Snow Scene Illustration - Photoshop Photo Retouching
Artist, Illustrator: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
A company in Mobile, Alabama approached me with a project. There was a need for a holiday card photo of their offices. They wanted a snowy scene at night. Unfortunately, the only images available to them were during the day and without snow (since it doesn't snow in Mobile). The photo was great and the basis of the project.
PHOTOSHOP ONLY:
PROJECTS USING SOME PHOTOSHOP WITH OTHER SOFTWARE:
ABOUT PHOTOSHOP ILLUSTRATIONS:
Adobe Photoshop was originally developed as a photo retouching tool, and it continues to excel in that role. Over the years, however, artists and designers have expanded its use far beyond simple photo editing, exploring its capabilities for digital illustration, compositing, and creative image manipulation. Photoshop can be used to create original artworks from scratch, dramatically transform photographs, or produce complex visual effects comparable to those seen in television and film - only in still image form. While I have not yet ventured into fully replicating traditional oil painting in Photoshop, I have created original works and modified images so extensively that “retouching” no longer fully describes the process.
Photoshop is the industry standard for bitmap image editing, and I rely on it daily, often in combination with other tools such as Adobe Illustrator and SketchUp. Even when working on more routine tasks like resizing, compressing, or preparing images for print and web, I apply the same techniques and attention to detail that I use in full scale illustrations. This practice ensures that my skills remain sharp and adaptable across every type of project.
Nearly every illustration featured on this site has been touched in Photoshop in some way, whether for final compositing, color adjustment, or output preparation. Its versatility allows me to combine precision and creativity, producing images that are both visually striking and technically polished. From subtle enhancements to bold, original illustrations, Photoshop remains an essential tool in my workflow, enabling me to deliver professional-quality imagery for a wide range of applications.
PORTFOLIOS
- Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
- Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
- Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
- Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
- Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.
Additional Portfolios:
- Augmented Reality Portfolio
- Racing Related Portfolio
- Medical Illustrations Portfolio
- Character Illustration Portfolio
- Portrait Portfolio