Visualizing a new landscape plan is easier than you thought. Anyone who has a digital camera and a Windows Operating System has what it takes to redesign his/her landscape without landscape design software.
I’ve taken a lot of pictures of the gardens at the farm (Neglected Garden Gone Wild and Garden Gone Wild - Back From the Edge) and in a burst of creativity, stitched some photos together to get a full view. Then, using the Windows Paint program I made modifications to the stitched photo - removing/erasing undesirable items from the picture and painting/drawing in a new landscape which includes plants, trees, rocks and architectural features.
These are my before and after pictures.
Before Modifying The Landscaping
After Modifying The Landscaping
How You Can Do It Too
- Take a series of pictures of your yard and gardens.
- Upload them to your computer.
- Using your photo editing software, stitch pictures together.
- Use your ‘paint’ program to modify the existing landscape.
Using Paint Program
Open your stitched photo in the paint program. Making modifications is easier if the view of your picture is enlarged.Using the eraser tool, erase any items you do not want in your virtual landscape.
Then re-draw background elements. Click on the clone tool (eyedropper icon), then select your drawing/painting color by clicking on one of the background colors in your picture. Next choose your weapon - pencil, paint brush, airbrush. Using your mouse, and holding down the left mouse button, draw your background in over the areas where you have erased items. To change colors, hit the clone tool again, then click on a new color from within your picture. Continue painting/drawing in your background.
The airbrush tool works well to get a more natural effect and to blend colors. In areas where there are many shades of the same color (like grass), you will use the clone tool often to pick up and spray on different color variations. For finer details, use the pencil tool.
Adding trees - start by drawing an outline of the trunk and branches.
Use the airbrush tool to add layers of foliage - starting with the darkest greens first, working your way up to the lightest greens for highlighting. Each layer of color will add depth. Keep in mind that the undersides of branches are darker than the top. A realistic looking tree will also cast a shadow.
Carry on by adding other trees, shrubs, rocks. Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you do something that you don’t like, you can always undo it!
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