Wacom Intuos 4 – Digital Painting/Coloring/Inking Review

IT’S COOL!

I was able to play around with Wacom Philippines’ Intuos 4 units during its launch at the ATI Building, Shaw Boulevard today.

I got to try it out on Photoshop CS4 and Corel Painter X.

The features that stood out the most for me were the :

• Nibs - the traction with which the nibs gave while on the tablet was pleasantly surprising. With 4 different kinds of nibs: regular (I think 5 extra pieces), springy (one only), felt tip (one only), graphite-ish (three pieces) nicely kept INSIDE the pen holder – it’ll take a while before you get bored with how it feels.
• 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity - I wanted to specifically test the Intuos 4’s ability to do fine tapered lines, and I must say it delivers very gradual increments in size. Based off my testing of a 4 pixel brush on a 72dpi canvas on Painter X. However don’t expect to have the same range of size variation and control as a Chinese calligraphy brush. You may attempt to do so with the springy nib nonetheless. And also you may still have some difficulty resuming an ink line that you have ended. (Unlike on Cintiqs.)
• Precision Mode – This is an express key you press on the tablet to allow the entire tablet surface to be remapped to only paint within a small central portion of your screen. Thereby allowing you ultra fine detailing. Best used for painting. I tried inking with it, but that yielded mixed results.

Other notable features were the reversible right-or-left-handed design of the Intuos 4, the customizable application specific pop-up menus you can bring up, the organic light emitting diodes OLEDs that allow you to see what the express keys on the tablet are for, and the wheel whose 4 default (and also customizable) actions allow you to:

1. Size your brush.
2. Zoom in and out.
3. Select layers up and down.
4. Rotate your canvas.

Unfortunately with Corel Painter X, I could not find any way to rotate its canvas using the Intuos 4 wheel, and still had to use the keyboard.

Another issue is that the Intuos 4 is no longer proportional to a CRT monitor. You’d have to tweak its mapping to get it to be so.

The medium-sized Intuos 4 is expected to be within 19k PHP once it hits the markets. It comes in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes.

I asked if Intuos 4 technology will be making its way onto Cintiqs. And as I suspected, it will, just not yet. But with those babies costing close to 70k PHP, I may just work out my digital inking requirements on an Intuos 4.

Free Spirits A(r)t Play Exhibit

An exhibit featuring the Philippines’ top illustrators Frances Alcaraz. Beth Parrocha-Doctolero. Paul Eric Roca.Ferdinand Doctolero. Robert Alejandro. Bernadette Solina-Wolf.

Six of the Philippines’ top illustrators showcase their surreal and colourful works for the first time in Singapore at the prestigious Art Space of the Royal Plaza on Scotts from June 5-July 7, 2009.
The exhibition, a fusion of six different art styles showcases the artwork illustrations of Frances Alcaraz, Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, Paul Eric Roca, Ferdinand Doctolero. Robert Alejandro, Bernadette Solina-Wolf.
Illustrators have usually been known as the “grey-zone” artists and even play second-fiddle in the world of literature, moreso Children’s literature. It has usually been argued if they are of the fine arts or commercial arts; as between writers and illustrators of “what got the reader’s attention first—picture or text?”
The answers may vary as to complex relationships between artist and his/her definitions of what matters. Yet their “story” actually leads to a deeper level of understanding of who they are—basically to enjoy one’s creativity and share this feeling of “play.” Such is the case of the following artists set to display their artworks for the first time in Singapore.
They have made quite a mark in Philippine children’s literature as illustrators that writers usually (if not always) request their services not as second-fiddle but as “playful” collaborators.
Visual narrative as these works show, has been coined as a modern-day term for illustration. Their pictures justify the means—light, spontaneous, intuitive and engaging.

Frances Alcaraz had illustrated more than 15 books both for children and adults. Some of them having been published in Japan and translated in several languages. Among her many awards have been the 1996 Noma Concours (Japan) and 2001 PBBY-Alcala Illustrator’s Prize (Manila). Her most recent illustrated books “Lola Basyang” were staged as ballets by Ballet Manila in 2008.
Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, one of Manila’s sought-after illustrator, has 40-plus books to her name as well as a slew of book awards for both illustration and design. Despite a full calendar of deadlines for all sorts of commissioned works, Beth still finds time to create whimsical and delicate paintings in watercolor, a difficult medium to handle. Nevertheless, she makes it all look so effortless and easy.
Paul Eric Roca has illustrated memorable books including “Federico”, Klasmeyt” and “Si Ching na takot sa Dilim” for Manila’s top children’s book publishing house, Adarna Books, Inc.” before he joined SPH (Singapore Press Holdings) as an artist for its “Project Eyeball” in 2001. He presently works as an editorial cartoonist for a Singapore newspaper, The Strait Times.
Ferdinand Doctolero, a prolific visual artist and art educator, has had his art showcased in Manila’s finest galleries and included in the permanent collections of banks, museums and private art collectors. He also illustrates for children’s books and once garnered Second Place (Noma Concours of Japan) for the book “Sundalong Patpat”. Together with wife Beth Parrocha-Doctolero and son Uriel, Ferdinand runs home-based Yellow Bell Studio.
Robert Alejandro is more a household name in terms of design and illustration. He is a multi-awarded graphic designer and illustrator. His portfolio runs the gamut of cutting-edge shopping malls, books, advertising campaigns and television programs. At present, he is a Probe Team reporter and just had launched his most recent book as a traveling backpacker doumenting his experiences around Asiathrough drawings—“The Sketching Backpacker.”
Bernadette Solina-Wolf now lives in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, where (together with husband Michael) maintains a cozy retreat house up a mountain as well as a new-found art of painting on coconut shells. When as a Manila-based illustrator, puppeteer and art educator, she initiated the Ilustrador ng Kabataan, a dynamic organization of children’s book illustrators, as well as the ANINO ShadowPlay Collective, an ongoing multi-media creative group of performing artists.

Where: Art Space. Royal Plaza on Scotts. 25 Scotts Road (adjacent to Duty Free Singapore)

Gallery Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-7pm.

Price: Entrance is FREEE

Inquiries: +65 9734-4839

How to get there: Orchard MRT Station

Samples from all artists

Pixel Pintura will be at Mall of Asia’s Cyberzone Ecom Building

I’ll be demonstrating a few of Pixel Pintura’s Digital Coloring & Painting TIPS+TRICKS at the DOTS Entertainment event. It will be held at 3PM on the ground of the E-com Building. That’s the building to the right of Mall of Asia’s frontage. (So if you’re going to the SMEX, that’s the wrong way.)

Hope to see you there!

Untitled Folio Project Vol. 3-The Filipino Illustrators’ Folio

Hi! As you know, we released two volumes already of this folio. So, now, it’s nearly time for the third and the question is, should we push through with it and who will be joining this year? We will also have to put up a new website since the old one no longer exists.

Last two issues, all the participants paid P2,000 each (which all went to printing). I don’t know yet how much this next issue will cost each since we have to look for a printer again. Plus, someone has to take charge of the lay-out. Anyway, please let me know your thoughts below or send me a pm at multiply/facebook if you want to join.

Untitled folio is a biennial folio created to showcase the talent of Filipino Illustrators. We distribute it for free to all the major publishers and advertising agencies.

2008 Folio

Contemporary Picture Book Illustration in Germany comes to Manila

Our contemporaries from Germany have arrived with their fine works of illustration.  They’ll be having an exhibition at the National Library in Manila from June 08 to July 03, 2009.

Gutter & Drain Graffiti from Brazil

Here’s some gutter and drain grafitti from Brazil that Pinoy street artists or maybe even the MMDA might consider doing here in Metro Manila!

More here at this Dutch site: http://www.rabatjoie.com/series/s-20-graffitis.html

Comic Book Illustrator Wanted!!

US Publisher seeks lead artists for several different comics and graphic novels. This is NOT a job for computer artists, but for artists who can draw freehand. You must have excellent life drawing skills. All work is for hire and publisher retains all copyrights. Must be fast, efficient, and reliable. Work to be submitted online and fedexed in, as necessary. 100 % discretion is a must and you must sign non-disclosure agreements. The source materials you will adapt are screenplays. You have to be able to think like a movie director. Prefer artists with Bachelor degrees or Masters, but will consider anyone who can deliver. Depending on the story, some jobs call for pencil and ink, some require color. You must be able to work with an inker and colorist, if necessary. You have to be able to tell a story with your art and make your characters compelling. None of these stories are about superheroes, so if that is what you are seeking, this is not the right place. Please submit 2 to 4 of your drawings as jpegs. with a 1 page resume, with references that can be checked. (Provide working email and telephone numbers for your references !) File sizes for jpegs should be 300k or less. Submit your resume inside your email, NOT as an attached word document !!!!! Emails with attached Word documents will be deleted. Please mention if you have Quark layout experience.

* Location: Telecommute
* Compensation: To be arranged, very competitive
* Telecommuting is ok.
* This is a contract job.
* OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Email: job-ekjxt-1123039973[at]craigslist.org

Book Illustrator Wanted!

Job Title: Illustrator/Graphic Design Artists

Job Requirements:
• Familiar in different painting and drawing techniques.
• Familiarity in Photoshop, Illustrator, in Design, Corel Draw and others is an advantage.
• May or may not be a graduate of fine arts, graphic design or other related courses (Students are encouraged)
• Good working relations

NOTE: The works of Beatrix Potter-The Tale of Peter Rabbit may be used as reference
Interested applicants may submit their Curriculum Vitae together with their sample drawings to recruitment_project[at]firstmagellan[dot]com , include the position in the subject line. For inquiries you may contact us through the following: George or Rae at 0917-886-2077 or at our trunk line (632) 638-2284 loc 106: or you can visit us at Unit-A 18th Floor Strata 2000 Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600.

Note: For online application, illustrations must be in JPEG format while for walk-in applicants, kindly bring along your sample drawings. Candidates without sample work will not be entertained.

Plushism: A Pergy Plushie Workshop

Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang I.N.K.) presents:

PLUSHISM
Plush-making Workshop
by Pergylene Acuña (pergyleneism.carbonmade.com)

April 18, 2009
9am-12nn
UP College of Fine Arts
For kids aged 12-99

Workshop Description:

Plushies are for kids of all ages!

Learn to make your own plush dolls, keychains, pins, and other plush products in a 3-hour workshop that will teach basic plushie design and construction, based on a drawing of a creature from your imagination!

Workshop enrollees will have at least one finished product to take home, as well as creative ideas for more plushie items.

Basic sewing involved, materials included in the registration fee.

About the facilitator:

Pergylene Acuña, member of Ang I.N.K. since 2008, is a graduate of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations. She is also the illustrator of “Ang Ampalaya sa Pinggan ni Peepo” (Lampara Books).

Registration fee:

P150 for INK members
P200 for non-INK members
inclusive of materials

To reserve a slot, email Ang I.N.K. Secretary Gigi Lapid at gglapid[at]gmail.com or text 0917-4605150.

BIG LRT ART CONTEST!!

LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT AUTHORITY

in partnership with the

PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF PRINTMAKERS

present

LRTART2009

BACKGROUND
LRTArt 2009 is a flagship project of the Light Rail Transit Authority
(LRTA), recognized as the premier rail transit authority in Metro
Manila, and the Philippine Association of Printmakers,
Inc. (PAP), the prime movers of multiple original artworks in the
country. This project is a national painting competition, which aims to
promote art while raising consciousness of train riding as a way of life
in the metropolis among Filipino commuters.

ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to all Filipino citizens age18 years old and
above as of May 30, 2009.
Entrants must present a valid ID and/or document showing birth date and
citizenship when submitting their entry (passport, school ID, birth certificate, driver’s license, voter’s ID, senior citizen ID), and must
submit together with the entry form a photocopy of the same.
Each entrant may submit only one entry. Employees of the LRTA as well as Officers and Board Members of the Philippine Association of Printmakers are not eligible to participate in the competition.

THEME
The theme for this year’s competition is: “LRT at ang Buhay
Pinoy”. The artist is encouraged to explore the subject and respond
to the theme to the best of his ability.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The Artwork: Entries must have been done in the year 2009, must be the entrant’s original and exclusive work, and must not have been
exhibited, revised, nor entered in any other competition.
Medium: Oil or acrylic on canvas only.
Size: 3 feet x 4 feet excluding frame, horizontal or vertical in
orientation, and not thicker than 2inches in width.
Entries must be wall bound. Appropriate support, and/or equivalent
devices should be provided to ensure proper hanging of the art work.
Only box type frame or museum wrap (gallery wrap) will be accepted.
Entries must be signed but must be covered with masking tape prior to
submission (to conceal artist’s identity).

Wet paintings will not be accepted

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Upon submission, the entrant must also submit together with the entry,
the following in order to qualify:

Completely furnished and signed official entry form
Signed and notarized affidavit (attached with entry form)
Photocopy of required ID (see B. under Eligibility)
One 2×2 ID photo of the artist
One 4R color photograph of his/her work bearing the following
information at the back:
Artist’s name, title of work, medium, and selling price.
• There is NO entry fee for the competition
• The entrant must be responsible for the transport of his/her work
to and from the venue of submission/retrieva l.

SUBMISSION DATE AND VENUE
Submission of all entries will be on May 30, 2009, Saturday, between
8:00 am to 5:00 pm only at the LRT Cubao Station West Side. For
provincial entries, the participant must advise Mail Forwarders that
entry will only be accepted on the said date, time and venue.
Participants from the provinces are encouraged to organize the shipping
of their works together to make cost of transport cheaper.

AWARDS
One GRAND PRIZE winner to receive PhP 200,000.00 exclusive of tax
Five JURORS’ CHOICE to receive PhP 100,000.00 each exclusive of tax
Six FINALISTS to receive PhP 50,000.00 each exclusive of tax
• All winning entries will automatically become the property of the
LRTA. LRTA reserves all rights to its reproduction.
• All entrants shall be given a certificate of participation.

OTHER PROVISIONS
The LRTA reserves the right to use the name and photo of the artist and
his/her work for free in any broadcast or print media. The artist also
grants the LRTA and the PAP the right to exhibit the entries as deemed
fit and shall have the right to decide which of the entries will be
selected for inclusion in the exhibition and the catalogue. Winning
entries and selected none winning entries will be exhibited at the Cubao
Station East Side from July 11 to August 10, 2009.
Selected none winning entries will be offered for sale to the general
public subject to 20% commission due the Philippine Association of
Printmakers, Inc., the organizer, to support their programs and
projects. All possible care will be taken for the handling and security
of the entries submitted. However, the LRTA and the PAP assume no
responsibility for any loss of or damage to the entry or entries before,
during and after the competition/ exhibition due to
force majeure.

RETRIEVAL OF ENTRIES
All entrants whose entries are selected for the exhibition will be
notified via email, text or phone call by June 5, 2009. If entrant does
not receive any notification, he must retrieve his/her work within the
period from June 6 to 13, 2009 between 9:00am to 5:00pm only. Unclaimed
works may be forfeited. The rest of the none-winning entries that are
included in the exhibition may be retrieved at the submission site from
August 10 to August 21,
2009 from 9am to 5pm only. Only entrants or their representatives with
official retrieval form will be released the entry.

AWARDING & EXHIBITION OPENING
Awarding of winners and exhibition opening will be held on July 11,
2009, Saturday, at 4:00 in the afternoon at the LRT Cubao Station East
Side, to coincide with the LRTA anniversary.