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T-shirt Design up on Threadless

Posted on 11/10/2011 by Maartje in Art Submission

Looking at my website, you probably wouldn’t hold me for much of a designer, and I’m not. I’m a digital painter, a portraitist, calling me an illustrator would be a stretch, even though I aspire to be one, but I am not a designer.

However, sometimes, when life gives you lemons… (I’m disabled, receive a disability allowance, but started working more hours and now have to pay the government a lot of money back)

…you gotta make t-shirts.

So I have made a design ( called Upside Down Umbrella) and it is now up for voting on Threadless. If it gets enough (high) votes, it gets printed and I get 2500 dollars from Threadless!

You can rate it on Threadless.

What else can you do? Well, some of my friends really showed me the best way to help me out is by sharing the link to the t-shirt design on Facebook. What most of them have done is not only shared the link but wrote some very nice encouragements while doing so. Some even tagged their friends on Facebook in the comments of the shared message, meaning their friends get notified more directly about my design!

So, what can I say, tweet, share on Facebook, +1 on GooglePlus or just e-mail your friends if you think they would like my design and would be willing to score it for me! The design is still subject to six more days of voting!

Fayestardust’s Photoshop brushes for digital painting

Posted on 04/08/2011 by Maartje in Equipment

Digital painting offers no limits in style you can use. True, you have to have some form of artistic insight and talent, but a good digital artist should be able to create any style they like. So, if that’s the case, how do you set yourself apart as an artist?

For me, the biggest part of my style(s) is created by the brushes that I use. In a previous post, I linked you to other people’s brushes that I use. Today, I’m going to show you some of mine.

These are the brushes that I’ve been using most for my last couple of paintings. I’m constantly experimenting and make new brushes very often. Here are four Photoshop brushes that I’ve been using a lot:

Standard hard brush
This is the brush that I use for most of my basic painting. I block out all the colours, blend, shade and do highlights with this brush. Then later, I use it for detailing, at a smaller size.
Smooth blending brush
This brush I use to blend, especially when painting skin. The texture also works really well for hair and fur and fine fabrics. Don’t use it too small, the effect well be lost.
Rough texture brush
Big painting? I use this to block out big areas, especially in backgrounds. I almost always end up blending and blurring it or painting over it, unless I’m feeling really brave. Really great for rougher paintings and landscapes.
Soft pattern brush
Like brush number three, but much smoother, finer and softer. I use this for skin and fabrics when I’m not feeling brave enough for brush three. Blends really nicely. Don’t forget to erase edges, this one is a bit messy.

Download the brushes here. Oh, you get one extra that I totally forgot about. Lucky you.

A fresh start for art!

Posted on 22/07/2011 by Maartje in Website Info

Every now and again, it’s time for something new. For me, that means a more serious approach to my art and that means that my website has to keep up with my ambition.

So what’s new? Well, a spiffy new lay out of course. New portfolio pages and room for Testimonials! So have you worked with me, do you have an opinion about my art, or have I made art for you? Tell me what you think!

Also, all you will find here will be about art. For other things, you can visit my other blog Behind the Page.

So you might ask, why the change? Because this will soon be the home of my own company. I know, it sounds very exciting to me, too. I’m still working on the details but you’ll know more as soon as I do. Feel free to have a look around. See you soon.

Fayestardust’s digital art equipment guide

Posted on 28/02/2011 by Maartje in Equipment

This is not exactly a guide to digital art in general but it is more of an inside look on the way I started painting, the software and hardware I used and eventually, the way I paint now.

From what I remember, I was never that much into art when I was little. I wasn’t very good at it and I don’t think there are any drawings saved from my childhood. I remember having watercolour pencils and liking them, but never taking any serious attempt to become an artist. Writing, even when I was little, was more my thing.

Photoshop brushes for digital painting

Posted on 27/02/2011 by Maartje in Equipment

As you know, or should know, I am a digital artist. Meaning I make digital paintings. Several things come into play when you’re making a digital painting: your skill, colour, equipment, software and brushes. Brushes, in this case, are settings in your software that you can use to imitate a style.

Part of my success is caused by other people’s fabulous brush-settings. On occasion, I might set up my own brush, but most of the time I use other people’s textures and presets.

Here are a few Photoshop brushes you can download: