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Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Nov 28 04, 18:45

Hello!  

I'd like to ask if anyone would be interested in helping me with some illustrations for our up and coming First Annual Mosaic Musings Holiday Classic artwork.

I am going to put together a chapbook of all the submissions (including the posts Butch and I did that I've already moved into the archive forum).

Depending on the length of each tile, there may be 'space' left over on the page and I'd like to fill it with artwork that would compliment the poem or short story's theme.

The art can be in various formats, black & white or color.

If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Thank you!
Lori    

Posted by: Cathy Dec 7 04, 15:48

What kind of illustrations are you looking for Cleo?  Computer-art, sketches...?

Cathy  :holly:  :dove:

Posted by: Jox Dec 7 04, 15:54

Good question, Cathy.

Yes, I meant to respond to this earlier... I design but I am not a freehand illustrator / artist.

Lori, if you would find anything I can do useful, please let me know what it might be and we'll explore if I can help.

James

Posted by: Cathy Dec 7 04, 15:59

I'm no good with design but I can do some sketching...

We just need some idea from Cleo about what she wants.

 :holly:  :dove:

Posted by: Jox Dec 7 04, 16:01

I think we should be in business, together, Cathy!

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 7 04, 19:14

Hello Cathy and James!

Thanks for your replies!

I am open actually to all types of artwork... sketch, charcoal, computer graphics, paint....

If you take a look at the posts in both the new forums "Halls of Montezuma" AND "Winter Solstice" I was hoping to get some images for some of the posts.... I have picture images but i was thinking maybe other forms of artwork would be nice too...

I would give complimentary copies of the book as payment (sorry wish I could give more)... plus credit to the artists of course!  

Please let me know if there are certain posts (scenes) in mind..

Thanks!
Lori    

Posted by: Cathy Dec 7 04, 22:16

I'll take a look at those posts and see what I can come up with.

What sort of time table are we looking at?

Cathy

Posted by: Cathy Dec 7 04, 22:20

Hey James!  Sounds good to me.

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 8 04, 06:28

Hi Cathy.

One can never tell with me about time.....

Let's shoot for one month? May be longer....
I've still got the July and Aug menageries to complete...

Cheers!
Lori

Posted by: Cathy Dec 8 04, 09:22

That works good for me! I'll get started and see what I can come up with.

Cathy

Posted by: Jox Dec 8 04, 16:49

Hi... Well, for my sins, this is the sort of naive style I like but it may not be the sort of thing you're looking for. This was done in about ten minutes (and looks it) but does reflect the approach. This is based on Alan's Vienna poem...

Copyright AMcD
SILENT NIGHT, VIENNA

Christmas Eve,
House on hill,
Edging
Vienna Woods.

Shopping done,
Food prepared,
Tree decorated,
Ready to amaze children.

A moment to myself.
Magic moment.
Dressed for dinner,
Waiting for the feast.

Relaxed, rare treat.
Outside, snowing heavily.
Noticed it earlier ?
I think not.

Open balcony door,
Look past slope
Of front garden,
To street, and beyond.

There, the magic.
Snow falling, thick flakes,
Several inches lie,
Heavy, dreamy, white Christmas.

Street lights struggle to shine
Through snow lacing the branches,
Dimmer as distance
Stretches into valley.

Late Christmas Eve
Vienna usually silent.
Snow blankets completely
Any chance remaining sounds.

Snow, and peace,
On earth.
Alone and tranquil,
For myself and all -
Silent Night, Vienna.

Alan McAlpine Douglas

James.

Posted by: Cathy Dec 8 04, 22:10

This is cool!  But James, are your letters supposed to be backwards?  :jester:

 :holly:  :dove:

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 9 04, 05:17

Interesting James!  :reindeer:

Can you make one without any words too?  :detective:

~Cleo  :chilly:

Posted by: Jox Dec 9 04, 06:02

Hi all,

Though Alan spoke of "opening" out of a balcony door; I was trying to capture the idea of looking out as in a window - hence the backward letters. (People also use that device to cause viewers to pause a while whilst they read it - but would I stoop to that? err, no comment).

The main font (orange / yellow) is a sort of 1950s cinema-style to (try to) remind us of "The Third Man" - which mentions of Vienna always do for me.

The bottom-of-page quote changes colour to reflect Alan's words "Street lights struggle to shine" - you'll notice that they become brighter during the word "struggle". They were at the bottom to represent the place where the street light pools.

The grey-striped square was going to be the house but I gave up and posted then - needs working on.

In his poem, Alan says that snow is lying thickly... can't do that or else we'd simply have an Andy Warhol white-out! (See, the power of poetry!) Instead I filled-in the flakes as they hit the trees.

Without words is far easier in some ways, of course, but in this case the words were part of the picture; trying to bind the poem and the image together. The shape and the colour and the inverseness (is that a word?) all played their parts in that. So the answer is yes, of course words are easily removed or omitted but I do think (certainly this particular image) would lose a great deal. (Actually, I started with the main words and built the rest of the picture from there)

As you wish, though; your choice - anything fine by me.

All the best, James.

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 9 04, 06:12

Let's ask Alan....

Posted by: Jox Dec 9 04, 07:28

err, sure but I haven't shown him yet - very unfinished - was just giving you an eg!

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 9 04, 12:16

I should send him a link to this tile!

Posted by: Jox Dec 9 04, 12:41

err, will you accept bribes?

Posted by: Dec 9 04, 14:39

err ....


ask me what ?

Love
Alan

Posted by: Jox Dec 9 04, 15:29

A Comedy Of Error, methinks.

This is somewhat embarrassing for me, Alan. Lori asked if anyone could provide illustrations for chapbooks (I think). Cathy and I said we'd see what we could do. Lori said simply choose something from one of two forums and have a go. So I did - I actually chose your Vienna poem, partly through serendipity and partly because it inspired me.

I then mocked-up an illustration. (a few posts above this - previous page). It is not yet meant for "public" consumption - just as an illustration to Lori to see if she was interested in my "style," It is very far from finished and quiet quick. I have provided an explanation of how I got there a couple of posts below the illustration.

Lori asked if I could omit the text (of your poem). I, of course, could but I did say that your text was the essence of the picture.

Lori then suggested she ask you for your opinion (not of the crapness of the image, but of the use of your words as an integral part of it).

Please remember, this is only a mock-up - though in essence not too far from how I would finish it. I didn't want you asked (nothing personal) because it was only a mock-up. nevertheless, now you have been ... that is the question...

How do you feel about the integration of your text in an illustration to illustrate your poem?

Cheers, James.

Posted by: Dec 9 04, 15:43

Dear Jox,

Ha, made you sweat, did I !

As it happens, I was very flattened by your chosing my poem to illustrate !

I do think yho that the reversed text simply does not indicate what you want it too, having read your illus AND explans in detail before my last post !

I like the more solid flakes nearer the bottom, but think there should be some (a few) further up as well, and "Street lights struggle to shine" should be cone-shaped, with the last words yellow-pooled, you can adjust the letter sizes to make the cone good.

Perhaps the grey square could be a window, rather than a house.

All these are just ideas, as I think the poem is mine, so I think the illus should be yours ....

As you say , the text is integral.

Love
Alan

Posted by: Cathy Dec 9 04, 22:42

That's great!  I never thought about it being looked at through a window. :pharoah2


 :snowflake:  :holly:

                 

Posted by: Charon Dec 10 04, 06:50

I'm curious where will you find black printing paper?  If not you will use a tremendous amount of ink printing that cover.  It is awesome, however the ink issue could squelch it.

Charon

Posted by: Jox Dec 10 04, 06:57

Alan - thank you very much; I'll reply to you a bit later, if I may

Cathy - Thanks!

Butch, hi...

I hadn't assumed this was going to be printed at home; thought it was screen or litho - digital. If one attempted to print it on an ink jet it would, as you indicate, be a disaster.

Sorry, I'm used to sending my stuff away to a printing firm... I assumed Lori did that; don't know. Lori?

I also thought it was an inside illustration to one poem - much smaller than the original. I have left no bleed area (which would be necessary for a full page).

Moreover, it was only a suggestion - showing the style.

Thanks for liking it, though.

James.

Posted by: Aphrodite Dec 10 04, 18:32

Hey Lori~

Of course if you need my help or artistic flair, I am more than willing!

Let me know. Pen and ink, pencil, charcoal, etc.....your call!

Happy holidays.

Lindi

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 11 04, 09:30

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 11 04, 09:32

Hey Lori~

Of course if you need my help or artistic flair, I am more than willing!

Let me know. Pen and ink, pencil, charcoal, etc.....your call!

Happy holidays.

Lindi

Posted by: Jox Dec 12 04, 07:13

OK, I think I know what I need to now. Thanks all.

Thanks Alan for your suggestions...

Next week I'll try to produce something based on my original, now I know more parameters and suggestions.

I am very envious, though, that Lori has a commercial colour laser printer. My Crimble stocking is not big enough, obviously... must obtain a larger size!

From the info given it seems bleed areas are irrelevant.

One final q to Lori - what size would you expect a poetry illustration to be (as printed in the book, that is)?

Thanks, James.

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 12 04, 07:48

Hi James.

I generally make them around 300 x 200 or 400 x 600 (OR I take a larger image and shrink it down).....

About that stocking..... remember what we discussed recently? Expenses - printer and ink cartridges included....

Posted by: Charon Dec 12 04, 08:01

James and Lori,

You are right with the commerical color laserjet.  The printer is cheap the ink requires a mortgage.  This fall I created a 400 page story of my family history called Cousins.  Printed 20 of them and broke the bank.  The cartridges are such small things.  I found myself printing in sections, so I could do the illustrations on one and use by laser for the text.  

Lori,

Unfortunately I am not an artist, just a good layout man.  I can take others drawings and be creative.  I have Corel Draw, Jasc Paintshop, plus others.  I'll see what I can do.  My wife is the one with the talent as you can see with her illustrations in Jingle Bells.  By the way sold or given away almost one hundred books so far.  Nearly completed next years story.

Happy Holidays

Charon  

Posted by: Jox Dec 12 04, 08:33

Hi Lori / Butch,

Thanks...

I assumed you shrank larger images for quality.

Yes the costs are not cheap, I know. (I've been round various dealers of late looking a colour lasers).

I use an Epson colour photo inkjet and an Hewlett-Packard monochrome laser for proofing - and direct printing if I ever need that facility. (As well as general work for myself). No printer is perfect for proofing really because the CMYK never seems to match that of printers. I seem to end-up hitting myself over the head with Pantone swatches!

I would like a colour laser to take small jobs in-house. Some people want notices and posters yesterday and it would be great for that. Your idea of publishing also has appeal but it would take the equipment which you have.

Colour lasers are now "cheap" (£250-£500 here - were £5,000 last time I seriously looked at them) but the sting is in that consumables tail - beware anyone!

There is a great deal of labour involved too and, for production, it is easier for me to just hit a button and send the material to the printer in Nottingham (150 miles from here) than struggle with paper, toner cartridges and so on. In the old days when everything had to be pasted-up on paper and posted it was a real pain but that "send" button is really attractive.

For interest, maybe: http://www.rcs.plc.uk/start.asp

Nevertheless, for small jobs and in-house inaccurate proofing, a colour laser would be just the thing. As I said, though, I start to be tempted to use it for much more and that would be the sting.

Thanks for the info, cheers.

James.

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Dec 12 04, 18:55

James and Lori,

You are right with the commerical color laserjet.  The printer is cheap the ink requires a mortgage.  This fall I created a 400 page story of my family history called Cousins.  Printed 20 of them and broke the bank.  The cartridges are such small things.  I found myself printing in sections, so I could do the illustrations on one and use by laser for the text.  

Lori,

Unfortunately I am not an artist, just a good layout man.  I can take others drawings and be creative.  I have Corel Draw, Jasc Paintshop, plus others.  I'll see what I can do.  My wife is the one with the talent as you can see with her illustrations in Jingle Bells.  By the way sold or given away almost one hundred books so far.  Nearly completed next years story.

Happy Holidays

Charon  

Hahahahahhaha - you are so right Butch!

Well the printer wasn't that cheap but the ink cartridges are a fortune! And one needs FOUR to get all colors right!  :wall:  Soon we'll probably need to stock up but so far, still on the originals....

I seem to have created a certain pattern to designing our chapbooks.  :detective:  I copy the content in from Word to Publisher first, placing the tiles as best that I can use the space provided and choose the font next. Once that's complete, I then go searching for images (yes James, larger at first, then I shrink them down using Jasc Paintshop Pro) to fill in any white space that may be left to work with. The problem for me is when the image is small to begin with, I can't really enlarge them much as it distorts and ends up looking pretty crappy, so I will then look for a substitute...  :speechless:

For our "Spectacle" short story Butch, I took real images and turned them into chalk art of the Colleseum & Gladiators which was fun! We'll have to get back to that one soon.....  :vic:

Yes, Lou did a great job in "Jingle Bells" as the illustrator and you as the writer. Thanks again for the copy, I've read it twice now!  :present:

WOWOWOWOW! Congrats on your book success thus far!

Cheers!
Cleo  :cloud9: