The Importance of Drawing

“Learning how to Draw” should in my view be a discipline taught as early as possible as it teaches young children a fundamental life skill: how to ’see’ and from there think in a focused, simple and clear way. . . ideally beyond the surface of appearances.

The Importance of Drawing

The Importance of Drawing here is that the ability to ’see’ helps to ‘visualize’. . .  and from there to find solutions to any question or task at hand, solving possible challenges in advance. This helps to develop a healthy, natural way of decision making and common sense within the young, sensitive and receptive person . . . and sooner or later a personal Style and sense for Aesthetics.

 

“Dali through my Eyes with Rose” by Bianca Gubalke

Practise Drawing

While you might think this only pertains to the Visual Arts – Paintings, Architecture, Sculpture, Cinema etc and Web Design when it comes to the Internet -, the fact is that being able to ’see’ and from there develop a feeling for what’s essential is fundamental for many other professions where it might be less obvious – be it lawyers,  doctors, sales people, teachers or farmers – just to name a few.

Here as in all disciplines, Consistency and Practice are key. It means one needs to Practise Drawing. . .  just like a pianist needs to play daily or a ballerina does her daily exercises one needs to practise drawing in order to stay visually aware as well as in control of one’s online skills as regards the tools and graphic programs we use when working via the worldwide web.

Personally, I firmly believe that “. . . the more I draw the more I see” . . . which is in fact quite a profound thought. . . but it would explode the topic of this post :)

Online Drawing Tools

While we are all familiar with offline tools to create Drawings – pencil, crayons, pen, charcoal, pastels, brush etc – , equipping ourselves with good Online Drawing Tools to operate professionally online is essential if you want to succeed in Web Design or create more refined Web Graphics and Graphic Art.And believe me. . . although it may sound strange to the newbie and eternal skeptic: online drawing tools are just as efficient and sensitive as their traditional equivalent in the offline environment. . . if not more. It’s totally amazing – but something that needs to be experienced to be fully understood and appreciated.

I recommend simply the best: Wacom tablets. . . find out more HERE. This advice comes from my personal experience and is totally independent :)

Work In Progress

Just as sketches capture ideas and are as such materialized moments and visions of the mind, these Drawings… that seem to have an unfinished touch and often – but not always – are the pre-stadium for some major Artwork…, do in fact contain the essence of what is to follow.

Drawings document the “Work in Progress” – my favourite part of the creative process. . . and as you see above I continue my series of Web Graphics on Salvador Dali. This time I could not resist his beautiful red Dali rose. . .

Dali Quote

“Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad.”

I just love this one!

It’s yet another great Salvador Dali Quote to learn from. . . even if it’s just to get to know ourselves better :)

Web Design with Passion

No Web Design without a keen eye for Design and Web Graphics… and lots of Passion! Check out some of my Web Design 2010 in my SHOWCASE.

Circle Experiments 1

Experimenting with Circles – just circles as a basic geometric form repeating itself ad infinitum all through the Universe fascinates me – and anything related to this. I even included aspects of it in my award-winning movie screenplay “Die Emscher Schlange” back in the early nineties when still living in Europe.

Computer Art

But I’m no mathematician. . . so when it came to Computer Art I watched and admired the beauty of Fractals rather from afar. . .  especially those created by a wildly talented and generous scientist in Australia!

However, being without my PC and all that I had in store to work with, I was forced to fire up my laptop which I only used for Artwork, Graphic Design and learning experiments. And then I must have been bitten by a spider yesterday as I just started off with a circle in Photoshop – no special  fractal software -, just a first circle… that repeated itself… and so on following an inner rhythm. Playing, learning… and observing my own first steps into the magic world of circular infinity.

Here are my first humble and purely ‘manual’ examples… the originals are obviously huge and I will come back with extracts and details, most probably in the Photo Gallery. The fact is that once one has gone through the hard labour of creating something reasonably satisfactory one has an enormous scope to do additional Circle Experiments and beyond – as I did here. . .!

Clearly, this is the opposite of ‘Grunge’. . . but just as imaginative and. . . surprising!

Circle Experiments 1

‘Circle Experiments’ are certainly something I will spend more time on . . . just a little step in learning more about the language of the Universe:

“Philosophy is written in this grand book – I mean universe – which stands continuously open to our gaze, but which cannot be understood unless one first learns to comprehend the language in which it is written. It is written in the language of mathematics, and its characters are triangles, circles and other geometric figures, without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it; without these, one is wandering about in a dark labyrinth.”

Galileo Galilei (1623)

Creating your own Signature

Creating your own Signature in your preferred Font is probably something you want to do sooner or later once you’ve experimented with the many stunning, easily recognizable and freely downloadable Fonts out there.

Creating your own Signature

It all looks so simple doesn’t it… and those Fonts are indeed so easy to use and we take them for granted… However, there’s a lot of work that goes into creating any form of balanced and attractive Typography, in fact, it’s an Art for top designers and master calligraphers.

If you don’t believe me, just try to get your name – meaning your signature – out there. Just as I do it for my Artwork . . . the rest I definitely leave to the pro’s.

Palm Prisms by Bianca Gubalke

How would you do this?

Create a new document in Photoshop or Gimp, make sure you start with a transparent layer and then work in layers above that one. Probably you have your chosen Font already, but it’s good to experiment and why not take the pen or brush tool and simply write your name yourself as you normally would on paper. While you may get quite excited doing this eye-opening exercise, you will soon observe where the difficulties are, especially as concerns a confined space like 500×80 pixels as may be the case for your header… and this without being a Graphic Designer and even less a Calligrapher.

When does one’s Signature look right?

Good Typography

While I studied Typography decades ago and the basic principles of good Typography like those of good Architecture never change… and poor letter spacing and kerning can still drive me up the wall… from there to doing something that looks good and dynamic within a short period of time and without killing the History or Undo button is a totally different story…

I know. I did it … and definitely, using a Wacom tablet is not the same as designing on paper… even if having quite a steady hand and tons of self-imposed Patience! The result? Nothing I’d be proud of… not within a couple of hours and without being properly equipped! But do I have a respect and admiration for the guys out there who know what they are doing!

So what’s the answer if you still want to give it a go?

Font Editing Software

Font Editing Software is a must if you are determined to create your own Fonts… but as there is quite a price attached to this, shop around first,  look at what others do and possibly start with the TypeTool first, see whether Font creation is really for you – and once you know this is it… then dig into your wallet and upgrade to something like FontLab.

Alternatively, outsource to a professional. Having your own look in terms of typography as a business is a worthwhile investment. Just browse through all the mega brands – Coca Cola, McDonalds, Microsoft, Coco Chanel – and it jumps into one’s eyes – it’s a must and it needs to be professionally done. No matter what!

Header Graphics

Header Graphics give a first visual impression to your Website or Blog … and we know that ‘first impressions’ count.

Design Brand Header

When doing a research on Google under the keyword “Header Graphics” you can find a wealth of free stuff to choose from and to download, however, if you are serious about developing your own unique ‘look’ and branding yourself, you have to create your own image – an image reflecting the value and trustworthiness you bring to your clients or partners and that you want to stand for in the market. Here anything ‘free’ becomes ‘cheap’ . . . and this is definitely too expensive when working with a longterm vision.

What you need is a Design Brand Header to build your Authority either as a professional in any area of expertise… or with the Service or Product you offer and promote in the online market place.

Header Colors

Header Colors are most important when creating a Design Brand Header and should remain within your chosen colour scheme.

Header fonts are very important too, however, you may divert and go a little bit wild in an artistic way when creating this specific image or picture… depending on your theme of course. However, as Grunge is in… the doors for creativity and imagination are wide open . . . no boredom guaranteed!

For my new Design Blog I experimented with Grunge Fonts while keeping to the colour scheme I already used in the early eighties for my books, posters and book covers: black on white with some grey shades and a small yet powerful dosage or red! The real fiery red that is!

Header Graphics

Header Graphics can be very simple, using just a good friendly picture with the name on white – which gives a feeling of space… or you integrate your logo and/or play in a decorative way with your title and  subtitle or slogan either on white or on a plain or degrade background in any color matching your color scheme. Alternatively, create a picture in Photoshop or any other Graphic program of your choice.

In my case, I used a detail of one of the photos I shot on Noordhoek Beach and played with color adjustments and filters in Photoshop for a result that is attractive, within my color scheme and that serves as a perfect background for that red Grunge font. Contrary to what might be believed… Grunge doesn’t equal Grunge! To get well balanced Header Graphics using vibrant backgrounds plus Grunge Fonts needs quite some research until there’s that tension that ‘fits’! A more classical font is much easier – but not as original. So it’s always a matter of personal taste and personal choices.

Most importantly, experiment and play – it’s the only way to get to grips with for instance filters and color adjustments. You cannot learn to meditate; you’ve got to do it to understand the process and get ‘into’ it. No other way – same here.

Although there’s a lot we can teach you as to some basics… from where you either continue, grow and enjoy – or get the idea and know how to brief a professional graphic designer in case you outsource.  It saves you money and time and you get a better result faster – guaranteed!

Join our WebMasterTraining today, Friday, at 8 pm London time, to learn how to create your own Header Graphic for your Design Sandbox Blog!

Colour

Colour is all around us . . . and if you go through life with open eyes you’d be surprised at what Nature has to offer. . . and this even in Grunge style!

Colour and Grunge

Colour and Grunge by Nature – or call it ‘camouflage’. . . this curious yet incredibly rapid lizard below can be found daily on his favourite rock in my garden – provided the sun is out! That’s what I call lifestyle!

Colour Harmonies

Looking at the Colour Harmonies this magnificent ‘Bearded Dragon’ displays, I feel like being transported back into prehistoric times when dinosaurs were roaming this planet!

Well, I am not yet 100% sure that it’s a “Bearded Dragon” as it’s not that easy to find and dig out the information online, however, it’s part of the lizard family and it certainly enjoys life as we all should… never mind the hawks and herons around!

Just look at a detail and you are in awe of the beauty of Creation…

I wish I could post more of them as it’s a symphony of colours in perfect harmony.

Graphic Design

Graphic Design – like any form of Art – always starts with an idea… a vision… or an inner drive to create. To be and stay within a continuous state of amazement, enthusiasm and passion to create we need to find ways that provide us with a constant flow of inspiration for our boundless Imagination.

“Determination” by Bianca Gubalke (Detail)

One of my personal preferred methods is… digital photography. I am very happy with my new Nikon Coolpix P90 that fits perfectly into my hand and that will be my best friend once I’m beyond the testing phase.

Graphic Design

Graphic Design can start with a simple walk on the beach… capturing a moment that touches or impresses us… as was my case here – it’s only an excerpt… but it’s one that lead to more… and going for ‘more’ is what this is all about!

Bianca Gubalke Images

Noordhoek Art

Based on the above picture on Noordhoek Beach a few days ago, I created quite an elaborated Artwork earlier called “Determination” – HERE (small version of the original Design on Noordhoek Art) where I integrated various Photoshop filters and experimented with new Grunge Fonts and Grunge Brushes.

Following a request, I include a details for better viewing at the top.

Grunge Design

A Grunge Design based on the same photo (another excerpt), is visible HERE.

Grunge Design is great Fun as it’s liberating as was the so-called “Arte Povera” back in the 70’s. Although it looks simple, don’t let the ‘freedom’ blind you as here it’s even more complex to get the harmonies right – be it those of colour, space or volume.

Web Design

In the Web Design category we focus on Web Design related topics.

Web Design

More on Web Design to follow soon!

Design

This new Blog called “Design by Bianca Gubalke” will serve as a sketch book focusing on two main categories:

1. Web Design

2. Graphic Design

Design by Bianca Gubalke

Web Design and Graphic Design. . . on the Internet one flows into the other. . .

Expect more soon on Design by Bianca Gubalke . . .

Graphic Design

This category will deal with my new developments in Graphic Design.

Graphic Design

More on Graphic Design soon. . .

Miss Garden Route South Africa

Finally… the results for the “Miss Garden Route South Africa” are out! “Lalakoi” Hanno Coetzee has joined the YCADEMY Seminar with the latest news and the winning result…

Louise Muller crowned “Miss Garden Route and Klein Karoo 2009″

“Miss Garden Route and Klein Karoo 2009″ beauty pageant, Miss Louise Muller (18) from Mossel Bay was crowned “Miss Garden Route & Klein Karoo 2009″ at last night’s prestigious event at the Garden Route Casino in Mossel Bay, South Africa. It must have been young Louise’s outgoing personality that charmed the Jury to choose her as the “Face of the Garden Route for 2009” as well as the Ambassador for Tourism of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.

It was last year’s winner,  Noluthando Mkhobeni,  who crowned the winners.

The second runner up was Miss Nathalie Graaff (23) from Mossel Bay and the first princess  Miss Jeandre de Villiers (19) from Oudtshoorn.

The glamours Gala took place at Pinacle point, hosted by Garden Route Casino.

Miss Garden Route South Africa

YCADEMY Seminar participant from George, Hanno Coetzee (Lalakoi) , was at the event and gave some enthusiastic feedback:

“I’ve been to several of these Gardenroute pageants – this was the best… well organized… the girls fantastic… and so many images! I am sorting out images since 6 am this morning… my eyes are sore as I had too much to look at! I posted a number of posts… and the the winner was Louise Muller!

What I liked is that people started recognizing “Lalakoi” and “Lalakoi Publishing”. I like to sit at my PC while people enjoy themselves… but they need to know I am here.”
Q: Who organized this event?

Lalakoi:

It was the Garden Route Casino organizing it… it’s from the Garden Route and Klein Karroo (it’s not a province, it’s a rigid type of semi-desert area, but people are living there and farming there… it’s a very nice areea to stay. Like the Garden Route is an area… each type of vegetation has another name.

Q: Was there a local jury? A professional jury?

Lalakoi:

They were professional people; the management of the casino, the previous Miss SA’s… people who know what they are doing. The sorting out started 2-3 weeks ago… the theme of the event was to support battered children and women (Abuse). They also have shelters where the women and kids are looked after. One of each shelter lady got a make-over and the best make-over won a price. They all got presents and gifts… and all the money of the event is going towards these shelters.

Q: What does the winner win?

Lalakoi:

The total price of the event was R 200.000,–; the winner won in total about R75.000,– (R17,000 in cash) . The rest was going to the other girls. The winner will also be entered into the Miss South Africa Competition.  The winner from last year will also enter the Miss South Africa Competition…

Besides… we had fantastic rains at last… after going through the worst droughts since 123 years …

Congratulations! Well done!

Miss Garden Route 2009

And the “Miss Garden Route 2009″ Winner is. . .?

We are still waiting for Lalakoi’s feedback as to the exciting results… seems the jury had a hard time with the choice???

Meanwhile. . . I did my own guess with this charming young lady with the irresistible smile :)

Miss Garden Route 2009

As we see. . . she’s entered the right environment. . .

Noordhoek Art

Passion and determination lead beyond limitations…

Noordhoek Beach

Grunge Art

Here I used our new Web Design Tools including some Grunge Fonts and Grunge Brushes – Fun!

Miss Garden Route 2009 Images

Who will be the face of  “Miss Garden Route 2009″ ?

By now the decision must have been made. . . and soon our friend Lalakoi will report en direct from Mosselbay!

Miss Garden Route 2009 Finalists

Above is just one of the radiant Miss Garden Route Finalists and with that twinkle in her eyes she may well be the chosen one … who knows?

We are looking forward to the results our friend “Lalakoi” will pass on after the posh event. . .  Casino, red carpets, limelight and lots of Saturday Night Fever!

We are looking forward to be stunned. . . and to congratulate the final “Miss Garden Route 2009″!

Miss Garden Route 2009

“Miss Garden Route 2009″ is in the making. . . a difficult choice!

Miss Garden Route 2009

Who can resist this beautiful smile?

Miss Garden Route – Nostalgic

Miss Garden Route 2009 – Romantic

Miss Garden Route 2009 – On Top of the World!

Miss Gardenroute 2009 – WHO ELSE?

Champagne!

…

Miss Garden Route 2009

The “Miss Gardenroute 2009″ Pageants are heating up as the highlight of tonight’s big event at the Gardenroute Casino in Mosselbay draws closer: WHO will become “Miss Garden Route 2009″ ?

Miss Garden Route 2009

Will SHE be the next “Miss Gardenroute” 2009?

Lalakoi is getting excited. . .

Miss Garden Route 2009

“Miss Garden Route 2009″ is to be chosen tonight!

Miss Garden Route 2009

Suspense is . . . who’s gonna be chosen as. . . “Miss Gardenroute 2009″

Will SHE be Miss Gardenroute 2009?

Grunge Design

Grunge Design is the current trend. . . a sort of liberating and highly creative  “do as you like” style we studied and integrated in the seventies in Paris, France… especially under the influence of the extraordinary Spanish artist Antoni Tàpies. More on him further down…

Grunge Design

Designing in the traditional way is one thing… achieving those results when creating Web Graphics is another and demands a thorough knowledge of the available web graphics tools. Only then one can become a real virtuoso!

But one needs to start. . . and this is my first try. Everything on this page was created from scratch; the only originals I outsourced so to speak is the “Grunge Font”. I will do more sketches once I have more of those to play with!

Antoni Tàpies

Antoni Tàpies, the brilliant Catalan artist who started off as a surrealist painter – influenced by the work of Paul Klee and Joan Miró – soon became an abstract expressionist. When he started incorporating non-artistic materials such as waste paper, rugs and strings and added clay and marble dust to his paint, his style becoming famous as “Arte Povera”.

To this very day, Antoni Tàpies is considered as one of the leading artists in Europe. He says himself that he seeks… “to remind man of what in reality he is, to give him a theme for reflection, to shock him in order to rescue him from the madness of inauthenticity and to lead him to self-discovery.”

Today’s Grunge Design connects to Antoni Tàpies’ Oeuvre… with half a century between them!
Makes one think, doesn’t it?

The Colour Yellow

Although I love the simplicity and elegance of black and white – and Black & White Photography in particular – Colour is the most important element in any form of Art, Graphic Design or Web Graphics and Digital Images.

What is fascinating and important to know when it comes to assigned Artwork is that colours have a different meaning and symbolism in the many cultures around the world. Western cultures wear black to mourn the passing of a beloved one, in Asian countries the colour is white for the same occasion and in Egypt Yellow is the colour of mourning!

Of course it has to do with what who believes lies beyond the light barrier, but as we have grown into a global community on the Internet, why not get to know each other better! So much knowledge is available to everyone online – what a great time to live in!

The Colour Yellow – Symbolism

In terms of Symbolism, the Colour Yellow stands for warmth, happiness and sunshine – in other words all the promises of spring… and as I find most of my inspiration in Nature and as Spring has hesitantly arrived at the Southern tip of Africa, I dive into my garden as often as I can – armed with my new digital camera Coolpix P90 – to capture the blossoming spring beauties – ideally with a little visitor!

“The Colour Yellow” – today’s photo theme as to the “Flowers in my Garden” series!
These are quick, happy and excited shots while I test my new camera… there’s room for much improvement!

Grevillea

These pictures are taken from the very first plant I personally planted into the soil of my ground back in 1996 when I returned home to South Africa… one could say we have a very special long-lasting relationship :)

Grevilleas are part of the Proteacea family and originated in Australia and Malaysia; I am an absolute addict of these extremely beautiful, showy and variated shrubs and trees… and whatever Grevillea I discover finds its way into my garden! Once they take, they are totally self-sufficient, they display stunning flowers and spikes all year long … and the birds and the bees just love them!

Flowers in my Garden

Spring has finally come to the “Richest Floral Kingdom in the World” here at the Cape of Good Hope, at the tip of Africa.

Flowers in my Garden

The Flowers in my Garden are literally exploding in fireworks of colours and light…
For me it’s a divine invitation to vanish in Nature to merge, explore, admire and let my imagination fly while capturing all those magnificent expressions with my Digital Camera.

Web Graphics

Web Graphics breathe life into the Web Design of websites and blogs, and as we are currently running a specialized Web Design Workshop leading up to the monthly Ycademy Seminar on 26 and 27 September 2009, I am experimenting with a black, white and red design elements. . . a colour combination I’ve always been passionate about and I just could not resist these colours . . . isn’t Nature the highest expression of Art!

Leucospermum Reflexum

Leucospermum reflexum are part of the Proteacea genus and indigenous to the Western Cape. I have various species of this extremely beautiful shrub in my garden, up to about 3 meters high. Some of them I grew myself from cuttings and I will very probably come up with more pictures in the future – besides these extraordinary colours I adore their  delicate appearance in parts alternating with strength and solidity – like having their wiry heads in the air while being firmly grounded!

Coco Avant Chanel on Google

Positioning my film review “Coco Avant Chanel” on Google earlier this morning was an important objective, especially with 3,24 million search returns on the latest movie on the early years and rise to fame of the French Fashion Icon who made it to the 100 most influential personalities of the 20th Century in TIMES Magazine – as the only Fashion Designer.

Coco Chanel Logo

Coco Chanel Logo

In terms of Design and Branding, I believe this logo is one of the best designed examples there are… reflecting the unique style, chic and elegance the name ” Coco Chanel” stands for up to this day. And yes, a touch of exclusivity. . .

I’ve saved, studied and admired this perfect logo since many years and it looks precious on every item – be it the famous Chanel Nr. 5 or a lipstick or powder – always black on white or white on black; on my make-up powder it looks like ivory on black lacquer… very exquitie… and you sure don’t want to drop it!

Web Design  Backgrounds

For our exercise in Web Design Backgrounds, I borrow this logo to do a test; I hope I am pardoned for this naughty infringement in true Coco Chanel style. . . it’s educational and besides, I’ve been and I am a good client over years :)

Coco Avant Chanel on Google

Last but not least, on the Internet it’s all about Visibility on Google Top 10. . . so let’s see where we find today’s article  “Coco Avant Chanel” on Google:

“Coco Avant Chanel” by Bianca Gubalke on Google

We are pleased to again proove the efficiency of Semiomantics XO Scripts as well as the professional Editing and Publishing Skills learned in the monthly YCADEMY Seminars – the next one coming up on the weekend 26 and 27 September 2009.

Tickets HERE.

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” – Coco Chanel