam!

I've been busy - haven't we all - trying to get all the things done around here that I need want to do before Christmas, which is approaching like an out of control freight train, so haven't been doing much in the art room.

I did spend a couple of hours the other evening playing with making repeating patterns and Christmas-themed backgrounds. Here is what I came up with:

 

 

And I also like to play with the wave filter. Usually I start by making a gradient on the background and then I use the wave filter to produce some very interesting effects. You can get some nice striped and checkered patterns that way.

And never overlook the rectangular to polar filter. It, too, can produce some really nice designs. The one below was produced by doing a red and green gradient, playing with the wave filter and then using the rectangular to polar filter. Just play with it. You sometimes get some very nice surprises.

 

 

If you don't remember, or haven't learned somewhere else or by a different method, you can find my tutorial on making repeating patterns here.

Well, I have a bazillion things to do today, so I'd better get a move on. I will try to find time to make some art to share tomorrow.

Bye for now!