Went to non-religious Sunday Assembly in Islington

St Pauls, corner Ball Ponds Rd & Essex Rd. Started few months ago. On once a month. Is growing. In other countries like oz i think but i think London kicked it off. Co founded by 2 comedians. Met people from Kent, Exeter etc. exeter one meets weekly, started 3 weeks ago, Friday evenings. They came from all over to check it out, to help set up their own. A talk by writer Sarah Dunant, linked by inspiring funny snippets from comedian, fun songs, introducing oneself to those next to you, donation collection, tea and cake afterwards. Other groups like 'London Philosophers' and 'Good for Nothing' and request for volunteers to help run things. I might make cake!

Sun was out and arthritis responded to pain relief really well, so a great day.

Videos, singing 'Don't Stop Believing', and 'Always look on the bright side of Life', and laughter.

Inspired by RA Manet portrait exhibition

Done from my imagination in 20mins, in RA cafe, using Procreate on Ipad, after seeing the Manet 'Portraying Life'.   As usual, i should have left it as i finished and liked it.  But, when i reopened it, i added a few touches which lost the original spontaneity.  Knowing when to stop - so important, so hard.  Still, its freer than some of the stiff sketches i've been doing life drawing from an actual model.   I've noticed this before - ie.  that drawings from imagination don't get bogged down in trying to 'copy' from life.

This weeks life drawing on ipad. Not great week

--
Shirley Grange

Beginning of alphabet idea - kitchen alphabet

Ipad landscapes

Fwd: Very quick sketches on ipad done in life drawing class - post emailed from ipad

Ipad painting

Trying out one of my 16 painting apps in the search for a great colour mixer. Best colour mixer is Infinite Painter on my android phone. It will hopefully come to ipad in the coming year. For this painting i used artstudio and its smudge tool which really distorts rather than mixes. Perhaps i need to fine tune. Each art app has pluses and minus, some are better for watercolour, others pastels or oils etc.

Happy new year animation test 1

Done in art, animation and movie ipad apps. Posting to see if can get to run on phone from here.

Rotatable ipad cover

I just read on my Facebook newsfeed that Microsoft have put up add saying that google have admitted their search engine results order are now based totally on advertising revenue. Noooo. I loved google.

Anyway thought it was about time I tried MS Bing. On it came up with this little beauty for £11.72. Am now thinking if I can make mine rotatable with handle over hand that will lie flat when not in use. At this price I should buy this one and add handle over hand when drawing.

http://www.miniinthebox.com/360-degree-rotable-pu-leather-case-with-stand-for-the-new-ipad-and-ipad-2-black_p302083.html

Apple for creatives - I don't think so. Can't run Tate online courses on ipad

I did a Tate online course on art theory few years ago and thought was good. So I thought now I have ipad would be nice to do drawing one. But, even though I can run it on my 4.3" android phone it won't run on ipad because apple won't allow Flash. I contacted Tate and they have to rewrite courses for ipad which will take a while. I suggested apple should sponsor it.

I am finding quite a few things my ipad can't do that my phone can. I will see if there is a way round it before I add a list. For those who say that apple is easy and everything just works from the start, just don't know android where everything connects automatically. When I want to share anything I get a list of all my apps to share with, without haing to do any setting up, while ipad is just giving me basic apple shares. Grrrrrh. Thank heavens I bought ipad for drawing because that's great and ipad 4 is extremely fast and has lovely retina display so I don't feel I have wasted any money.

I will also add list of any discoveries I make about getting ipad to do android things. Eg i miss widgets.

4 great ipad accessories

I used Skitch app to snapshot these web pages. Red text on pics is notes I made in skitch

Skitch works better on android - snap web page by just sharing with Skitch whereas on ipad have to go between web page copy address then to Skitch to paste it - hope there just a connection I need to work out as its a real pain.

I found 2 ipad covers I love on amazon plus a lock and a cover with keyboard should I not be able to perfect my touch typing on the screen.

The stylus I want. Adonit Jot Touch now beaten by HEX3 Jaja?

1. HEX3 Jaja
Jaja runs on AAAbattery so no need for usb recharge and works on sound rather than bluetooth. Better pressure sensitivity. Also like the aussie guy who's developed it. Awaiting sales in Uk and more utube reviews. Just released. Same thin see-thru tip and shortcut buttons as Jot.

Vimeo video of developer showing how to get started.

https://vimeo.com/51265781


2. The Jot Touch
About £70. Pressure sensitive. Can see what u r drawing. 2 shortcut buttons.

review. -http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/adonit-jot-touch/


Neither have palm rejection but i saw one guy just rest a tissue under his palm resting on screen or wear fingerless glove or special conductive glove in winter.
Touch can be held near end for loser strokes whereas Jaja has to be held on black grip near the drawing point.
Jaja's spare tip can be used in any metal mecahical pencil holder but without pressure sensitivity of course, which is built into Jaja. A great bonus tho.

Ics below - Jaja then Jot. It looks like Jaja's tip angles better. One guy on utube had to bend tip of Jot to get better angle so he didn't have to hold it so straight up in order for the round plastic disk not to come off the screen which stops it working.

Rough prototype of my home made Ipad Cover/stand

It was done on the fly, just sticking together pieces of cardboard from old certificate protector envelopes (will use thick stuff next time or double) with gaffar tape i had (£1.34 - need to check pound stores as B&Q want £7-8) as I saw what was needed.  Had seen some made on youtube.  I have seen lovely white leather  with brown interior leather one on amazon for £17 and I would buy this if I wasn't worried about security - although I could place it in my envelope idea below which would keep it clean too.  Maybe I will but for now am mad about not getting the Black Friday apple discount (could have save extra £26) so making cover makes up for this and is also a little more satisfying.

Will make some changes after seeing real ones in stores.  I don't want mine to look like an ipad for security reasons.  This one looks like an old paper notebook when closed.  All the following changes may not be done for some time as the current one works very well.

•  will add covering bit to hold ipad in when the cover is open and used as stand, instead of the elastic bands - the ones i have seen are sewn on with elastic on the sides in a few places so as not to cover buttons. 
• will add fastener to keep cover closed instead of the elastic.
• will add flaps top and bottom so ipad can stand in same two angles in portrait view without having to take ipad out of cover and turn it to stand
• will add flaps/something at top and bottom so  ipad can't be seen at all - will be great if i can make these look like the top and bottom of book pages.
• Make parts imoveable when closed so magnet doesn't turn ipad off and on accidentally
• I will make pretty fabric one based on same design.  
• I am working on on my original idea an old padded envelope for Oz.  Battered and uninteresting.   (see last pic) 
• I will make pretty one using book making processes, using pretty fabrics but based on the same flaps ideas.  Still look like a book of pretty box rather than an ipad.
• I may make a leather (have lots of leather and old leather skirts and bags etc) one if i can again make it look like a book

The full cover open, showing centre section, back section with 3 sections, and front section with 3 sections - i just kept adding section and dividing them as seemed necessary.  Luckily it just develped organically and I didn't have to change much.  I didn't cut neat straight sides or worry about bumps in tape as it was only a test.  I would have been more careful if I had known it was going to turn out to be so useful.

Standing tall with bottom/back section folding in 3.  This will also be good angle for life drawing class on table - last week i took footstool and lap cushion with the lower angle set on ipad cover as i sat on a chair,  as i din't realise class had mini tables.  This worked as well.

Standing flatter with top/front section folded in 3.  I use this the most.  At this angle I am able to touch type - need more practice.  This is also good for resting on knees while watching TV in the lazyboy chair with legs up - my usual usage place.

Cover closed with magnet section folded back so it doesn't accidently turn on ipad - to avoid this the cover would have to be more immovable.  

Magnet section in operation keeping ipad turned off - only use it like this on table not in hand bag where parts would move and turn it off and on all day.  

Magnet from old fridge picture stuck on top/outside of cover with yet more gaffar ape.

Magnet touching ipad - ipad off.

Magnet lifted away from ipad - ipad on.

This was my first go and I had put magnet on it.  Good disguise.  I was going to coat in clear PVA to keep it clean.   I may use same idea on old envelope or book pages or covers.  I may use this envelope purely to hide ipad, may rejoin the side so it is envelope again.

Pensketch app for Android review

Turns photos into pen & sketches.  May be useful as base for further work, especially building scenes.   Has basic slide control of how much detail to be included - see St Pauls 2 pics - more and less detail.  Its not Photoshop or Illustrator Trace but more the level you get on camera affects.

Another crazy sewing project - Giant carrier

When I stay in Travelodge or Premier Inn hotels I find there is not enough table space or chairs when John is with me (and believe me the less we are on top of each other the less we argue).  So, I wanted to take a couple of my camping items - fold-up director's chair, small fold up table for eating and computer and white tray with base for for breakfast food items.  

I had a great cheap but strong wheely from Ikea (I bought for moving biggish loads - wasn't sure what but it looked useful).  I made the bag section big enough to take my air conditioner should I ever end up in hotel in summer with no A/C.  I was meant to avoid stares at bringing in furniture past the reception desk but I think I've failed on that point.   

I was hoping to fit in my electric cooler box but though it fits, it just makes the whole thing look too big so that will go in separate plastic wheel box that fits it perfectly (not sure i will take it as depends on weather - i have small normal cool box for a couple of drink cans which may be enough this time as it's mainly for breakfast milk/butter, juice and cold drinks - I prefer to keep my money/stomache space for nice lunches and dinners in seaside restaurants and just have a light breakfast - I don't like the hotel breakfasts - £8 for too much food and I'm not paying that for a coffee and toast.) 

It looks crazy but I had the plastic coated fabric tablecloth material I'd bought from John Lewis about 6 years ago and wanted to use it.  I may eventually make a black one if I find it works ok.

Designers Block: 1. Reuse old suits and 2. Leaf cutting

1.  Upcyling old suits

I've got some old suits to add to my old shirts and jumpers I've been upcycling and this is inspiring.

More of this at Designers Block  designersblock.blogspot.co.uk/

2.  Amazing Leaf Cutting

Would love to give this a go if only I had the patience and talent.

More at Designers Block  designersblock.blogspot.co.uk

Artist Quiltmaker's throw away - another piece for my art collection

When I heard that my quilter artist friend, Kim was going to get rid of an quilt she made purely for experimenting with technique I rushed in with beggar bowl in hand of course.  It arrived today by mail and I love it.  I have put it in a temporary frame until I get a new white one with mount - I will then replace the picture below.  It makes one realise that quilting takes so much work and patience.  If you paint or draw and don't like something then often you've only lost a few hours or days.  Quilting takes so much more.

Kim was going to throw this out.  Now having been able to have a closeup look, I know I would never have the patience.  There is so much work.  Even the backing looks great.  I know quilts are suppose to be hung but I think it will look great in its new frame with proper mounting.  Love the fallen logs - very Hockney.

New ipad (mini?) supersentive Pen for taking notes and drawing released soon

I've been following these designers this year as they develop this pen and now it's about to be released.   Interestingly in their FAQ on compatibility, they mention the mini ipad?  What do they know?  Surely they needed to be in contact with Apple for future compatibility?  

rumours of ipad mini in october - 7.8" retina display

Could it look like this?

http://www.tenonedesign.com/connect.php

Add caption

It also has a great no-see magnet ipad stand.