I would love it if you would stop by and take a look around.  Even if you don’t get anything, just let me know what you think, what you would like to see more of, less of, and just your thoughts in general.

So one of my co-workers lent me the most current issue of ImagineFX magazine that he subscribes to.  Truth be told, I had seen this magazine many a times before and never really gave it any attention.  Mainly due to the fact that I was looking at design mags and that I never saw anything in there that looked like my work.  Mostly the mag focuses on Photoshop and Painter with the work they feature and the tutorials they include.

This time however, I decide to be a grown up and actually go through it instead of dismissing the magazine.  This practice piece is the result of some lighting articles that I read.  I will be doing more  and hopefully learning (& improving) in the process.

So this is my interpretation of a fellow artist character.  The guy who created her goes by Lord Santiago over on DA.  He posted up this lovely character along with a 2 others during the holidays and I wanted to do something with her since.  I’d been working on her off and on since this past holiday season and finally decided to throw in the towel and post up what I had.  This is as far as I am taking this piece, and feel it’s not bad - but also not great.   Enjoy.

There are certain things that come to mind when some of us think about essential tools for illustration or creating any kind of art.  Something to create that art on like canvas and something to create it with like pens or and instrument in terms of music.

And then there are other things that while we think are essential for us to create with, really have no business being included in a list of essentials.  Things like coffee or cigarettes.  Necessary for art?  Not unless you dip your cigarettes in coffee and use them as ink “pens”.  And then there are headphones.

Most of us are accustomed to listening to music while we work.  Whether at the office listening to some “great” office music or whatever you have on your ipod mp3 player.  It helps us drown out all the crap outside of our heads and listen to what our creativity has to say.  Or at least drown out your boss so you can zone out.

Pictured here are 2 sets of headphones that I use.  I’d figured that I’d give you all a run down of them and some other suggestions.

As you can probably see, these headphones are pretty similar looking.  They’re also similar performing.  Being similar, however, does not equal being the same.

First up are my Boosted The Grande Sherbert.  I’m sure the first thing you noticed is that they’re bright.  Really bright, like Playskool toys type bright.  Trust me, you’re not the first person to think and tell me that.  I eventually found that they came in other colors, but that was of course after I bought these.

Colors a side, these things are loud! 50mm drivers in each earcup (the part that the music some from in case you were wondering) deliver plenty of bass and clear mids and highs.  The ear cups are auto-returning swivel cups. That basic means that you can spin them 90 degrees (the left side goes counter clockwise, while the right goes clockwise) and they snap back to fit against your head.  The cable is single sided and comes from the left ear cup.  Just a few inches down the cable is a small box with a button and some holes in it.  This is a microphone and answer/end call button for cell phones.  The mic works pretty well, but I never got the button working.  The cable itself is coiled for the most part and is a liitle over 3 feet without being stretched.  The end plug is a 2.5mm plug.  That’s not really going to be of any use outside of your phone, so also included is a 3.5mm adapter.

The other equally bright headphones are Aerial 7’s Tank.  These are equally as loud with noticably harder hitting and deeper in the lower frequencies.  They have all the same function in terms of movement that The Grande’s have, although it’s all much smoother.  The actual cable is much shorter because of the fact that the adapter cables carry all of the length.  And speaking of adapters, there’s plenty to go around.  There are 3 adapters included, one standard 3.5mm headphone adapter, one 3.5mm with a microphone built in for computing headset and Skype (that’s what they say at least) and lastly a deep 2.5mm for everyone and their grandmother’s Iphone.

I put these up because without them I can’t work without them, especially when other people are around. If I can’t have these to listen to, then I don’t want anything. Especially not earbuds; they hurt so bad.

What do you guys use in your creative process that you can’t work without, but technically isn’t needed to create? Sound off in the comments.

Oh, and you click the image to see it fullsize on my DA page.

It’s been a long and arduous battle getting them here, but I’m finally in possesion of some fancy postcards of my work to give out to you.  That’s right, they’re all for you and even better; they’re free!  Find out all the details after the jump.

So the two cards that you see at the top are 8.5×5.5 large postcards (think half a sheet of paper).  It’s been hell getting them and I don’t plan on going into the story again.

Anyway, they’re both realy nice and have a different spot gloss on each design.  For any of you thaty don’t know what having a spot gloss means, it’s when part of a printed piece has a certain area glossy and the rest of the piece is matte.  Its hard to show it in the pic due to the fact that if you can see it in a picture, then all you’re really seeing is a giant glare.

So now for the important stuff; how to get your hands on some.  Like I said, they’re free.  Well…kinda free.  I’ll send out up to one of each (you don’t have to get both if you don’t want to) right to you.  Just send me your name and address and I’ll drop them in the mail.

If you want sets then I’m just asking people to pay the shipping cost.  I’m only asking $3 for shipping for anyone within the US and Canada  Anyone else that’s really international, just let me know and I’ll figure out how much it will be.  I don’t expect it to be a lot given the size and weight of a set.  In each set there will be either 6,8,or 10 cards total split evenly between the two designs.

So, that’s it.  If you want some drop me a line.  My email is digispa at stealurmoney.com.  Oh, and the Ayanami and Miku wallpapers are the same images as the postcards.

I only ask that you credit me with the lines/design and send me a link (or the image itself) so I can see the results.

Here’s the image - caution - it’s pretty big, like 9mb .jpg.  Just thought I’d let you know

Needles to say, I workd my ass of for a few days straight.  I didn’t really work on it Saturday due to me making prior arrangments almost a month ago and there was no way I was gettin out of them.  So I worked my ass of Sunday trying to get this thing done.  I actually managed to cobble something pretty freaking sweet together.  So i go to output and find that the file isn’t a high enough resolution.  So i have to output again.  Keep in mind the first output was less than 5 minutes before the deadline and the second output was going to take longer due to the MASSIVE size.  Oh, did I mention that DA wanted a 24×36″ poster?  Minimum pixel size was 2400×3600.  I can’t speak for anyone else, but having Illustrator pump out a 24″x36″ jpg at any resolution over 72dpi is going to tkae some time.  Time that I didn’t really have.

Needless to say, I missed the deadline by about 30 seconds.  Give or take about 10 seconds.  So now I’m pissed and don’t really have anywhere to direct my anger.  Maybe I’ll a beer (or 3) and go to bed and figure out what the hell I’m going to do with this goddamn poster in morning.

FUCK!

Oh and you check out the poster here