What the Font

Posted on 12/02/2011 by SharpArt

Manipulate the Mean Worship the repulsive Incubate the weak For chocolate is always beneath the tongueEver thought about how fonts change the look and feel of your written page. Most of us, as I do here, stick with the font that is automatically built in to whatever program you’re using. I have to say I avoid Time New Roman like the plague. I hate it. Generally I go for something with a simpler, clean cut line, like on this page, or Century Gothic. But I do enjoy mucking about with fonts within images and so having a bank of more off the wall fonts is a must.
I was on Language Fonts the other day and decided to download some more exotic creations to add to a piece I was working on from Fonts.com. I particularly liked for their graphic quality, the Korean fonts which have, again, very clean lines, almost like mathematical equations. Continue reading →

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Exit Through the Gift Shop

Posted on 30/01/2011 by SharpArt

So here’s the story behind the story. It’s not really a Banksy film. Well this trailer isn’t. It’s a Thierry Guetta film.
The biggest counter cultural movement since punk. Street Art.

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Know The Not Known

Posted on 30/01/2011 by SharpArt

I found this interesting short which is a combination of graffiti, advertising icons, interesting space and one poor bloke on a chair.
It is part of a campaign to create interest in Tiger Beer and involves a huge web of interactive incitements that will involve their target audience in engaging proactively within the campaign. It is a clever mix of treasure hunt and orienteering using all the digital paraphernalia we have available to us today and a wide range of creative fields. It harnesses digital, outdoor, magazines, media partnerships, PR, trade relations and events. And all turn their talents to directing the target audience to a FaceBook Hub page where their curiosity is rewarded with invites to underground, invite only, Tiger Beer events in pubs across London.

Has anyone been to any of these?

There are supposed to be special edition four pack out this year too for those who are not faint hearted:)

Tiger beer hub page = www.facebook.com/tigerbeeruk

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Film: The Last Lap – Help!

Posted on 21/11/2010 by SharpArt

Over a year ago I took the plunge and decided to try out an MA for size, purely on the grounds that it was self indulgent and dovetailed into the demands of teaching and the changing face of the curriculum (pre-election – of course). Well, I’m delighted to say I have survived so far. I have completed four modules and could drop out now with a commendable Diploma for my troubles. But I feel I need to go on. Get it finished. What an achievement that would be! Bloody hell. An MA. Continue reading →

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The Eagle of the Ninth

Posted on 03/10/2010 by SharpArt

Delighted to hear that there’s going to be a film made of the Rosemary Sutcliff book, The Eagle of the the Ninth. I remember being totally hooked by this when I first read it – I can’t remember how old I was, early teans?

I’ve lost my original book so I’m buying it again before the film come out in Feb 2011.
This old video clip gives an idea of the book’s themes.

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Portrait of Dan

Posted on 01/09/2010 by SharpArt

I finished this in February, but have only just got round to making this short film.

It’s just a selection of stills taken of me painting a portrait in acrylic on canvas. I was trying out some techniques I’d not used before – like a mid grey undercoat as Holbein used when painting The Ambassadors. I thought I might try letting the base coat show through in some of the highlighting. But as it turned out I painted over practically all the surface.

Also I’d been looking at polychrome work and Estofado – the process of layering of gold leaf and then paint particularly on sculptures made of wood. They would reveal the gold leaf by scratching the top layer of paint off. The polychromer can scratch or scrape the design off the reveal the gold underneath.

As well as scratching it off I’d heard the gold leaf was used under paintings to help make the painting itself glow – especially the flesh tones. So I  tried that too. I think it did work. There was a finish to the facial area that felt more vibrant. The final picture. Click on it to get a close up of the detail.

Dan: portrait in acrylic

Video Music: Daydream by Danny Sharp

Tell me what you think.

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Pop Art Blue

Posted on 30/08/2010 by SharpArt

Brilliant opening sequence by PolitelyHomicidal. It features Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strip works, of course Andy Warhol portraits, and others from the Pop Art movement, but also the much overlooked Richard Hamilton’s Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?


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Pop Art Tutorial

Posted on 21/08/2010 by SharpArt

There are many Photoshop tutorials out there with help on creating different finishes and effects. This one whizzes through one way of creating a Pop Art image.

I like the way he demonstrates very quickly with no messing around. You do have to watch his cursor closely to see precisely what he’s clicking on, because he doesn’t always tell you. But I have made quick notes to support this video which you can have to one side as well, whilst you chose your own image and work your way through the process. Give it a go – if you’ve got Photoshop that is.

Continue reading →

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Stuck In Customs – Again…

Posted on 13/08/2010 by SharpArt

Being Stuck in Customs is not such a bad thing, really. Especially when there is a new product being released – their HDR  (High Dynamic Range ) tutorial DVD containing over 6 hours of instructional workshops specially edited to teach anyone of any skill level how to create amazing images with HDR.

Continue reading →

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Rugby as Pop Art

Posted on 05/08/2010 by SharpArt

Pop Art by Aaron Tomlinson. Photo / Simon BakerKiwi artist Aaron Tomlinson struck upon the idea of popular rugby players – particularly Dan Carter and Richie McCraw – as icons that would benefit from a Pop Art overhaul. He talks candidly to the local New Zealand Herald about his thoughts and what was fun about this idea. There has to be fun in Pop Art doesn’t there!

I like that way he links popularist images and icons and moves the ideas on to what is important, today.

You can catch the video here.

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