I’ve been playing with a lot of drawing/painting/photo apps on my iPad. My favorite is Art Studio because it lets me do a lot of the things that I can do in Photoshop, and it lets me export my work as a Photoshop file. That means I can do my initial drawing directly on my iPad instead of needing to use a mouse or graphics table on my computer. It’s a lot easier. Art Studio isn’t quite as good for detailed coloring so I just e-mail my work to myself and open it in Photoshop on the Mac for the final details. Art Studio cost me only $4.99 and I’m impressed!
So I was surprised at first that one reviewer gave the app a score of only 80%. One of the major objections was it has too many features and it slows productivity to have to look for them. If someone just wants to paint and has no need for the advanced features then the reviewer is correct. It makes sense to use the simplest program/app that gets the job done.
On the other hand Art Studio is a blessing for people like me who love Photoshop. The interface is different but the tools are there and it doesn’t take much practice to start using them automatically.
Are you in the process of learning new skills? Do you have another form of lifelong learning? Do you have an absorbing hobby that enriches your life?
i couldn’t call myself ever a “hobby” person. i think hobbists are dedicated usually to whatever hobby they enjoy.
i am more of a “dabbler.” i dabble in things that catch my interest. sometimes i become proficient ~ sometimes not!
but i have no problem leaving it and moving on when my interest is satiated. am i a quitter? no. i’m a dabbler. LOL.
i get just what i want and need and then move on. but at least i do keep learning. that part stays the same!
and p.s. . . . i sure like your little cartoon people.
hey monk? i know this is off the subject . . . but i missed hearing if montana ever got really better from her sore pad.
i know she surely must have or you’d have posted. i just couldn’t remember. i love seeing your grandogs!
maybe that’s my best hobby . . . loving dogs!
I keep coming back to qi gong. Still looking for the right routine – it needs to be simple because I have little movement intelligence. But I love how you can go deeper and deeper into the routines.
tammy,
Actually I’m a dabbler too. I like to explore and try different things, especially when that ends up making me more proficient in certain areas. It especially tickles me when I find some technique that makes it easier to do certain tasks. Nothing like doing things the hard way to appreciate a better way to do it.
One of my long-term projects is to learn how to draw more efficiently. It’s not something I do every day, but when the mood strikes I do spend a lot of time playing with ideas. One of the great appeals of blogging was I wanted to do a bit of writing but with some graphics. At first I mainly used Flickr pictures that had Creative Commons licenses, but then I decided I wanted to be able to draw some of the graphics/pictures myself. It gives me some small projects to play with as I explore the effects of different techniques.
I’m glad you like the people sketches. 🙂
Montana was lucky–when she went in for her surgery the vet decided it had suddenly healed enough that he didn’t have to do anything. She’s just fine now—thanks for asking.
I too love looking at dog pictures. I’m happy that Angus will soon be writing about his new pups, Bob and Sophie. I also check out Romping and Rolling in the Rockies and The Thundering Herd almost every day. Daily Dose of Jack is another favorite, but the author doesn’t post as regularly.
Evan,
I took a class in qi gong for a while. It was very soothing. I know what you mean about getting deeper and deeper into something. I like having a balance between exploring/trying different things and going more deeply into one or two things. It blows me away what a wealth of possibilities we have now.
Currently I’m challenged to repair a set of quilts. A friend’s sentimental attachment has opened a door I’ve chosen to walk through. Ironically I just finished reconditioning her leather sofa; it looked so nice, she presented the old quilts, and here we are! It’ll be one cozy space soon.
Both projects required some research on my part, and maybe that’s the most fun for me. I miss the days of college libraries, hanging out until they closed for the day. However there is much to be said for the internet’s opportunities.
Have fun, Jean!
Crossword puzzles and blogging have enriched my life.
Dixie,
Yes! I used to love browsing through the stacks of the Cornell library. Now I do it on the web. And the internet does make it easier to search for information. If I were you the research would be the most fun part of your two projects.
Rummuser,
My guess is we would all have blogging on our list. 🙂
Been so busy, playing with flax (harakeke) strips that I have got behind with my inbox!
I went to class today with the “vessel” that was supposed to be a ‘bag’ that I ended up going with the flow with yesterday…yes, it’s not right but then again it’s architectural or similar and everyone thought it was fun. It actually stands up, but it’s not upright 🙂
I made another bag today at class, but it needs a bit of finishing which I should be able to get to tomorrow…
As you know, I couldn’t keep about from academia, so I’m studying along with 40 other students. Some of it seems a bit above my head, but I have made a friend of one of the lecturers and he has sent me “down to earth” information and I’m to pick up a reading list of helpmates this Friday…
So yes, always learning, teasing my brain to respond and so on…
Cathy,
I knew you have no problem answering those questions. I thought of you as I wrote them. 🙂
LOL Jean!