How to blend layers

[simon ess]

Hi folks.

This is more of a digital art question really.

I've created an image using free software called krita. The U.I. looks a lot like photoshop.

I've used 3 layers for different elements of the image, but my foreground has a bit of a cut-out feel to it.

Is there a way I can avoid this, perhaps by slightly blending with the background layer?

Cheers.

 

[swanseamale47]

I've never used the software you mention but in photoshop theres a feather options (after you make the selection) this is used to soften the edge of the join, it's also possible to blur the edge of the join in photoshop.

When making up a composite type image it's important to get the lighting right on each part, if the lights different on different elements of the scene our eye will see something is out, but often not know exactly what is wrong, it just looks wrong.

 

[Chappers]

Not knowing the program and what the image looks like it's difficult to comment accurately. It also depends on how you've made the composite from the layers. Often it's a hard edge or the appearance of a hard edge that make the image look unreal. If you have made use of a mask it may be the edge is to defined. you could try a softer edge, or maybe use a small brush with a soft edge to paint through a layer to soften the image

 

[Kerioak]

Adding to Wayne and John's comments, you also need to make sure the lighting is all coming from the same direction (s) and the perspective of the different layers is the same

 

[simon ess]

Thanks for the replies. Some good tips there for me to take onboard.

I've found very subtle use of a blur tool is giving me the effect I want. I've also discovered how to merge layers, so I think I've cracked it.

Thanks again.

 

[Chaz Photos]

Light is a big problem when doing this, not just angle but colour temp of the lighting.
In PS you can get the colour of a different image or layer, but if your sw not do that you need to match it some other way.

 

[ianp5a]

The layer modes in Krita are similar to other programs.
And feathering the foreground selection or erasing the edge pixels of the top layer with a soft brush would make the edge pixels fade to transparent. Much like Gimp or other paint programs. If you haven't seen it, Krita is one of the leading, open source, painting programs. It is quite slick, and fully featured for artistic work.

 

[gazwas]

Altering the opacity of the layer can help blend it more naturally.