Stormward Collection

As a historic ice storm moves in, Stormward is launching with a brief ICE STORM SALE window.

Stormward is a curated collection of 27 high-resolution, digitally painted backgrounds built on classical chiaroscuro and tonal control. Each piece is created with hand-painted detail and real resolution, allowing these backgrounds to hold integrity at large wall-portrait scale—without the pixel breakdown common in AI-generated imagery. 

This sale window is brief and weather-bound.

This offer expires January 30, 2026!

> assuming we have power ;) 

Stormward was created for photographers and artists who prefer structure over spectacle.

This collection focuses on controlled light, grounded shadow, and atmospheric depth—principles drawn from classical painting rather than trend-driven effects. Digitally painted by hand, stroke by stroke, with print as the intended outcome, this collection was inspired by DaVinci's infamous Mona Lisa. The emphasis is on balance, tonal cohesion, and painterly surface that remains stable at scale.

These backgrounds are not decorative overlays. They function as painterly grounds—designed to receive the subject, unify the composition, and hold visual integrity under close inspection.

Designed for photographers who offer fine art portrait lines, Stormward backgrounds make Photoshop background swaps fast, intuitive, and clean. Each piece is built with controlled light, soft atmospheric transitions, and natural tonal grounding, allowing subjects to drop in seamlessly without heavy masking or artificial edge work. These painterly environments support skin tones, garments, and hair detail while preserving the depth and restraint expected in gallery-level portrait work.

COLLECTION DETAILS

Stormward includes 27 high-resolution painterly backgrounds, unified by:

• Chiaroscuro-based light structure

• Soft atmospheric transitions with clear tonal grounding

• Painterly texture that supports facial planes and garments

• Subtle variation in temperature, texture and value across the set

Each piece is included because it resolves a compositional need in a distinct way.

SIZE & FORMAT

• Minimum size: 4200 pixels on the shortest side 

• Many files extend up to 9400 pixels 

• Vertical orientation suitable for portrait work

• Delivered as high-resolution JPEG files

Designed for headshots, ¾-length portraits, full-length portraits, and large-format printing.

SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY

Compatible with Photoshop, Corel Painter, Affinity Photo, Procreate, Rebelle, Luminar, and most standard editing programs that accept JPEG files.

Editing software is not included.

PRO TIP

When compositing, follow the existing light and tonal structure rather than masking uniformly. Preserve softer atmospheric areas behind hair and clothing, and allow darker passages to provide natural grounding.

If additional softness is needed, duplicate the background layer and apply a subtle blur (Gaussian is my favorite), then reintroduce grain to maintain surface consistency. Often a simple tonal or color adjustment layer is enough to unify subject and background.

INCLUDES

• 27 high-resolution Stormward JPEG backgrounds 

• One downloadable file with 8.5''x11' quick reference guides

COPYRIGHT

© 2026 Heather Michelle Chinn. All rights reserved.

No portion of this product or its contents may be reproduced, shared, or repurposed without explicit written permission from the artist.

Please note that reference photographs are NOT included in the download.

January 24, 2026

Built from hand-painted detail at true high resolution, Stormward backgrounds are made to withstand large wall portraits without loss of fidelity.