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Posts Tagged ‘Illustrations’

Easily Create 2D Illustrations from Photographs Using GIMP

14 Oct

The post Easily Create 2D Illustrations from Photographs Using GIMP appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.

From advertising campaigns to cartooning your profile photo, 2D illustrations are used much more than you realize. Creating 2D illustrations can be a lot of fun, but they aren’t necessarily easy to do. Here’s an uncomplicated way to use photography as a template to get great 2D illustration results.

Create 2D illustrations from a photograph

Create 2D illustrations in GIMP

There are tons of programs for visual artists and graphic designers that specialize in digital drawing and 2D illustrations, but have you ever tried to actually create an illustration from scratch?

Graphic design software can be amazing and, for some great professionals, this can be the way to go. But many of us need a starting point to get us going, especially if our talent is in photography and not design.

That’s why I’m going to show you how to use GIMP to create 2D illustrations out of a photograph.

1. Draw the subject

First, choose the photo you want to draw. There are no restrictions here; you can use a portrait, a landscape, still-life, or anything else you want. I do suggest you start with images that are simple and don’t have too many details.

Create 2D illustrations using photographs

Imagine you’re creating an illustration from a photo in real life. You would place some tracing paper on top of your image and then start tracing and coloring on it, right? Well, this is the same thing.

First, create a new transparent layer. You can do this by going to Layer (in the menu) and then choosing New Layer. Make sure you select Fill with Transparency and press OK.

Next, you need to select the outer part of your subject. You can use any selection tool that works best for you; GIMP has many solutions for this.

For example, you can use the Path tool because it gives the most control. Just click every time you want to create an anchor point around your subject. Then move the path handles to adjust the curvature.

Make a selection with the Path tool

Once you’re done outlining your subject, click Selection from Path on the left-side Options panel. This will turn your path into a selection, which is what you want. But note that this is only necessary if you used the Path tool; with any of the other selection tools, you can skip this step.

Now you can use the Bucket tool to color your entire subject. You can use the color picker to select a color that matches the original color from the photo.

Of course, you can also use a color different from the original object. Get as creative as you want.

Finally, click inside the selection to fill it with your chosen color.

2. Color the inside shapes

Now that you have your main shape, you can start adding some shapes on the inside of your subject using different colors.

To do this, disable the top layer by clicking on the eye icon next to it. That way, you can see the original image.

Select the area you want to color. Then come back to the top layer and use the Bucket tool with a new color to fill it.

Draw shapes to create a 2d illustration

Repeat this process for all the shapes you want. Keep in mind that 2D illustrations are not as detailed as a realistic 3D model. So keep going only to add enough information to your subject to make it recognizable.

You don’t have to be extremely precise with your selection when you’re working inside a shape. GIMP will automatically stop at the edge. Notice in the next image how my selection is over to the yellow part, but the new color doesn’t spill there; it stops at the edge of the dark brown shape.

Selecting and coloring shapes

3. Add some details

Working on the top layer, turn down the Opacity so that you can see the original image underneath to use as a template for drawing details. Keep in mind that only you will see both versions (the illustrated and the original), so you don’t have to copy everything exactly as it is.

If you want to add details with thin lines and you don’t have a steady hand, you can use the Path tool to trace them. Then choose Stroke Path from the Options Panel. This will draw a line using the current Brush or Pencil settings.

Stroke path to simulate pencil lines

Of course, you can draw the details freehand using the Pencil or the Brush tool, as well.

To add some thicker decorations, you can use the selection tools again to make things faster. In this example, I used the Color Selection tool to select the blues on the original photo. I then painted the flower:

Use the selection tools to paint the details

The specific tools and strategies that you use will depend on the illustration you are creating and your own drawing skills.

4. Fill the background

If you want to draw a background, then add a New Layer in between the original photograph and the first drawing layer.

Choose the color you want, then go to Edit>Fill with FG color. FG stands for “foreground.”

You can leave the background as a solid color or add some decoration by drawing lines and shapes the same way you did for the subject.

Create 2D Illustration with creative backgrounds

Final thoughts

As you can see, by using a photograph as a template it’s really easy to create 2D Illustrations.

When you’re saving your file, remember that GIMP has its own format that will be the default setting when you use the Save or Save As choices. To use a universal file format such as JPEG or TIFF, you need to select Export As.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! The next time you want to create 2D Illustrations, let your photography skills help you out.

The post Easily Create 2D Illustrations from Photographs Using GIMP appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.


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5 Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers (with Illustrations)

13 Mar

The post 5 Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers (with Illustrations) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers

Sore back and neck, stiff shoulders, probably sore feet too…Unfortunately, the physical nature of photography means that aches and pains can come with the territory. Even a solid editing session at the computer can take a toll. Luckily, there are ways to help ease these troublesome maladies. In this article, I’ve picked out a few yoga exercises for photographers that I use to help combat the strains we accumulate both in the field and during editing sessions.

yoga exercises for photographers poses

What is Yoga?

Yoga in the West usually describes a modern form of Hatha yoga (yoga as exercise) which consists of set poses called asanas. By performing these poses, yoga practitioners build flexibility and strength and also learn how to focus through breathing and mindfulness.

Basically, yoga is great for the body and the mind.

All you need is a bit of floor space, comfortable clothing, and a yoga mat if you want one.

To start, take a few deep breaths to get in the zone. If you like, sit cross-legged for a little while (Sukhasana), straightening your spine and rolling your head side to side to relax the neck muscles.

Once you are feeling centered, you’re ready to go!

Cat/Cow (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana)

yoga exercises for photographers cat and cow pose

The yoga poses I’ve selected for this article put particular emphasis on common photography sore spots. In terms of yoga exercises for photographers, you can’t go wrong with Cat and Cow Poses.

When performed together, Cat and Cow Poses lengthen the spine, flexing the back and the neck to relieve tension and stress.

  1. Begin on your hands and knees (Table Top Pose or Bharmanasana). Position your wrists directly under your shoulders. Shift your knees so they are aligned with your hip points. Look down towards the floor, relaxing the neck.
  2. Starting with Cow Pose, inhale and slowly drop your belly towards the floor. Lift your chin and chest, looking toward the ceiling. Draw your shoulders away from your ears and hold the position for 5-10 seconds.
  3. Next is Cat Pose. Begin to exhale and draw your belly up to your spine, rounding your back towards the ceiling. Look down towards the floor, relax your neck and hold the position for 5-10 seconds.
  4. Repeat Cat/Cow as many times as you like, breathing in for Cow Pose and out for Cat Pose.

Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

yoga exercises for photographers upward facing dog

Upward Facing Dog may look like one of the trickier yoga exercises for photographers, but it’s well worth a go. Stretching the back and neck and opening up the chest and shoulders, Upward Facing Dog is a great way to check-in with your body.

  1. Start by lying face-down on the floor. Rest the tops of your feet on the floor with your legs a few inches apart.
  2. Position your hands on the floor next to your lower ribs. Point your fingers towards your head and pull your elbows in close to your rib cage.
  3. Press your hands into the floor. Straightening your arms, lift your torso and upper thighs off the floor.
  4. Pressing down on the floor with the tops of your feet, tense your leg muscles to keep your upper thighs lifted. Keep your elbows pressed tightly against your body.
  5. Pull your shoulders away from your ears and push your chest up towards the ceiling.
  6. Tilt your head to look at the ceiling and hold the pose for 10-30 seconds. Release gradually.

Ragdoll Pose (Baddha Hasta Uttanasana)

yoga exercises for photographers rag doll pose

Ragdoll Pose, also known as Dangling Pose is a variation on the Standing Forward Fold Pose (Uttanasana). It’s a perfect yoga exercise for photographers, stretching the back and relaxing the shoulders, arms, and neck.

I find it also helps with headaches too.

  1. Start in a standing position, with your feet aligned with your hips and your toes pointed forward.
  2. Fold forward from the hips so that the belly meets with the tops of the thighs. As you fold, bend the knees generously. Keep your navel drawn up to your spine.
  3. Hold your elbows with your hands and let the weight of your arms and head hang down, lengthening the neck and spine.
  4. From here you can rock side to side, rest your hands on the floor or stay as is. Hold the pose for as long as you’d like, focusing on inhaling and exhaling.

Extended Child’s Pose (Utthitta Balasana)

yoga exercises for photographers child's pose

Extended Child’s Pose is calming and restorative – great for the spine, thighs, hips, shoulders, arms, and neck.

  1. To begin Extended Child’s Pose, kneel on the floor. Keep your weight on the heels of your feet.
  2. Touch your big toes together. Separate the knees so that they are a little more than a hip’s width apart.
  3. Reach your arms ahead of you and let the chest sink towards the floor.
  4. Rest your forehead on the floor, drawing the shoulders away from the ears.
  5. Stay in Extended Child’s Pose for as long as you need, focusing on your breath.

Triangle pose (Trikonasana)

yoga exercises for photographers triangle pose

Triangle Pose is a yoga exercise for photographers that opens up the chest and shoulders as well as stretching the groin, hamstrings, and hips. It helps to relieve pain in the lower and upper back and stimulates balance.

  1. Begin in a standing position with your feet together. Step your feet wide and raise your arms parallel to the floor, palms down. Your wrists should be roughly in line with your ankles.
  2. Rotate your palms up to the ceiling and turn your right toes out by 90 degrees. Turn the left foot inward slightly so you are balanced.
  3. Reach the right fingertips forward and bend at the hip crease, sending your buttocks back. Keeping the arms straight, reach your right hand towards the top of your right shin, allowing the left arm to raise toward the ceiling.
  4. Once your right hand is settled on your shin and your left arm is pointed toward the ceiling, rotate the chest out and look towards your left hand.
  5. Hold Triangle Pose for 10-15 seconds and then return to a standing position. Reverse the feet and repeat to the left.

Conclusion

Helping to ease stress as well as aches and pains, yoga exercises for photographers are pretty great. Of course, there are plenty of other yoga asanas out there, but I’ve found these five to be especially effective after long days out in the field.

Do you have a favorite yoga pose that you find beneficial to your photography practice? Let us known in the comments!

Note: Megan is not a qualified Yoga instructor. These exercises are a guide only. As with all exercise, please listen to your body, and only do what feels comfortable for you.

The post 5 Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers (with Illustrations) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.


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Nice Slice: 30+ Sculptures & Illustrations Created with Cut Paper

17 Oct

[ By SA Rogers in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]

Hand most people some paper and an X-acto knife and ask them to make art, and at best, they’ll produce some cartoonish shapes spattered with blood. But these twelve artists are producing some of the world’s most impressive papercut art, whether by laboring over astonishingly intricate tapestries for months at a time or making use of clever minimalism for a surprisingly big impact.

Sea Creatures by Kiri Ken

Sea creatures and other natural subjects become the slightest wisps of paper in these extraordinarily delicate and detailed paper cuts by artist Kiri Ken, who shares her work on Twitter. The creatures often become something slightly unnatural in the textures and lines Kiri applies to their various parts, sprouting mechanical objects or patterns that look computerized.

Nature Scenes by Pippa Dyrlaga

Each teeny-tiny feather on a kingfisher’s wing, each scale on the body of a goldfish, is cut out with seemingly endless patience and unfailing accuracy in works by Yorkshire-based artist and printmaker Pippa Dyrlaga.

Anatomy by Ali Harrison

Ali Harrison’s versions of human organs are quite a bit prettier than the real thing, each one given surprising depth and heft despite being cut out of ordinary sheets of paper. The artist designs each one and then laser-cuts them so they can be reproduced. She sells them in her Light and Paper shop.

Endangered Species Cut-Outs by Patrick Cabral

Wolves, elephants, pangolins, tigers, pandas and more are rendered starkly in black and white cut paper against a black surface, each layer of their lace-like faces and bodies cut by hand. Manila-based artist Patrick Cabral donated half the proceeds from the sales of each of these endangered species to WWF Philippines.

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Nice Slice 30 Sculptures Illustrations Created With Cut Paper

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[ By SA Rogers in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]

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Golden Ratio in Action: Coloring Book & Animations of Geometric Illustrations

01 Mar

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Drawing & Digital. ]

butterflies

The Golden Ratio has been a source of inspiration (and contention) for thousands of years, lurking behind great works of design. Venezuelan architect and illustrator Rafael Araujo is fascinated with patterns of nature and their applications to built environments, but as his artwork shows, is particularly interested in the Golden Ratio as found in natural settings.

3d drawing

hand drawn

These painstakingly created drawings trace this ratio into reality, animating everything from fluttering bird wings to the formation of seashells. Some of these sophisticated works take days or even weeks to complete — fans can also get in on the action with his recently created coloring book.

coloring book

coloring book interior

coloing book back

This coloring book provides a version of his pieces as frameworks for others to complete. The artist got the idea after fans started asking for prints, seeing it as a way to bring them into the process rather than simply giving them a framed product.

process

art

Using pencils, rulers, compasses and protractors, he spends as much as 100 hours on a given illustration of these mathematical expressions. Leftover lines, like those found faded in architectural drawings, give extra depth to each piece while also highlighting the geometry that goes into it.

3d drawing

His work shows how the geometric formulas of the Golden Ratio can be found in spirals of plants as well as the delicate flights of butterflies, all through hand drawings of each phenomenon. And as fascinating as they are in their finished form, animated images and process videos of the works in progress are especially intriguing.

shell

Part of the challenge in his representations is their three-dimensional nature — showing complex organic curves accurately in 3D is an incredibly difficult feat of science applied to art. At the same time, something would be lost if these creations were simply done using computer programs (h/t Colossal).

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Pop Arch: Improbable Design Illustrations Made with Autocad

14 Jun

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Drawing & Digital. ]

impossible architecture

Used by architects and engineers, Autocad and other computer-aided design (CAD) programs have a long history as boring and blunt instruments of drafting, but this architectural illustrator has breathed new life into these drawing and rendering tools.

house on fire

Fabiola Morcillo Núñez is a young Chilean architect who builds imaginary landscapes inspired by exotic architecture and pop art, a sort of modern-day Escher intent on blurring the improbable with impossible.

water world

Many of her scenes play on elements believable at first look, like a deconstructed isometric or axonometric drawing of a house … but on fire, or flooded or featuring an impossible room or staircase.

stacked scene

“Architecture as a discursive tool has helped me a lot in constructing my own form of representation,” she says of her work. She is interested in deconstruction, spatial limitations, layers and multiplicity.

view from above

posterized

MADERA

Her pieces borrow from various sources of inspiration in the media and world around her: “I like to take several references, be alert to life itself, be very observant and have a broad sense of understanding of beauty and the tools of creation that are presented throughout the day, for example; the internet, books, movies, the street, travel, personal stories, aesthetic preferences, dreams, philosophy etc.”

artistic landscape

human figure

Beyond her artistic explorations, Fabiola’s work is an implicit statement about how the tools we use, even the ones with less-rich histories of creative expression, can be turned to new and inspiring purposes.

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365 Postcards for Ants: Impossibly Tiny Daily Illustrations

04 Oct

[ By Steph in Art & Drawing & Digital. ]

paintings for ants 1

The most minuscule details of a floral bouquet, an old-fashioned camera, a jockey on a horse or a VW bus are rendered with incredibly fine paintbrushes to create paintings smaller than a quarter in artist Lorraine Loots’ series, 365 Postcards for Ants. Loots has been creating a new tiny painting every single day since January 1st, 2013, posting each one on Instagram and engaging fans by allowing them to book sentimental dates and request specific images.

paintings for ants 3

paintings for ants 2

paintings for ants 6

The Cape Town-based artist accumulated a year worth of paintings, nearly all of which pre-sold as they were released, and put them on display in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, before distributing them to their new owners.

paintings for ants 4

paintings for ants 5

“I’ve always had a love for detail and I think that little square space, that little piece of fabric, gives me a place to make something that I feel is close to perfect.”

postcards for ants 10

postcards for ants 9

paintings for ants 7

Follow the ’365 Postcards for Ants’ series on Instagram @LorraineLoots, and check out the archive of nearly two years’ worth of daily paintings over at Tumblr.

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Animated Still Lifes: 7 Relaxing Cinemagraphic Illustrations

11 Apr

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Drawing & Digital. ]

animated bedroom fan gif

Reclining in the space between the extremes of sped-up, movie-style GIF files and traditional, immobile paintings, this artist brings lazy scenes of everyday reality to life.

animated-window-tree-view

animated-train-ride-gif

Rebecca Mockam is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and comic artist whose cinemagraphs move only as much as needed, a different kind of visual artist’s takes on medium most often associated with photography.

animated gif magazine cover

Note that these reduced-sized examples don’t do justice to the detail and seamlessness of her originals, so it is worth looking more closely at her portfolio for these and more.

animated tabletop phone gif

Her work is peaceful and contemplative, lending itself to a lot of potential comparisons, including Edward Hopper and Norman Rockwell. At the same time, much of the subject matters is definitively contemporary, including all-too-familiar ringing phones and tablet swipes. Still-life Americana revisited, this approach (in the age of portable computers, tablets and phones) uses a medium that makes sense with its era.

animated-pitchers-mound-gif

animated-street-scene-gif

Mockam has worked on everything from art exhibits and comic covers and is currently drawing a graphic novel titled Four Points, set to be released in 2015. She uses a Wacom tablet for most of her illustration work, sketches with a pencil and ink with various brush pens, and a nib & ink when it comes to drawing comics.

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Power of Books: 6 Graphic Illustrations of Literal Imaginings

10 Jan

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Photography & Video. ]

book graphic art project

Ever get done reading a chapter and feel like the book is more real than the room around you? Now, what if that were literally true of your favorite volume? What might that look like?

books power of art

Mladen Penev does photography, retouching, but also takes some liberties that go beyond mere editing, like this series entitled the Power of Books, which gives graphic reality to the imaginations of authors and readers.

book powers graphic series

This award-winning Bulgarian artist has graduated from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, working in various internships, putting up exhibitions and participating in publications ever since – would would have guessed his love of books?

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