Three weeks to go! :D

So after a lot of confusion from the post office, and mis-communication from the seller my software finally came.

I wish this could have been available in Australia as it would have saved me a lot of hassle and time. But, it's here now.
I was able to get an educational discount on this baby (Saved me $200USD *O*) which was surprising news. Generally students outside of the companies home base are excluded from such deals. (Or is that only in Australia this happens...)

I am still getting to know how this program works - it is vastly different from how Powertone operates in Photoshop.
But, it seems like a powerful device. With over 3000 high resolution screentones and the option to import your own (Hint - Powertone collection) this is quite a money saving device.

For those who don't know the traditional method of applying tone to comics or illustration was through the use of letrastet.
Now this itself is expensive with a single sheet setting you back on average $6~$10AUD.

There have been alternatives with a number of websites offering photoshop add ons such as brushes or pattern fills...However, these are often low resolution and only suitable for web based publishing.

Programs such as Powertone, Manga Studio or Comicworks offer high 300~600 DPI resolution (72DPI for web - 300~1200DPI for print ) screentones which can be rotated, scaled in or out, inverted and the like without any distortion to the image or print quality.

-- I suppose the other thing that I've found wonderful about manga studio pro was the added feature to import 3D models.
This is a wonderful time saving device. If you use Google Sketchup (Free by the way) to create models this will save you a LOT of time when it comes to drawing backgrounds. Manga Studio already comes bundled with a nice collection of ready backgrounds, so this already is winning my confidence.

Another time saving feature I've noticed is that the program comes with pre-measured page manuscripts. (Yes, your bleeds, live area and trim lines are all included), a double page spread option, as well as a compilation mode for easy exporting to print. *O*) Just having all these features at my fingertips has made it worth $100USD price tage (Educational Discount - Normal price $300USD - still worth it)

There are loads more features, but I won't ramble....The only downside that the program has is that it requires a whopping 2gig of available memory in order for it to run flawlessly.
Now, I haven't experienced any problems yet, or any crashing so I guess only time will tell.


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It seems however I cannot transfer this blog onto my domain name. My domain provider does not allow CNAME editing without buying DNS hosting :/ The only thing I can do is redirect the name to a DNS Host and IP address - which Blogger does not offer.

My alternative is to get free hosting and redirect the blog there. The only problem is, the only way I can get blog updates is through a RSS feed - which will ultimately redirect back to blogger which will redirect to the domain name in an endless loop of limbo. All I can say is....Bugga.

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Here's two more assessment pieces. I'll post more when I get more time (Three weeks left of this semester I believe. )
The quilling poster didn't turn out too bad. I wish I had listened to my instinct however and done it inverse where the lettering itself was quilled and not cut out. I would have saved myself a LOT of work - and it probably would have turned out a lot better.

And last but not least for today's entry. Line art for the first of three social issue postcards on the theme of body issue. I know this one is outdone but it's been fun. And it has been a while since I picked up a dip pen and ink over the wacom tablet and photoshop for an assignment.
This ones titled "Fashion Famine" the next in the series is "Voluptuous Goddess" based on healthy curvy body types, and ...not sure on the title for the last one on "fat hate". While I am lucky enough to be endowed with a naturally petite body, I do have gorgeous friends who happen to be plus sized women. While they are healthy - because they are not a stick insect they are viewed negatively by the public sometimes. I'm hoping that last postcard can shed a spotlight to that social issue.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

I've been flailing around excitedly ever since I saw the trailer for this weeks ago.
I saw the film last night and I must say, the eye candy (Yes, Ledger and Depp included as well as the breath taking art direction) was never a disappointment.

As a lover of the visual arts the costumes, sets and special effects had me rolling around in glee.
The only downside to the film I must say was where it was evident that the script was re-written.
Heath Ledger unfortunately died while filming was in progress - so the writers were left with a rather tricky dilemma of how to fix things. The understudy? Johnny Depp. I'm rather pleased of this fact just because this actors little mannerisms amuse me so.

Still, things felt rather rushed and unpolished as a result of this sudden actor switch - because it was no fault of their own and a difficult task - it is an easy thing to forgive. I just cannot help but wonder whether the film would have been more spectacular had Mr.Ledger lived to finish this film.


Overall - it is brilliant. Each scene is crafted beautifully and will never leave one bored. Truly - as the trailer suggest it is a masterpiece. But I still cannot help but feel that it is described so because of the art direction.

They have done a brilliant job on making this a believable modern fairy tale.

If you liked Carnivale or Mirror Mask I can certainly say you will enjoy The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Gnawing at Appropriation + Art Post

I think that there are sometimes contradictions that arise when your learning.

On one hand - people will tell you in the creative industry that a diverse portfolio is a strong portfolio.
But then on the other they will also tell you that you should focus on your own style and make it a strong brand. Something recognizable.

While I believe that diversity is an essential element to an artist, to prevent oneself from becoming stale in their abilities and works. It can also be quite confusing to your workflow and personal expectations.

This diversity makes one branch out to seek different inspirations - and in the long run might do more harm then good. Your vision becomes clouded. Don't get me wrong, we need diversity - not only as artists but as human beings....However finding a healthy balance is something that should be taught in schools.

A good example can be seen from comic artists. In order for their characters to look realistic and proportioned it is essential to learn proper anatomy. Now I am not talking about 'How to Draw Manga' books...I tell any aspirant to stay clear of these books for a good reason (If you are studying anatomy from a stylistic view and not a technical one - you will not learn properly and thus carry on mistakes without the knowledge they are mistakes).

Once the student has gained a sound knowledge in the technical aspects of human (or animal) anatomy they can then apply this knowledge when drawing their own stylized characters or creatures.


This itself I think would be a good aspect to emphasize in design classes.
Too much appropriation is being made in regards to design. Sometimes so blatantly obvious that it seems like a direct rip.
While I understand that external influences are inevitable in any designer or artist - I believe that these should only be appropriated for a learning purpose and never for any other reason. These skills and acquired knowledge can then be applied to the artists/designers own style.


Just a thought.

I guess I'm just a little bit huffed that appropriation is being taught as a good practice in this school. (Then again, these teachers see spec work as OK - but that is another rant.)



As thanks for sticking by my rant - here's some art :D Online Launch is coming closer! Stay tuned for the announcement.



Hopefully next weekend I can work out this whole DNS thing with blogger and bought domains. I am having the hardest time to get it working as well as custom templates :/ This shouldn't be this confusing.

Death by detail

With only five weeks remaining of classes everyone is scrambling to get things done.
The chaos seems to be caused by a lot of work with only a little time to do it.

Illustration classes seem to becoming a little more challenging (which I love), but it seems only because of the vast amount of work needed in a small period. I guess some people work best under pressure.

I think completing this piece has already cemented my belief that stippling (the process of illustrating using only dots) should be a form of punishment if done on any sheet larger than a post-it note.
Unfortunately the bugs we had to do could only be technically illustrated. Meaning that they could only be done in pen and had to look scientific. We could only do beetles too, so cicada's and other winged lovelies were out of the question :/
This piece was on an A3 piece of paper (11.69 x 16.54 inches for you American readers C: )

....I must be a masochist...Because this is what I am working on right now...


A3 sized typographical hand rendered poster. Why oh why did I decide to quill this one?
I have to do four postcards to go with this too...Hand rendered also...needless to say, they will be done in ink and not quilled >__<) .....Is it Summer Vacation yet?

Stamps, inks and wips - oh my!

Its coming closer to the end of the semester for school.
Slowly but surely that sense of panic will fill us all as we await to hear if we have passed or failed our subjects this year.

I'm trying to keep on top of things as best I can.
Here are some of the things that I've done for class as well as my own personal project.


One of the wip inks for one of the Refraction comic pages.
Because of time constraints to the deadline...I have to be realistic and cannot be as detailed as I usually would like to be.
But...Old habits die hard, and it occasionally sneaks back in.
Darisha and I are hoping for a November Debut for Refraction the online comic.


One of the character designs I've been playing around with.


Last but not least - school work lol.
These are a set of typographical postage stamps I had to design for one assignment.
I admit with an embarrassed guster that I am an avid stamp collector. So the brief for this one assessment had me quivering in excitement.
I also created a mock collectors package for this set...so I'll post photos sometime later this month.

My set was based on the theme of internet memes. I had to explain the origin of course for each reference in this set.
Cookies for anyone who can correctly guess all of the references and where they came from :D


Thats all for now.
I'll post the following assessments when completed:
Audrey Beardsley style inked postcards (x3) on the social theme of body image.
Illustrator vector illustration. (Still debating my subject on this one)
Typographic hand rendered poster and postcard set on the theme "Ringleader"
Logo designs on the topic "flowers" lol.

I've also been asked to post my Gustav Klimt "Sex Sells" essay when thats done....while I'm rather shy about my writing - I will oblige this friend and post it. OTL.

New sketchbook

I discovered a happy medium.
I love the paper look and the feel of a moleskin but the price is another matter.
So when I discovered Jasart's range of moleskin-like sketchbooks I was smitten C: (And half the price of the moleskins!)


So I'm breaking in the new book. My scanner has a bad ability of eating light colours and pencils...so unfortunately you cannot see the slight tint the pages have.

Paper sculpture + Dust Storms

Here's something different for this blog. One of my finished paper sculptures for class. I only wish they would let us do figurative pieces instead of abstract. This technique would be super cute for making tiny trees. (Note to self - make tiny paper trees).


Also, Brisbane and Sydney were affected today by a strong dust storm. Brisbane seemed to be cloaked in an eery orange light. Sydney was worse for wear shrouding a martian red.
This photo was taken outside my home at around noon.

This one taken from our livingroom. While Brisbane is used to the occasional dust storm in summer - it has been nothing like this. This was a rare occurrence - it seems that the cause was from the middle of Australia from farmers topsoil.....that's a bit of a distance to travel! Amazing.