Logos and Free Programs

Designing logos is very specific work.  One must know exactly what to say with a single, iconic image.  I have been working on one for myself for a long time, and I think I've finally got it!  The idea blindsided me yesterday while I was at my day job, waiting for a meeting.  Funny how that happens, isn't it?  I did a nice clean drawing last night.  The only thing left to do is digitize!

My computer with Adobe CS on it happens to be 1,500 miles away at the moment, so I'm looking for free options that might do the trick.  I came across this list of 12 free design programs.  Has anyone tried any of these?  How do they compare to Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw?

The Palomino Long Point Pencil Sharpener

If you don't want to spend $2 on a pencil, even if it is a Blackwing 602,  you should try to get one of these pencil sharpeners.  It's one of the strangest things I've ever seen, but it's super nice.

The case, first of all, calls it a "long point" sharpener.  The meaning of that became clearer as I examined this thing.  It has two steps written on the box: "Shape the wood, then the lead."

Shape the wood, then the lead.

Two step shaping.

As you can see, each step is numbered.  The channel for step one is significantly larger than the one for step 2.  At the top, there is a small reservoir type space, that says "STOP."  This was a bit confusing at first, but as you sharpen, the lead extends out the back of the channels, and you stop sharpening when it reaches that line.

1. Shape the wood - the lead is relatively untouched!

Then, using the number 2 channel, you sharpen just the lead.  This leaves you with an extremely precise point, and a lot of exposed lead.  That means you have to sharpen it much less often.  I suppose that's where the extra speed they talk about with the 602 comes from.

2. Then shape the lead.  -  the wood is not touched in this step!

It is vital to have sharp blades for this, and any pencil sharpening endeavor.  To aid in your quest, pencil wielder, Palomino has even provided replacement blades.  Now how about that?!

Open sharpener, with replacement blades!

The Palomino Blackwing 602

Once upon a time, there was a pencil.  A very nice pencil.  So nice that when they discontinued it, some people were paying up to $50 for this pencil.  Now, they're making it again.  Rachel got me one with her Klout.

This is apparently a special edition release, just for the Klout folks.  Check it out!

The box, number 271 of 602.  The middle of the Edition.
That's a good thing! :)

Slid off the numbered seal, opened the box
to find black paper and another golden seal. 

Slid off the paper to find a velvet bag.

Blackwing (Black), Blackwing 602 (Grey), refill erasers,
Long Point sharpener, and a handwritten letter:

It's kind of crazy that someone sat around and wrote 602 of these letters, but given the care of the rest of the package, I can't say I'm not impressed.

Rachel kept the 602, as she is the wordsmith.  I kept the regular Blackwing.  I think what makes this pencil so nice is really in the details.  It's made of cedar, so it's easy to sharpen, but sturdy.  The lead is firm, but still very dark.  You get a great line/value variation from just a single pencil. The eraser is an eraser, but it's incredibly nice to be able to change it so easily, and to get the sharp points that its unusual shape offers.  I'd totally spend the $20 for a pack of 12.

The pencil sharpener was one of the strangest things I've ever seen.  I'll show you that tomorrow.

Happy Drawing!

Text and Textiles

It seems that my logo was not as finished as I thought.  As soon as I posted it, someone said that it looks like "Of her" instead of "Other."  I looked at it, and thought to myself "dangit, you're right."  It has been updated, and I'll post the new and improved version soon.  I'm actually very happy with the result!

In other news, I received my corset supplies.  Yay!!!  I mail ordered the coutil, busk, steel ribs, and some twill tape.  Since this is my very first corset, I wanted to keep it simple, and neutral.  Simple to give it the best chances of turning out well.  Neutral because I have no idea what I'll wear it with, or if I even will.  I've been thinking about adding color with the lace, edge bindings, and flossing.  I'm thinking a very pale green or blue, but we'll see.  It will be a while before that decision has to be made.

Our gracious sew-along host has set up this flickr group, but of course, I'll post photos here, too.

The Other Side: Part II

Rachel's been plugging away at the latest project, The Other Side.  I was right there with her, tweaking and adjusting the logo.  When I finally got something she loved, I traced it for a nice clean copy.  After a not-so-quick scan, here's the final result:

The next step will be to turn this into a vector image.  I don't know if I'll ever go to an all digital way of working.  There's something oh-so-satisfying about the feeling of pencil on paper!

The Other Side

I'm getting some steam again, now that I'm drawing much more regularly.  Rachel's a big help, for sure.  One of my latest projects has been a logo for her next project.  I got kind of lucky on this one, having come up with a lot of different ideas in one go.  I was pretty pleased with all of them, and Rachel liked one in particular right away.  After that, I just did a bunch of variations on that theme, and fine-tuned it until we arrived at the final versions.  It's a little creepy, a little elegant, and I like it a lot! 

Here's a photo of all the working versions:

The Zornow Challenge

I've been challeneged to copy this image, just to learn a bit of comic book illustration style.

Think I can do it?

The Pen is Mightier

Rachel and I had a discussion this morning about learning fun new words.  The word she provided was "antepenultimate."  It sounds rather impressive, but simply means "third to last."  And when I read that, it became abundantly clear that the common use of "penultimate" is completely incorrect.  Now I hate to be the person to make someone else feel bad by correcting them.  I spent a lot of time in my younger years doing that, and all it does is make people intimidated by you, and does not get you dates.  However, I think there is a serious problem with a person not only pretending understand a word (and admittedly I do this from time to time), but then repeating it the way they think it is used. 

It is my not-so-humble believe that we should own up to our ignorance, and take advantage of the chance to learn something new!  That doesn't mean do the word of the day thing.  I have tried that, and those words would neither come up in conversation, nor be understood if you used them.  Not that I am against it, because I did earlier hunt down this glossary of fun words.  Rather, when you're reading or in conversation with someone and a word or concept that you are unfamiliar with surfaces, ask about it.  It does not make you stupid.  More often than not, people will appreciate that you didn't just try to pretend you understood.  Not to mention, it will save you the embarrassment of getting caught faking your knowledge. 

So here are my fun words for the day:

absquatulate: to flee, make off
callipygian: having a shapely buttocks.

Seriously, people.  If we have a word to describe someone who has a nice rear, shouldn't we use it?!  Goodness knows we have plenty of opportunity!

I've also been a long-time advocate of bringing back penmanship.  I have argued this with a number of people, but the fact of the matter is if your handwriting is illegible, it's rather hard to communicate.  Having a firm grasp of the language and knowing how to project it via your own hand are each an art in their own right.  I think I am going to join IAMPETH.  It's basically a society that loves calligraphy, the teaching thereof, and wants to reinstate this sort of education in the classroom.  Think of the discipline and skill to be gained!  I was just excited to find that I am not the only person out there trying to preserve this dying art.  One day, maybe I'll be an expert penman like these people.