By Hand with Adonit Jot Touch 4
I believe in doing things by hand, especially when it comes to art, illustration and lettering. Whenever I see junior art directors trying to find a font that looks handwritten, I encourage them to just do it by hand. It makes layouts look more sincere, organic and unique. And that way, we can all avoid the Justin Bieber - Paramore album art issue as well.
But doing things by hand doesn’t mean you cannot go digital! I often handwrite headlines using Adobe Illustrator - it’s always more efficient render in vector. And of course, I usually sketch storyboards, ideas and doodles using my Paper app on iPad and Adonit Jot Stylus. Almost the same feel as actual paper (and pens, pencils and watercolors) without the bulk.
I said almost, because there are still limitations on using stylus and tablet. First, you can’t really rest your hand while sketching or writing — the tablet is just so sensitive all over. Second, you cannot fully control the intensity of your “pencil” and “ink” strokes — the tablet is just insensitive that way. (The irony.)
Well, the new Adonit Jot Touch 4 addresses all that with its new features:
Bluetooth 4.0
This enables palm rejection, pressure sensitivity, and shortcut buttons. And when paired with Bluetooth 4 devices, the new Jot Touch gets up to 1 month of battery life on a single charge.
(Compatible only with Bluetooth 4 iOS devices)
Pressure Sensitivity
Jot Touch 4 delivers 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity for the best looking, and most natural lines. Let me share with you how sensitive and almost natural my drawing experience was. I used the Paper App for iPad.
Yes, that's Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. On a side note, even if The Amazing Spider-Man 2 had generally negative reviews, I enjoyed the movie. Well, only because I have a personal preference to Emma Stone's character. Gwen Stacy is the only leading lady (that I've known of) that isn't a damsel in distress (unlike MJ, ew). But instead, she's actually very helpful to Peter/Spider-man in defeating the villain. So let's get over the cringe worthy corny lines -- Guys, they supposedly just graduated high school!
Okay back to the actual subject...
Shortcut Buttons
Get to software tools quickly. “Undo” or switch colors with the flick or a finger.
Fine Point Stylus
The fine tip gives you accuracy that rubber nibs can’t. The precision disc lets you see exactly where your mark is being made. Jot is the most precise stylus on the market.
Recharge
Just plug the USB charger into any USB power source to recharge and get up to 1 month of battery life with normal use.
SRP: PhP 4,750
Available at: Gui, Beyond the Box, Cellcom, Digital Hub, Digital Walker, E-Central, EDS, iCenter, iShop, PowerHub, Octagon, Senco Link, SM Appliance, Sidrah, 8Telcom
Website: http://adonit.net/jot/touch/
Heisenberg Shirts
I love Breaking Bad so much I got so inspired to sketch my idol, Walter White.Although I prefer him when he's Heisenberg. And I thought of producing some shirts so I can share my love for Breaking Bad with you.
Regular price is PhP550.
Pre-order cut off is every Thursday, 11:30 PM. 4 colours are currently available, but you may request for another colour! Here's the size chart!
To order:
1. Email me at contact@cjdesilva.com with the subject: Breaking Bad Shirt.
Include the following:
FULL NAME
CONTACT NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
COLOR
SIZE
MODE OF DELIVERY: Shipping (but there will be an additional shipping fee) or Meet-up in Greenbelt area on weekends
SHIPPING ADDRESS (if you opted for the shirts to be shipped to you.)
2. Mode of payment, as of now are strictly BANK DEPOSIT to my Metrobank Account.
3. Email me a photo of the DEPOSIT SLIP.
4. I shall ship the shirts or schedule a meet up with you!
Thank you guys!
P.S. If this gets really good, I will make a Pinkman shirt as well. And who knows, maybe Saul.
Dear Youthful Arrogance,
When the world was young, it thought the sun revolved around it. Everything revolved around it. But as the world grew older, it discovered that it was the other way around. The world realized that it was just a tiny speck in the middle of the vast universe.
I think that just sums up how it goes for the youth and the grown ups. Rebellion and faking independence are too easy. Accepting responsibility and owning up to your actions are rather underrated.
The young put too much glamour in anarchy and deconstruction. But what they don't realize that before you can destroy, you must first learn how to create. And creation requires mastery and grace, which sadly, the youth will never have.
The Marty's
I cannot say no to music. Some have shrinks, some go to parties, I have music to keep my brain screws in place.
Whenever I’m asked to design a gig poster or an album art, I do not think twice. That’s why when I got invited to contribute an illustration to The Marty’s, I was so excited to do it!
Wait, what is The Marty’s anyways? Two things: The Marty’s is a band and it is also Oishi’s vegetarian chicharon we all love. In www.themartys.com.ph, we can actually create our own band. Choose from the 8 finalists (from different schools) who gets to become your vocalist, guitarist, bassist and drummer.
Mix and match and you will get to see different artworks too!
Here’s the combination assigned to me!
oming up with an idea was a bit of a challenge at first but I decided to just make it simple and sincere - a thank you piece to all the musical geniuses that kept me sane. This artwork is basically filled with riddles and clues to my most loved bands.
Enjoy guessing! It would be so much fun if you put your guesses as comments!Clue: simply name the things you'd see. Example: Beetles - The Beatles.
And please don’t forget to create your own The Marty’s at www.themartys.com.ph! For updates, follow the Oishi twitter @oishi_tweets and Like their Facebook Page!
You Snoopy Keds!
I’m back from a month-long wedding planning and I’m trying to enjoy the last few days of my leave. I decided to be productive and start on my Thank You gift to my ever-reliable and sassy web developer, Dianne. She’s been fantastic at work (check out our latest work here!) and she has also been helping me with personal stuff like our (me and Wincy) wedding website so I thought of customizing a pair of Keds for her.
Dianne adores Snoopy, bunnies and the color combination of baby pink and black. So here’s what I came up with! And I’m sharing it with you so you’d know how easy it is!
Materials:
- A pair of black Keds
- Mixing pan
- 00 (zero-zero) nylon brush - I use this to make fine lines.
- Acrylic paints - to get the baby pink color, here’s the red to white ratio - approximately 1:40.
- A small bucket of water - a 1 gallon container of ice cream is ideal.
- Rag or maybe an old ratty shirt you can use to clean your brush.
Of course, I asked Dianne for some reference images.
After mixing the paint, I dipped my brush and started painting the line art. I tried sketching using white pencil but it was too messy for me, so I just concentrated and painted straight on. It’s a bit scary but with focus, you can do it. (Walang hingahan moment nga lang!)
And I finished everything with a spray of fixative, so Dianne can still wash them and the paint won’t come off!
I hope Dianne likes it.