WATERMELLON

Make all your layers except for the WHITE background invisible by clicking the eye and getting the red X. Since the EYE layer is on top, be sure that it is highlighted.

Preset Shapes Tool.. Ellipse...antialias and Create as Vector BOTH checked, solid line, change the foreground to NULL and the background color to a dark green, I am using #096109. Again, you can use any color that you prefer. There is no set rules for what colors you use, remember, this is YOUR Crow. Start your mouse at x18y209 and drag it to the right and down until you get to x275y333. You will end up with a dark green oval.

Do not worry about the position now, as we will adjust this in a few more steps. Click on the Vector layer and Convert to Raster. Name this WATERMELLON.

SAVE

With the Magic Wand click inside the green oval. Selections/Modify/Contract by 8. Flood Fill with a medium green, I am using #0FA50F.

Selections/Modify/Contract by 8. Flood Fill with a light green, I am using #A6F2A6.

Selections/Modify/Contract by 8. Flood Fill with a medium red, I am using #FF0000. Selections/Select None.

Click on your Selections Tool, rectangle. Make a rectangle over the top 1/3 of the oval.

SAVE

Click the Delete key. Selections/Select None.

Preset Shapes Tool.. Ellipse...antialias and Create as Vector BOTH checked, solid line, change the foreground to NULL and the background color to BLACK.

Make a small oval in the red area of the watermellon. Zoom in so you can see better and shape the SEED like a tear drop. When you are happy with the shape, click on the Vector layer and Convert to Raster. Name this SEED.

You will be duplicating the SEED layer for ever how many seeds you want to show. I made TEN copies and then used the Move Tool to position the SEEDS just above the light greeb section of the rind.

RED X the BACKGROUND layer. Now the only layers visible should be the WATERMELLON and all the SEED layers. Merge/Merge Visible. Rename this Merged layer WATERMELLON.

SAVE

Make all your layers visible and making sure the WATERMELLON layer is highlighted, you can use the Deform Tool to position the Mellon at an angle.

HAND FEATHERS

To make it easier to see the FEATHERS I closed out all the layers EXCEPT for the WATERMELLON and the white BACKGROUND.

Preset Shapes Tool.. Ellipse...antialias and Create as Vector BOTH checked, solid line, change the foreground to NULL and the background color to BLACK. Make an oblong shape in the WHITE area above the WATERMELLON. I find this easier to connect the FEATHERS as I can use the Deform Tool to reshape and angle them on the WATERMELLON when I am ready.

Use the Pen Tool to add NODES and shape into a FEATHER. This does not need to be perfectly shapes, as FEATHERS are damaged by winds, brush and contact with other birds/animals...:) When you are happy with the shape, click on the Vector layer and Convert to Raster. Name this FEATHER.

Duplicate this FEATHER two more times. Then with the Mover Tool, position them how you want them to look, keeping some of the feathers slightly apart. RED X the WATERMELLON and BACKGROUND layers and, making sure that one of the FEATHER layers is highlighted, Merge/Merge Visible. Name this layer R WING.

SAVE

Make all layers visible. Using the Deform Tool, position the WING on the right side of the WATERMELLON and shape it.

Use the light gray and your Paint Brush, Size 2 and add details between the R WING feathers. You can use the Gaussian Blur or the Smudge Tool to soften the grey lines.

Duplicate the R WING layer and name it L WING. Then Image/Flip. Move the L WING to the left side of the WATERMELLON and position it where you want it.

SAVE

FEET

Preset Shapes Tool.. change to the Triangle...antialias and Create as Vector BOTH checked, solid line, change the foreground to a dark yellow, I am using #FFB85D, and the background color to a medium yellow, I am using #F9DC41. I am using the same yellow colors that I used for the BEAK. Again, you can use any color that you prefer. There is no set rules for what colors you use, remember, this is YOUR Crow. Start your mouse under the bottom center of the WATERMELLON and drag up and to the left til you get a triangle about 1"X1 1/2".

Use the Deform Tool to rotate the triangle so that the TOP point in pointing down towards the center of the BODY.

Use the Pen Tool to add NODES. Use as many NODES as you feel comfortable with to shape the feet. This does not need to be perfectly shapes, as birds feet are knobby, scraggly looking things...:) Do not be afraid to ZOOM in so that you can see the NODES. When you are happy with the shape, click on the Vector layer and Convert to Raster. Name this L FOOT.

SAVE

Duplicate the L FOOT layer and name it R FOOT. Then Image/Mirror. Move the R WING to the right side of the CROW and position it where you want it.

SAVE

Now you can highlight each layer and using the Deform Tool, you can rotate and position the parts the way you want them. I moved the WATERMELLON below the BEAK and then used the Deform Tool to reshape the BEAK smaller.

When you are satisfied with your Crow, delete the WHITE BACKGROUND layer and Merge/Merge Visible. This is where I would go to File/Export/Picture Tube and save him as a tube.

Now you can resize him, add a background, props, frame and your name and you have a sig.