Creating a Photoshop Brush/Stamp

So for my firefly (see last post) I needed a design on her thorax...something that reminded me of jewelry designs/etchings. So I went into Adobe Illustrator and created a design with swirls and strokes. Here's what it looked like.

Then I simply selected the object in Adobe Illustrator, hit Command C (copy), and then in Photoshop I hit Command N (for a new file), Yes, and then Command V (paste). It pasted the design onto a transparent layer. Then I hit Command A (for select all), then Edit-Define Brush Preset, name the brush...AND WAHLAH! the brush shows up in your brush pallet. Pretty darn awesome.

I know a lot of you may have been doing this for a while, but I never have. I've simply downloaded brushes from the internet. Now that I know how to make my own license free brushes, I think I'm going to have fun with this. Try it out.

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Getting Back in the Saddle

Boy, having a newborn really throws your routine off. ("Duh!" you may be saying) But I'm starting little by little to work back into things.

I'm currently working on a personal project, a book I wrote and am working on illustrations for. It's about a little firefly who thinks she's "all that." So here are my character sketches of her and then of her 3 supporting characters, baby bumblebee, fly, and gnat.

What do you think?

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Writing for Charity

If anyone would like to get books in the hands of underprivileged children AND learn more about breaking into the children's publishing industry, then this is the event for you. Rock Canyon Writing for Charity is sponsoring a one-day event designed to get books into the hands of kids who need them most. It's on August 21st in Sandy, UT at the Waterford School.

Our goal is to give books to all of the kids in at least ten of the lowest socioeconomic populated schools in the state. That would be approximately 6,000 books to 6,000 kids. And not just any books, but books by Utah authors, their neighbors. Where possible, these books will be signed and the author will speak to the kids. Our hope and our expectation is that by giving kids their own books, and making these connections, we will spark an excitement for reading, and an understanding that writers are normal people, like them, and that writing is something they can do too.

Click the button to donate, register or find out more!

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Creativity in all forms

Here's what I've been working on recently...a true endeavor in creation. We welcomed our new son into the world just one week ago. (Hence the lack of posts recently).



Photos taken by his daddy, Rhett Olson Photography

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Working on Two Illustrations at Once

www.ustream.tv/recorded/8131937

See how I often work on two illustrations at once...more, going back and forth between them. While a background dries on one, I move to the other. Enjoy!

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Dueling Banjo Pigs

This will make no sense to many of you, but after you check out THIS BLOG, you'll understand a bit more. I've included a little video of part of the painting process I did for this one...all digital in Corel PAINTER 11. (Click on the lick at the very bottom of this post to see the video) Now, before any Twilight fans are offended, this is all in jest. In the spirit of "Team Edward" vs. "Team Jacob" I made a "Team Pig." I wanted to get in the spirit of the summer blockbuster. Hope you enjoy.



You have to click on the link to see the video of the digital painting process.
Dueling Banjo Pigs: TEAM PIG

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