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Creating Holiday Magic in Digital Montage

Updated: Nov 21

As digital collage and montage artists working with Photoshop, we all have our unique starting points before we dive into creating. For me, it always begins with a moment of reflection: What inspires me right now? What am I passionate about? What visuals are sparking my imagination?

Once I’ve explored these questions, I start gathering the elements for my composition—a process that continues to evolve as the image unfolds. This approach mirrors how I curate and build my element collections for fellow artists.

With Christmas just around the corner, inspiration has come easily this season. I wanted to design a Christmas card that captures the magic and wonder of this special time of year. The idea of an alcove—a cozy, inviting space—quickly became my focal point. I envisioned a grand Christmas tree as the centerpiece, surrounded by a scene full of festive details. From there, the design naturally came to life.

Creating this piece was pure joy from start to finish. I adore the enchanting atmosphere of the holiday season, and I believe it’s the perfect time for adults to let their inner child come out to play. Sometimes, all we need is a little creative nudge to rediscover the magic.


The Wonder of Christmas



TThe latest collection, along with some timeless favourites, is now available in my Digital Element Shop—perfect for adding a unique touch to your holiday creations!



For those of you who have purchased The Animal Kingdom, I've added some new elements you might enjoy. If you haven’t downloaded the original PDF with the link, please contact me via the contact form, and I’ll send you the updated link.




Midnight Serenade, Printing Process


I follow a very simple process for preparing my images for printing, and it works wonderfully for most projects. This process doesn’t include color calibration for your computer, so it’s ideal for quick and effective results. Whether you’re printing images for an exhibition, creating thoughtful gifts, or designing festive Christmas cards for the upcoming holiday season, the journey from screen to print is always exciting. Here are a few pointers that might help you bring your digital creations to life!




1. Preparing Your Digital Image for Printing in Photoshop


a) Brighten the Image to Compensate for Screen Light Loss

  • Why? Images appear brighter on screens due to backlighting, which doesn’t exist on printed paper.

  • How?

    1. Open your image in Photoshop.

    2. Go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

    3. Slightly increase the brightness and fine-tune the contrast to avoid washed-out highlights. Aim for subtle changes, typically a 10–15% increase in brightness.

b) Keep Lights and Darks in the Printable Range

  • Why? Printing can’t reproduce the full brightness and darkness range of a screen; details may be lost in overly light or dark areas.

  • How?

    1. Open the Levels tool (Image > Adjustments > Levels).

    2. Adjust the black and white sliders to avoid clipping at either end.

    3. Use the middle slider to balance midtones.

    4. You can also use the Histogram panel to check for clipping.

c) Measure the Color Temperature

  • Why? A proper color temperature ensures accurate reproduction of colors in the print.

  • How?

    1. Use the Eyedropper Tool (I) in Photoshop to sample a neutral gray or white area in the image.

    2. Check the RGB values in the Info panel:

      • Neutral gray should have equal RGB values (e.g., R=120, G=120, B=120).

      • If not, adjust using the Color Balance tool (Image > Adjustments > Color Balance).

d) Save in the Correct Format

  • Save your final image as a high-resolution file (300 DPI) in a print-friendly format like TIFF or JPEG.


2. Benefits of Printing on Matte Paper


  • Matte paper diffuses light, reducing glare and making the artwork easier to view under various lighting conditions.

  • It provides a soft, non-reflective finish that suits painterly or textured digital art.

  • Colors appear slightly more muted but rich and refined, perfect for creating an artistic look.


3. Hahnemühle German Etching Paper


  • Texture: This premium paper has a beautiful fine art texture, resembling traditional etching paper.

  • Why it’s ideal: Its lovely textured surface adds depth to digital montage and collage art, enhancing the details of layered elements and painterly backgrounds.

  • Archival Quality: Acid-free and durable, it ensures your artwork lasts for decades without fading.


4. Using Recycled Frames from Second-Hand Shops


  • Eco-Friendly: It reduces waste and contributes to sustainable practices.

  • Unique Aesthetic: Second-hand frames often come with vintage or rustic designs that can complement your digital artwork.

  • Cost-Effective: High-quality recycled frames can be purchased at a fraction of the price of new ones.

  • Customization Options: You can repaint or refinish second-hand frames to match the theme of your artwork.


For those that are not familiar with photoshop and image artistry, I highly recommend Sebastian Michaels' Photo Artistry Course. It's a great way to learn photoshop and to learn how to express yourself through this digital art form.


Please let me know if you have any questions or requests. Thank you for visiting my website.

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