A work in progress. Here’s a technique I have enjoyed lately. It speeds up the process, helping me to keep up with the demands of moly_x.
1) I place a photo in Adobe Illustrator, and make it transparent, about 50%. Sometimes I cut images apart and change the layout in Photoshop.
2) I trace over it, still in Adobe Illustrator. I can make a quick template to match the size of the book, so I can put things where I want them. I try not to put important stuff on the fold.
3) The drawing and the photo are on different layers, so I can turn off the photo if I wish. Look at the other image with my wife and I. I left the photo show a bit. I also used sepia colored lines, because I’m going to use sepia ink.
4) I print the image on Moleskine Cahier paper using my inkjet. Here is where I wish that Moleskine offered Large format paper, even tabloid size. My printer can handle 13″x19″. I have to piece larger images together.
I have grown to like the collage look of this technique. I like the visual distraction/interest. The papers have a different texture, so the ink takes to them differently. I like this too.
I use Super 77 spray adhesive. It’s a little hard to work with, but it doesn’t budge once it’s down. You can see the seams very clearly in these images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrtyhrrs/4196137419/in/ set-72157603…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrtyhrrs/3532999471/siz es/o/in/set-…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrtyhrrs/4207299692/siz es/o/in/set-…
Rudat 12:07 pm on January 24, 2010 | #
Hey Marty, I like this technique, and your flickr photos are a great reference. Your finals image have a refreshing spontaneity to them. Years ago in art school, a fashion illustration teacher told us the human body should be drawn more elongated than real life. Of course these were fashion drawings, and your people don’t have that short, squat look from being traced from a photo. Kudos to your cool art, Marty! This is inspiring.
Rudat 12:08 pm on January 24, 2010 | #
A 13″x19″ printer!!! You lucky guy!
j. stremikis 8:06 pm on January 24, 2010 | #
Hey, Marty,
this is a great posting – the techniques development stuff is very inspiring, and makes me feel like doing this is far more “approachable” and something I’ll want
to try for myself.
in step 4), you mention that you wish Moleskine offered a larger format paper –
actually, they do. I don’t know for sure where you’re located, but when my daughter and I visited the Dick Blick store in Woodfield Mall (a wee bit north of
Chicago, in the suburbs) this past holiday, I asked the store manager for the
largest Moleskine available — he took me to the very back of the store, and
under other stock, pointed to the A4 size that Bob McD and other have
mentioned here previously. The pages from this would fit comfortably into your
13 x 19 printer bed, and it would be a tight fit ! The cost of this ‘skine was
prohibitive to me – but, just so you know they are available, if you ask !
Very cool work — and, hoping to see more of this kind of “techniques
development” or what goes on behind the scenes, looking over your
shoulder, and so on…
Nikira 6:55 am on January 25, 2010 | #
I also really like that you sharing techniques and wish we can preserve your post in the Forums under ArtMaterials or something. Should we ask Leo to repost it there?
Rudat 7:36 am on January 25, 2010 | #
I agree with Nikira.
Nuria 8:25 am on January 25, 2010 | #
Very good idea Marty!. Good work!.