trial and error #5 [butterfly wings]

My dear dreamers,





Are you ready for some trial and error? This time I've something beautiful for you: how to design a butterfly in Illustrator. You like butterflies don't you? When I was little I caught one to show to my sister, I kept her on a flask and she died. I forgot she needed oxygen... I was so sad...

But this one won't die and you'll be amazed by how easy it is to create one! Check out the tutorial at vector tuts +.

If you liked the post please leave a comment, it will be very much appreciated!

trial and error #4 [my little monster]

My Christmas card was based in this tutorial @ Spoongraphics' blog. Make sure you subscribe the feed because there's a lot of useful stuff there.

P.S. Sorry for the short posts. These last days before Christmas are way too busy. :)

trial and error #3 [owl]

A couple of days I was playing with this tutorial that teaches how to draw a vector owl in a very simple way. But what I was really looking for was a koala tutorial, but didn't find one interesting enough. But, well, this was a very fun thing to do.

You'll notice that it's a very detailed tutorial, unless you don't know how to use the gradient mesh tool yet. Like me. So I looked up for one that could teach me that. And it's not as difficult as it seemed. It just requires a bit of practice, as the pen tool.

As I'm not very good with the pen tool, here it goes another tutorial on this matter. Maybe you can learn something too.

On the next post I'll show you my owl. :)

trial and error #2 [go basic]

Kuschelirmel, from deviantArt, have a wonderful set of tutorials about photomanipulation and the basics of design. She's a great artist as well, but we'll talk about that on another day.

I'll don't put all of them here, but you can always check her stock account.

♣ Know your Basics - Colour Theory (the manip way)
♣ Know your Basics - Composition (the manip way)
♣ Know your Basics - Perspective
♣ Photomanips for Beginners




ManipT+T- - Over-Painting Hair by *kuschelirmel-stock on deviantART




The Lighting Tutorial - Part 1 by *kuschelirmel-stock on deviantART




Manip Tips + Tricks: Pen Tool by *kuschelirmel-stock on deviantART




Layer Masks + Colour Gradients by *kuschelirmel-stock on deviantART

Do you use tutorials to improve your skills?

trial and error #1 [just one cookie]

You're looking for a tutorial? Well, I'll surprise you and give you more than that.

You like cookies, right? Alan Travers' girlfriend, Dee, likes them too. She entered the Cully and Sully Chef Factor's competition and he made his first stop animation video with the recipe. Sadly, she didn't won.

But the cookies/cake seems yummy and I think we should give them a bite.

Stop-Motion Biscuit Cake from Alan Travers on Vimeo.

What's your favourite cookies' recipe?

your new dress

Your boyfriend's shirts are more useful than you think. Go buy him some more. ;)

This video was made by Ira Zvidrina (the designer and model) and Kati Turkina (the director) for Colour Heels Diary, a blog about fashion and colour. I'm a follower and you should know why. Oh! Go and subscribe too! ♥

10 steps to a better you

When it comes to achieving our goals, motivation is the deal. Not self-esteem or desire. But motivation. And some days we're not motivated at all to even do the things we love.

So I'll share with you some tips to get your motivation up, in no particular order and based in my own experience. No guaranteed results, but they work with me.

1. -Passion- First of all ask yourself why are you passionate about what you're doing. Write it down and put it in a place where you can read it everyday.

2. -Little by little- Your goal/dream will only be achieved if you break it in small steps. Go on, make a list of what you need to do to achieve it and convert them in small tasks. Don't forget to do at least one task a day.

3. -Compare- But not yourself with others, that will have the reverse effect. Compare you with yourself! See how much you have improved and ask yourself how can you be better.

4. -Read- A lot. You always learn when you read, may it be romances or sci-fi.  Technical books doesn't have all the answers. The more genres you read, the more inspiration you'll get.

5. -Tell others about your goal- They'll certainly have their own ideas and advises. That might help you in your journey.

6. -Have fun!- If you don't enjoy what you're doing, you'll never end that task. Add something that amuses you to your work.

7. -Kick your stress- Do something else: take a walk, go to the cinema, eat chocolate. Too much things in your mind and you won't be able to do a thing.

8. -Don't be afraid- If you fail that's a good thing. You've learned something and you won't do that mistake again.

9. -Be creative- I know your box is safe and cosy, but go for something spicy. It's almost a cliché, but before that: it's true.

10. -Close yourself- behind four walls and a locked door. Yes, sometimes you can play seek-and-hide. A couple of minutes all alone is the key to reorganize your thoughts and find out what you were missing.

10+1. Your bonus: -Be you- In every step. And don't let others tell you otherwise. Or all the fun will be lost and you'll get frustrated. Truth is always simpler and cleaner.

If that doesn't work take a look at these videos, they will give you something to work on for sure even if you already know them:

My baby blog is now one year-old! October, 30th was his birthday. :)

Dressing Up

Not like this. via we heart it.

Do you know those days when you don't know what to wear and your bedroom is a mess because of all the clothes you dressed? I've a solution for you. :)

I received in my e-mail account a newsletter from Photojojo with a cool planner and I bet you don't know what I'm talking about here. You'll love it, I promise. I know I did.

via photojojo

Check out their store too, they have amazing stuff. And no, this is not an advertising post. ;)

yoga

via we heart it

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. Hellen Keller (via bits of wisdom)

Today I re-started my yoga sessions. I don't know why I stopped, maybe because I'm lazy or filled up with excuses. The fact is I love yoga. Yoga is peace, is love, is happiness. Yoga is harmony and strength. Is connection (nature, body, mind & soul). It's perfect to loose weight and find inner-peace, even if you're exhausted.

I don't feel good with the way I am, physically speaking. I feel this away for too much time. And I needed to do something about that now. I think I need to care less about others and start to love me more.

via paper.li

If you're interested in learning yoga (even at home) pay attention to the following links:

- Yoga Journal

- Yoga Forums

- Sadie Nardini tutorials

What's your goal?

via seven of

tips&tricks

The post of the week was written in a Monday, so I have plenty of time to do a new research and post one or two more times this week. Let's do it!

Anyone who wants to be a good designer has to have not only a good visual culture, but also the techniques to apply it and it's not always with failure that we learn. The step-by-step tutorials are an incredible tool for beginners and advanced users: in a couple of minutes you can learn what, instead, you would spent years trying to reach. It's good also to learn some tips&tricks along the way that will turn your work easier to do and with a professional look.

So, I'll share some tuts from time to time: Illustrator and Photoshop mostly, because it's the ones I use all the time. If you want for other programs as well, feel free to ask.

For today:

 How to Make a Seamless Ornamental Pattern in Photoshop, via You the Designer

Wedding Rings Using Adobe Illustrator Tutorial, via Tutorialized

Hope you've enjoyed! ♥

Waxing love

wax seal by ~never-think, via dA

I wish letters would be closed with wax seals again. They're beautiful and special. But even letters are being forgotten. Very few cares about handwriting or calligraphy. But in my world they will exist forever.

The last love letter by Raquel Laranjo, via dA

Wax seals exists forever (since Mesopotamia!) and were used as a label and as a symbol of authenticity, as we use brands nowadays. But they're associated, most of the time, with the Medieval Age (which I adore). Why's that? Waxseals.com explains:

In Medieval Times, betrothals were prearranged-therefore true words of love were secretly written and the envelope's contents secured by a wax seal, so that the recipient could be assured that their passion would be unknown to others.

Love and danger are the perfect couple. They were chanted, books were written, movies were made, paintings have been created. It's difficult to take that from our minds.

Lovers via Washington State University

Now some tutorials about wax seal and calligraphy to show your romantic side. Valentine is coming!

Latte art

14\365 Guten Morgen
Originally uploaded by "Anwaar

Hummm... It's so good to wake up with a cup of coffee, taste its dark flavour and smell its sweet perfume... And it's even better when we see art on it! 

Coffee is already a pleasure for itself, it only needs the art to make it, but it's always fascinating to see creative people. So, today, I will present you some coffee art (with recipes you can try at home) and coffee cup designs. I hope you'll like it!

Latte art. Designed by yoshiko314, via Flickr

Coffee art. Designed by the uncool hunter, via Lost At E Minor

Coffee. Designed by Rabellu, via deviantArt

Cortado. Designed by Ignacio Pilotto, via NOTCOT.ORG

Roller Coaster. Designed by Etay Amir, via Design Boom

Pantone coffee mugs. Via Visual Culture

I didn't forget the recipes: on e-how (I really like this website) you can find a step-by-step tutorial. If you are a visual person, check out this video:

And you, what are your favourite drinks? Share your recipes and your coffee cups!

P.S. I'll try to do latte art and then i'll show how it came out. Show me yours too. :)