When Left to My Own Devices

Tags

embroidery, iPlayer, tea

A pot of tea (or three), some embroidery and a really interesting documentary about apples on the iPlayer (no, really). A good day.

Weekword: Routine

Tags

creativity cues, routine, weekword

I’m hosting this week’s Weekword, and announcing a new idea… (thanks to John for inspiring me!)

I find that if I miss a week of Weekwords I lose track of who is hosting and then miss more weeks until someone gives me a nudge! I’ve tried googling, but never seem to get the newest word.

So, the obvious solution seemed to be transfer the whole thing to a blog, but part of the joy of Weekword is to be able to find new blogs…

So I’ve decided to try a Weekword Portal (cue dry ice and a gong)!

You’ll be able to find the Weekword and a link to the host’s blog, from there you carry on as normal, commenting on the host’s blog if you want to join in and checking back on Friday to see what everyone has been up to. The only difference is that there’s a central place to check if you miss a week or two, and we might entice more people along if they can find us on google more easily!

I realise this is all a bit unilateral, so please let me know if there are tweaks or suggestions to make it better. I’m also looking for volunteers to help keep the blog updated (Christine!).

So I’m hoping a little routine work will ensure a smooth routine for Weekworders! (I’m going to go lie down, those were unforgivable puns.)

Test Strip Tango

Tags

pencil, Salt Printing, test, test strip

There’s something very calming about doing test strips…you don’t have to make any decisions, you’re just seeing what happens.

I wanted to see what would happen if I wrote on salted paper before brushing on the silver nitrate solution.

The plan was that when I rubbed out the pencil, it would mask the paper and you could read the writing.

It worked, but not quite as crisply as I’d have liked (which I expected).

Interestingly, there isn’t a linear progression. I think 6B is the most effective, but I think it might be a better technique for drawings than text.

(For an explanation of Salt Printing, see Part 1 and Part 2.)

I Remember Your First…

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baby, cherry, dragon, first foods

 

Four Years of Art College

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arty nonsense, four years of art collele and now a computer does it for me, instant artist statement generator

…and it can all be distilled into one Instant Artist Statement Generator!

Life’s Too Short

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adverts, drudgery, Life's Too Short, Scholz & Friends Berlin

I’ve been terminally short on time this weekend, so I haven’t managed to generate much in the way of blog fodder. But these are too cool not to share!

Advertising Campaign by Scholz & Friends Berlin

(Click the photo for more examples…)

When Stuck, Press Here

Tags

10 ways to break photographers block, pixiq

I came across a nice list of ways to break up photographer’s block on Pixiq.

I especially like the ones that force you to find photographs anywhere you end up…

…not if you’ll excuse me, I just thought of a nice photo involving some rubber ducks, the bath plug and a bottle of Cif.

Practically Perfect

Tags

star wars figurines, stefan le du, stormtroopers 365, these are not the droids you're looking for

I’m terribly behind, but I’ve stumbled across the best project ever…

I have a not-very-secret Star Wars soft spot (and the figurines to match) and these are making me smile!

"The droids we're googling for" - Stefan Le Du

If you want more there are 364 more gems (plus more Star Wars characters and Indiana Jones), go have a look!

Help Me Readers.. You’re My Only Hope!

Tags

decisions, full list of categories for the sketchbook project 2012, too many options

There should be a word for the indecision caused by too-extensive menus…

I’m in the midst of trying to decide on the theme for my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project 2012 and there are just too many!

Here is a complete list (I’ve scored out the ones that don’t appeal):

• The last of the people I know
• In fifty years
• Ask me how I can help
• The first ever…
• Hope
• In 10 minutes
• Along the line
• Grey side of life
• Fill me with stories
• Things found under car seats
• Untitled
• Travel with me
• Forever in a nutshell
• Disasters
• This is a sketchbook
• The worst story ever told
• Fears and tears
• The companion books
• Transatlantic
• It’s summer where you are
• It’s winter where you are
• Nothing new
• Time Traveler
• Opposite day
• Uncharted waters
• Life underground
• Monochromatic
• Long trips and short phone calls
• Encyclopedia of
• Sandwich
• Prehistoric
• Writing on the wall
• A path through the trees
• Stitches and folds
• Heroes and villains
• Treehouse
• Forks and Spoons
• Waterslides I never rode

Any favourites out of the ones that are left?

FlashHack

Tags

better flash photographs, bounce flash, haje jan kamps, pixiq

Have I mentioned my dislike of flash? I turn the flash off all the cameras I touch, because even if you can dial down the intensity, those wee pop-up flashes always make people look like greasy, terrified rabbits.

My solution is to buy a trendy new camera that works really well in low light…

A much better solution has been presented by Haje Jan Kamps on Pixiq and needs nothing more high tech than a spare envelope!