painting rock or mountains...is there a specific method to use or brush type? I am having a hell of a time getting mountain sides to look hard and rocky. I know how I would do it on canvas, but PS doesnt afford the same response.

Thanks in advance. :)

Can you post some examples of the problems you are having? And what brush settings you used with them

okay keep in mind this is only the very beginning. its inspired by a photo, but I am not really using the photo as reference.

http://www.steeldolphin.com/forum/landscape.jpg

My brushes are basically set with the default settings and using either hard round brush or hard flat (0 roundness) brushes of 50-100 pixels in size.

:)

ah, I thought you would have more done. I guess the only thing I can suggest since Im not really sure what kind of effect you are going for would be to do the cross hatching method. But randomize is up a lot. Its better to be messy. Eventually after awhile of doing that with darks and lights you will create a rocky texture.

Is the crosshatching method similar to the natural media type of cross-hatching?

I dont know because there are different ways to do do different kinds of rocky surfaces. When you get some more completed you should post it then maybe I will have a better explanation since right now I cant imagine the kind of look you are going for.

I kinda like the feel that Craig has achieved in this pic. the images in this series are a bit too loose because they are just concept but still they are nice. Looks like he is using a round hard edged brush but the detail isn't excessive its just right IMO.

http://www.goodbrush.com/hirez_pgs/bond/alpine_ext4.JPG

I will play around with my attempt some more when I get some time, and see if I can give you a better idea. :)

You can just use a small brush and do angled strokes in the same direction for the flat surfaces. Then for highlight and shadow you can go the opposite direction. Doing angled strokes the whole time gives it a rocky feel and will keep the rock face looking rocky and jagged.

I start out with a regular brush witht he opacity stylus turned off. It makes it a lot easier and gives you more definate shapes. Then I turn it back on so I can add the detail and make it smoother.

like: http://www.newelysium.com/forum/rock.jpg

Its what I did for the stuff in this picture http://www.newelysium.com/forum/set.html

Nice! Thanks a million adam. :)

okay I have started a new painting..didnt really like the old one...lost my momentum on it. I willpost the new one in the WIP when its ready. ;)