"original" is a big word but as far i know it IS original and pass well also the most severe test for "artistic " filters that are human figure and portrait...is relatively simple create effect that works well with architecture and natural landscapes but faces are always more tricky

Here some examples of what you may get , please see at full view

WHAT YOU MAY GET

LANDSCAPE

Full view http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6557 ... 6b5f_b.jpg


digital painting with gmic
by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

ORIGINAL


Winter Meal by Jan Tik, on Flickr

PORTRAIT


digital painting with gmic by PhotoComiX, on Flickr


Man from Dhulikhel by Sukanto Debnath, on Flickr

TUTORIAL


OK chose a image, open in gimp, and start gmic

1) in gmic set Output (it is a option under the preview windows) to "New Layer(s)" take care, "New Layer(s)" NOT "new Active layer "

2 ) Uncheck the preview display or will slow down a lot
go to Artistic /"Ellipsionism"


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

Don't be foolish by the default
The default effect would far too strong and abstract , but that may be adjusted reducing Radius and Outline values

,first i set the Primary radius to the Minimum
The Secondary Radius value should be different or the result will be boring (sort of circle ) the proportion between the 2 radius will determine the size of... something close to a brushstroke effect , A For secondary Radius the double of the primary (so 2) may be a good starting point

Also set the "Outline" to the minimum

This layer will be the base will contribute for texture and colors, try to find the best effect possible while maintaining the image still readable (later we will add details )

this seems good...notice that the eyes are still readable even if less clearly
(but they will regain readability later, by adding highlight and shadow)


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

click Apply (no need to close gmic using OK, APPLY is fine) your new layer will look as


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

that is no bad at all but we want more ... first we want add dark outlines and details as with a thin sharp brush)

So now look inthe gmic menu for BW/Pencil
Look to the screenshoot, we will use only the controls enclosed in red:
Size and Amplitude

the other Controls there (Hue and Saturation) are to give a color to the "pencil" but we only want BW so are not to be used

Note that again the default is not what we wish,


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

see the difference? raise Size and maybe lower Amplitude, focus on get nice clean black outlines


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

Again click apply and you should see a new top layer as


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

Now time for higthlight ....Again look in the gmic menu for Contour/Gradient Normalization

again DON'T STICK TO THE DEFAULT, that in this case will look as


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

The white outlines must be clean clearly visible while the dark BG must be close as possible to solid black as you may see here



Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

So this time you may click OK, close GMIC and this should be what you see


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr


NOW THE MAGIC

1 )Open in the gimp the layer windows

toggle OFF the visibility of the top layer, now that would disturb

Click on the layer below ( that in BW with Pencil) in DARKEN ONLY mode

Dose the opacity with the slider again default 100% will be too strong, i chosen about 65% as you may better see here


Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

time for highlight
Set the top layer to LIGHTEN ONLY, make it visible again ...DONE



Tutorial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr


Now consider this a base once you get this base then will become obvious how to build upon or adapt to the images :

As example you may add a transparent layermask to any of this layer,
on the top layer to add modify the highlight
The same on the layer below to modify the darker outlines

And you you may Duplicate the "base" layer (were we used Ellipsionism") and set the dup on softligh or grain merge mode to obtain more dramatic colors

just as example i duplicated the Ellispionism layer, set over its copy in soft light mode and


Tutororial by PhotoComiX, on Flickr

Or you may wish copy the same base effect, put the dup on very top in normal mode with low opacity --
or

but whatever you may wish to do i believe this a good base

Attached the XCF

Once you get the logic you may also try with other filters

as example smear , erode , a denoise filter used with dramatic settings or a bilateral filter instead then
Gmic Ellipsionism...

a Sketch filter or maybe gimp Artistic /photocopy instead then gmic pencil

And some other egde filter for the highlight

and using the same logic highlight and shadow may be painted over using layermask...but i don't want confuse you as you may see the basic is very simple

Original as BG (come often handy)
Over the original the "Painted" base in normal mode and full opacity
Over that a layer to add dark outlines and details (in darken only mode)
On the top a layer to add white outlines and details (in Lighten only Mode )

anyway another examples...straight,, no twist same as in the tut



and i love this



Above the effect of the added highligh is very visible on the eyes...i could have used a layer mask to make it clean (around the iris ) but at the end i let as it was also because helps to understand how this effect works