Mac in art

New Artwork - fresh from my studio

2011-05-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Decided to take a break from my digital imaging creations and go back to my painting studio.

Colors, Shapes, Acrylic, oil, pastels. The smell of the paints. feels so good to be able to paint again!

Write on Glass

2011-01-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

Using Glass to share experiences and not just content:

I started using Glass few month ago and I love the experience. Would like to share it with my friends and colleagues. To make it easier to undertand, since every one is asking me "What is Glass" Here is an easy answer from Glass web site:

What is Glass?

Glass is a browser add-on that lets you share experiences and not just content.

We've created a virtual sheet of Glass that lies over the entire internet that's yours to affect. You can share your thoughts about anything on the web, right in the moment, by literally placing notes and embedding pictures or videos (highlighting text - to come soon) on top of any website. You can share those thoughts with only those you choose.

The only way we can share it with each other is to be part of it as a contact. I would like to invite you to be my contact and together we can share ideas, web sites, videos and much more. I like it since I can control who can see my content. I like it since I can go directly to the area I want to see and I do not need to cut and paste url and look for the web site.

So? How do I start?

Joining is easy: simply go to www.writeonglass.com and join.

I can be one of your first contacts, find me as: chanam, find Jen, the Glass community manager at: jbeese and she will be able to help with everything Glass.

You can find Glass on Facebook and join our discussion groups: easy way to connect to people with the same interest.http://www.facebook.com/writeonglass?v=app_2373072738

You can create your own interest group and share the experience with your contact.

I have been using Glass to promote my Adobe Illustrator Users Group in LA, sending our members directly to our web site to see information about the meetings. LAADOBE users Group is using Glass as well, and we would like to spread the word so you can use it too.

The people at Border Stylo the home of Glass were amazing enough to be our host for most of the Adobe Groups in LA area!

Try it! be creative. And, no it is not just another Facebook it is the Glass experience.

If you were already on Glass, I could send you this blog post via Glass with a slide..and I won't need to send e-mails, announcements and Facebook post about my blog...

Next time..!

Adobe Illustrator Users Group Los Angeles - January Meeting

2011-01-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

Join us for a special meeting Tuesday January 25,

6:30 - 9:00 PM at

Border Stylo

729 Seward Street

Los Angeles California 90038

www.borderstylo.com

http://groups.adobe.com/group/541

Featuring : Jose Caballer Chief Creative, COO, The Groop

Jose began his career as a web designer 15 years ago as the 18th employee of
Razorfish Inc in New York City.
In 2001 he started The Groop one of LA's top Digital Agencies. His clients range from some of the worlds top brands such as Microsoft, Sony Music, Bank of America to educational institutions such as UCLA, Art Center College of Design and the Henry Jackson Foundation. Though he prides himself in helping create or relaunch over 30 start-ups, he is most proud of helping create movements such as Al Goreʼs Live Earth, Green my Parents and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.
He has translated his passion for educating creatives, entrepreneurs and executives
about web design into Groop Skool an online school and seminars that help Simplify
Digital Business.

More information about the Groop: http://www.thegroop.net/

On The Agenda:

6:30 Meet up. A word from our host: www.writeonglass.com

7:00 Presentation:

Goal:

To share the planning tools that help The Groop successfully execute web projects.

The goal is to share "the other side" of web design, the way we simplify business

objectives and translate them into visual form.

Part 1: In the beginning - Why is web design so different than brochures, posters,

books and other print?

Part 2: The Birth of User Experience

Part 3: The First Steps

1. User Personas / Profiles 2. User Stories 3. Site Map 4. Wire Frames

5. The Creative Brief 6. Site Scapes 7. Prototypes 8. Detailed Mockups

Questions

http://www.thegroop.net/press/14

Refreshments sponsored by G.F.C. Good Food Catering Santa Monica

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GFC-Good-Food-Catering/221021750482?
ref=search

Adobe Illustrator Users Group LA - Be creative with Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator New brushes

2010-09-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

Adobe Photoshop CS5 New Brushes.
Adobe Illustrator CS5 Bristle Brushes.
Using the Wacom Tablet.
Win a Bamboo Touch and Pen

Let's be creative.
In our next meeting I am going to present Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator CS5 amazing brushes. I will be using a Wacom tablet to create new custom brushes and illustrate special brush techniques.
Our meeting will take place at:

Wednesday September 15, 6:45- 9:15
Meeting will start a bit after 7. Giving you a chance to mingle!

Border STYLO

729 Seward Street

Los Angeles, CA 90027

Off Melrose and Highland.

Free Parking. Buzz next to the Black Gate and someone will let you in.

Xiomara Restaurant is on the corner of Melrose and Seward.

http://www.xiomararestaurant.com/

Make sure you are coming to this address and not to the one on the web site.

For more questions - send me an e-mail.

Contact number: Jenn Beese at: 323.450.4630

Bring a new member and receive an extra raffle ticket!

http://borderstylo.com/
One of our sponsor is:
http://www.wacom.com

Adobe MAX - October 23-27, 2010

2010-08-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

Adobe MAX, October 23-27, Los Angeles

Adobe MAX 2010 October 23-27,
Los Angeles, CA

MAX is a unique opportunity to connect with thousands of designers, developers, and business leaders as we shape the future of digital media together. Discover how to realize the full potential of your content and applications. Find new opportunities presented by rich experiences across screens. Explore new methods for monetizing content. Learn about innovative technologies that enable designers and developers to work together more effectively. Check out this information - might help you and your colleagues to

join Adobe MAX this year! http://2010.max.adobe.com/cyb/

This year I am giving 2 labs: Expanding your Vision with Adobe Illustrator CS5.
Check out the Lab schedule and join me! Wednesday October 27, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM. http://2010.max.adobe.com/schedule/by-session/
Hope to see you! tell your friend! invite your boss as well!

More information about Adobe Illustrator CS5:

Join Adobe Illustrator Users Group LA: http://AILA.groups.adobe.com/

Check out what is new in Adobe Illustrator CS5: http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/?promoid=BPDEG

Folllow us on Twitter: illustratorLA Join our Illustrator Group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adobe-Illustrator-Users-Group-Los-Angeles/151229849377?ref=ts

Using Opacity Mask - & the Apearance Panel

2010-01-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

Thinking Type. Thinking Design. Thinking outside the box to create something that looks different.

Using Opacity Mask in Type or in any shapes and images in Illustrator makes it - more interesting.
We will start with Type. Choose a bold type face.
(I chose Arial Black - I usually use Impact for Demo but I decided this time to change...).

I Selected the type & chose a color from the swatch Panel.
While it is still selected I duplicated the type and selected the top Path.
I am using 4 panels: Layers, Appearance, Opacity-Transparency & Swatch Panels.

Change the bottom Type to a different color. Select the top Path:
go to the fly-out menu on the Opacity Panel and click on: Make Opacity MASK.

The Layer Panel will change to Opacity Mask as well.
Activate Opacity Mask:
Draw a rectangle and choose a color.
Go to the Appearance Panel: Effect: Stylize: Scribble. I choose Snarl.
(Once again I was wondering who gives these names?
I would like to join the naming committee,or drink what they were drinking
while they were naming some of the commands;
Snarl, Pucker & Bloat...Just to name a few).

Since the Opacity Mask works with Black and White.
The shape or the image in the Opacity Mask will reveal or Conceal the image below.
In our case - my bottom type was orange. My Rectangle was black with a Snarl effect on it.

In the image above you can see the Snarl Effect that is in the Opacity Mask.

(To see the image/Object in the Opacity Mask hold down the Option/Alt key

and click on the Opacity Mask.

To Reveal it Hold Down the Shift Key to turn off the mask).

Here is the Result:

The Black will reveal the color below and create a special textured effect.

Using the Appearance Panel you can change the effect by clicking on it and get a different look.

You can add an effect as well.

I changed the Bottom type color and the top Mask Color. Added another Effect.

Adding A Zig Zag Effect and a stroke.

Here is another Example

using an image in the Opacity Mask

I opened a Photoshop File - Selected it and copied it directly into the Opacity Mask.

The result is a vintage looking background in Illustrator ready to be used for anything you desire.

I created a rectangle. Filled it with dark brown. Found a vintage looking image on the internet.

Cropped it in Photoshop and copied it directly to the Opacity Mask of the rectangle.

This is the image inside the Opacity Mask.

Here is the Result:

You can add Brushes, Textures, Pattern. EXPLORE!!!!

Creating Flowers using the Appearance Panel- Adobe Illustrator CS4

2010-01-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

Draw or create any shape as a starting point

I created a circle using the Ellipse tool.
(You can draw a circle with the pen tool).
Make sure to set the fill to none.

Black stroke 1 point.
Added 4 anchor point: Objet: Path add Anchor Point.

Open the Appearance Panel

Click on the Effect symbol (fx)Distort & Transform: Pucker & Bloat.
(for other results later you can experiment with other effects).

Make sure the Preview button is checked.
Play with the effect.

I chose 7%.

Creating the flower:
Duplicate the first circle using the scale tool. Choose 95%-85% and click copy. Select the second circle and rotate it-using the rotate tool. Make sure you see the overlapping effect. Different rotation and scaling will create different effects. Select the 2 circles - expand Appearance. (Object-Expand Appearance). With the circles selected, scale to 90%-80% & click copy. While it is still selected -rotate it. Continue until you get a wire frame for the flower.
You can experiment with different scaling and different rotation.

Now we start with the fun part
Create a gradient using the Gradient Panel. The effect depends on the transformation and the gradient distribution. I created a radial gradient - the second color stop - midway at about 45.5. Select the flower.
Fill with the gradient - no stroke. Go to Effect: Distort and Transform: Pucker & Bloat.
I used it at 45. You can eexperiment to create a different effect.

Optional Design
Scale the circle to the center. Rotate. Scale again. Create a wire frame using the scale tool (transform again). Use Pucker & Bloat.

Endless Variations
Using effect in the Appearance Panel. (my favorite is Roughen and Pucker & Bloat together).

The Flare tool in Adobe Illustrator is it a bug or a great tool?

2009-02-05T12:36:00.001-08:00

Do you ever use the Flare tool in Adobe Illustrator? Do I use it not just in class to demo the feature? Yes I do, but I found ways to make it different and usable.

Using the Flare tool Select the Flare tool, which you’ll find grouped with the closed path shape tools. (They are not really related..)

Click and drag from the point where you want the center of the highlight to be. Do not release the mouse button yet. (A.) Press the up and down arrows to add and remove the number of rays in the lens flare. Release the mouse. (B.)

Click and drag to define the lighting direction do not release the mouse button yet (C.). Press the up and down arrows to add and remove the number of rings in the lens flare.(D.) Release the mouse to complete the lens flare.

The Flare Tool is not a Live Effect, you cannot edit it through the Appearance Panel. To edit a flare, select it with the Selection tool and double-click the Flare tool in the Toolbox, to opens the Flare Tool Options dialog, where you specify any changes to the appearance of the flare. When you check the Preview button you will be able to see the changes happening to the flare as you adjust the settings.

This is all great - but now we have to have a reason to use it! Yes. It is fun to click and drag and create different rays, but It real designer mode - how can I use it? Here are some fun ideas to Explore: 1. Using the Flare on a nice dark Background to create spotlights and special effect. 2. Using the Flare Tool in the Opacity Mask. 3. Using the flare Tool as a Symbol. 4. Using the Flare tool as a Brush. 5. Copy and paste as a Smart Object to Photoshop. 1. Using the Flare on a dark background to create spotlights & special effect The Flare Tool was created with objects that are using blending mode and transparencies. The best result will be to use the tool on a dark Background. Here is an example using the Flare on a dark gradient background with light type. The Flare is adding to the look of the graphics. I used transparency effects and blending modes to create the look I wanted. I used the masking tool to mask the area that the Flare To0l was outside the box.

2. Using the Flare Tool in the Opacity Mask I Created an interesting background using the special effect tools.

In this image I used the Graphics Pen Effect to create lines. Duplicated the gradient rectangle, and added a multiply blending mode to it. (E.)

To create an Opacity Mask: I selected the top rectangle. Using the Transparency Panel or the Opacity pull down menu (on the control menu bar) clicked on the fly out menu to create an Opacity Mask.(F.). I Used the Flare tool in the Opacity Mask to create the effect.

3. Using the flare Tool as a Symbol Create the Flare, select it using the Selection tool and drag and drop it to the Symbol Panel. Give the symbol a name by double clicking on the symbol in the panel or by using the fly out menu in the Panel (G.). Use the Symbol tool to play with the Flare Symbol.

While using the Symbol tools, experiment with the Symbol Stainer tool and the Symbol Screener Tool to change the colors of the symbol and the Flare. (H.).

4. Using the Flare tool as a Brush Create a Flare. Select the object with the Selection tool. Go to Object> expand & Expand the Flare. Go to Object>Clipping Mask >Release. If you see changes in he design, double click on the object to isolate it and delete the unwanted lines to create the same design as the original one. (I.)

Select the object with the selection tool and drag and drop to your brush panel to create a Scatter Brush. (J.)

In the Brush options dialog you can change the method of the brush to None, Tint, Tint & shade, Hue Shift. Another way of changing colors of your Flare. (K.)

5. Copy and paste as a Smart Object to Photoshop. Another great way to change the Flare tool options, after drawing the Flare is using it in Photoshop as a Smart Object. Draw the Flare, keep it selected. Copy and paste it into a Photoshop document as a Smart Object. Double click on the Smart Object Icon to bring it back to Illustrator as a Vector Object.(L.) In Illustrator, Double Click on the Flare Icon to bring the Options Dialog Box to change the setting. Save and go back to Photoshop for new Results.

CREATE! EXPLORE! ENJOY!

Wow! I have a blog - what happened?

2009-01-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

Never thought I will have a blog. so what happened? Cons 1. Almost everyone is having one 2. Spelling mistakes... 3. Love to talk not to write 4. Who is going to read it? 5. Do I have enough interesting things to say? Pros: Yes. I do. I want to try to say somethings. Hope it will be interesting... Can I do it in Hebrew? Here I am. Writing on a Friday morning in sunny California.. What is new? I started a new Adobe Illustrator User's Group in Los Angeles. Our first meeting is going to be in 2-3 weeks and I will post it on our Group web site:http://groups.adobe.com/groups (go to the AI group symbol and click to enter) If you are a designer/graphics artist/art director or just a big fan of Adobe Illustrator, join our group. We are going to feature the new amazing tool in Illustrator CS4 and other great tools as part of the new Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection CS4. This group is part of a big user's group hosted by Adobe (I think we have over 500 group already..) it is free and give you a great chance to be part of the community, network and meet creative/interesting people . Our first meeting will take place at the UCLA Extension center at 1010 Westwood Blvd. Time, date and room to follow. Check out the new features at:http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/features/?view=topnew Chana