Monday, September 30, 2013
No Color
I just updated my iPad to iOS 7.0.2. Am I the only who thinks the "new" look is a step backwards? I'm fairly sure Mr. Jobs wouldn't be totally thrilled with this basic flat look either.
Evidently progress is not always taking a step forward.
Evidently progress is not always taking a step forward.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Fired But Not Fired Up
Those from East Tennessee will know what I mean by saying it looks like karma has caught up to coach Lane Kiffin this weekend.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Using the iPad as an Art Tool 101
(The following is from my comment on a LinkedIn forum where the person asked for advice in purchasing art apps for the iPad.)
First, any recommendations are strictly biased, based upon the preferences of the individual. That said, I have tried and owned six different tablets in the past three years (four Android and two iPads) and I definitely prefer the iPad for several important reasons. I have also owned another dozen tablets dating back around fifteen years and the iPad is the best so far for the type of art and art touch-up I do.
Regarding art apps for the iPad, there are multitudes. Since the prices are so cheap (sometimes free) I have tried around sixty, counting photo retouch apps. I categorize these drawing apps three ways: excellent; fairly good overall; and pretty worthless. In the excellent category there are around ten that I enjoy and recommend, but the one which I use about 90% of the time is ‘ArtStudio’. It normally sells for $4.99 but occasionally is on sale for $2.99… compare that to the cost of purchasing Photoshop!! It is not only a good overall art app but also includes many of Photoshop’s best features. It is quite intuitive (important trait) and once you become accustomed to it’s interface is exceptionally fast and bug-free. If the specific job doesn’t require extremely high resolution (such as billboard size) which only a traditional computer can give, I use ArtStudio as a Photoshop replacement as well as a drawing/painting app!
I have also purchased and used numerous stylus pens and once again, I have my favorite. It is actually a brush instead of a ball and is manufactured by Sensu. It sells somewhere around $40 I believe. If you prefer the ball tip, it also has one attached at the opposite end than where the brush is. Since I normally use brush and ink with traditional cartoon art, this Sensu brush hits as close to home as anything offered for tablet computing.
I hope this helps a bit… I always enjoy passing on what I’ve learned from my hundreds of waisted hours and hundreds of waisted dollars in trying out the fun technical stuff which is out there as resources for artists to expand their creative endeavors with!
First, any recommendations are strictly biased, based upon the preferences of the individual. That said, I have tried and owned six different tablets in the past three years (four Android and two iPads) and I definitely prefer the iPad for several important reasons. I have also owned another dozen tablets dating back around fifteen years and the iPad is the best so far for the type of art and art touch-up I do.
Regarding art apps for the iPad, there are multitudes. Since the prices are so cheap (sometimes free) I have tried around sixty, counting photo retouch apps. I categorize these drawing apps three ways: excellent; fairly good overall; and pretty worthless. In the excellent category there are around ten that I enjoy and recommend, but the one which I use about 90% of the time is ‘ArtStudio’. It normally sells for $4.99 but occasionally is on sale for $2.99… compare that to the cost of purchasing Photoshop!! It is not only a good overall art app but also includes many of Photoshop’s best features. It is quite intuitive (important trait) and once you become accustomed to it’s interface is exceptionally fast and bug-free. If the specific job doesn’t require extremely high resolution (such as billboard size) which only a traditional computer can give, I use ArtStudio as a Photoshop replacement as well as a drawing/painting app!
I have also purchased and used numerous stylus pens and once again, I have my favorite. It is actually a brush instead of a ball and is manufactured by Sensu. It sells somewhere around $40 I believe. If you prefer the ball tip, it also has one attached at the opposite end than where the brush is. Since I normally use brush and ink with traditional cartoon art, this Sensu brush hits as close to home as anything offered for tablet computing.
I hope this helps a bit… I always enjoy passing on what I’ve learned from my hundreds of waisted hours and hundreds of waisted dollars in trying out the fun technical stuff which is out there as resources for artists to expand their creative endeavors with!
Qarafa / el-Arafa
Qarafa / el-Arafa
Also known as The City of the Dead and Cairo Necropolis.
Part of a series from my first trip to Egypt.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
How Low Can You Go
When doing the Limbo, it's advantageous to see how low you can go... just like the song's lyrics state. But when it comes to other areas of life, such as one's lifestyle, our ethics, our morals, our values, our decisions, and all areas of our honesty and character, 'how low can you go' is not the yardstick we should be using. It's surprising how confused we seem to be about such a simple little concept.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
My Humor
Sometimes I just can't resist, even when I really should.
I was at a job interview and the interviewer asked if I was alright with the company doing a background check and a drug test on me. Without thinking I quickly responded "It all depends on what type of drugs you'll be giving to me!" For a second he looked quite shocked so I had to give out a laugh and reassure him that was just my weird sense of humor.
I hope his laughter meant that he wouldn't take that remark seriously!
I was at a job interview and the interviewer asked if I was alright with the company doing a background check and a drug test on me. Without thinking I quickly responded "It all depends on what type of drugs you'll be giving to me!" For a second he looked quite shocked so I had to give out a laugh and reassure him that was just my weird sense of humor.
I hope his laughter meant that he wouldn't take that remark seriously!
Home Your Skills
One way to get things done quickly and efficiently is to learn time-saving techniques from people who do that specific often and are good at what they do. These techniques are termed "tricks of the trade". Once you do that particular procedure quite often you also might develop your own tricks to speed things up! This is true of work, hobbies, your profession, cleaning, cooking, and every type of artistic and creative endeavor. You'll find with a few tricks your output increases while the time to do it decreases!
Anyone who remembers watching street artist Iva Prince rapidly and accurately paint four canvases at once while using a wide house brush for the sky and water know what I'm talking about!
Anyone who remembers watching street artist Iva Prince rapidly and accurately paint four canvases at once while using a wide house brush for the sky and water know what I'm talking about!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Heads you Lose, Tails you Don't Win
Have you noticed how people are chastised when they profile? We are told what a bad thing it is to profile in our decision making. Yet when some horrendous crime takes place we are told that it could have been avoided if we had only saw the signs. In other words... we should have done more profiling! This is one of those areas where we are getting mixed messages. So, is profiling as bad as we are told it is?
Has there ever been a person who not only had other folks profile them but also did profiling of their own about other people (probably on a daily basis)? No, it's perfectly natural and has many positives about it. The trick is when you profile, do it with love, grace, and with educated and knowledgable observances. It should never be done out of prejudice, hurt, or anger.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Let it Lie
A good rule to follow is if your spam filter catches it, there's a good reason why, and you're better off not responding to any of the quarantined emails (unless it's from someone you know and it shouldn't be there in the first place).
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
God Does the Cleansing and Purifying
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
(Psalms 51:7-12)
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
(Psalms 51:7-12)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Portrait Study
Russian peasant in traditional attire offering berries. From a Prokudin-Gorskii 1909 autochrome.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
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