Rob Trek Forum

What I use in Photoshop, I am fairly competent at. But I am in no way close to an expert in it. I created an illustration look for some posters and calendars I did for a visitors bureau. Which I also use for my own photos. Before the illustrations there were lithographs. So far I am unable to get the look I want. Here are 3 Currier and Ives lithographs with the look I want. Any suggestions on how to do this or hints about Photoshop tools I have am not familiar with would be appreciated. Of particular note is the lack of fine detail, and sharp edges (in 2 of them). Also due to the way lithographs were made, the limited color palette and non smooth shading done with different shades of grey inks. This is really obvious in the first and third photo. Although this size does not show it very well, the black are grainer than the other colors because of how paper absorbed the ink back then. That part I can do.

This is the closest I have come so far. It was not done in Photoshop. It is still closer to an illustration with out the sharp edges of the better lithographs.