http://steveczajka.posterous.com Where Calligraphy and Graphic Arts Meet! (Weekly) posterous.com Calligraphy,GIMP,Inkscape,Photoshop,graphic,design,art,illustration,photography,tutorials,digital,artArts/Visual ArtsSteve CzajkanoCalligraphy,GIMP,Inkscape,Photoshop,graphic,design,art,illustration,photography,tutorials,digital,artWhere Calligraphy and Graphic Arts Meet! (Weekly)I have been a calligrapher for over 20 years, and now I am posting my works on http://steveczajka.posterous.comhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gif Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:35:44 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/2eGFgWRrnbE/vermont http://steveczajka.posterous.com/vermont <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/Uybn60iIDjDiCGYFfH3bGWQVZqgPJQsheNgu3RtQxnbwdfOhLnAN4FDIBM4G/Vermont_-_Jan_2012_HD_signatur.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Vermont_-_jan_2012_hd_signatur" height="503" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/6HV5Jt9WD9uGVRHDyOk2BebzcrJEXKAZRrbNMhGnaqZFTfl7ETwDcSdIHpUv/Vermont_-_Jan_2012_HD_signatur.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p>I have skied Vermont several times in my life and love it. I have only skied Stowe and Jay Peak, mountain biked Killington. I liked all of them, but Stowe Vermont (the town) is such a great place. My trip to Stowe was my first week-long ski trip ever, and I remembered it was foggy that first day, and I could see the gondola (my first gondola) go into the clouds... Pretty awesome. I loved Stowe and would go back in a second. <p /> <br /> This loose calligraphy style was created using a Pilot Pen, 2.4mm black ink on a heavy paper. I used a very fast, almost sketch stroke to get the desired effect. <p /> <br /> There were three primary digital effects here: <br />1. Filters / Decor / Parchment Texture - I applied this filter to the background image to give it a brighter and a tattered aged look <br />2. Filters / Decor / Bevel -- I applied a bevel effect to the white lettering to give it a shape so that it doesn't look flat. <br />3. Shadow -- I applied a shadow to give some definition between the lettering and the mountain. I did this by duplicating the Vermont white lettering, using colours / invert to black, then using filters / blur / gaussian blur and finally duplicating this layer once again to darken the effect. <p /> <br /> Overall i was happy with the results. I liked the parchment effect on the original (shown below) <p /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/croush/434580901/"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/170/434580901_f6d994d929.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a><p /> Many thanks to Christina R for posting this photo in a CC license. <p /> <br /> Cheers <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/vermont">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/vermont#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/2eGFgWRrnbE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/vermont Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:56:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/b6olwz7yx_4/love http://steveczajka.posterous.com/love <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/tfIjHz5ilvrhBjD2OEDRsFmM4Q4dkYIj84x71L3vRvzfloe4Hhabpct9L3lk/LOVE_HD_Signature.png.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Love_hd_signature" height="503" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/MM6jaCV3MtkqhEobgB05DYJkrcKln5TV2jN1wWB05DFVoagH6asY6SyJnXUg/LOVE_HD_Signature.png.scaled895.png" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>The lettering was done using a Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen (2.4mm nib) on a heavy paper using black ink. This paper seems to reduce the amount of ink bleed from the Pilot Inks. I did this using a very fast stroke of the pen, almost a flick motion.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The original black and white image (only about an inch wide) was scanned in at a higher 600dpi resolution TIF format to enlarge the image and capture the fine details. I then converted it to an SVG using Inkscape -- Path / Trace Bitmap. Once I found the right threshold value, I then saved it as an SVG and pulled the SVG into a basic black background image inside of GIMP (1920 x 1080 @ 300dpi).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">The Red O in LOVE</span></strong> <br />The red O in Love was done by the following steps:</p> <ul> <li>Add New Layer, called Red O&nbsp;</li> <li>Draw a selection (using free select tool) around the O, Bucket Fill the selection with a deep red colour&nbsp;</li> <li>Right-Click on the white LOVE layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Do an alpha to selection, Selection / Grow by a px or 2 Click on the O layer to make it active&nbsp;</li> <li>Selection / Invert&nbsp;</li> <li>Delete&nbsp;</li> <li>This should crop the red exactly to fit the curve of the O with a slight bit of overlap to ensure the white layer below does not show through.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thoughts </span></strong><br />My original vision for this piece was to just have the word Love in white in the bottom right of the image, nothing more. I liked the distressed look of the lettering so much that I decided to make the word front and centre and break from my original vision. My calligraphy has been leaning towards a wilder faster stroke, rather than the slow speed and control of say a rotunda script. I like the basic black, white and red colours. A fun piece, basic, clean, and simple! <p /> <br /> Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! <p /> <br /> Cheers <br />Steve <p /> CC-BY -NC</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/love">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/love#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/b6olwz7yx_4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/love Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:54:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/IEz3i8aNYs8/foo-fighters http://steveczajka.posterous.com/foo-fighters <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/8HkSoX0JToXsMZzF7Sp731F8p2TC2hpRKDJYwB995rwZNxnXcqZb7zmwvxca/Foo_Fighters_HD_signature.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Foo_fighters_hd_signature" height="503" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/exVHbpQkEJalZRc9QYyRVqJS2vQ7WVFG3UHLQSaUyr8kQTRJsXNSSMmkZlYJ/Foo_Fighters_HD_signature.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War II, which were known collectively as foo fighters. (Source, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foo_Fighters)">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foo_Fighters)</a> <p /> <br /> One of my favourite songs is, "Times Like These" by the "Foo" (the live fast version). I once saw Dave Grohl belt this out -- he gave absolutely everything he had, and more. One of the most outstanding performances I have ever seen by an artist/band. This song subsequently carried me through one of the most demanding projects I have ever faced, and helped to define me as a person. It wasn't the music, nor the lyrics -- it was the delivery, the passion, and the care that captured and amazed me. Today, these words are too often ignored and even forgotten. Thanks Foo! This is my small tribute to you.</p> <p><br /> This original artwork was created using my gothic script that I developed late in 2011. I played with the arrangement of the letters to invoke some confusion and chaos. The grey palette is in keeping with the black and white films of the 1950s when this was all going on. The grey clouds in the background is keeping with the dark sky / UFO sightings. I loved the way this piece progressed from idea to end product. Everything fell into place. <p /> <br /> I like the feel of the piece, and the very bold gothic lettering. This digital art was created using GIMP, and a bit of Inkscape, open source free software. <p /> <br /> Enjoy <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/foo-fighters">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/foo-fighters#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/IEz3i8aNYs8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/foo-fighters Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:22:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/oPYQ7PSst0o/february-2012-calendar http://steveczajka.posterous.com/february-2012-calendar <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/gpbbVAANJHYKnDEby8711m0jgfSTL32THFkDoFB3LbXwLxuNF1cR9wen29Pe/_Master_Signing_Block_HD_Signa.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="_master_signing_block_hd_signa" height="503" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/YDlfksO8DwSy5affd07Mg0p5ObQXgRxIpfreg8deCGqLPjWvyEGh6y3ZFjq4/_Master_Signing_Block_HD_Signa.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>I struggled with this piece quite a bit. I had great difficulty finding the right photo. I tried a couple of different photos and they didn't work, then I found this one and loved it. I also struggled with the layout, but after a while it just seemed to fit into place. <p /> The quote is a Japanese Proverb, and I really like the meaning of the words. This calendar series is using the gothic typeface I created over the x-mas holidays. I used Inkscape to do the layout work, and GIMP to finish it. GIMP is awesome! <p /> <br /> Enjoy! <p /> <br /> Cheers <br /> Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/february-2012-calendar">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/february-2012-calendar#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/oPYQ7PSst0o" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/february-2012-calendar Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:58:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/5NKz8E1E1DE/digital-arts-course http://steveczajka.posterous.com/digital-arts-course <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-25/pyjmvyGozGkqGHdbvAqzkjyitDdHwptmFAukumwlBeHuDqrziwufwpHtIgaa/Digital_Arts_Course_Logo_-_preflyer.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Digital_arts_course_logo_-_preflyer" height="503" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-25/pyjmvyGozGkqGHdbvAqzkjyitDdHwptmFAukumwlBeHuDqrziwufwpHtIgaa/Digital_Arts_Course_Logo_-_preflyer.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> The "Digital Arts Course" is a one day event that teaches artists and calligraphers how to get their fine art onto the web to connect with others through: flickr, twitter, facebook, and other social media services. Learn free software that is comparable with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator ( <a href="http://www.gimp.org">www.gimp.org</a> , <a href="http://www.inkscape.org">www.inkscape.org</a>). Learn to create your own online portfolio using a free Blogging service called Posterous (<a href="http://www.Posterous.com">www.Posterous.com</a>). Welcome to the world of Digital Arts!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vj_RCwkIhsc?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><p /> <br /> <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday May 12, 2012 (one day class)</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Time:</strong> 9:30 am to 4:00 pm </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Place:</strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: medium;">56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1V7&nbsp;<br /></span><strong style="font-size: medium;">Cost:</strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> $60 CAGT Members, $70 Non Members&nbsp;<br /></span><strong style="font-size: medium;">Materials Fee:</strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> A Step by Step Video Tutorial DVD will be made available for purchase.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><p /> Register: <br />1.Download and Printout the brochure <br />2.Clip out the Registration form and Mailing Address <br />3.Mail in your cheque. Register soon as seating is limited! <p /> <br /><div class='p_embed p_file_embed'> <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/digital-arts-course"><img alt="" src="http://posterous.com/images/filetypes/pdf.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>Brochure_-_Paper_v1.pdf</strong> <a href="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-25/nzqjEFqgAfcJGEFdhwfldpgwGeyGgArkiCcrweljsnCIylrCIccvfrkbsyfi/Brochure_-_Paper_v1.pdf">Download this file</a> </div> </div> <p /> Contact Steve Czajka for more information at: <a href="mailto:steveczajka@hotmail.com">steveczajka@hotmail.com</a>. Visit Steve's Online Portfolio at <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com">http://steveczajka.posterous.com</a> <p /> <br /> <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">This course was formerly known as "Virtual Vellum". This course is being offered by the Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto.</span></em></p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/digital-arts-course">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/digital-arts-course#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/5NKz8E1E1DE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/digital-arts-course Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:06:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/MkxXGQEZWEo/the-making-of-wild-horses http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-making-of-wild-horses <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/uBRbaeqCuPV97dO64fR9WLYjxRvohl1zteM6hftHTgkPK0XkFyCJjG7mTZDE/Wild_Horses_-_The_Making_Of.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Wild_horses_-_the_making_of" height="503" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/R007sjzpto5tHUeHGclpbYfVggkn29yrgDL1ONzOj4E2ZEu7aen97Pxheze9/Wild_Horses_-_The_Making_Of.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>This documents the road I travelled to the Making of Wild Horses. <p /> <br /> Wild Horses was a major calligraphy piece for me. I have been keeping notes during this project, intending to share them with you. Instead of just blogging about it, I felt that given the size of this project , I would create a separate design document that covered my artistic process for this project. <p /> <br /> I cover elements such as: &bull; Inspiration &bull; Design Process <br />&bull; Sketches <br />&bull; Layout <br />&bull; Graphic Assets <br />&bull; Calligraphic Art Form <br />&bull; Workflow <br />&bull; Digital Art Software (Inkscape and GIMP) <br />&bull; and more. <br /> Grab a coffee and download this 30+ page PDF document that described my artistic process including sketches. I loved doing this project and decided to share it with you. <p /> <br /> I leave you with, "The Making of Wild Horses". <p /> <div class='p_embed p_file_embed'> <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-making-of-wild-horses"><img alt="" src="http://posterous.com/images/filetypes/pdf.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>THE_MAKING_OF_WILD_HORSES.pdf</strong> <a href="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-21/cycxqzFiGbtGgsdyDqvjGdrlDgvdCFykkcwvDtsiaBIyDotwysxHGwxtyndg/THE_MAKING_OF_WILD_HORSES.pdf">Download this file</a> </div> </div> </p> <div><br /> This more or less concludes the "Wild Horses" Series. Next week all new material. I have a number of pieces lined up. <p /> <br /> Cheers <br /> Steve</div> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-making-of-wild-horses">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-making-of-wild-horses#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/MkxXGQEZWEo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-making-of-wild-horses Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:56:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/FBvQBpaB4PY/wild-horses http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Img_3217_web_hd_signature" height="1193" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/0ESaiyMY3ARjaNZA231qtxmcL25EPVlgHw1FydkIvJk4bUX31y8t0cd0a8XN/IMG_3217_web_HD_signature.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /> </div> </p> <p>And finally, this is the main piece that was hand written in calligraphy, mastered in GIMP, layout in Inkscape, professionally printed and framed. This was a significant project for me. I learned a great deal and I am going to share my experiences of this project with you in the next blog post, planned for next week.</p> <p>All the lyrics / logo are owned &copy; by the respective holder and are presented here for educational purposes within the &ldquo;fair use&rdquo; terms. If you hold the copyright to the work I've posted and would like me to remove it, just drop me an e-mail and it's gone. The finished product for my Sister and her husband is a one of a kind, never to be resold or reused. Wild Horses was their wedding song. Next week I will post "The Making of Wild Horses". <p /> Congratulations on 25 years! <p /> Thanks <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/FBvQBpaB4PY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:41:24 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/-BOyhYfvtm0/wild-horses-wallpaper http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-wallpaper <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/D61eoDPMRGCGQGdGt5uCitfzZCDi23weuPWa3eXVxVf7lNmI5HaicIN0FAsM/Wild_Horses_Wallpaper_v2_-BLOG.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Wild_horses_wallpaper_v2_-blog" height="506" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/6KlsLGxraGfl2JXuqJxU9zUhZLcaf93p6boiGj7vBY8IY2zNvqDPbY8MGEOQ/Wild_Horses_Wallpaper_v2_-BLOG.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p>Wild Horses was a significant calligraphy piece for me. The next blog post will explain it. For now just enjoy another wallpaper for download. <p /> <br />Next week I intend to drop the major piece, and explain how this was created via a write up called the "Making of Wild Horses". <p /> <br />Enjoy <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-wallpaper">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-wallpaper#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/-BOyhYfvtm0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-wallpaper Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:02:58 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/T1Z0AaHIu1I/wild-horses-teaser http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-teaser <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/4nx2WdO5iqLPD5AN85zOHFS7Sjh3a84a9YuM5hH4TpNrdJggp06axLTN5zk0/Wild_Horses_Wallpaper_Title_on.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Wild_horses_wallpaper_title_on" height="503" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/K6aTI81XS4A71blKW5BFFwc9cYKALsSMnT8DdgEv92JReBlQcDUopnTtRWNr/Wild_Horses_Wallpaper_Title_on.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p>Wild Horses Coming Soon!</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-teaser">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-teaser#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/T1Z0AaHIu1I" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/wild-horses-teaser Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:21:31 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/V8wMuoi34w0/january-2012-calendar-orchard-edition http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-orchard-edition <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/me7QV6Y9PTegVlNvug6Yh7FgJ1xe2oQFB9tIl8Szy6VPafhWR3esGXsk9CqE/January_2012_Orchard_HD_Signat.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="January_2012_orchard_hd_signat" height="503" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/aH8ISdqje7fvcsmHnLFeIXxHYAwSxepoGaTdt7SN79HyYAq0BHzG1Hcn7jgS/January_2012_Orchard_HD_Signat.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p>Read more about this at: <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition</a> Happy New Year! <p /> Cheers <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-orchard-edition">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-orchard-edition#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/V8wMuoi34w0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-orchard-edition Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:12:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/23FfFOfSLzE/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/ktk3DxwAnwjwcgiwZeC8CP0kuRNmN88qYUzqmd5ljYRWQDDrhaEPrAm4uH2W/January_2012_Berries_HD_Signat.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="January_2012_berries_hd_signat" height="503" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/0NM0OXpV7KvCURpY7dUaGy7cbZkay4Ek5UhyD0VHKpedaveqB3I3NaYuTeFD/January_2012_Berries_HD_Signat.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>Normally I post one calligraphy piece each week on http://steveczajka.posterous.com. I have decided to release additional pieces in 2012 for monthly calendars, and holiday specials. I hope to build up a portfolio of works. <p /> <br /> For the January desktop calendar, I couldn't decide on which image to use, so I posted both an Orchard Edition (not shown) and a Berries Edition. <p /> <br /> The new gothic identity shown in the lower part of the image with the red "S" is going to replace my current avatar. I plan to slowly roll this out into the new year for all new pieces and my avatars on my social media properties: posterous, twitter, google+, email, flickr, youtube, and a few others. <p /> <br /> The hand done, authentic calligraphy for the January piece and my gothic "S", was inked as part of my gothic typeface project which is now more or less complete. More about this typeface calligraphy project later. <p /> <br /> Thanks to the photographers for their royalty free photos: <p /> <br /> Berries - Photographer: Nossirom on sxc.hu <br /><a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1252451">http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1252451</a> <p /> <br /> Orchard - Photographer: night fate on sxc.hu (not shown here) <br /><a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1330247">http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1330247</a> <p /> <br /> Cheers <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/23FfFOfSLzE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/january-2012-calendar-berries-edition Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:32:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/UYHEkAMdCHY/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year http://steveczajka.posterous.com/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/8cjZp6o78ooIuKxIzJnsZIpzarpeHaW2Hm4zxSeG6VujwOtpwVNVJTh6JUnU/merry_final_HD_signature.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Merry_final_hd_signature" height="503" src="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/OCodtM1WxI5t5McaaU8JgfIZl033TEadjgxfWNzs1zjQ1xnGlgqsueV1OwuB/merry_final_HD_signature.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>I want to sincerely wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It has been enormous fun delivering this blog, and I do appreciate the visits, comments, and encouragement I receive from all of you. I have been in the zone over the last few months and I get more and more interested in this art every day. I have been inspired by so many people. <p /> <br />This calligraphy is a formal rotunda script based on the 14th/16th c when capital letters (or numbers for that matter) were not quite developed. I understand back in those days they adopted a hierarchy of lettering, meaning that capitals were based on an older uncial script encased in rich graphic illustration designs (not shown). This rotunda script was made to read very clear and was designed for musical lyrics and song sheets done in a very large size so people in the back row of the choir could read them. Rotunda is one of my favourite scripts, I love the contrast of the thick and thin strokes (look at the e in merry). This lettering was hand done using a double pencil technique, scanned and then filled in in GIMP / Inkscape. <p /> <br />2011 marked a big year for both my digital arts advancement, but more so my calligraphic development. What stands out was:</p> <ul> <li>Joining the Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto, and being part of the executive</li> <li>Creating and administering the blog for the guild (<a href="http://cagt.posterous.com" target="_blank">http://cagt.posterous.com</a>)</li> <li>Taking an advanced course in calligraphy from Mark Lurz and re-learning my gothic lettering skills</li> <li>Increased confidence in my calligraphy based on the course</li> <li>And two major art works were also completed in 2011, including my circular calligraphy border (<a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-preview-part-1" target="_blank">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-preview-part-1</a> ) and another new piece I will be blogging about starting next weekend and into the better part of January.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Other pieces in 2011 that stand out for me:</p> <ul> <li>Corporate Awards Certificates - <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/corporate-award-certificates" target="_blank">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/corporate-award-certificates</a></li> <li>My collaboration piece with my sister titled, "Amber" was really fun to do (<a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-amber-trailer" target="_blank">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-amber-trailer</a>).</li> <li>Also my development into video tutorials and video as an art medium (e.g. A Gothic December 2011 - <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar" target="_blank">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar</a>) is also turning out to be great fun and an area I want to explore more of in 2012.&nbsp;</li> <li>Two pieces featured on Meet the GIMP, Calligraphy Border and A Meet the GIMP graphic.&nbsp;</li> <li>Through work I am also advancing my related skills in Adobe CS 5, taking courses in Photoshop (PS), Adobe Illustrator (AI) and InDesign (ID) which has been eye opening.&nbsp;</li> <li>My personal blog is going strong. I can't believe my original calligraphy border has been downloaded 100,000+ times thanks to the following Google search (<a href="http://www.google.ca/search?q=calligraphy+borders&amp;hl=en&amp;prmd=imvns&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=X_f1TrSPM6jv0gHf0cDlDg&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0CCkQsAQ&amp;biw=1366&amp;bih=677 " target="_blank">http://www.google.ca/search?q=calligraphy+borders&amp;hl=en&amp;prmd=imvns&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=X_f1TrSPM6jv0gHf0cDlDg&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0CCkQsAQ&amp;biw=1366&amp;bih=677 </a>)that inevitably results in a top search result. Most of all in 2011 I have totally enjoyed doing this art! It is my hobby and my passion. Blogging about it just accelerates this interest.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> For 2012, I have a few goals to work towards... A major art piece planned for mid 2012 (already started the initial design), move into Adobe Premiere, and learn Blender 3D (which will not be an easy task). I think that: <p /> <br /><strong>Calligraphy + GIMP + Inkscape + Blender 3D + Adobe Premiere = Coolness! </strong><p /> <br />I also want to complete the development of the Gothic Project, a Textura Gothic Typeface for designers / digital artists and myself of course (also started). <p /> <br />Have a wonderful 2012. I already have pieces planned to the middle of February so come back weekly. If you have any special requests, would like to see your name in authentically hand lettered calligraphy, kindly send me an email at steveczajka at hotmail dot com. I do take special requests. <p /> <br />Thanks <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/UYHEkAMdCHY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:07:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/i6_sBeAQZgA/meet-the-gimp http://steveczajka.posterous.com/meet-the-gimp <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/e9FFAY21SVoHLpqMyX8bw3XX75EIUtPp3epIReNCMN8cXVqUZScxQHOXNkUu/meet_the_gimp_-_wallpaper_HD_s.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Meet_the_gimp_-_wallpaper_hd_s" height="503" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/cPxzINbw6QWfkwMWUaWDMMj2nnrZ9ej3p0xNAOGPmGhBcaybu4EYC5u8dW9r/meet_the_gimp_-_wallpaper_HD_s.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Video </span></strong><p /> <br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4MZRUN82Zo?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><p /> <br />This video shows the various graphic elements used in the production of both the banner and wallpaper you see above. Enjoy!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Background </strong></span><br />GIMP (<a href="http://www.gimp.org">www.gimp.org</a>) is an open source graphics software package that I have been using to finish and present my art and calligraphy that you see on <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com">http://steveczajka.posterous.com</a> . GIMP is an amazing package. <a href="http://meetthegimp.org">http://meetthegimp.org</a> is a website dedicated to learning about GIMP software. Rolf Steinort and Philippe Demartin host this podcast, and are now over 170+ video podcasts including tutorials on several photography and graphic design lessons using GIMP and other open source graphics tools. And they do this for free which is amazing. When I started learning GIMP I stumbled upon this site upon on a google search. Wow, i was blown away. I downloaded the first 100 episodes that someone posted on bit torrent legally (as the podcasts are posted in a creative commons license). Watching these step by step videos taught me about GIMP, and because they are video tutorials, I also learned about shortcuts and mouse operations, and configuration operations that are often difficult (if not impossible) to explain in print.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/EFaBHuauuijpwdAdbDdagAcmyelzFhHkjBizHqiCmEtqoBEmzisnmdCqveqr/meet_the_gimp_-_banner.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Meet_the_gimp_-_banner" height="258" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/EFaBHuauuijpwdAdbDdagAcmyelzFhHkjBizHqiCmEtqoBEmzisnmdCqveqr/meet_the_gimp_-_banner.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> &nbsp;<p /> <br /> The banners are a new feature of the recently updated meet the gimp blog, and Rolf encourages anyone to submit their images (created in GIMP) in a specified format, 1000x288px. I thought it would be fun to apply my calligraphy to this format and do a tutorial around it. This piece is comprised of the following graphic elements: <br />&bull; Meet the GIMP Circle Calligraphy <br />&bull; Orange Radial Fill <br />&bull; Wilber, GIMP's super cool mascot! <br />&bull; Rolf Steinort's Name Calligraphy <br />&bull; Video Podcast Titles <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Difficulty</span></strong> <br />This tutorial is of moderate level, say a 5/10 difficulty level. Knowing calligraphy is not required, you can simply write your own words using any colour marker on a white piece of paper. A scanner is required, but can be substituted by just using my images below. <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 1 - Design Circle Calligraphy </span></strong><br />I should mention that all of this calligraphy was authentically hand done by me. Doing calligraphy around a circle is challenging, but the results look cool if well executed. If you don't know calligraphy, I highly recommend that you give it a try... Search for it on google... Classes are inexpensive and the results can be amazing. If you live in the Toronto, Canada area, check out <a href="http://www.cagt.posterous.com">www.cagt.posterous.com</a> .</p> <p>The first challenge is, "how big do you make your circle to fit the calligraphy"? Even the most experienced calligrapher will tell you its very hard to estimate how long a word or phrase will be until you actually do it. Many calligraphers use a paste up method to compensate for this. <br /> The secret here is a test and some basic math. Do a test first on a straight line of the finished word or title. In this case i did, "meet the gimp" and measured the length of the title that will become the circumference (C). <p /> <br /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/CEEFEgloFmpgvuxfgkvygdIsjeABGsbHnCpyHtjCnbDpEHyDknumjEEkqctc/Step_1.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_1" height="271" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/CEEFEgloFmpgvuxfgkvygdIsjeABGsbHnCpyHtjCnbDpEHyDknumjEEkqctc/Step_1.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p /> Diameter=Circumference/pie <br />Radius = Diameter / 2 <p /> such that pie=3.14... And D= Diameter of the circle. <br /> Here is how my simple calculation worked out: <br />C= 10.5 cm (the length of my test) x 2 (one on top and one on bottom part of the circle) <br />C=21 cm <br />D=C/3.14 <br />D=21/3.14 <br />D=6.68 cm <br />R=D/2 (R=radius) <br />R=3.34 cm <p /> <br /> <em>HINT: use say 90% of your test length, because when you do calligraphy around a circle it will naturally become more compressed. I would however, always overestimate, rather than underestimate -- in my example I did not consider the compression factor, so I filled the empty space with dashes. Some calligraphers will use the paste up method -- cut out each test letter and place it along the circle for very high end results, but very time consuming. </em><p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 2 - Layout of the Circle Base Calligraphy </span></strong><br />Take a blank sheet of paper and mark an x on your intended center point of your circle in pencil. Create a baseline circle with your pencil compass around this centre x mark. Set the radius of your circle to what you calculated in Step 1. Create a second circle for the upper part of your letters -- this is based on your x height of your lettering -- simply add this x height to your original radius. Draw lines with a ruler from the centre point that radiate outwards past your upper line -- this is used to keep your lettering perpendicular. <p /> <br /> Ink your calligraphy. Make sure to use a cover sheet to protect your work, especially when you start to rotate your work. Also remember to keep your calligraphy perpendicular to the guide lines you created. The letters will converge in, and this takes some getting used to. <p /> <br /><em>HINT: You can also try doing the bottom lettering facing the opposite direction, so that both read downward. I chose not to do this, as i may want to animate the circle at some point in the future.</em><p /> <br /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/EJibFAiyJeiGswFtzjuFvldeAanyGbsHIpmuGffmtcwibJhgiujvuuwCGsgc/Step_2a.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_2a" height="891" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/EJibFAiyJeiGswFtzjuFvldeAanyGbsHIpmuGffmtcwibJhgiujvuuwCGsgc/Step_2a.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 3 - Scan the Circle Base Calligraphy </span></strong><br />Before you scan the work, erase the pencil lines around the lettering, but LEAVE IN the x mark at the center point of your circle. KEEP THE X, THIS IS A KEY STEP! I scan most of my work with the following settings: 300 dpi TIF format file (avoid jpg), using a tabletop scanner HP scanjet 3500c (over 5 years old) -- great results. If you don't have a scanner, you can use a camera, but the results are significantly better with a scanner as it eliminates distortion. <p /> <br /> Your scan should look something like this:</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/poxcyEixaFhaiFHtsACfABsbFalAsuEvHdhbjaxwyrkyGaeAmExeHzkqDqAt/Step_2b.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_2b" height="899" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/poxcyEixaFhaiFHtsACfABsbFalAsuEvHdhbjaxwyrkyGaeAmExeHzkqDqAt/Step_2b.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> &nbsp;<p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 4 - Centre The Circle Base Calligraphy (in GIMP) </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Start GIMP&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Open: scanned calligraphy from Step 3.&nbsp;</li> <li>Create a square image by using: Image / Canvas Size. I used 3500 x 3500px @300dpi for my work, yours may vary.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/AszBflxvJCmrlbznFsfioflBwlDJCkfqGwFBCmDblermGdDCmgfidqoiqkkj/Step_4.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_4" height="503" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/AszBflxvJCmrlbznFsfioflBwlDJCkfqGwFBCmDblermGdDCmgfidqoiqkkj/Step_4.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p /> <br /></p> <ul> <li>Create one Horizontal Guideline. Do this my clicking on the ruler at the top and drag down onto the image (click and drag). To get rid of the guide click on the guide and drag just off the image. Always make sure your move tool is activated when using guides.&nbsp;</li> <li>Move this guide to the exact centre of the image (in my case 3500 / 2). Watch the location of the guide in the lower left hand corner of the GIMP window&nbsp;</li> <li>Create one vertical guideline using the same process. Make sure it is also exactly in the centre of the image.&nbsp;</li> <li>Move the calligraphy image. Line up the x in your image with the intersection of your guidelines. This is an important step -- try to get this right.&nbsp;</li> <li>Rotate the image by using the rotate tool. Line up the top calligraphy first.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> You can see the layers i used to construct this image: <p /> <br /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_4b" height="445" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/JBonEEziatctEgbhADEmxkdmqfhsroekcrkgEmCzDlFuFvIjwCeysBllFwGz/Step_4b.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="249" /> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Cut the image into two by using a rectangle select tool&nbsp;</li> <li>Select&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / cut&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / paste as: new layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Rotate this layer to centre it as well&nbsp;</li> <li>Copy the three dashes to a new layer using the process above&nbsp;</li> <li>Duplicate this layer then use Layer / Transform / Flip Horizontal to have dashes on each side&nbsp;</li> <li>Move it to line up the x in the centre point&nbsp;</li> <li>Add new layer - white background (move this layer to the bottom)&nbsp;</li> <li>Erase the Pencil marks using the Erase Tool&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Save As: circle layout.xcf&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Save As: circle.png&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Exit (exit gimp)&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 5 - Vectorize Circle Base Calligraphy (in Inkscape) </span></strong><p /> <br /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/EfewFvmjeDeJGhrdnHqxFrEaGAFgtjsgDxwxalravgiywsayBFldzjrrsgbA/Step_5_-_Copy.jpg"><img alt="Step_5_-_copy" height="503" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/EfewFvmjeDeJGhrdnHqxFrEaGAFgtjsgDxwxalravgiywsayBFldzjrrsgbA/Step_5_-_Copy.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p /> <br /></p> <ul> <li>Open Inkscape. If you have never used Inkscape, it is open source like GIMP and can be downloaded at <a href="http://www.inkscape.org">www.inkscape.org</a>. File / Open: circle.png from step 4 into Inkscape. Click on the image to get the arrows to appear around the bitmap image(see above image)&nbsp;</li> <li>Click on Path/trace bitmap&nbsp;</li> <li>Click on Update (this will give you a preview)&nbsp;</li> <li>Click on OK. Now you have created a new vector layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Click on the original bitmap image&nbsp;</li> <li>Click on delete to have only the vector version&nbsp;</li> <li>Save As: Circle Vector.SVG&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Close (exit Inkscape)&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <em>Note: you can do this step over by experimenting with the settings in the trace bitmap tool. To get rid of the original bitmap, click in the white space inside the page, grab handles should appear, click delete.</em> <p /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 6 - Master the Circle Base Logo (in GIMP) </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Start GIMP&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Open: circle.png from Step 4&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours / Desaturate&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours / Invert&nbsp;</li> <li>Duplicate Layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours / colour to alpha to separate&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Open: Circle Vector.SVG from step 5. Use 300dpi or the exact same as your scan settings&nbsp;</li> <li>TURN This layer OFF -- Visibility is NOT required&nbsp;</li> <li>Right click on layer / Alpha to Selection&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / Stroke Selection (use thick black line, square end points as shown the image below)&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_6" height="535" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/fjdEHBmzjjHCollHAAotvwvpDbuGmiuCzajxJxhlxaAdbxoniDIIBcGABmfl/Step_6.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="397" /> </div> <p /> <br /></p> <ul> <li>Add a drop shadow to this layer -- Filters / Light and Shadow / Drop Shadow (default settings)&nbsp;</li> <li>Create orange fill by:&nbsp;</li> <li>Creating a new transparent layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Gradient fill tool&nbsp;</li> <li>Orange colour (get exact values from gimp.org)&nbsp;</li> <li>Radial fill setting (orange to alpha, or FG to alpha). Use HTML notation f57900 for orange. To get an exact colour from the web use the colour picker tool, click this then click on the webpage -- make sure GIMP is not maximized when you do this.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_6b" height="350" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/qvBdDzGjgsmFsjEttgniIsGkiIjHFrjvghikaBwdCarskclDjpmavDaicHJA/Step_6b.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="511" /> </div> <p /> </p> <ul> <li>Make sure this orange layer is just above the background layer, and below the calligraphy layers&nbsp;</li> <li>Add wilber from either <a href="http://www.gimp.org">www.gimp.org</a>, or alternate source ( Try to find a PNG version that does NOT have a white background) by doing the following:&nbsp;</li> <li>Copy the web image to the clipboard&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / Paste as: new layer Move wilber to the centre of the image&nbsp;</li> <li>Your master image should look something like this:&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/bfvkqApoFcfmrCuJHAHCJjsrAjAIbhBJgoaErryarBGjzvzgupnJecmCitEj/Step_6c.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_6c" height="503" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/bfvkqApoFcfmrCuJHAHCJjsrAjAIbhBJgoaErryarBGjzvzgupnJecmCitEj/Step_6c.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>File / Save As: meetthegimp - master.xcf&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Exit&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 7 - The Name, Rolf Steinort</span></strong> <p /> <br /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/DygqdvmjrfsoJxjmunHtGpcuferuBkuFEdJzqHvClJvAzyEisnlzhGhFqgfd/Step_7.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_7" height="330" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/DygqdvmjrfsoJxjmunHtGpcuferuBkuFEdJzqHvClJvAzyEisnlzhGhFqgfd/Step_7.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p /> I decided to add Rolfs name to the overall piece. This calligraphy was done with the following settings: B4 calligraphy nib, osmiroid pen, royal blue pelikan ink on common white paper. This was scanned in at 300dpi, TIF format. Once the work is inked and scanned, do the following steps to prepare the work:</p> <ul> <li>Start GIMP&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Open: the scanned file into GIMP&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours / Desaturate (pick a method you like)&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours / Invert&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours / Colour to alpha (use black to get rid of white)&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Save As: Rolf Steinort.xcf&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Exit (exit GIMP)&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <em>HINT: you can do the optional step of vectorizing the work in Inkscape similar to step 5. which has a nice effect too -- i chose this option for my piece, and i used a value of 0.75 for a rougher texture. </em><p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Step 8 - The Finished Banner </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Visit meetthegimp.org and right click on the banner image, and copy the image (not the link, but the image itself) to the clipboard&nbsp;</li> <li>Start GIMP&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Create / From Clipboard&nbsp;</li> <li>Bucket Fill this with black&nbsp;</li> <li>This is the fastest way of getting the dimensions exact. Your image should be RGB / 1000 x 288 px @600dpi&nbsp;</li> <li>Keep this file open, while doing the following steps:&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Open: meetthegimp - master.xcf&nbsp;</li> <li>Turn off the Background black layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / Copy Visible&nbsp;</li> <li>Activate the Banner GIMP project you started in Step 8.&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / Paste as: New Layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Scale this down to fit the banner proportions&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Open: Rolf Steinort.xcf&nbsp;</li> <li>Turn off Background black layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / Copy Visible&nbsp;</li> <li>Activate the Banner GIMP project&nbsp;</li> <li>Edit / Paste as: New Layer&nbsp;</li> <li>Scale this down to fit the banner proportions&nbsp;</li> <li>Move to centre in the negative space remaining&nbsp;</li> <li>Add optional text for the video podcast, etc... I just used the Garamond Italic text in GIMP.&nbsp;</li> <li>Add your signing block&nbsp;</li> <li>The file should look something like this (minus the Santa Hat)...&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/iIurhIgnrrAozgdidJsjFDBsJHorEtBiDpCrhDrcJJoutgcrzIcyDarpmldp/Step_8.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_8" height="503" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/iIurhIgnrrAozgdidJsjFDBsJHorEtBiDpCrhDrcJJoutgcrzIcyDarpmldp/Step_8.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>File / Save As: meetthegimp - banner.xcf&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Save As: meetthegimp - banner.jpg&nbsp;</li> <li>File / Exit (exit GIMP)&nbsp;</li> <li>Congratulations, you are complete!&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><p /> <em>HINT: Notice here that the banner is of a much smaller size than your master files. This is common especially for web based graphics. I recommend that you always work in the highest resolution that is relevant for your application. Then scale down your results for your needs. In this way, if Rolf needed a larger version for print or t-shirts, I could deliver it in high fidelity graphics. And using vector based graphics will allow for reproduction at any scale. </em><p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">The Video </span></strong><br />Many people have asked me how I make these videos. People mistake these videos with massive animation projects -- they are not, and they take only minutes to create. I actually create all of the images in GIMP, and save them as jpg files. For the video above i created 16 images, yet only used 12 (as shown below). I import these jpg videos into Windows Movie Maker (on Vista) along with the music and simply use a fade transition to get the effects I want. It is actually quite simple and looks cool when the transitions are in sync with the music. WMM is very easy to use yet is quite limited. I have Adobe Premiere software, but have yet to produce a video using that software... Yet another future project for me. <p /> <br /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/liskFCzkvhrdfEwBAohFACJBijvoxoFqIpqGGljJrHjzIyIqACivGIdGvuAj/Video_WMM.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Video_wmm" height="503" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-23/liskFCzkvhrdfEwBAohFACJBijvoxoFqIpqGGljJrHjzIyIqACivGIdGvuAj/Video_WMM.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">The Calligraphy </span></strong><br />I am in the process of designing a typeface (called, "the Gothic Project"), so I have been practicing the style on a number of different names and projects. This bold typeface is primarily based on the Gothic - Textura script, although I am softening the rigid look of Textura with key elements of the Gothic - Fractur script -- the best of both worlds. "Looking Textura, Feeling Fratur"... kind of thing going on here. The calligraphic style is my own creation, but is influenced from the amazing works of: <br />Alfred Linz (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sciuro/4918787304/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/sciuro/4918787304/</a> ) <br />Luca Barcellona (<a href="http://www.lucabarcellona.com">www.lucabarcellona.com</a>) <br />Mark Lurz (<a href="http://www.cagt.posterous.com">www.cagt.posterous.com</a>) <br />and Chuck Davis (<a href="http://www.letterheadfonts.com">www.letterheadfonts.com</a>)</p> <p>I hope to post something on this new typeface when it is completed Q1 - 2012. It is a big project for me, and so far so good. I plan to make it available to designers and artists. <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thoughts </span></strong><br />I did this piece as a test for some upcoming projects as mentioned above. I liked the results so much that I decided to blog about it. I like the repetitive nature of this calligraphy script. I like the opacity detail if you look closely at the lettering, you can see the strokes overlap. I like the diamonds in Rolfs name. I like the basic colour combination of: black, orange and white. White calligraphy on a black background is so basic, yet looks great. I liked how the video turned out...considering it only takes minutes to create once you have the art masters created. <p /> <br /> To Rolf and Philip, thanks so much for doing the podcasts you have done, and ultimately helping me and millions of people to learn GIMP. I couldn't have created my art without your podcasts. I also want to thank you for sharing my works on your site -- hopefully others are learning from what I am sharing. <p /> <br />Cheers <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/meet-the-gimp">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/meet-the-gimp#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/i6_sBeAQZgA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/meet-the-gimp Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:53:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/hLjrG1-uFvs/mayan-2012-calendar http://steveczajka.posterous.com/mayan-2012-calendar <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/f6T1KP4LkCR99ZJVoJKkrMjLdSTltlo1UJdlkV7DJNfuqojjLBfPhZS2VJcj/Mayan_2012_Calendar_-_Wallpape.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Mayan_2012_calendar_-_wallpape" height="503" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/zzSFaOMxrIHeOLTCxT64NMoJmlkdsfbBWNwmw9pVal93CGbW1jRCHl0SMgob/Mayan_2012_Calendar_-_Wallpape.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>Last year around this time I created the Calligraphy 2011 calendar at: <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/calligraphy-2011-calendar">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/calligraphy-2011-calendar</a> . This year I created the same type of calendar that you can freely download. This years calendar comes in two editions: desktop and printable. Both are actually NOT Mayan calendars at all, rather a modern day calendar with Canadian Holidays marked on it. <p /> <br /> I actually have the white one printed, and I hang it on my fridge at home. It softens the cold stainless steel look of my appliances, and that is the only thing I have on my fridge. Its also helpful as i write all over it for upcoming events. This year I made more whitespace between the lines so you can write all over it too... that is the idea.&nbsp;</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_file_embed'> <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/mayan-2012-calendar"><img alt="" src="http://posterous.com/images/filetypes/pdf.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>Mayan_2012_Calendar.pdf</strong> <a href="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-17/jeDkswmAdiuBJCxbehqsJcjEBpfnHdnxvGdAleJkaCdamDgxGfIwjIxryzhD/Mayan_2012_Calendar.pdf">Download this file</a> </div> </div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">This large 6M file prints best on 11"x17" paper full colour.</span><p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Mayan Theme</span></strong>&nbsp;<br />I used the Mayan theme this year because isn't the world supposed to end in 2012? At least that is what Mayan history tells us -- that 2012 will mark some kind of end based on a very old and incredibly accurate calendar system. Maybe rather than fire or flood, it will be the world economic system that will be in peril -- having said this, 2012 may have come early in 2011 with the occupy movements. At any rate I am optimistic that we will get through anything that comes our way, "life finds a way". The Mayan theme has a mystic appeal which I liked and felt would work well here. <p /> </p> <p><br /> Coincidentally, the "Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World" history is also being showcased at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) at: <a href="http://www.rom.on.ca/maya/">http://www.rom.on.ca/maya/</a> which is not far from where I live. <p /> <br /> The following is a video that shares more about the culture and time: <p /> <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0MD1IaCuDj4?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Mayan Calligraphy Lettering</span></strong>&nbsp;<br />The word Mayan was hand done using a 2.4mm Pilot Parallel Calligraphy pen on heavy paper. It was scanned at a high resolution, and simply turned into a path in Inkscape. I like the rough texture of the lettering that shows up best on the printable version. The calligraphy was done using a very fast stroke to achieve this texture. I first developed this lettering typeface for a piece I created called, "Canada - Vancouver 2010" at: <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/canada-vancouver-2010">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/canada-vancouver-2010</a> . That was done with a 3.5mm calligraphy marker. I am planning to create a complete typeface of this letterhead, and make it available to designers and artists. (a future project) <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Inkscape and GIMP</span></strong>&nbsp;<br />I created both calendars using Inkscape, and GIMP. I primarily authored it using Inkscape, but finished in GIMP. Inkscape is an amazing tool for working with vector based graphics and text. It is so fast and easy to create something like this using Inkscape. Tools like alignment are so helpful. GIMP on the other hand is perfect for working with images. <p /> <br /> I really liked how the desktop version worked out. The image in the desktop version just fit perfectly, and the radial layer mask gives the feel of someone walking into a cave and shining a light onto the historic object. <p /> <br /> All the best for 2012! I have tonnes of calligraphy and digital arts projects planned for 2012 and I will share them with you at <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com">http://steveczajka.posterous.com</a> <p /> <br /> Many thanks to the photographers Rob Shenk and forrest.se for posting their images in a CC-AT license, and you can check them out on flickr. <p /> <br /> Cheers <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/mayan-2012-calendar">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/mayan-2012-calendar#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/hLjrG1-uFvs" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/mayan-2012-calendar Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:23:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/7ah2t2HDQIw/corporate-award-certificates http://steveczajka.posterous.com/corporate-award-certificates <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/OfvDmWkqjrHQTq6XURxQxhC7hHs3sIqXUKVeQ26QQdNrvtX89cXhVXDMGOMT/award_of_excellence_final_HD_s.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Award_of_excellence_final_hd_s" height="692" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/6vQ6QQSk7VfHTKtBKkDilQMSmMO0ADaROKXg1Oeb6ByqTcaVLDrVg6MyhMPY/award_of_excellence_final_HD_s.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>I wanted to share with you some work I completed for our Corporate Awards. I approached our awards committee with an idea to make some improvements to their annual awards programme. Their response was, we're open to the idea -- show us some mock-ups of what you propose. So i did, and they were accepted. <p /> <br /> The corporate awards are based on my previous calligraphy border. Working in a digital environment allows me to re-use graphic assets which is great, as that border asset literally took months of effort to design and create and 20 years of the idea bouncing around in my head.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The certificates are based on three levels of achievement: <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Nominee Certificates </span></strong><br />Nominees receive a certificate indicating that they are up for an award. These are basically typeset. The HR program logo appears prominently on all awards. There were 60+ Nominee Certificates. All certificates were presented in a black folder, a beautiful textured heavy paper specially designed with cut-outs for 8.5" x 11" inserts. <p /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487041335/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6487041335_fd4715b44c.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a><p /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487086431/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6487086431_9b156c10a6.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487094307/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6487094307_c608a56457.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a><p /> </p> <p><br /> <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Award Certificates </strong></span><br />The Award certificates are meant to stand out by having the names in authentic hand lettered personalized gold calligraphy, with a textured gold background. The signature of the commissioner appears on each award including the prestigious Award of Excellence Certificates. There were 26 Award Certificates (incl. Excellence Certificates) in total. These were presented in person at the awards event. <p /> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487049073/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6487049073_9abd5e762e.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487058973/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6487058973_e0f9686fec.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487078907/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6487078907_c18155ae9d.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487068013/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6487068013_e61a869e26.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487102613/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6487102613_356d4bcdf3.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487112287/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6487112287_4594d82c77.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487121975/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6487121975_1c746b1327.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487132091/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6487132091_6b8d32ba8b.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><p /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Award of Excellence Certificates </span></strong><br />The Award of Excellence is also meant to stand above and beyond the other awards by using authentic gold calligraphy for the award title itself, as well as a special textured background that is not available on any other award. All certificates were wrapped and presented in a black folder. Most of the above ideas were suggested by the awards committee that i worked for (specifically Pat), and they were all excellent suggestions. I am very pleased with the end result. <p /> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487140767/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6487140767_a7f046de76.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487151379/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6487151379_7e8896cfc1.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6487162263/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6487162263_14b2c6c668.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><p /> <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Poster Advertisement </strong></span><br />A poster was also created to advertise who was nominated for an award. This was a basic 11" x 17" poster that was placed in various locations throughout the building. <br /><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></strong></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Poster_names_blurred" height="1383" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-10/IJrjzGhrgAnsIIFpDFGeFFHbovHvfGEdbmjiaGjnIosbpspACCqbqazFdbHf/poster_names_blurred.png.scaled895.png" width="895" /> </div> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Printing&nbsp;</span></strong></p> <p>Printing was a very important aspect of this project. The folks from the print centre were great at suggesting ideas about the background texture, and finishes. All certificates were printed with the following settings: <br />-8.5" x 11" certificates <br />-300 dpi PDF document (between 5meg for white and approx 60meg for the textured awards) <br />-everything was printed on white paper <br />-80 weight heavy paper <br />-matte finish paper <br />-full bleed edge finish (which basically allows the gold background texture to print right to the edge of the paper - a nice touch) <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">My Calligraphy </span></strong><br />I used a classic formal italic calligraphy - my own version. Clear, easy to read, elegant, and works great with the gold digital effect that I applied. I used an Osmiroid 65 calligraphy pen, B4 nib with a 5 x height, on a 5 degree slant, regular paper, Royal Blue Pelikan ink. <p /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thoughts </span></strong><br />Overall this was a great project, and I hope that the recipients feel proud of the awards they earned. People should feel good about the awards they win, and I hope that i was able to help out in this regard. It is also the organizations way of saying thank you, we appreciate and value your hard work. It was great working with the awards committee, and that they were open and flexible to new ideas. I work for a very large organization of 4000+ employees. A special thanks to Heather and the Awards Committee for supporting this idea (and their gratitude), Pat for her amazing suggestions and help on this project -- as well to Jennifer for coordinating everything with our print centre and getting these awards to look great.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many thanks to Marianne, and Anthony for allowing me to post their certificates on the web! Thanks to: flickr.com/photos/jodysphotography and xsc.hu artist iprole for their textures. <p /> <br /> Contact me at steveczajka at hotmail dot com if you need some help with your organizations corporate awards certificates. <p /> <br /> Cheers <br />Steve <p /> <br /> P.S. I didn't actually win any of these awards, these were used as mock-ups to test the final look of the product. There is always next year :) <p /> ___________ <p /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>My Digital Process Workflow </strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Scan hand done calligraphy (300dpi TIF as a page)&nbsp;</li> <li>Vectorize in Inkscape to PNG (use 0.85 setting)&nbsp;</li> <li>Clean up in GIMP&nbsp;</li> <li>Open Certificate template that is Mastered in Inkscape&nbsp;</li> <li>Drag and drop PNG into Inkscape&nbsp;</li> <li>Vectorize PNG file, fill with yellow colour&nbsp;</li> <li>Delete black PNG file&nbsp;</li> <li>Filters / Bevels / Bright Metal*&nbsp;</li> <li>Scale down to 25% size&nbsp;</li> <li>Centre, place to desired location within the certificate - hint - use guide lines to get them all consistent&nbsp;</li> <li>Rotate using Object / Transform (precise) or simply use the grab handles&nbsp;</li> <li>Drop shadow 10 80 10 10 parameters&nbsp;</li> <li>Do this twice&nbsp;</li> <li>Duplicate&nbsp;</li> <li>Filters / remove filters&nbsp;</li> <li>Fill black colour&nbsp;</li> <li>Blur 1.5&nbsp;</li> <li>Move below gold name&nbsp;</li> <li>Save the SVG file (just in case there are changes)&nbsp;</li> <li>Save As PDF (at 300dpi setting, this generates a beautiful 65M file with the fully textured gold background) These PDF files were sent to the print centre.</li> </ul> <p><p /> * The secret here is to run the filter at the largest size possible. This Bright metal filter looks way better if run at a large size, then scaled down after (roughly 90 in total).<p /> <br />** The second hint is to make sure you use layers inside of Inkscape. Place the background texture you use on the background layer -- this solves the problem of trying to select an element, and always selecting the background. Layers in Inkscape are a awesome, but can be painful to learn.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/corporate-award-certificates">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/corporate-award-certificates#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/7ah2t2HDQIw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/corporate-award-certificates Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:05:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/KEOzjFDVMFA/twas-the-night-before-christmas http://steveczajka.posterous.com/twas-the-night-before-christmas <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/LdVWVWpqB26hZ7PKkZeqXWJydR9O6LInKuQ5IYrNc3VO90dAq5FdUSUP0rtT/Twas_the_night_before_002_-_Co.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Twas_the_night_before_002_-_co" height="671" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/L5FDWr7Dl8hgEYQZLC8nYp3C16ZlVxhV8MMg16jDukigJodrPr3pmmNW2i7F/Twas_the_night_before_002_-_Co.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446956365/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6446956365_6cda946422.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446953427/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6446953427_ab6a19335f.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446950839/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6446950839_832fc5d372.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446947803/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6446947803_25a3ec6bc6.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446941943/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6446941943_28b47b8b92.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446939291/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6446939291_6a809c130d.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446933849/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6446933849_d7f9cdeb60.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveczajka/6446931161/in/photostream"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6446931161_6b4b8b3afc.jpg" border="0" height="375" width="500" /></a></p> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>According to wikipedia, "A Visit from St. Nicholas", also known as "The Night Before Christmas" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, although the claim has also been made that it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr. <p /> The poem, which has been called "arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American",[1] is largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, the number and names of his reindeer, as well as the tradition that he brings toys to children. Prior to the poem, American ideas about St. Nicholas and other Christmastide visitors varied considerably. The poem has influenced ideas about St. Nicholas and Santa Claus beyond the United States to the rest of the English-speaking world and beyond. <p /> The Piece <br />Someone suggested that I decorate this space. I met their challenge with a small phrase out of one of the most popular Christmas poems of all time. The hand lettering on glass was done by using a dry erase marker. This took only about 20 minutes or so. The frosted glass helped greatly as the lettering stands out better. The frosted glass also provided me a guide to align my lettering against, rather than having to setup a snap line (i.e. chalk line). I created a quick template that provided the base line, x height line, ascender line, descender line, and equally spaced vertical lines to assist me with vertical alignment and horizontal spacing. I used the following ratio of 6 pen widths to the x height, with a lower line added in 1.5 pen widths above the base line to assist with the completion of my down strokes (e.g. where the letter T changes direction before it touches the base line). This is a helpful line as it allows me to create consistent thorns where the change in direction exist, see the picture below that shows the thorn detail. <p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="T_thorne_detail" height="616" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-03/JfknGEyBHgsCmdeIGwdBBigojflgmxJrfEBhdbqakFvcJBeHvdDjEeygEAmv/T_thorne_detail.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="720" /> </div> <br /> While the dry erase pens are easy to write with and remove later, they do provide a slightly blurred edge. Secondly their opacity requires the frosted glass. Having said this they are wonderful for doing flourishes (e.g. S in houses, and letter a) &ndash; doing this with a traditional calligraphy pen on paper is risky as the nib will tend to catch the paper and either tear or splatter the ink. <p /> I would recommend using a flat brush to paint the lettering onto the glass surface, while being careful of the amount of pressure (and resulting spread) that you apply to each stroke. Maybe I will have an external glass project to experiment this technique on. Using the recommended method, the lettering will hold up to outside weather conditions, can be quickly removed with a razor blade, and looks incredibly sharp. Secondly, multiple layers of colour can be added for accents. I&rsquo;m surprised that high-end coffee shops, and boutiques don&rsquo;t do this. This would also be great to personalize a family home with their name or a poem on the glass storm door, or front window. And what about an the person&rsquo;s name on an office glass door? <p /> It was great fun doing this. The people walking by were very nice and complimentary which was cool. <p /> I just wrapped up a significant calligraphy project and I hope to share this with you next weekend, so drop by and check it out. <p /> Cheers <br />Steve</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/twas-the-night-before-christmas">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/twas-the-night-before-christmas#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/KEOzjFDVMFA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/twas-the-night-before-christmas Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:41:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/aU2MBtCoEAw/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar http://steveczajka.posterous.com/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/TAuXYqCV9PRQvORrV4dVNFBu3gIoVZOSHQkN1jkTwxtFTeZOR2deLlRcQqcG/December_2011_-_final_HD_signa.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="December_2011_-_final_hd_signa" height="503" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/tz6suWFuXvkMGi7kUUagd7QVf43JJP7r0tYKPnYgLTDcVfBWPYXfi6NqUMeP/December_2011_-_final_HD_signa.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nL-UOi75SBA?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><br /> <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you can not view this in your browser, visit my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/steveczajka">http://www.youtube.com/user/steveczajka</a> page. </span></em><p /> <br /> I have been studying advanced calligraphy in a course at the Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto (<a href="http://cagt.posterous.com">http://cagt.posterous.com</a>), and this amazing course has led me to create this piece, "A Gothic December 2011 Calendar". I wanted to create something with a holiday season feel to it, by re-using my circular calligraphy border and applying a wreath to it.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This project will mark a fundamental turning point in both my calligraphic style and digital process. As a result of this project breakthrough, I plan to embark on an epic calligraphic project titled, "The Gothic Project", which is the creation of a complete gothic textura typeface (similar to a font) specifically created for commercial digital designers and artists. I will blog more about "The Gothic Project" and my new digital process later. <p /> <br /> My influences for this calligraphy came from: Herman Zapf, Alfred Linz, Mark Lurz and Luca Barcellona. All masters of the art of calligraphy in my view. A special thanks to Mark Lurz who inspired me to really emphasize the capital D in December, and suggesting the works of Herman Zapf -- a German Typeface Designer. <p /> <br /> Overall I am very happy with this piece. Originally I struggled with the lettering until I transitioned to my new digital process. I like the crisp bold letterform of gothic textura. I like the contrast between the thick and thin parts of each stroke. I like how the wreath and gold medallion turned out. I like the faded textured background, I like the December 2011 overlay in the background, the bold sharp gothic numbers, and the overall composition and lighting. I had great fun in doing this work, and that is why i do this! <p /> <br /> You can read more about my works at: <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/pages/about-this-site-and-me" target="_blank">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/pages/about-this-site-and-me</a>, or have a quick peek at my gallery at: <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/pages/gallery-50" target="_blank">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/pages/gallery-50 </a><p /> <br />Thanks for visiting, and be sure to download the calendar! <p /> Cheers <br />Steve <p /> <br /> P.S. Come back over the next few weeks/months to download a 2012 Calendar, a January 2012 Calendar, and a February 2012 Calendar.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/aU2MBtCoEAw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/a-gothic-december-2011-calendar Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:06:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/aVSwi_ebpnc/the-enemy-within http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-enemy-within <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="The_enemy_within_-_final_hd_si" height="1193" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/CaeCpgVWU6cP1WI51DKzKgKdmzzanOwhskxulsJEGcJXypftxbSbvltsrSSR/The_Enemy_Within_-_Final_HD_Si.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /> </div> </p> <p>This is a Letter Arts Tutorial in GIMP/Inkscape (Intermediate Skill Level - say 3/10 is <br />required).&nbsp; I am not entirely sure of the exact origins of this term, but I know that Rush did a song about it years ago...&nbsp; and that was when I did this calligraphy titled, "The Enemy Within". &nbsp; <p /> Check out this video that demonstrates the various stages of the creative process in a non-technical fun video... <p /> <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x3uGMRec_jA?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><br /> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>(visit my youtube page at <a href="http://youtube.com/user/steveczajka">http://youtube.com/user/steveczajka</a> if you are unable to view this) </em></span><p /> See if you can spot the software effects used... <p /> 0:10 Base image (Blurred to focused) <br /> 0:24 Curves Tool (to darken the image) <br /> 0:30 Warm Image Temperature (to brown the image) <br /> 0:33 Inscription "The Enemy Within" placed on sword (LOTR looking) <br /> 0:37 Background overlay (eventually faded to about 10% opacity) <br /> 0:56 Vignette (darkening around the edges) <br /> 1:03 Logo in upper right appears <br /> 1:08 Signing Block Appears <p /> &nbsp; <p /> &nbsp; <br /></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Background</strong></span></p> <p>The piece was actually based on a class project assignment.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am taking an advanced calligraphy course from the Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto. A Master of Calligraphy, Mark Lurz with 40+ years of experience is teaching the class -- I highly recommend the course.&nbsp; The goal of the assignment was to prepare a specialized lettering arrangement.&nbsp;&nbsp; I did the arrangement completely in GIMP, with some bitmap to vector conversion in Inkscape.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 1. Select Base Calligraphy</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/xGFrFsJaGitbFhGxuHDngJknvsyvJotqtzkkzJdgvtHyxdaunGvAeiHhBwts/Step_1_The_Enemy_Within.tif.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_1_the_enemy_within" height="281" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/xGFrFsJaGitbFhGxuHDngJknvsyvJotqtzkkzJdgvtHyxdaunGvAeiHhBwts/Step_1_The_Enemy_Within.tif.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>This is the base calligraphy I started with.&nbsp; I did this calligraphy over ten years ago.&nbsp; I should mention that the original work was created using a B4 nib with black Pelikan Ink on regular white paper.&nbsp; I liked it, kept it and scanned it a few years back, although it has faded over the years -- I fix this&nbsp;fade issue in the digital environment.&nbsp; If you don't have your own calligraphy, use any black marker on a white page and make your own title / logo (or download the one I use above).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 2. Select Base Photograph Image</strong></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/albioneurope/6093982585/sizes/o/in/photostream/"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6084/6093982585_2cb0b30b6d.jpg" border="0" height="500" width="375" /></a></p> <p>I chose this image above because I wanted to create a modern, yet medieval look with an aggressive feel.&nbsp; I also chose this, as the sword represented the character of the piece.&nbsp; This image works well because of the neutral colour palette, and negative space that exists in the upper right.&nbsp;</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>"I think&nbsp;that Calligraphy alone is beautiful.&nbsp; Photography alone is also beautiful, but the two together are so much better!"</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 3. Darken Base Image Using Curves Tool (GIMP)</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_3_curves_tool" height="530" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/afeAsBbcBjaJtmjygdpDuxnkhzqilzbvEihHErfCsCgnfAvynabFvunmwBij/Step_3_curves_tool.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="385" /> </div> </p> <div> <ul> <li>Open GIMP</li> <li>Click on File / Open to open the Image from step 2 into GIMP</li> <li>Click on Colours / Curves Tool</li> <li>Click into the curve were the black dot is.&nbsp; The image should darken at this point.</li> <li>Click OK</li> <li>In this case I did not use a standard S curve but rather a curve that slopes to the bottom right in order to darken the mid tones and keep the darks and lights at the same level more or less.&nbsp; This provides a deep image that replicates a more ancient feel that I was after.</li> <li>Click on File / Save As: Master Image.xcf</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p /> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 4. Warm Filter on Base Image (GIMP)</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_4_warm_cool_filter" height="305" src="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/fhCDfuorcrItqHfnwEurAzovvIEsemqCzdJJeoBntdtqrGjyBbmybplsiFFa/Step_4_warm_cool_filter.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="398" /> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Click on Colours / Warming and Cooling Filter (use settings as shown above)</li> <li>If you do not have this filter, then read more about downloading it from <a href="http://www.GIMP.org">www.GIMP.org</a>.&nbsp; Read more about downloading scripts from a previous post i wrote:</li> <li><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/essential-gimp-scripts-and-gimp-plugins">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/essential-gimp-scripts-and-gimp-plugins</a></li> <li>(if this is too complicated, simply skip this step 4, as it is optional)</li> <li>Click on File / Save</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 5. Sword Inscription (GIMP)</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_5_colour_to_alpha" height="401" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/GAAvdlCAndzkFpuAnJwEjzkqffsiHuoknCfJHlimAicjFgrqoouiAbdCdIfe/Step_5_colour_to_alpha.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="306" /> </div> </p> <ul> <li>"The Enemy Within" inscription on the bottom of the sword was done using the following steps:</li> <li>Open the calligraphy image from step 1. into GIMP.&nbsp; It should appear on top of your base image from step 2.</li> <li>Click on Colours / Colour to Alpha (use white to eliminate white)</li> <li>Change the Size by using the scale on the tool.&nbsp; Remember to click on the chain link to keep the aspect ratio the same when scaling the image.</li> <li>Rotate using the rotation tool</li> <li>Move onto place using the move tool</li> <li>You may want to redo any of the above steps to get the placement just right.</li> <li>Click on File / Save</li> <li>File Close (exit GIMP)</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 6. Lettering Arrangement for Logo (GIMP)</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/HvrjfxssvEAwFHBzxmEvaxBkJkDytlButtzCAdtvywHqIqIonlmokAtzkClh/Step_6_logo_arrangement.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_6_logo_arrangement" height="503" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/HvrjfxssvEAwFHBzxmEvaxBkJkDytlButtzCAdtvywHqIqIonlmokAtzkClh/Step_6_logo_arrangement.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Open GIMP</li> <li>Click on File / Open the base calligraphy image from step 1 into GIMP</li> <li>Click on Image / Canvas Size (change to 1000px x 1000px)</li> <li>I created this arrangement by creating a selection around the word "The" in the base image.&nbsp; (use the select tool)</li> <li>Edit / copy visible</li> <li>Edit / paste as new layer.&nbsp;</li> <li>I did this for all three words, creating three new layers then deleted the base layer.&nbsp;</li> <li>Use grid lines to get the spacing right between the words (both vertical and horizontal spacing) (optional step).</li> <li>Save As: Logo.jpg&nbsp; (default settings)</li> <li>File / Close (exit GIMP)</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 7. Logo Vectorization (in Inkscape)</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/IEmiBstFhzExgvAgzvgEqrIdhukdpJraylouwHoJiIowlJEnCBnvfwpHJrxI/Step_7_Inkscape.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_7_inkscape" height="503" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/IEmiBstFhzExgvAgzvgEqrIdhukdpJraylouwHoJiIowlJEnCBnvfwpHJrxI/Step_7_Inkscape.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Open Inkscape.&nbsp; If you have never used Inkscape, it is open source like GIMP and can be downloaded at <a href="http://www.inkscape.org">www.inkscape.org</a>.</li> <li>File / Open: Logo.jpg from step 6 into Inkscape.&nbsp;</li> <li>Click on the image to get the arrows to appear around the bitmap image(see above image)</li> <li>Click on Path/trace bitmap</li> <li>Click on Update (this will give you a preview)</li> <li>Click on OK.&nbsp; Now you have created a new vector layer</li> <li>Click on the original bitmap image</li> <li>Click on delete to have only the vector version</li> <li>Save As: Vector logo.SVG</li> <li>File / Close (exit Inkscape)</li> </ul> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Note: you can do this step over by experimenting with the settings in the trace bitmap tool.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 8. Place Logo Overlay Using a Layer Mask (GIMP)</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Step_8a_overlay" height="1193" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/FpGeAExfsAhggroGhfaCaDqGocJlbjinGaGgEzhgpxxDIdnwyBurkJbtEGjy/Step_8a_overlay.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Open GIMP</li> <li>File / Open: Master Image.xcf</li> <li>File / Open: Vector logo.SVG (accept defaults)</li> <li>Scale this layer to size it properly</li> <li>Layer Mode Normal, Opacity 10% (to give it a faint grey fill)</li> <li>New layer (white) and turn it off so you can see the base image of the sword</li> <li>Call the New Layer "Mask"</li> <li>Create a selection using Free Select Tool.&nbsp;</li> <li>Bucket Fill black into the new layer.</li> <li>At this point you should see a black and white layer similar to what is shown below.&nbsp; The next group of steps is to turn this layer into an actual layer mask.</li> </ul> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/lGImzJpekbFAlkyEFsHadelgGGigkfamysyElbycrnIInIttwBbtzuJumamj/Step_8b_mask.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_8b_mask" height="503" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/lGImzJpekbFAlkyEFsHadelgGGigkfamysyElbycrnIInIttwBbtzuJumamj/Step_8b_mask.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Turn off all layers</li> <li>Turn on the mask layer</li> <li>Click on Edit / Copy visible</li> <li>Right-Click on the layer that contains your logo overlay</li> <li>Click on Add Layer mask</li> <li>Accept default of white</li> <li>Click on Edit / paste</li> <li>Click on Anchor Icon (to the left of trash can) to activate it</li> <li>At this point the overlay lettering will not be shown on top of the sword, so it will look as if it is behind the sword.</li> <li>Click on File / Save</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 9. Place Logo</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>File / Open: Vector Logo.SVG from step 7.</li> <li>Click on Layer / Scale Layer to scale the image to best fit the negative space in the base image.</li> <li>Move the image into place using the Move tool.&nbsp; I tried to get the hanging T in the word "The" to play off the sword handle.</li> <li>Click on Layer / Duplicate Layer to make a copy of this layer</li> </ul> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/dcpFuHgDHICHkFvxIxwhctilzGtkImDlAteyaDsBcyceFBvyeDwEjhIuAcoe/Step_9_logo_mask.jpg"><img alt="Step_9_logo_mask" height="503" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/dcpFuHgDHICHkFvxIxwhctilzGtkImDlAteyaDsBcyceFBvyeDwEjhIuAcoe/Step_9_logo_mask.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Right click on duplicated layer</li> <li>Click on alpha to selection</li> <li>Bucket fill with deep red colour</li> <li>Create a layer mask identical to the steps shown in Step 8. to create this mask.&nbsp; This will mask out the words "The" and "Within" giving the appearance of the red on black.&nbsp; This is a quick way of doing this -- there are much better ways of doing this.&nbsp; Make sure to chain the two layers together so if you move it they both move together.&nbsp; I painted on the mask using a fuzzy brush to fade from black to red on the T in "The".</li> <li>Click on File / Save</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 10. Vignette</strong></span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/ztqytqaGcrdjBAiwkgmqzCmcJtAumkqlgIeJkfeoJikrsIBmgrAxuEIkBHDs/Step_10_vig_selection.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Step_10_vig_selection" height="503" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-19/ztqytqaGcrdjBAiwkgmqzCmcJtAumkqlgIeJkfeoJikrsIBmgrAxuEIkBHDs/Step_10_vig_selection.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <ul> <li>Click on New Layer (use transparent option)</li> <li>Call this layer vignette</li> <li>Create a selection inside the image based on the magnitude of the vignette you want</li> <li>Invert the selection (CTRL I) (OR Click on Selection / Invert) to select the outer edge as a frame</li> <li>Bucket Fill black.&nbsp; This should have created a black frame on your new Vignette layer.</li> <li>CTRL + SHIFT +A to remove the selection (OR Select / None)</li> <li>Click on Filters / Blur / Gaus Blur (use a very high blur value.&nbsp; For an image that was around 4000 x 6000, I used a blur value of approximately 250)</li> <li>Keep Layer mode to normal</li> <li>Set layer opacity to around 40% to tone it down.</li> <li>Click on File / Save</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step 11. Signing Block</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>You can just use the text tool to place your signing block.&nbsp; I also added a signature in the same way as i did the sword inscription.</li> <li>Click on File / Save</li> <li>Click on Image / Scale Image (click on chain link, and use a width of 1920, GIMP will calculate the height for you)</li> <li>Click on File / Save As: Web Version Final.jpg</li> <li>Congratulations, Your Done!</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Learning GIMP / Inkscape</span></strong></p> <p>When you become experienced with GIMP and Inkscape the above process is actually quite trivial, and takes little time to execute.&nbsp; In fact,&nbsp; i actually spent way more time on preparing this tutorial than the art itself.&nbsp; I had to go back and remember each step I did in the process.&nbsp; It is like trying to teach someone how to cut paper with scissors for the first time -- once you learn it, it becomes second nature, and you don't think about it each time you cut a piece of paper.&nbsp; The time is really spent on the artistic choices you make - choosing a base photographic image, creating the letter forms / logo / calligraphy, graphic placement, colour selections, weight, texture, and the overall feel of the piece.&nbsp; This is where the art is, and this is where the time should be invested.&nbsp; GIMP and Inkscape are tools to execute your choices -- just like using scissors, I don't even have to think about the operations, I just do them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thoughts</span></strong></p> <p>I like the mood this image creates: mysterious, medieval yet clean and modern.&nbsp; When i start a project like this, I never know how it is going to turn out, but most pieces I do start out with a vision in my mind of what it should feel like.&nbsp; It is the creative artistic process that carries me to the final work.&nbsp; And I do enjoy this creative process, more than the final piece itself.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I like the texture of the letterform that the scan and subsequent vector post processing delivered.&nbsp; I also like how the overlay of the lettering worked out.&nbsp; And finally I love the base image, and if you zoom into the top part of the sword, you can actually see minor defects in the metal work -- an amazing image (even at this reduced resolution size for the web).&nbsp; I also like the video medium that i have recently been experimenting with.&nbsp; It adds a new creative dimension to my art projects.&nbsp; I would like to eventually&nbsp; incorporate Blender 3D (<a href="http://www.blender.org">www.blender.org</a>) digital calligraphy into video (and stills) as an art form onto itself -- kind of like what you see in movie titles these days, but using a 3D calligraphic letterform rather than a font.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many thanks to flickr user Albioneurope for this amazing photo, and providing it in a creative commons license.&nbsp; You should check out this persons collection on flickr.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Come by next weekend to see and download your December 2011 Calendar.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Cheers<br />Steve</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>P.S. I just wanted to point out an awesome GIMP resource I discovered recently called <a href="http://www.gimpchat.org">www.gimpchat.org</a>.&nbsp; It is more of a newsgroup / messaging than a chat website dedicated to GIMP.&nbsp; Great folks and the resources are great from new scripts to tutorials to software release updates!&nbsp; Check them out, I joined online, under the name steveczajka.</p> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-enemy-within">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-enemy-within#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/aVSwi_ebpnc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/the-enemy-within Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:33:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/fy_YHfEG1po/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/NDWbVL0Hvpkh5TB6ms4mFSbBSSGmB8hYHWySSo9Lz6V1AM31VNsgd49epRIh/Calligraphy_Border_-_Round_-_F.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Calligraphy_border_-_round_-_f" height="503" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/obS3Gt78Z8hJjXybxFoIlt7iFCl109TnIFsrsyKSk6k2JRqcadSnMzNXUDVD/Calligraphy_Border_-_Round_-_F.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>In the fifth and final part of this video tutorial series, lean about the final images and how you can freely use them yourself. Also check out my final thoughts on the project. <p /> <br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6C6zLdqL2sk?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><p /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Image Licenses </span></strong><br />Preview image (C) <br />Corner detail shot (CC-BY-NC) <br />Medallion detail shot (CC-BY-NC) <br />Full edition - Textured Background (CC-BY-NC) <br />Full edition - White Background (CC-BY-NC) <p /> The four images will be made available under a creative commons license - CC-BY-NC. This means that you can take this, add a poem / lyrics , create a certificate, and use this for yourself or a friend provided it is not sold in any way, and that you maintain the attribution. <p /> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/</a> <p /> If you are a graphic designer and want to use this for a commercial project contact me directly, as I have the original source files both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator / GIMP and Inkscape formats. I also have the associated template source files in a vector format. <p /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Framed Print </strong></span><br />If you are interested in acquiring a professionally printed and framed edition contact me directly. I plan frame at least one of these for myself. <p /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">My Thoughts</span></strong><br />Overall I like the overall feel of piece, it is reminiscent of my original border done 20 years ago. I am happy with it. It is a piece that I plan to hang on my wall.&nbsp;</p> <p>The original border was a big breakthrough calligraphy piece for me, and now this circular border marks another milestone in that it is a bit of a breakthrough from an open source digital perspective, and that's important to me. I also like the response this series has received with over 2500 views at the time of posting this piece. <p /> My Dislikes are that the Border was too black, as a result of a poor scan. If you compare the original border, the original has a more textured feel to it. <p /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Wrap up </span></strong><br />I want to thank everyone for their comments, and I look forward to my December 2011 Calendar project which is well underway. Next week I have a intermediate level, step by step tutorial on a piece called, "The Enemy Within". <p /> <br />It was great fun creating this. I hope you enjoyed it. <p /> <br />Cheers <br />Steve</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Want more?&nbsp; See the entire series at...</p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border Preview - Part 1<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-preview-part-1">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-preview-part-1</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Corner Detail - Part 2<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-corner-detail-par">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-corner-detail-par</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Medallion Detail - Part 3<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-medallion-detail">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-medallion-detail</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Full Texture Edition - Part 4<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Full Edition - Part 5<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/fy_YHfEG1po" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:53:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steveczajka/~3/v-Zbq8u8JlY/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/djr6oCSjwoY8lfhcnE1tsIwKqM3ZX57tg1GaGDPg1RpIXIkNMgUGOLceEog2/Calligraphy_Border_-_Round_-_F.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Calligraphy_border_-_round_-_f" height="895" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/steveczajka/jsD9B6ritDH0UGFJMH5cogoZ2JDK4H5MMVym8hE3lqFy7NP05ShanZfAlkhs/Calligraphy_Border_-_Round_-_F.jpg.scaled895.jpg" width="895" /></a> </div> </p> <p>In part 4 of the video tutorial series, learn about how the final circular calligraphy border image processing was done using open source GIMP software. Keep in mind that this video is designed for GIMP users who have an intermediate skill level.</p> <p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jh2OoRUJitQ?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><br />If you are unable to view this video using IE, visit my YouTube Channel at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/steveczajka?feature=mhee#p/u/0/Jh2OoRUJitQ">http://www.youtube.com/user/steveczajka</a></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>GIMP Elements Covered: </strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Background texture Calligraphy Border Graphic Element&nbsp;</li> <li>Diamonds Graphic Element&nbsp;</li> <li>Medallion Graphic Element&nbsp;</li> <li>Rings Graphic Element&nbsp;</li> <li>Signing Block&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><br /> Check back next week for the 5th and final tutorial in this series. <p /> Thanks <br />Steve <p /> <p>Want more?&nbsp; See the entire series at...</p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border Preview - Part 1<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-preview-part-1">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-preview-part-1</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Corner Detail - Part 2<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-corner-detail-par">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-corner-detail-par</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Medallion Detail - Part 3<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-medallion-detail">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-medallion-detail</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Full Texture Edition - Part 4<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit</a></p> <p>Circular Calligraphy Border - Full Edition - Part 5<br /><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part">http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-edition-part</a></p> <p /> <br /> Texture Credit: Many thanks to jodysphotography for offering up her texture in a creative commons license <p /> flickr.com/photos/jodysphotography/3268663586/in/set-72157613782340501</p> </p> <p><a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/steveczajka/~4/v-Zbq8u8JlY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1732311/steveczajka_gothic_s_avatar.png http://posterous.com/users/3sDuYS36fyaB Steve Czajka steveczajka Steve Czajka Steve Czajkahttp://steveczajka.posterous.com/circular-calligraphy-border-full-texture-edit en-usSteve CzajkanonadultWhere Calligraphy and Graphic Arts Meet! 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