What do I do? I use GIMP! (and not just a cracked copy of Photoshop :sneaky: :whistle: )

Anyway, no more words, here you have an example of the results of my "hardworking", enjoy it :ok:

That's nice, for a 5 minute job.

All hail to the Gimp. It takes a little getting used to, but it's easy enough to use!

gimp schmimp, it's the results that count!

I like this one, nice job

It looks nice, clean and simple. Therefore, I like it! :)

It's 100 times beter than anything I could do on a computer. And I can't do anything on a computer (artwise that is). And so if I can't do nothing and yours is a hundred times better than anything I could do (which is nohing) that would mean you could do nothing. Making your artwork crap. :sneaky:

And yet it isn't, great stuff. :ok: :ok:
If I had three thumbs they'd all be up.

Thanks to all of you (even if i'm not so sure that Nikson made me a "compliment" :blink: )

I started the topic just to respond to the Magic's appeal... and to receive some of these compliments... :bleh: :tomato:

I agree with Reup abuot the little difficulties in getting started with GIMP, but i find that it has all the things that a mid/high user needs!

edit: @ Iron_Scarecrow: Having three hands (and so, three thumbs) is one of my great desires...

ISN'T IT EVERY MANS DESIRE?

Heh, I am glad I have some influence here :)

It's a nice looking signature would really benefit from 1 pixel black border though, try it out.

a good signature, if you work more, you (i hope) can do very good works. :ok:

I agree with Magic, borders make the world go 'round.
It looks excellent otherwise.

I prefer my sigs without borders. Dunno why, maybe I'm claustrophobic ;)

Here you have the version with the border... i find not too much difference...

Try a 2 pixel border... 1 pixel isnt as effective as I thought it would have been.

Here you have the 2 pixel border... but i keep thinking that it doesn't change to much... it remain always so cute... :tomato: :D

I like a small border, even just 1 pixel. It... 'contains'... the signature within its space. Otherwise, its like its overflowing and flodding everything.

Ok, today i'm uploading another random-sig... and it has a border!!!

Enjoy :ok:

Nice, but the book gets sort of lost in the dark area surrounding it.

As a non-border kind of person I don't like the border on this one, it takes too much of the original picture. Also I think a lighter shade of brown might make it a bit more vivid. Maybe the book\letters need a subtle glowing effect as well.

edit: Or maybe even better: try it with a black\dark background.

Give it a try, the advice is free :)

I know... but the original image (that i found googling) is in that way, just with the dark area surrounding... it should be the effect of a lamp in a dark room (i suppose)

<!--QuoteBegin-Spoonman
Maybe the book\letters need a subtle glowing effect as well. Or maybe even better: try it with a black\dark background.[/quote]

Could you explain it in another way? I didn't understand... :crazy: :tomato:

uhm I don't know how I can make it any clearer right now, I'll try and show an example later on. Oh and I like the structure on the backgrond btw, forgot to mention that :)

It looks nice, but the border is too thick.
Make it thinner, a border is supposed to "contain" the image, pictures without borders tend to look unattractive because the colors from the forum/etc meshes in with the picture, and they usually don't go together, and at that point, it looks quite crappy.

It seems that borders will be the problem of my life... :whistle:

I've made them thinner, what do you think?

Yes, much better.
It's very even, I like it.
I really don't see anything negative about it otherwise, I just have a small little tug at the image next to the text. But it's nothing major, so you don't have to change it or anything.

Excellent, two thumbs up. :D

Very nice sig... all the colours work well together.

Keep up the good work :)

Thanks! Thanks to all of you! :kosta:

Now it's time for a new sig... and it has no border :bleh:
It doesn't satisfy me completely, but i think that the background is actually nice :D
What do you think?

Niiiice. :ok:

Looks awesome.
Can you make a version with a border then compare the two?
A two pixel border is fine.

I Second That. :ok:

Ok... ok! Here you have the "bordered" version!

I'm very happy you liked that sig. :Brain:

Somehow it just became alot better.
I like it more this way. :D

I second that, it got slightly better with the border.

Over all the three, I like the most the first one you posted, the "Nuova Specie".

As I say always: thanks!

Now I made this sig. and I find it very good, but i've only a problem in deciding where to put (and how) the inscription... any ideas?

Very nice, try scribing the floor with your name?

Good one :) The lines could be less jagged though, ever tried using the pen tool (if you're using PS that is)? Using a polygonal lasso tool could do the trick as well.

The smudge tool might work nicely aswell.... I just presumed thoose edges were jaged for a reason :)

Boy, they're all up on you with the borders, aren't they? ;)

I suppose I'm a bit like you, I don't really mind a border or not (I'd actually prefer not)

Nice little sigs :ok: I like the last one best

Thanks! :ok:

I'll try to follow your suggestions, and i'll post the result!

EDIT: these are two new versions:

They all great. The first version of the latest one and the first version of the Libris one are better than the other versions of the corresponding sigs.

Yes that sentence works. :tai:

Why don't you use any of these? You should use this latest one, it's nice and.....simple. In other words perfect.

How comes your using a 'Shadowy' figure to represent yourself?

For me when I made your current sig I used that guy because your name was not one that I assossiciated anything with. As such I decided to resresent this 'void' of assossication with the shadowy figure.

Is there any reason specific reason that you have chosen to continue to represent yourself with such a symbol or is it simple because it looks like 'deh l33t $hit'

@ Iron: Thanks, and yes: I'm going to use the first version of the last one as my sig., I like it so much! :ok:

@ Magic: Why aren't you writing "associated"? :blink:
Anyway, there is not a specific reason, but i liked so much the signatures you made for me that i decided to continue in that way... and i like to inspire shadow/mistery :ph34r:

I wasn't really thinking.

Why are you writing MISTERY?

I am so tired... errrrrgh

You've got some great signatures there, Quinto! Great job! :ok:

Maybe we should make a contest ''Swiss vs. Magic vs. Quintopotere''!

:D

Ah great to see you're using that one, it's a really good one. Probabaly the best one here on Abandonia, apart from mine of course. :angel:

@ Magic: I've learned from you the art of making signatures... and even the art of english writing... :bleh: (I would write MYSTERY)

@ Iron: Uh... erm... of course! :whistle: :bleh:

@ OvErLoRd: You're rigth, indeed :whistle: :tomato: ... but i'm not ready for such contest... my training complete, is not! The dark side strong in me, is still!
As you can see in the sig. I've attached to this post...

This time I'm prepared to receive critics: so, pour out!

Don't worry I'ma making a new one.

And yeah that sucks.

:cry:

I was thinking at some more "constructive" critics... but you're almost right!

hmmmmmm sorry. Background has too much in it.

Well, now it's time for something new and very different!

This is one of the pictures I'm making for my thesis: maybe it's not "art", but i think that it looks very good :ok:

It's very nice.... what is it?

a) represent the test circuit to study the step voltage response of a voltage divider (the cylinder); while b ) is the scheme of the step voltage generator.

It's interesting... isn't it? :tomato:

Mildly

Well, now it's time for a new sig!

That's about something i hate so much: the mosquitos :ranting:

Nice!
The musquito is somewhat hard to make out, though, but that might just be me :)

It's great but it don't beat your current one. Nothing could. Not even mine. The lighting around the window and door is perfect. I only just noticed it.

I prefer your current one also.

Thank you, friends!

Iron, you're becoming my fan number 1! :tomato:

Now I made a sig. about the yellow sponge... It take me more time than how much you could imagine...

P.S. I'll be a bit busy in the next days, so I don't know when I'll be able to post new things here... I know that all my fans here will start to :cry: ... :tomato:

Beautiful.
Colors are nice, and the text blends perfectly.

...border? :D

Looks very good :)
Though I'd like to see it once with a border too.

I like it! And I wouldn't use a border...

Haha, spongy is nice.. and I HATE spongebobsquarepants with a passion, so nicely done ;P and yeah, a border might be cool too.. imo =)

:ok:

It's great, I wouldn't think it'd need a border but it would be good to see it with one just to make sure.

I can't really understand why you are making all these sigs when you have a really great one at the moment.

Border + A slightly faded purple stroke on text = Perfect.

Looking lovely :)

As always, thanks!

I made a bordered version (but, Sean, i don't like to colour the text... for some reason I like it just white. Anyway, feel free to modify it and post a version by you, if you want!)

@ Iron: you don't have to worry about it! I'll not change my sig for a veeery loooong time :ok: I just find so relaxing and creative to draw those little pictures...

Hmmmmmmm, I can't decide between border or no border. Like I said it didn't really need a border it worked, but with a border it also works. I'm confused with this one.

Good to see you wont change your sig either. I just love to look at it. :wub:

You got a .PSD file I could edit?

That's not GIMP extension (it use .xcf files, maybe are compatible...)... I'll look if I could export in something Photoshop-compatible...

EDIT: I converted it in the PSD format and zipped... but (I don't know why) it is not the latest version (the one i posted in png format)! :blink: You'll notice that the background is a bit weird: excuse me!

:blink:

Oohhh... it's so much time that I'm not updating this topic!
So, these are some pics I made for a friend who asked me something about shiatsu:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...e/shiatsu4.png

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...e/shiatsu2.png

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...e/shiatsu3.png

Enjoy :ok:

I'd say the last one is the best. Although the symbols aren't the easiest to see. And I think it would be better if they could be all one colour.

Very good. :ok:

I know it... I've ripped them from the web, but they're a bit weird... I'll make them by myself, when I'l have enough time...

Anyway, thanks!

The last is best but I advise you use on colour palete.

Try making the entire image a greyscale piece and then add a colour balance layer.

The third is my personal fav, but the other versions are both quite cool!

Do those symbols have a meaning as they're in the piece, or just randomly placed?

And do you mind if I correct your topic's title ( that would be "Quintopotere Does It Better" :whistle: )?

I'm not sure to understand what you mean (what's the colour balance layer? Could it be something in Photoshop that there isn't in GIMP?)... but I don't wanna make that pic in one colour...

Well, I use to put everything that I want of the same colour in a grey scale layer and after I use the "colour layer" tool of GIMP: is this what you want to say me?

They mean: water, ground, fire, wood and metal (probably...); the five energies "used" in shiatsu.

Oohh, please!
I noticed the error just now :cry:

I update the topic with the pics i made for the "pic of the month" and the "Christams pic" contests: enjoy!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7.../OceanFury.png

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ere/Natal1.jpg

Uuhhh... I'm forced to triple post, cause I had no replies to the previous ones...

Well, I'm making a digital version of the simbol of my martial art school: do you like it?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...e/MiniLogo.png

I do.

Stylish and Logo-Like.

However, the shadow ring looks much larger than the 'floating' pyramid. It knocks the perspective of and makes the pyramid look misalligned.

Show us it when it's finished!

Actually I had some problems in giving a perspective to the pic... maybe I'll try to make smaller the bottom ring, as you said... but my master liked it and so, I'm not sure that I'm going to modify it...

Thanks for the suggestion :ok:

Thats sad news :(

I'm quite busy in theseday so I've not updated this thread for too many days...

Well... I'm working (even) on the graphic presentation of the thesis for my degree and I'd like to make something more original than the usual PowerPoint presentation...

This is the best i made at the moment:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...DiapoRedux.png

Do you like it?

If someone has suggestions or critics... they could be helpful ;)

This is the (out of competition) pic I made for the January competition (about what we see in the future), enjoy :ok:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...potere/Fut.png

1. ???
2. I like it.

1. i like the pale colors
2. :S you could do better

You are right... but I've not much time to spend in that, so I made it quickly...


Thanks for what you said you like ;)

I like what the 'Presentation' graphic has to offer. It's clean,sleek,stylish and pleaseing to the eye. Most importantly it's simple and functional.

Good stuff :)

I like, very interesting, good work. :cheers:

the only thing wrong is that the robot is not integrated in the desert..i mean you could see it's applied.it needs to be lighten :)

Yes, to be quick, I've just added that kind of shadow on the ground and I've made it a bit out of focus... I've to admit that I'm not so good with lights... :P

Thanks to all for the compliments!

This days I have enough free time to spend in make "art"

I'm planning to make something for the March Competition, even if, as The Judge, i will not participate...

For that pic I've drawn this hand:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...otere/Hand.png

I'm not very trained in hand drawing, but this one it's good enough, isn't it?

It's very good, fingers are a bit weirdly bent though :P

It's fine.
But the end of the pinky is mishaphen, and the thumb is positioned strangely.
You also need to draw a few more palm patterns on the hand, it seems a bit empty.

Thanks, friends.

I know that i can improve that drawing, but... I'm too lazy to work again on it :bleh:

About the positioning of the fingers, I disposed them in a bit un-natural way just because I've to use it in a "fear picture", so it has to "disturb" a bit ;)
But you're right saying that the pinky is mishapen :cry:

I'm near to finish the fear pic: stay tuned!

I agree with the fingers thing about the hand. I suppose I better start doing the fear thing too.

Well, I went for four days to Berlin: I liked the city, the beer and the museums.
I had fun with the friend who came with me and, obviously, I took some photos! So have a look of three of them... maybe they're artsy... maybe not...
Tell me wath you think :tomato:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...otere/Rovi.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ightShadow.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ere/Ghosts.jpg

I like the "dynamicness" in the third picture; all those diagonals...

Well, it's time for another great piece by me! :tomato:
The most remarkable thing of that pic (I made for a friend) is that the poem is written in italian and in english and in both languages it keep the meaning and the rhymes :w00t:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...tere/SaRun.jpg

Wossit say? :blink: I cant read it its too bright.

Uh I see it fine on my monitor...

Well, here you have the english text:
Effort, sweat, the landscape which slides beside you
and it's so deep the heartbeat sound.
As for an enchantment, there are only you
and everything else is only a background.
Wherever you're going, in that moment you "are"
and it doesn't matter how much your objectives are far,
it doesn't matter where the road lead,
cause the future is just a step ahead.

It's creepy how it kind of rhymes (textwise) in Italian too.

Uh I see it fine on my monitor...

Well, here you have the english text:
Effort, sweat, the landscape which slides beside you
and it's so deep the heartbeat sound.
As for an enchantment, there are only you
and everything else is only a background.
Wherever you're going, in that moment you "are"
and it doesn't matter how much your objectives are far,
it doesn't matter where the road lead,
cause the future is just a step ahead. [/b][/quote]
A deep rhyme. I like it. :ok:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Quintopotere @ Apr 27 2006, 04:07 PM) [snapback]226779[/snapback]</div>So how did you like it? I see you've been to the Potsdamer Platz and Sony Center? Did you visit the IMAX?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Grinder @ May 27 2006, 09:33 PM) [snapback]232641[/snapback]</div>Of course, I liked Berlin so much! The only bad thing is that the weather was not good :unsure:
About the IMAX... I have a so bad memory that I don't remember wath is it... :tomato:
I find really fantastic the acquarium/elevator and a couple of museums :w00t: (but I don't remember their names...)

I've enjoyed the time there :ok:

Well, the IMAX is a 3D / Dome-cinema. Dome means you have a huuuuuuge screen that practically surrounds you.
The museums...I suppose you went to the Museumsinsel...well there's the Pergamon Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, and other museums which I don't remember.

Dear Grinder, excuse me for not replying you in all those days... for some reasons I haven't see your post... :unsure:
However, yes I went to the I-Max, and I really enjoyed it (even if it took me some time to get used to the 3D :omg2: )
I went just in a museum you don't remember! Full of beautiful classic paintings from all around the Europe, such il Canaletto and Rubens and many others...

Well, now it's time for another piece of great art by me :tomato:
That's a pic/comic that I made as a joke for a friend of mine who is always afraid by everything! I'm too lazy to translate it for you, but it's the "sad" story of wallet pickpocketing in our city and the fact that the police is unable to stop it...

Enjoy :ok:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7.../FraBorLow.jpg

Too much time since my last pic!

Well I'm here to remedy... I made a pic about the theme of the most delayed swiss Vs. Sean competition: the wind!

Of course, those are the magic shoes of Dorothy! Enjoy :ok:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ere/VentOz.jpg

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Quintopotere @ Jun 10 2006, 06:38 PM) [snapback]235677[/snapback]</div>Let me see....maybe the Alte/Neue Nationalgalerie? Or something on the Museumsinsel? I don't really know much about the museums here, I visited most of them 4-5 years ago.

Oh, and Skumpaq - there's LOTS of those diagonal lines and sharp corners on the Potsdamer Platz. It's supposed to look modern, but I think it's a bit overkill.

Now for some more pictures, Quinto :ok: !

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Grinder @ Aug 18 2006, 05:12 PM) [snapback]249500[/snapback]</div>It should be something like Museumsinsel... it was just near that church:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ere/Church.jpg

And to show you a new pic... let's see...
Here you have a doodle by me:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...CrasuRedux.jpg

So much time without posting here... :omg2:

In the meanwhile I worked mainly for the contest topics, but sometimes I've found the time to makes other pics. Here you have an example: she's a nice friend of mine ;)
Enjoy!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...tere/SaRed.jpg

its great, nice toned down colors, and the lightning, and the lines. the girl is beautiful too, Its all good :D
(sorry for my bad english, i just woke up, and im just not that good at the language in general)

A Professional Work!
 

Take a look of a professional typographic work by me, for an italian book (I hope you don't count this as an advertisement, since I assume that here there are only few italian speaking... I'm just so proud to show my work!:)):

http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/...nm_c801ae9.jpg

http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/...6m_9f34a55.jpg

The back cover is nice : D!

Not too bad, I've seen much worse in bookshops!

I like the image and the way its red contour continues at the back.

I personally would not have used the outer glow blending effect like this though, blur effects on typography is usually concidered 'not done' (for book covers and posters and stuff anyway). It's fine in the light area, but in the dark area it's a bit too obvious. Try tweeking with it some more, and\or maybe using a lighter text or background color instead. Or not, it's nice already :)

Thanks Halindir and thanks Spoonman!

I agree about the outer glow... but I was in a hurry... :p and I was needing legibility and quikly!

Did you write the introdution?
It seems an interesting book, well done btw, I like the cover :amused:

Yes, I did it :amused:. Thanks!