Choosing Colours

The other day I had an interesting conversation with Paul about design, specifically about how I start a new design. It was interesting because it was something I'd never put real thought into before, just something that I do.

When I start a design the first thing I do is think about what colours it should be and how those colours will work together to convey the feelings of the design. Only then do I think about the shapes and actual layout of a piece. I can't even see a composition properly until there's colour in it, everything just seems flat and the same.

Working in layers of card limits the amount of colours you can introduce to a piece, making it important that all the colours work together for the overall design. If a colour is there just for one tiny dot, then is it required for the design? Can that dot be the same colour as another layer? Does it then help bring depth to the piece?

I've learned a lot in the last year, about colours, composition, cutting and sticking. There's still a lot to learn. Maybe starting with colours isn't the most sensible working order but it's what works for me. Without them life is boring and everything becomes harder to distinguish. Maybe that's why I've always written with colourful pens, much to the annoyance of my teachers. My maths teacher probably had the hardest job, maths was orange.

Some useful colour resources:

http://www.colourlovers.com/ - make a palette for each of your projects, search through existing palettes, great for inspiration gathering.

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/colours-in-cultures/ - everything on Information is Beautiful is worth your time and attention. This is a wonderful diagram of what different colours mean within different cultures, notice how much it differs? It's always worth checking this out, specially if you're doing work for use in a culture you're not familiar with. Check out meanings for your own culture, it might surprise you.

Beach Day

I'm missing the summer. So I thought I'd draw it. The background was painted from memory but I believe it does look like Tynemouth to some extent. It's been a while since I've done some proper digital colouring, I forgot how much more enjoyable it was than using markers. You can create a lot more texture and the colours available are virtually limitless.

2011

The new year is well under way. That doesn't mean 2011 is forgotten. It was a big year. A lot of things happened.

December

By the time December hit I'd already been making Christmas for two months, this was a bit of a new experience. I must say it was well worth it thought. I thoroughly enjoyed making Christmas cards, especially the large order I got for my snowflake design. 

December also saw the first Canny Comic Con, in Newcastle City Library. And the wonderful reunion that was the Made in Newcastle Christmas Market.

November

I had a table at Thought Bubble during this month. I shared it with Paul Thompson and Cuttlefish. It was super awesome. Thought Bubble never disappoints. I intend to be there next year. 

October

I went to Prague with the absolutely wonderful Paul. This was the second time in my adult life that I had left the county and only the fourth time total. I love visiting new places and am not going to stop any time soon. I always have a soft spot for October. It's got Halloween in it for a start. During this October I visited the Alexandra Business Park with the #npwalk group. I also did my first Designers Marketplace. And a lot of preparing for Thought Bubble.

September

In a sort of back to school tradition September was all about change, doing new things and exploring. I drew robots. I started work on my current comic project, which is almost ready to show some development work from. Maybe. Until then I shall say no more on the matter. 

August

The month of the bicycle. The month of walking through fields of flowers as high as my knees and eating sandwiches outside.

July

All about drawing, making cards and more drawing. I went to my first Dr Sketchy's. It was lovely.

June

The first month without the Made in Newcastle shop. The month I really started to use my etsy shop.The month I learned a lot of things. 

May

Paul and I went to Bristol Expo and bought comics. We explored Bristol and then went South to stay a few days in the New Forest. It was lovely. We were nearly attacked by wild horses. We then went further South  to Bournemouth and explored the coast a bit. Holidays. Yay. 

At the very end of the month Made in Newcastle left Grainger Street. 

April

I visited Beamish with the #npwalk lot. We had fun, playing with the shops, the trains and the trams. 

March

During March The Paper Jam Comics Collective launched the long awaited History And That with an exhibition of History inspired comics at Made in Newcastle. March was pretty cool as the Maker Faire also happened, which was part of Newcastle Science Festival, a week of clever stuff. 

February

Barcelona. My first holiday with Paul. 

January

It was cold. It was very cold. At least Made in Newcastle was full of warmth and smiles.

And that was the year. Woohoo. 

Christmas Sketchy's

I have once again attended a Dr Sketchy's event in Newcastle and once again it was magnificent. 

 It's quite refreshing to attend a life drawing class where everybody doesn't look embarrassed to be there. I can honestly say it was an entertaining and fun afternoon, we drew, we watched, we sang, we clapped and we cheered. Good.

The Dr Sketchy performers always impress me with both their wonderful performances and their willingness to sit still for such long amounts of time. I have attempted to sit still quite often and have always failed.

The variety of talent is a treat for the senses. If you're not a drawer I would still recommend this as a good afternoon of entertainment, though do give drawing a go, you'd be surprised what you can do.

Looking forward to the next Sketchy's, see you in the new year folks.

Canny Comic Con Report

The Canny Comic Con happened on the 10th of December 2011.
I would like to think it set a challenge for the larger cons to give you more awesome for your money (we did it for free).

First of all a huge thanks to Alexi Conman for taking the reins and making the CCC come into being. Good work sir. We're all proud of you. Also thanks to the wonderful Newcastle City Library who gave us shelter and tables to sell our wares from.

Now. There were so many awesome people involved both in front of and behind the scenes that I fear I would never mention them all, so instead I bring you the rest of the day in the form of pictures.