I wanted to see if I could duplicate Chrissy's signature "circuit board" style in my copy of PhotoShop Elements. I find that duplicating other peoples styles expands my own unique artistic style, because I can then blend these new elements to make something truly unique. In any event, I think I pinned down the theory behind what she is doing, if not the actual skill with which she does it.

Anyway, here is what I came up with.

that picture confuses me o_o

same here, I don't know what to say to that

It's just a study of Crissy's style. I wanted to see how you get the effect that you have in say, the forum header.

Pretty good for a stufy there staff. Looks a bit like Pac Man, but you basically got the method down it seems.

um... well maybe the shapes sort of... good try.. kind of missed a bit... but keep trying!

I think he got the style...but I agree he hasn't quite found the skill yet...Yet.

Skill is directly proportional to and a result of the amount of time spent on a task.
Like I've always said: "I can do perfect work, and I can do speedy work. Pick one, cause I can't do both. (At least not at the same time)"

I did another one, and I think I have improved. I also think that I may have improved on your style (or at the verry least taken the form in a new direction.)

I see a lot of improvement in the second one.

But remember, not every piece of art needs to be a masterpiece, as some think. Gestures are practice in drawing for example. They don't need to be perfect, just have the essence in em. You said yourself the first was a study, and I found it a damn good one at that.

agreed for sure an improvement on your last attempt. definitly a different take on the style though with the fuzzyness and the shineyness and stuff. the fiery background thing seems pretty accurate though..

i like them both a lot. if anything, i think i prefer the first one...

i prefer the second one. ill make something later and then i want u to kinda...recreate it..but kinda altered.

EDIT: kay so i made something. think of this as a test

Sorry, it was late and I forgot to mention:
That pic took me damn near 6 hours to do. O_O

I have SO much respect for your ability to pull that stuff off like that. Plus you have full blown PhotoShop 7.0, I just have Elements. I can tell you right now that that cording thing you got going on would take me FOREVER to duplicate, and even then it would look nowhere near as good.

im surprised. ur pic shoulda only taken like...2-3 hours..thats the way im seeing it. but seeing it as ur first good detailing pic it would take awhile.

the one i just did only took me like...1 1/2hr

Chrssy's test shows on the 1 1/2 hours in my oppinion, but I've never used PhotoShop in my life so I have no real basis on whether that was good work or not...I did enjoy Staffy's second one, maybe I just like flashy stuff though-either way good work.

Well, I had to "step back" and look at may work alot, and I was verry picky about making the angles and other elements work JUUUUUUUST right. I realy put thought into how this work would be composed so as to feature the most eye pleasing features. Also, It started out more as a halfassed site BG, which meant I was doodling the "fire" part (it's actualy supposed to be lightning, but fire works too) LONG before i even started on the plating

the 2nd one is a a big improvement

If you want staffi could send you Photoshop CS - which is what I have. or you could download it yourself >.>
why don't you have full photoshop just randomly?

Photoshop CS is way better than ps7 in my opinion.

actually..i have pscs2. and i really dont see a difference between ps7 and cs cept for a few added things.