Thursday, August 6, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Ode to Typography
This was my first attempt at Valentina's "reinvent" weekword last week. As soon as I'd finished it, I realised that I was not reinventing the keyboard, I was repurposing it, i.e. creating another use for it. But I spent the better part of an hour on this first interpretation, and I just hate wasted effort. (And wasted time.) So I thought I would post it today. And also because I love the poem this comes from. And also because I need a break from the sea of words I'm drowning in.
The poem is Ode to Typography, by Pablo Neruda, you can find the full one here. I am not quite sure though why it is "the U of your gaze" - any ideas?
(The keyboard is from the car boot sale - I prised off the keys and used a few for my Anatomy of Love board. The typeface I used for the letters is Tahoma, in case you were wondering...)
PS The new weekword was chosen by Asiye and is wanderlust (Lovely!!) Leave a comment on her blog here if you want to play along.
The poem is Ode to Typography, by Pablo Neruda, you can find the full one here. I am not quite sure though why it is "the U of your gaze" - any ideas?
(The keyboard is from the car boot sale - I prised off the keys and used a few for my Anatomy of Love board. The typeface I used for the letters is Tahoma, in case you were wondering...)
PS The new weekword was chosen by Asiye and is wanderlust (Lovely!!) Leave a comment on her blog here if you want to play along.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Weekword: Reinvent
It is not that I have anything against evolution. Neither would I think of criticizing the design credentials of a possible creator. But honestly, if I can reinvent my hand, I would do it.
Like this:
Fig. 9: Reinventing the hand.
Oh, yes, and they would all be retractable.
(For other participants, see Valentina's blog. PS Her interpretation is truly beautiful!)
Like this:
Fig. 9: Reinventing the hand.
Oh, yes, and they would all be retractable.
(For other participants, see Valentina's blog. PS Her interpretation is truly beautiful!)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Cross.
I leave you with these two images which I took last week. I'm busy with a new proofreading project - which will take up most of my time for the next week or so - so posting might be thinner on the ground than usual. I also have almost no time to visit your lovely blogs - very sad for me, as they are my daily required dosage of Creative Inspiration! But I'm going to try my best and do something for Valentina's weekword - reinvent on Friday. If you want to join in, please leave a comment on Valentina's blog!
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Brodie Mack Correspondence Art School
I've always wanted to take drawing lessons, and at the last car boot sale I got just the thing - an original Brodie Mack Correspondence Art School poster. At 50 cents (which translates to about 5 US cents) it was a bargain! I mean, have you priced art lessons recently? Nope, I think I'll stick with Brodie Mack.
Let's start off with some pen practice - and remember to draw slowly until you acquire speed!
Got it? Okay, now we will move on to the eyes. The most important thing to remember here is that in cases of terror or surprise, the eyes are dilated. Come on guys, dilate those eyes! DILATE!!
Now that you have that under your belts, we can concentrate on the real stuff - figures. I give you this gem of advice, from the lips (or rather pen) of Mr Mack himself: "Remember that underneath all clothing is a living, breathing human form that is similar to other human beings when in the nude." I kid you not!
And finally, we come to highlights and depth. With Mr Mack I have to urge you to note how the girl's eyes convey expression. (An expression of what? He doesn't say, but I have my own opinion on this ...)
I hope that you found this useful. I am planning to use my new-found skills on this week's weekword, which Valentina will choose. Happy drawing!
xxx
Anairam
Let's start off with some pen practice - and remember to draw slowly until you acquire speed!
Got it? Okay, now we will move on to the eyes. The most important thing to remember here is that in cases of terror or surprise, the eyes are dilated. Come on guys, dilate those eyes! DILATE!!
Now that you have that under your belts, we can concentrate on the real stuff - figures. I give you this gem of advice, from the lips (or rather pen) of Mr Mack himself: "Remember that underneath all clothing is a living, breathing human form that is similar to other human beings when in the nude." I kid you not!
And finally, we come to highlights and depth. With Mr Mack I have to urge you to note how the girl's eyes convey expression. (An expression of what? He doesn't say, but I have my own opinion on this ...)
I hope that you found this useful. I am planning to use my new-found skills on this week's weekword, which Valentina will choose. Happy drawing!
xxx
Anairam
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friends!
The lovely Anne of Frayed at the Edge (that is such a clever blog name, I wish I thought of it. Although of course Anne does fantastic sewing and quilting and knitting and stuff, so there is that needlework connotation, whereas I just feel (and look) frayed at the edge most of the time) ... oh, let me get to the point ... and now of course I've lost my thread, which is as close to needlework as I'll ever get.
Okay, she gave me this award - thanks so much, Anne! I love the fact that I meet new and wonderfully creative people here all the time, and I sometimes wish that I can permanently emigrate to Blogland. People just seem so friendly here - giving, sharing, supporting, advising without harsh criticism - it is the kind of community that I want to build in RealLifeland ...
I am passing the Circle of Friends on to some lovely people I've met recently: Lady P, Nathalie, Trinsch, Valentina, Lea and Candace! There are so many more, but I am limited to five. Oops, I see I have chosen six. But the great thing about Blogland is that no-one will mind if I bend the rules just a little! No fines, no jail sentences, no dirty looks or swear words or rude hand signals.
That is it, I am emigrating ....
Friday, July 24, 2009
Weekword: Time
Update 27/07: Valentina will choose the new weekword!
I was not really in a drawing or picture-making mood this week, so for this week's word I decided to build something; to use my considerable scientific skills and to exercise my left brain a little.
Dear friends, I give you my Time Travel Machine (TTM).
Fig. 8a - Anairam's Time Travel Machine
In the spirit of open-source I will reveal how easy it is to make your own:
Equipment: You will need an empty cereal box, scissors, tape, and any odds and ends that you have lying around. You obviously need some kind of switch to activate the quantum generator that will kick the machine into life; I used the inside of an old light-switch. The interesting thing about quantum energy is that as long as there are some wires and stuff sticking out, it will work. See Figure 8b below.
Fig. 8b - Quantum Generator Switch
Instructions for building: Cut the cereal box into sections and tape together again. The size must allow you to comfortably sit in it once you have transdimunified(*) yourself. Cut a hole in the top for the hatch. That is where you will get in and out. If you use a detergent measuring cup as I have, it also makes for a neat observation bubble. Stick all the other bits to the box. (See Figure 8a above.)
Important Note 1: Do NOT put labels on your own TTM - I have merely added them in the picture for your edification. The labels burn off when the TTM enters black holes and quasars and this can severely affect the direction of your machine. Which means that instead of landing up in the Future, you may land up in the path of a herd of dinosaurs charging across the savannah. Trust me on this.
Important Note 2: I am not sure that the exhaust is necessary, but I had to use up at least one of my considerable stash of toilet roll inners.
Important Note 3: I haven't quite refined the Time Selector yet - so at This Moment in Time (haha!) you can choose between Future and Past, but where exactly in the future or past you are going to land up, is anyone's guess. I have managed to get a sort of fine-tuning thing going though. (Yes, I know what you think that blue disc is, but no, you are wrong. It is the Fine Tuning Dial.) You can therefore select to end up on a particular weekday (out of a set of four) somewhere in the future or past. I think that can be pretty handy, don't you?
Important Note 4: Be sure to cut a little hole in the box and mount the quantum generator with the switch on the INSIDE. This is for obvious reasons, and if you can't work out why, you had better drop your dream of becoming a serious scientist. Rather spend your time lying on the couch watching old StarTrek episodes.
Instructions for use:
1. Set the time selector to where you want to go in time, and fine-tune using the blue dial.
2. Transdimunify(*) yourself.
3. Get in, close the hatch, and press the switch of the quantum generator.
4. Wait a couple of seconds, open the hatch and get out.
5. Enjoy yourself. Make field notes. Take your time!!
6. Remember to come back (and tell me where you landed up).
(*) Okay, here's the thing. I haven't designed the transdimunifying unit (which is to reduce yourself) yet. Thus far I have only tested my TTM on a couple of ants I found in the garden. From the dazed and confused expression on their little ant-faces when I let them out again, I conclude that my TTM is a great success.
For other interpretations of time, see: Linda Sue, Anne, l'atelier, e, Sarah , Thereza, Trinsch, Valentina, Lisa, Fruenswerk & Nathalie & asphaltair & lea & aimee &esti! (If I've left out anyone, please let me know and I'll update the list.) Fantabulous - I can't wait to see everyone's entries!
I was not really in a drawing or picture-making mood this week, so for this week's word I decided to build something; to use my considerable scientific skills and to exercise my left brain a little.
Dear friends, I give you my Time Travel Machine (TTM).
Fig. 8a - Anairam's Time Travel Machine
In the spirit of open-source I will reveal how easy it is to make your own:
Equipment: You will need an empty cereal box, scissors, tape, and any odds and ends that you have lying around. You obviously need some kind of switch to activate the quantum generator that will kick the machine into life; I used the inside of an old light-switch. The interesting thing about quantum energy is that as long as there are some wires and stuff sticking out, it will work. See Figure 8b below.
Fig. 8b - Quantum Generator Switch
Instructions for building: Cut the cereal box into sections and tape together again. The size must allow you to comfortably sit in it once you have transdimunified(*) yourself. Cut a hole in the top for the hatch. That is where you will get in and out. If you use a detergent measuring cup as I have, it also makes for a neat observation bubble. Stick all the other bits to the box. (See Figure 8a above.)
Important Note 1: Do NOT put labels on your own TTM - I have merely added them in the picture for your edification. The labels burn off when the TTM enters black holes and quasars and this can severely affect the direction of your machine. Which means that instead of landing up in the Future, you may land up in the path of a herd of dinosaurs charging across the savannah. Trust me on this.
Important Note 2: I am not sure that the exhaust is necessary, but I had to use up at least one of my considerable stash of toilet roll inners.
Important Note 3: I haven't quite refined the Time Selector yet - so at This Moment in Time (haha!) you can choose between Future and Past, but where exactly in the future or past you are going to land up, is anyone's guess. I have managed to get a sort of fine-tuning thing going though. (Yes, I know what you think that blue disc is, but no, you are wrong. It is the Fine Tuning Dial.) You can therefore select to end up on a particular weekday (out of a set of four) somewhere in the future or past. I think that can be pretty handy, don't you?
Important Note 4: Be sure to cut a little hole in the box and mount the quantum generator with the switch on the INSIDE. This is for obvious reasons, and if you can't work out why, you had better drop your dream of becoming a serious scientist. Rather spend your time lying on the couch watching old StarTrek episodes.
Instructions for use:
1. Set the time selector to where you want to go in time, and fine-tune using the blue dial.
2. Transdimunify(*) yourself.
3. Get in, close the hatch, and press the switch of the quantum generator.
4. Wait a couple of seconds, open the hatch and get out.
5. Enjoy yourself. Make field notes. Take your time!!
6. Remember to come back (and tell me where you landed up).
(*) Okay, here's the thing. I haven't designed the transdimunifying unit (which is to reduce yourself) yet. Thus far I have only tested my TTM on a couple of ants I found in the garden. From the dazed and confused expression on their little ant-faces when I let them out again, I conclude that my TTM is a great success.
For other interpretations of time, see: Linda Sue, Anne, l'atelier, e, Sarah , Thereza, Trinsch, Valentina, Lisa, Fruenswerk & Nathalie & asphaltair & lea & aimee &esti! (If I've left out anyone, please let me know and I'll update the list.) Fantabulous - I can't wait to see everyone's entries!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)