Archive for July, 2007

Cover page layout for the Vampire’s Health magazine

And now something completely different!

Following the rumors on more and more people claiming to be Vampires, I decided to start a magazine “Vampire’s health”, or at least design a cover page in case anyone ever decides to make a magazine for that particular “type” of people.

So, since I took the time and effort to make this cool cover page, thought I might as well show you how it’s done :) so if you are into or plan to become a professional graphic designer this will be funny and cool way for you to learn how to make a cover for the magazine.

Enjoy!

This is a part one of the tutorial named: “How to make a cover page layout for the Vampire’s Health magazine” Examine the cover page very closely before proceeding with the tutorial.

Vampire’s Health Magazine layout

Done?

Examine…! Did You? OK.

As you can see, a good copywriting is a part where graphic designer and the editor get the inspiration from. The rest is “just” Photoshop. Tutorial is finished.

In our next edition: PORTABLE COFFINS: Take it along – wherever you go (backpack solutions)

Noise reduction in coffins: Find your own peace, latest technology explored Article preview: “Does it sometimes happen that kids in the yard scream so loud that you cannot find peace and sleep in your own coffin? In this issue we examine the latest technology of noise-reduction systems in coffins.”

Report from Europe: Unexplored undergrounds – The Paris underground secrets revealed!

Making money on-line: A fully fledged vampire web site in three easy steps, how to attract visitors

Lifestyle: The thrill of the last three minutes before sunrise; push your adrenaline to the next level! A complete vampire’s weight loss program, loose 2 pounds in 7 nights! Complaints: FedEx delivered in daylight? Why can’t (don’t) they understand?

Travel: Traveling across the ocean: Getting there (in a) safe! The best cargo agencies Tschau!

You’ll need:

Typography: Clarendon Cn BT (90%, regular), Clarendon Hv BT (heavy, faux bold), Swiss924 BT (regular), Arial Rounded MT Bold (faux bold)

Brushes:
Blood splats, Photoshop brushes: Download –>
Finger Prints, Photoshop brushes: Download –>

Popularity: 1% [?]

Download free Photoshop brushes: Ivy leaves

Photoshop brushes: Ivy leaves; high resolution, set of 8.

Photoshop brushes: Ivy Leaves

Here’s the Download link. Hope you like it.

Subscribe to my newsletter and get immediate access to loads of free Photoshop brushes and other freebies!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tutorial: Simple web shop icon

Let me show you how I created a simple web shop icon (shop trolley). In Illustrator (or similar vector software) make a simplified shop trolley “L” shape (the handle + basis).

011.jpg

Now, we will select the basis line and copy it two more times to get something similar to E shape where the left vertical line end up above the top horizontal line.

021.jpg

Draw one vertical line that will close the shape.
031.jpg

As for the wheels, create two circles below the basis of the trolley. Make one ellipse and then a second one, smaller in the middle of the first one.(Do that using Ellipse tool). Select both ellipses, and subtract them with “Pathfinder -> Subtract from shape area” option. There is our wheel :)
041.jpg

Copy that wheel and position them under the basis.
051.jpg

Now for the background circle follow the same procedure as for the wheels. One small difference is that holding ALT+TAB will make this ellipse a perfect circle. Color it, place it behind the trolley and – voila!
Icons set - shopping
© Photographer: Bsilvia | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Simple, innit?

Let me know if you need any help.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Free download: Photoshop splatter brushes

I have another set of high-res (805-2229 pix) Photoshop brushes. Download free “Splatter” brushes set for Photoshop (11 brushes) here: Subscribe to my newsletter and get immediate access to loads of free Photoshop brushes and other freebies!

Photoshop Splatter Brushes set

Here is one of the graphics where I applied “Splatter” brushes (and if you like or need for some of your future projects you can buy this graphics for as low as $0.26, just click on it):


© Photographer: | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Download free photoshop brushes

It’s Thursday!
I’m here, but looks like I’m talking to myself :). Nevermind.

Need a Photoshop brush? – Download collection of 17 grunge floral shapes brushes today and own them!

Grunge Floral Shapes - Photoshop brushes set

Subscribe to my newsletter and get immediate access to loads of free Photoshop brushes and other freebies!

See you on Monday! (maybe sooner? maybe…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

Tutorial: How to create big popart circle in Photoshop

December, 12th update: How to create big pop art circle in Photoshop, VIDEO tutorial

Little update: please make sure to set up the image in Grayscale mode before applying the filter.

And, please, please: it has to be done on a background layer! Don’t create a new layer.

Create a new document in Photoshop. Make sure it is in equally proportional dimensions (like 600×600 pixels or similar). Fill it in using „Radial gradient“ from black (inside) to transparent (outside).

How to create big popart circle in Photoshop

Use „Custom fill“ option, and make gradient as in the image below (or similar).

How to create big popart circle in Photoshop

Now use Filter –> Pixelate –> Color Halftone, and play with the options (for example radius size depends on the size of your document).

How to create big popart circle in Photoshop

Voila!

How to create big popart circle in Photoshop

Go even furter – vectorize this image, play with it and enjoy the results.

See you next Thursday, same place :)

Popularity: 1% [?]

Figure drawing video tutorial

July 15, 2007 |  by bsilvia  |  Tutorials  |  No Comments

Learn how to draw the figure with Matthew Archambault.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tutorial: How to create grungy vector brushes in Illustrator

Using bitmap image from tutorial How to create your own custom brush in Photoshop you can easily create your own vector brushes in few steps:

Step 1
Simply place an image (download it here) in Illustrator and use live trace or Silhouette plug-in… you should get a grungy style vector brush like this one:

How to create grungy vector brushes in Illustrator

Step 2
Choose one of the elements with select tool (use “V” – keyboard shortcut for selection tool), ((for instance, you can rotate it 90 degrees.))

How to create grungy vector brushes in Illustrator

Step 3
Open the Brush palette (Window – Brushes) and choose New Brush option. Select the brush type, in this case – Art. Leave other options as they are and rename it. Save.

How to create grungy vector brushes in Illustrator

Voila – try it!

How to create grungy vector brushes in Illustrator

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Subject: Daniel Pennac „Le dictateur et le hamac“ cover page illustration

July 13, 2007 |  by bsilvia  |  Announcements  |  , , , ,  |  No Comments

Actually, I don’t think I would ever stumble upon this book if it was not for my friend Marijana who did the illustration for the cover page.

The illustration it self is rather interesting because of the innovative technique she used. It is made in clay and then digitally re-done in Photoshop to get the impression of 3D, depth in the illustration.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tutorial: How to create your own custom brush in PhotoShop

Use brush on old fashioned, real white paper to make some more or less straight lines. Scan them in gray or B&W mode on 300 pix/inch resolution.

You should get an image that looks like this:

How to create your own custom brush in PhotoShop

Now you can simply create brush in 2 steps.

Use Rectangle Marquee tool to make selection. Go to Edit – Define Brush Preset.

How to create your own custom brush in PhotoShop

New Brush dialog pops out, rename it if you want.

How to create your own custom brush in PhotoShop
Your new brush in Brush Palette is now available for selection.And, if you need these brushes but don’t feel like going through all this, get them for free

Subscribe to my newsletter and get immediate access to loads of free Photoshop brushes and other freebies!

Popularity: 2% [?]

How to use a Wacom drawing tablet

July 12, 2007 |  by bsilvia  |  Announcements  |  1 Comment

While using a drawing tablet isn’t a necessity for website designers or graphic artists, many do opt to use them for a variety of reasons. For example, sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome find using a pen is much more comfortable than a computer mouse that can often be very repetitive on the wrist. For artists who started off with hand drawn sketching, they simply find it quicker to stay drawing with a pen rather than learn how to use a mouse to create their cartoons and animations.

Wacom Drawing Tablet

Wacom Intuos3 4 x 6-Inch Wide Format Pen Tablet (PTZ431W)

The Wacom drawing tablet is compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash as well as many others as listed on their website.

How to use a Wacom drawing tablet link: hypergurl.com

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