Cupcake illustration with orange sugar, vanilla and chocolate frosting, and a cherry on top cc-by lemasney
Cupcake illustration with orange sugar, vanilla and chocolate frosting, and a cherry on top cc-by lemasney
Cupcake Illustration
So today’s post was just about using a few different tools in Inkscape to create some interesting effects. First and foremost, I saw the stitch sub paths live path effect as a great way to create ridges of a cake cup and so it was. I made a shadow with a blurred ellipse. I used the calligraphy tool to create the cake and the icing. I used the dot tool feature of the pencil for the confetti sprinkles. I created the cherry with the ellipse tool and the node editor, and the stem with the Bezier tool. I added some highlights for the frosting with the calligraphy tool, then blurred them a bit.
I'm sorry, I won't design your logo for free form by John LeMasney via lemasney.com
I’m sorry, I won’t design your logo for free form by John LeMasney via lemasney.com
So, sadly, as a designer, I’ve encountered many of the pitfalls I indicate in this form. In the interest of the love of design and the pursuit of acceptance, I’ve made each of the mistakes I list on the top part of the form. There’s the time that I did hours of work on a logo for a new business, and got yelled at by a printer who wanted different dimensions, and in the transaction found out that the printer was being paid full price.
There are the various jobs I’ve done for family where it turned into a way to have them push buttons about self-worth, power, and the relative value of the arts. There are the clients who decided that it wasn’t worth paying for because all I did was push some buttons. There are also more positive situations, such as turning back the work because I wanted to encourage a self-doubting designer to take the work into their own hands.
If I’ve ever done free design work for you, consider yourself a good friend, or someone who I respect deeply. If you’re ever compensated me for design work, I want to say thank you for your consideration and promotion of the art form.
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”
The image titled “Urban Circles” by John LeMasney presents a visually striking composition that primarily features a series of concentric circles, varying in size and thickness, that create a sense of rhythm and movement across the canvas. These circles, some solid, others composed of loosely formed rings, are centered and dominate the image, suggesting a modernist take on targets or ripples in water. The color palette is relatively limited but thoughtfully chosen, featuring shades of red, from deep burgundy to brighter crimson, which stands out against a muted background of olive greens and earthy browns.
Numerous organic shapes and swirls are overlaying and intersecting these circles, reminiscent of vines or tendrils. These curvilinear forms introduce an element of nature and growth, and their lighter hues, set against the darker background, add depth and complexity to the image. The lines that define these shapes are elegant and fluid, contributing to the overall dynamism of the composition.
The image’s backdrop evokes the texture of aged parchment or a wall worn by time, imbued with subtle gradients and a speckled effect that suggests a rich patina. This textured quality gives the image an additional layer of interest, hinting at history and permanence.
“Urban Circles” could be interpreted as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of urban life, where the circles represent different communities or nodes within a city, and the intertwining organic lines symbolize the paths that connect them. The use of circles, often seen as a symbol of unity and perfection, juxtaposed with the organic, imperfect swirls might also reflect the contrast between the man-made environment and the natural world. This theme resonates with the complexity of urban ecosystems.
The composition’s balance between geometric and organic elements, along with its color scheme and textural qualities, all contribute to a piece that is simultaneously modern and timeless, orderly and wild, reflecting the multifaceted nature of urban existence.
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.
