If you’ve ever been to one of my workshops on open source graphics apps, you likely saw me use this technique there as a way to demonstrate the power of the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). In the GIMP, this is a technique that involves layer masks, blurring, brushwork, image scaling, and guidelines as a way of believably merging one recognizable face onto another becognizable head. The GIMP based composite image is here. I decided that I’d try to do the same technique in Inkscape, and found this attempt to be fairly quick and fairly successful.
Venue: CJRLC Tech Committee, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ
“Presentation Abstract:
During this overview John LeMasney predicts what will happen in the next 5 years of Mobile Computing. Attendees will learn about the state of mobile computing, up and coming applications, and the trends that are affecting mobile platforms.
By the end of the session, the following topics will have been discussed:
During this workshop on the basics of visual design best practices, we’ll examine examples and counter-examples of great design, the basics of layout, simplified color theory, rules for fonts and legibility, images and photographs, designing stamps vs. pages vs. slideshows vs. billboards, copyright and creative commons, and free and open source design tools (photo manipulation, illustration, layout, catalogs, and quick editors).
By the end of the program, you will:
* Find and evaluate web-based resources for great design
* Choose the best colors, layouts, fonts, and graphics for other design projects
* Respect copyrighted work by finding imagery and other materials that are freely and legally available
* Become inspired about your design projects
* Move beyond Word and Publisher to more sophisticated design tools”
Venue: Highlands Regional Library Consortium at Hasbrouck Heights Library.
Abstract: In this day-long workshop, we’ll go in depth to discover how to use two fantastic Open Source Design Applications: the GNU Image Manipulation Program (AKA GIMP), and Inkscape.
The GIMP provides layers, effects, painting tools, and all of the features that you have come to expect from a fully featured imaging application like Adobe Photoshop. Inkscape is a vector-based illustration and layout application, similar to Adobe Illustrator in its ability to manipulate text, shapes, paths, vector points, and colors. Because these programs are Open Source Software, you benefit from the work of thousands of volunteer and professional developers, without having to pay anything for the use of the software. In this workshop, you will learn to use these tools by doing a few projects step-by-step. By the end of this workshop you will be able to effectively use painting and drawing tools, brushes, layers, path manipulation, photo manipulation, effects, rulers and grids to meet against your most challenging design needs.
An illustration of Roger Ebert using text cc-by lemasney
A portrait of Roger Ebert made of text by John LeMasney via lemasney.com
When I saw Slashfilm‘s post on Roger Ebert‘s list of best 2009 films (20 of them, not one of them Avatar), I remembered watching him on his show for years, up until his cancer surgery that removed a great deal of his lower face and neck. The photo that is the basis for my drawing appears above the post at Despite this surgery, which took his ability to speak, he continued to write, and as a salute on NPR stated so nicely:
“When Roger Ebert lost his ability to speak following cancer surgery, it wasn’t clear exactly what his future would hold, but it turns out that he entered a phase of his career that’s been utterly fascinating. He does talk about politics a lot on his blog, but even if all you read is his coverage of movies and culture, it’s well worth the time.” from Getting Personal: We Salute 10 Of Our Favorite Pop-Culture Humans Of 2009 – Monkey See Blog : NPR at Tue Dec 29 2009 23:35:51 GMT-0500 (EST) on
So, in my quest for doing (hopefully) interesting, poignant, and helpful sketches over the next year, I wanted to share my text-based portrait of Roger, with apologies to the original photographer who is not credited on Slashfilm. Shame. Also, I just read a great essay by Ebert that the NPR piece led me to at
He may not be able to speak, but he has certainly not lost his voice.
Nexus Negative One by John LeMasney via lemasney.com
On Early Adoption and the Nexus
I am a technologist, but I’m not generally an early adopter. Part of being a technologist for me is letting other people kick the tires so that I personally can benefit from their costs, repairs, mistakes, and teachable moments. I’m not saying all techs do this, but I do. I like stability in my software and hardware and services. I have some exceptions, and Google‘s first foray into phone software, Android, is a key example, and one I’ve not regretted.
I pre-ordered the G1 in November of 2008, and while I’ve certainly not regretted my purchase (it’s better than any handheld device I knew of or owned previous to it, phone or otherwise), I’ve been somewhat jealous as new phones running the OS, such as Verizon‘s Droid, have come onto the scene. The G1, though, has not failed me — it gives me what I need in a phone, a set of applications, and functions, generally speaking. I could use an upgrade on the camera. At any rate, this sketch is a tribute to my trusty G1 from T-Mobile, who I’ll likely stay with when I upgrade to the Nexus One or two or three, which is the point of the text there.
I feel like the G1 was a great first step towards the Nexus One, a “Negative One” of sorts. I do not intend for this to be derogatory though I am really looking forward to the release of Google’s N1. Google is doing great things in lots of areas, but the Android operating system is a killer set of apps, and the Nexus One seems like a great home for it.
