Adobe Illustrator Vector Art: First Gradient Mesh Artwork

Hey, peeps. It's been a few so here's a little update.  While I was resting my arm/wrist, I decided to look through some scrap work.  I found this old gradient mesh test image I did a while back. You can use Google to find out more about gradient mesh. To summarize, with g.mesh, you can get really realistic vector art images by using a grid technique. I started a few years back when I used a trial version of Adobe Illustrator. The idea was quite attractive but time consuming. This is my very first mesh accompanied by the wire mesh.  I wasn't sure how to export the wire outline as an image file.  So, I just took a screen capture of it.

 

Yep..I know it's nothing really special. But it was a start. From what I hear, the Inkscape team is working on a gradient mesh tool of their own. However, I wanted a program that I could use now (the AI trial has run out). I searched for other vector programs and came across one called Serif Draw Plus. I looked into it and decided to give it a try. There's a free starter edition that comes with gradient mesh! Pretty cool. I will probably always be partial to Inkscape having used it for quite some time now. All this has me thinking if I should get back into meshing. I will look into that possibility. Anyway, that's it for now.  Later!

Vector Art and Arm Soreness

Hey, peeps. Just a brief update. It would seem I have a mildly sore forearm. I'll be resting it for a while. Before this, I was retouching old vector art files I haven't bothered with for a while. Hopefully, I'll be able to show those to you soon. I'll try to get back on track as soon as I can.

Inkscape Vector Art Illustration Time Lapse Face Portrait Speed Drawing: Akichuu

Finally it's here! My new time lapse vector speed drawing/art published for the Interwebs! This features a Youtuber by the screen name of Akichuu. This is a link to their channel: www.youtube.com/akichuu.

I believe I discovered her while searching for videos of Japan filmed using the Canon 7D. And from there, I randomly looked up Asian related videos and started clicking on related videos to the side of the video page. Long story short, I eventually found Akichuu's channel. I watched her videos and thought they were nice.

So, one day, I felt like making some vector art. I thought Akichuu would be an interesting subject for a vector portrait. I had originally tried vectoring a low resolution 360P screen capture from one of her videos. Yes, I know..you should only vector high resolution images. :x

I still took up the challenge. Obviously, at 360P video resolution, the details aren't as sharp. Also, she was some distance from the camera which didn't help at all. So it was difficult to get a good resemblance. However, I'm not going to give up on it. I'll complete that art piece just for my own satisfaction at some other time.

I had to choose another screen cap. I decided to vector a more recent clip she had done in 720P resolution. While there was poor lighting in the video making the overall image quality kinda "flat", it wasn't an obstacle. So, this is the final result. I'm pleased at how it came out. Tell me what ya think!

Inkscape Vector Art Speed Time Lapse Illustration: Drakkar Noir Cologne

Hey! So, the "appetizer" (hold you over) vector art I promised is here. I wanted to do something simple. I decided to vector a cologne I've worn for a while. It was a pretty easy vector to make. I used Inkscape 0.48 to make this. You can download that program here: inkscape vector program

Like I said, it was fairly simple to do. It was the reflection of light on the bottle that took a bit of work to put together. I did my best to make the highlights soft and seamless with the rest of the bottle. I did this by applying Gaussian blur and gradients handles to the highlights. But yeah..this is the video.

The photograph used in this speed vector was taken by me with the Canon 60D. Drakkar is copyright Parfums Guy Laroche (just in case anyone's nit picky or whateva).

So, yeah..I'll talk to you in a couple. Ciao!

Monday, Monday

Hey peeps. It's Monday. Anyway, a while back, I said that I would have a vector piece up. Unfortunately, I'm in a situation where I keep looking at the art piece and I say to myself, "Man, this isn't quite right. This needs to be tweaked", or "I need to add a little more of this...", etc. However, I do have another vector art piece that I'll be releasing hopefully this week but more than likely next week. Call it an "appetizer" of sorts.

As for the main art, let's just say I'll finish it as soon as I can. I think it's best to leave it at that. Just wanted to say that much. I'll check in with ya'll later. I'm out! :)

Outdoor Video and Vector Art

Sup! Hope you're enjoying the holiday season. Some vectors are in the works. Also, I'm gonna put up another video. This one will be outdoors. Not much else going on right now. I'll catch up with you later on. Peace.

Katana Topple: The Beginning

Thanks for viewing my blog. I'm here to just talk/ramble about random stuff here and there. However, the primary thing I'm gonna do is create vector art and show you my works. The images I create are usually images I randomly find on the net but from time to time, I create art from well known photos as well. There will be some which are totally original.

First thing's first though..my name. Basically one night, I wanted to create a cool name but didn't know where to start. So, I started thinking of things I like in general. I ran across an image of a katana (a Japanese sword). So, I decided to go with that. Now, for a second name. What could I add? Katana Pop? ...nah. Katana Dash? Meh. Then I thought to myself, Well what does a katana do? Well, it cuts; it slashes..so, Katana Cuts? Nope. Katanas will knock a person down. From there, I thought of synonyms and came up with "Topple" (since topple means to knock something down). Then I added "you" to it. So far, I had "Katana Topple You". I wasn't satisfied so I replaced "you" part with the slang version of the word ..."ya" (as in I'll see ya later). I merged topple and ya to make "Topplya". So, "Katana Topplya" was the first official name I made. Even though I thought it was catchy, I wanted it to be a bit shorter. I decided to leave it at "Katana Topple". I thought it sounded catchy.

Anyway, that's a little history behind my name. So, as I said before, you'll find some nice vector artwork (among other things) which I hope will "topple you" (in the near future). I look forward to posting and hearing from you all.