January 27, 2009 by Brad.

The assumption that paper is white is, of course, faulty. So-called white papers come in varying shades of white and degrees of brightness. Then there are coloured papers and transparent media, such as self-adhesive vinyl. Producing “white” is a real problem for inkjet printers.

That’s why I’ve always wondered why inkjet printers don’t include a white ink. Even my HP Z3100 with 12 inks doesn’t have white. A white ink makes so much sense to me. It would extend the gamut, provide more accurate colour profiling and open up more creative options.

Adobe InDesign understands there is a difference between “White” and “Paper”. Too bad my printer doesn’t. Apart from the extra cost (which I don’t think would deter me), is there a good reason for this?

Posted in HP Z3100, Digital Art-ifacts | Print | 2 Comments »

January 26, 2009 by Peggy.

There is a lot of confusion about crystalline glazed pots and their functionality. These dramatic and beautiful glazes are largely used on decorative pieces such as vases, where the interiors are glazed with a standard clear liner glaze. Never one to follow convention, I enjoy combining different coloured crystalline glazes on plates and bowls.  Since the glazes run together within these containers during the firing, I often get pooling in the bottoms.  Pooling occurs as a result of the glaze running, and the thick layer of glaze often crazes during the cooling process.  I think the fascinating images and pictures that I achieve are worth the risk.  Some people really like the crazing; others consider it a flaw. From my point of view, they are unavoidable and so I have learned to accept them. As for functionality, crazes may absorb oils from salad dressings. The worst problem with this is that the beauty of the glaze might be compromised over time.

Therefore, I advise people to use their crystalline platters and bowls as serving dishes only. Foods such as fruit, cheese and crackers and other non-oily items are perfectly safe. You can serve foods with oils or sauces in them, as long as they are not left in the vessel long enough to absorb these substances.  I do not recommend cooking in a crystalline bowl or storing food on them. Enjoy your beautiful crystalline glazed pottery as a serving piece, then remove the food soon after your meal is over.  There is no food safety issue at play here.  It is simply a matter of perserving the beauty of your piece for years to come.

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

January 25, 2009 by Brad.

What is “art”? Who the heck knows? However, a lot of folks seem to know what isn’t art. Many folks hold the view that art is partly, if not wholly, defined by its medium; that some work can’t be art because of the tools used to make it, whereas other work must be art by a similar principle. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Digital Art-ifacts | Print | 3 Comments »

January 24, 2009 by Brad.

When you profile a new paper type on your Hewlett-Packard Designjet Z3100 printer, you need to choose the correct paper preset from the many that are supplied by HP. HP does have a “Fine Art Paper -> Canvas” preset, but it does not allow the use of Quad Black inks. However, there is a way to print Quad Black inks on canvas with the Z3100 (and perhaps other Z-series printers). Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in HP Z3100 | Print | 1 Comment »

January 24, 2009 by Brad.

I’ve been using Photoshop CS4 Extended since it was released. I like it. Adobe made significant changes to the user interface. As someone who uses Photoshop on a daily basis, CS4 is faster, feels smoother to use and more efficient. Which translates to greater productivity and better results. And Scott Kelby, one of the ”Photoshop Guys” agrees with me. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Digital Art-ifacts | Print | No Comments »

January 19, 2009 by Brad.

Many people think that pottery is too beautiful to use and they are afraid it is too fragile to be functional.  However, today’s clay bodies are extremely durable and most potters expect and encourage you to use your hand made ware.  There are some precautions to consider, however. Read the rest of this entry »