Category: Drawing

Affinity Software

May 3, 2021

There is this relatively new software, Affinity that’s pretty good candidate as an Adobe substitute if you are looking for a non-subscription model. Their current applications are Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher. I’m currently most interested in Photo.

You can download them for a 90 trial.

The Affinity Photo has some nice features that Adobe Photoshop still hasn’t addressed over the years. Raw editing, true HDR workflow, and 32-bit workflow.

What’s nice is you can import/export PSD/PSB file formats and it supports ABR brushes, so you can have the best of both applications.

You can see the UI is very similar to Photoshop so working in it it’s hard at all.

The cost of the software is pretty affordable, just $50. You can purchase these apps at a 50% discount now. They are available for Mac, PC, and iPad. It is not a subscription model. It is a single one-off price. You have full capability whether on PC, Mac or Ipad.

Download for free and see what you think. For me the HDR and 32-bit capability alone is worth looking into.

Inktober begins again…

October 2, 2017

Well, Inktober begins again! This is the 3rd year I’ve done it. It’s a super fun exercise in daily drawings.

Jake Parker started it in 2009 to improve his inking skills. It’s now become a world-wide sensation.

Here are a list of this years possible ideas for each day and the basic rules.

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My October 1st drawing: Lego Benny in Space

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Ipad Pro – Wins!

July 3, 2017

I had an amazing surprise yesterday for my birthday. My wife, Tamiko gave me the Ipad Pro as a complete and utter shock. I thought I was only getting a traditional sketch pad and some pencils, not a new digital sketch pad!! Then my friends; Kathy, Kiyong and Teresa surprised me with getting me the Pencil! The funny thing is they didn’t tell each other what they had got. I’m still setting it up but I’m totally floored to test it more after work tomorrow!

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Thank you so much…and thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes! Have an amazing 4th of July everyone and be safe!!!

Ipad Pro vs Surface or neither?

June 19, 2017

I’ve used a Wacom tablet for years, and I’ve had a Cintiq  for a couple years, but I just couldn’t get used to you. I’ve tried drawing with various pens before on the older Ipads, but none of them felt same as a drawing in my sketchbook or the sensitivity of a wacom stylus. Now, I’m considering either an Ipad Pro or Surface tablet. The advances in the Ipad Pro and pen or the Surface seem to finally hit the mark.  For years Steve Jobs was quoted as never wanting a stylus with it’s devices, but I’m sure glad they changed their minds. The Pencil from Apple is amazing.

ipad-pro-8 Continue reading “Ipad Pro vs Surface or neither?”

Composition of Outdoor Painting

January 23, 2017

Some books just rise above the others, some seemingly choose you, and some just keep coming back to you through all your years.

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I was introduced to “Composition of Outdoor Painting” almost two decades ago. It still is one of my go to books of choice. The book was first printed in 1941 (now in it’s 7th printing).

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Edgar Payne (1883-1947) was a gifted plein-air painter whose powerful work and impressionistic style inspired many an artist. His bold use of color and rugged landscapes captivated audiences. He was one of the first artists to illuminate the Sierras and the Southwest.

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I was lucky to see a traveling show of a large body of his work: Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey in Pasadena several years ago. The link above is a retrospective book of his work and was printed to coincide with the show. The printing is top notch, but I have to admit seeing the originals are simply sublime.

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Here is a nice retrospective video on Edgar Payne

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Payne wrote his book at the latter part of his life and gives us a wonderful insight in his thought process and painting language. It is filled with pages and pages of thumbnails for compositions and his suggestions for what makes a “good” composition.

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I simply love his line work and simplicity of his design of composition (which is not simple at all).  His dated prose style may not be for all readers, but there is a certain tone to it that I rather enjoy. The book is filled with designs and compositional instruction that any artist will devour. Whenever I am at a loss at a composition, I am always drawn back to this excellent book for some help.

“Originality is but old thoughts made over.”

-E.A.P.