Louistrations

Firstly, for anybody that's unsure of what vector-based images are; they’re images consisting of sequences of points and paths that are used to create lines and shapes. Artwork created using this technique is often easily identified by its clean lines and precision. The main advantage of vector artwork is that it's infinitely scalable without degradation, making it perfect for logos and print material.

Programs that specialise in vector-based images include Corel Draw, Freehand and Illustrator. However it's also possible to achieve a similar result from within Photoshop, albeit it's a long shot from being ideal. This is obtained by using the often over-looked pen tool. The pen tool was absent in my old copy of Photoshop Elements, so I spent a short while seeing what it's capable of.

I've touched on vectors in the past with my short time with the Illustrator trial, as well as for a project that I'm currently working on. (I'll talk about that at a later date!)


This is the drawing that I will be making into a vector image. It's a quick drawing of Harriet that's nice and simple. The original pencil sketch is on the left and a cleaner copy drawn on tracing paper is on the right.

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I recently drew some illustrations for a short story by Stephen J Wright entitled "The Goblin". It's a charming children's story following the mischievous antics of the last surviving goblin named "Glob" and his magically over-sized bat, "Butch".

Although I'm not really at liberty to post the story in its entirety, here are a couple of the drawings that I made. Due to tight time restrictions, I didn't have time to create detailed backgrounds.


If I recall correctly, the story was available to read at a library in Chester. I don't know any further details other than that. However, the author is apparently looking into publishing and planning a sequel, "The Return of the Glob". Zing!

Adobe Photoshop CS3 has been a long time coming, and a long time pre-ordered. So I was dismayed at coming home yesterday to a missed delivery notice. It had been delivered but I had missed it. The Pholy Grail was at my doorstep, and I missed it.

Not to be downhearted at Amazon's apparent efficiency, I retrieved the packet from the post office in the early hours of this morning.


Thus, it's now in my possession! A boxed and licensed copy of Photoshop - Joy! I can't wait to put it through it's paces. I would liked to have bought Adobe Illustrator as well, but that would have been a little too detrimental on my bank balance. Maybe at a later date.

For the past few years I've been using a stripped down in features version of Photoshop known as Photoshop Elements. It's served me well over the years, especially considering it's price. Yet it had a few areas where it was showing it's age, particularly in it's text editing tools and image scaling. It also ran sluggish on my computer due to running in emulation mode with Rosetta.

With Photoshop Elements I had the comfort of having both PC and Mac versions of the software on the same disc. However, now it's required that the user swears allegiance to their operating system. Having both versions would require buying the software twice.

The time for sitting on the fence is over. Blood has been drawn, the pact has been sealed; I am now forever bound to MacOS X.

May Steve have mercy on my soul.

This is a close-up shot of the cherry tree in our garden. It burst into blossom only yesterday.

Ah, I love this time of year.

The 24th of March marks Shutdown Day. Now, before you panic and head for the hills - this is not an apocalyptic doomsday, but rather a test of determination and willpower. The concept is simple; You leave your computer switched off for 24 hours.

A few years ago the very thought of a day without a computer would have horrified me. However, that was before I had to work on one. These days I'm more often than not involved in less technologically advanced activities such as reading and drawing.

Yes, I know.

What a beauty. It clocks in at 4 inches in length, a whole inch and a half longer than the regular sized Maoam.

And yes, it's been eatten. It didn't survive the time taken to transfer the photograph from my camera to my computer.

The question that I submitted has appeared on the Wii Everybody Votes Channel. Although, I surely can't be the only person to have submitted it?

Nonetheless, it's still awesome that it's up. The results are in tomorrow!

Tea for the win!!

My, how times change! I can remember the time when washing-up liquid came in a single variety; Mild green.

Today I had the opportunity to use a new Fairy liquid with the scent of pink grapefruit and garden mint. It just goes to show how luxurious modern day living is.

It's put all the joy and pleasure back into scrubbing dog puke out of the carpet.

It's the time of year again for the prestigious Louis' favourite tea of 2006 chart. There are lots of new entries this year, as well as a slight change; The chart now features the specific brand of tea and not just the blend.

1. Ceylon, J. Atkinson & Co. (+1)
2. Yorkshire Tea Gold (New Entry)
3. Rington's (New Entry)
4. PG tips Special Blend (New Entry)
5. Green Tea, Twinings (-2)
6. English Breakfast, Twinings (-1)
7. Darjeeling, Whittard (-3)
8. Afternoon Tea, Whittard (New Entry)

It's exactly like a sunset, except on the other side of the house, and with a lot less setting and more rising.

I didn't wake up especially early for this photo, the sun rises at about 7:30 AM at the moment. When it's not overcast and pouring down with rain that is.