Backgrounds

I have painted most of my life. Usually I start by working on what I call modern art. A combination of colors and technique that allows me to practice on depth and color schemes without the structure of an actual image.  Then I’ll tighten the painting style and my approach to painting and then start in a more classical style. Some of these modern paintings have turned out really nice. Other paintings just need more work. >;)

Some time ago, Carmen asked me to start using this artistic habit to start making what she called “backgrounds” for various aspects in our photography company.  After learning what I needed to know about the software, I got started. Here are some results…..

This background, we used in our “Paws in the Parks” flyer. Check our current events tab on our Atlanta Photo Studio Blog.

Comic Fun!

I grew up enjoying comics of all shape and sizes. My two favorites are Herman and Calvin and Hobbes. The list is to long for comic books or graphic novels. Just understand that I enjoy good dramatic artwork and a really good story line. If a comic book has those two things then I’m hooked. I have recently ask my nephew to draw and write with me. Now please understand, he’s 7 and he lives 4 states away from me. So most of this will be done through email or regular mail.

So here’s the plan; I drew up a blue line sheet that would fit on a 8.5 x 11 standard printer paper. On the bottom of the page is the story written out per panel. I scan the proposal in to my computer and send it to him. With the help of his mother, he draws what he see’s in his imagination. Then they scan what they did and send it back to me.

While he is drawing his sequential art, I am doing the same. I take what I have written and draw it out. Scan the drawing in and send it to his mother and him.

Some of the better ones I plan on posting here.

Maybe the story will keep on going??? My idea is to open this young mans imagination. I don’t expect great artwork or stories. I just want to help him see the way of creating something. Even if it begins with a stick figure.

Let me know what you think.

 

Na-Than-Yel Collage

I wanted my nephew to have a collage of our battle together. This is how it turned out.

Joh-Nani Jedi Knight

The other day there was a knock at my front door. One of the young men that played with my nephew when he was here, wanted to battle again. Both my wife and I chuckled and I told him to meet me out in the back yard. I don’t think his feet touched the ground while he was running around the house. I got dressed for the colder weather and met my young adversary. The battle lasted quite a while and these are just a few of the images Carmen took.

My wife, Carmen, took these images. I just spiced them up a little for the young Jedi.

More images will be posted later….I have yet  to prepare them though. :)

The Story;

Darth OOgle felt the tremor in the force before he even glimpsed his adversary. He felt the anticipation of this young Jedi and knew exactly where to find him. Using the force he opened the front passage to his dwelling and there stood Jedi knight, Joh-Nani.

One word was all that was commanded….Battle!

Our lightsabers connected in a fury of strikes and parries. There was only one winner, but in the end we shared an ancient ritual. When it was over Darth OOgle looked at the Jedi and asked….

“Great battle! Want a cookie?”

Sharing the rewards of a great friendship, they hashed out when the next battle will commence. He let the young Jedi go…for now. One thought crossed his mind as he watched the young knight running from is dwelling…… Will they be alone?

….battle

….battle

….battle

Like a heart beat ringing in his ears he sensed the force calling for another request that is standing at his door step. But who could it be this time…..?

Playing around

We love photography and graphic design. So when we get a chance to mix them, we don’t hold back. Lately we’ve been challenging each other with different tasks. In this one, we were playing around with a low resolution images. What kind of background could we make to get an 8 x 10 image? We allowed ourselves to use any means to accomplish this task. We have had some fun with this exercise. Here is a few examples…

Keep checking back, more images will be posted later…

This one was with the stars.

This one is with out the stars. This image gives me an old baby magazine feel. My wife says it has a Saturday Evening Post feel to it. I don’t know about that. I like playing around with different design elements to come up with a good image. The same goes with our photography.

Na-Than-Yel Jedi Knight

This is the first year that I didn’t play football on Thanksgiving. This year my nephew was in town. This year was the great battle  for good and evil.

Thanksgiving weekend’s after dinner battle.

A tremor in the force disturbed him. The tremor focused his mind and body. It sharpen his skills and senses. When the time came, and evil Sith Wookie, Darth Oogle’ attacked. He was ready! No fear, no emotion, just the constant focus of the force. When he struck there was only one thing that came next….”Reboot…lets start over. This time I’m the Sith!”

This is my nephew, Na-Than-Yel the Jedi Knight. Nate for short. Once we started playing Jedi vs the Sith in the backyard. After about ten minutes the neighborhood kids literally came out of the woodwork. Grandfathers too… :)

Next thing you know we had a full on battle going on. My wife took the shots. Laughed the entire time….. :)

Location: A distant providence of Kashyyyk – Auburn, GA

I wanted to practice with photoshop layering. That was the basic exercise of this collection. Simple, but effective…

Please feel free to comment on this post. Good or Bad, we love hearing from you. All pictures were enhanced in Photoshop. :)