Name: `nebu aka Shelley Bergen
Tools of the Trade: Paintshop Pro 9, Canon Sure Shot 5 mega pixel camera, Wacom Graphire 2, and lots of coffee!
Likes to use: I like to use various textures; grunge ones in particular, I am very fussy about people stocks; they must be high res. I tend to take my own stocks or use purchased stocks. I use the odd brush but not very often. I do a great deal of airbrushing to my pieces.
Examples of her work:



`nebu’s tips and tricks:

1.- Contrast
When using Paintshop Pro; if your image seems a little flat and lifeless try using Clarify, it brings out the highlights and deepens the shadows.

2.- Black & White
I tend to work in black and white until the end, it makes doing things like blending alot easier and quicker.

3.- Be Thorough
Once I have completed a piece I put it on actual size and go over the entire thing looking for anything that needs fixing.

4.- For Print Files
My friend James taught me this one....if you are preparing an image with a dark background to become a print; merge the image then go to Brightness/Contrast and turn the brightness up to about 80%, any flaws in the background will stand right out so you will know exactly what and where to fix. These flaws might not be noticeable to the naked eye but they usually show up on the print.

5.- Take Your Time
Never rush to finish a peice; it shows in the end result. Take your time, it's worth it. I have spent weeks on a single piece. Don't rush because you haven't submitted to your gallery this week. It should be about quality not quanitity. I submit maybe once a month; if that.

6.- Image Enlarging
Find a good image enlarging program; they come in handy. I use one alot, especially on textures. I am currently using Enlager Pro. There is also Genuine Fractals Print Pro. I've used both these programs, and both work well.

7.- Self Expression
Make the art that you want to make, not what others think you should make. Art is self expression.

8.- The Right Scale
When applying textures to say a face, keep scale in mind. An oversized texture on a face just doesn't look right.

9.- Collaborations
If you haven't tried working on a collaboration, give it a try. It's alot of fun and a great way to learn new things.


`nebu’s 3 favourite tutorials:

I don't use tutorials anymore, but I have made a few of them. They are on my personal website at http://nebu.groundfrost.com.


<sub>Please keep in mind that these tips and tricks are never meant as the only way to do something – they are the way the artist does things. They are meant to guide you or give you ideas what can be done and should be taken as such.

If you have any suggestions for deviants you’d like to see sharing their tips and tricks, feel free to write me a note. Just keep in mind that this article is mainly focused on photomanipulators.

Lastly, I would like to thank `nebu for sharing her tips and tricks
and you for reading them
^kuschelirmel


Previous Issues:
~ #1 Aegis-Strife
~ #2 Tsheva
~ #3 YagaK
~ #4 MelGama
~ #5 Chix0r
~ #6 miskis</sub>