Tag Archive for tools

Solid Current Matter Transport circa 1925

05/11/2012 Concept Art, Gazelle Foundry Works, Illustrations, Sci-Fi No comments
solid current trans vessel circa 1925
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Yet another device from the mysterious past of the Gazelle Foundry Works secret lab, circa 1925.

Early on as the Electric Light Ray Emitter Drill was being developed, the problem of making the device essentially ‘cordless’ was overcome by amping things up past the point of batteries and coming to the solution of ‘Solid Current’.  The ability to take energy in the form of electrical current and turning it into a quasi solid form and storing it to power the drill was invented.  This is what that storage device filled with solid current looked like.

Alright, it’s what it might have looked like.  This illustration was created in Bryce7.  The following illustrations show the creation process.

 

 

Brush Bristle Bend Blues

05/31/2011 Tools & Tips No comments
bent brush bristles
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A tongue twister or country song title (maybe both)?  Really, it’s the frustrating problem of coming across a paint brush that has had it’s bristles bent while in storage.

Sometimes getting a brush back into use fixes it right up, other times those bristles seem to have a mind and direction of their own.   Don’t throw it away! So how do you fix it?

I found this brush of mine for some reason  in my toolbox (I have no idea, so I’ll blame the kids).  The first picture you can see it has a ‘wave’ to the bristles.  When I soaked the bristles some relaxed, others kept the wave going.

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Progression – Oliver the Arctic Explorer illustration

04/04/2011 Children's Illustration, Illustrations, Tools & Tips No comments
oliverartcticexplorer p8
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A progression of the image of “Oliver the Arctic explorer”.  It starts as a sketch which is scanned and then finished in color using Adobe Photoshop.

First the initial sketch is scanned

 

I start to define some details in Oliver’s outfit

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Google Powered Illustration Presentation

12/06/2010 Tools & Tips No comments
Google Document Slideshow
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Handy tool that I came across while recently updating my LinkedIn account, the Google Presentation tool.

You have to create a Google account first, then after clicking the ‘Documents’ category on your account, there is a tab for ‘Create New’.  Just select “Presentation” and it pretty well walks you through the rest.   LinkedIn is just one example of applications you could then use this promotional item with.

Mixol Concentrate & make your own colors!

12/01/2010 Tools & Tips No comments
mixol set
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Dozens of tubes, jars, and bottles of paint can be used in the process of painting a mural.  Lot of clutter, waste, and money.  Plus, as you already know you never use a color straight out of the tube (if you didn’t know that then here’s a helpful hint: when you use un-mixed colors it tends to flatten or lessen the depth of your painting).

In steps Mixol!  Funny name, great results.  Mixol is a color concentrate that you can add to a base paint to create your own colors.  Your not limited to buying paint off the rack or shelf, and if your in the middle of great inspiration you don’t have to drop everything to run to pick up that ideal shade of green.

Links below will offer more product info and sources to purchase:

Mixol Company Site

Woodcraft (check to see if there is a store near you)

The Compleat Sculptor

Laser Lines

11/30/2010 Tools & Tips No comments
laser level
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Working on large sections of walls can present a bit of a challenge when straight lines are needed.  Some tools like a painter’s mahl can help to create a free-hand straight line but only for a short line.

In order to create long lines in images that need to run a great length I have found and use, is a laser level.  This isn’t necessarily a $100 and over investment, but as with everything else in life you want to watch how in-expensive you go as well.  The laser level attaches to the wall (drywall attachments usually have prongs or pins on the back of the base that penetrate the wall like giant thumb-tacks) and have bases where you should be able to swivel or adjust the angle of the line.  A little dim lighting and you can create a illuminated straight edge line.  I have used water color pencils to then trace the line for ease of painting later.