Returning to YouTube Quick Tips

I've been away from making Quick Tips videos for YouTube for a bit. I'm guessing you know how it goes, equipment issues, new gear to figure out, just not as much to share. But I'm ready to jump back in with a few small tweaks. I'm splitting things up into "Quick Art Tips" (keeping that with the original music!) and "Quick Photo Tips" which might be less frequent, and I'm still hunting for the right music for those. I'm also playing around with different camera setups and experimenting with new ways to capture nic shots for these upcoming videos.

Today's tip is super simple but really useful: how to make sure your camera is perfectly square to your artwork. This works whether you're using a traditional camera, a DSLR, or just your smartphone.

All you need is a small compact mirror. Ladies, you probably already have one! Guys, seriously, these little things are incredibly handy. Beyond makeup touch-ups, they're great for bouncing light into dark corners, checking behind things, and even signaling for help if you're ever in a pinch.

Since most artworks are flat, you want your camera lined up in a parallel plane to whatever you're photographing, whether it's on a desk, wall, or floor.

The technique is dead simple: place the mirror in the center of your artwork, then position your camera so you can see it reflected directly in the middle of that mirror through your camera's viewfinder or screen. You don't even need a tripod unless you want one.

If you're shooting something on an easel or wall, have someone hold the mirror for you. If the artwork is way above or below or o bthe side of your position, you won't see your camera's reflection showing on the mirror, as view from that camera. Just adjust your camera position accordingly.

Sure, modern software can fix these alignment issues later, but why rely on fixing distorted images in post-production? I think it's way better to spend a few extra seconds getting it right in-camera when you're capturing your precious artwork.

See you on YouTube!

Measuring the Blueness of the Sky

 

The Cyanometer, an instrument invented in 1789 by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure and used by the famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt to measure the blueness of the sky. Originally a scientific tool used to study the atmospheric moisture and particle content, a darker blue reading indicated less water vapour, while a lighter, whiter blue suggested more moisture or pollution.  The original design consisted of 52 or 53 shades of Prussian Blue on a circular card. Contemporary interpretations of the cyanometer have appealed to artists, particularly as a guide for accurately mixing sky colours in paintings. They range from DIY YouTube tutorial videos using watercolours to studies of the optimal combination of modern pigments needed to simulate the sky's full chromatic range.

This video was prepared by an AI, Google’s Notebook LM, to summarise some key sources that collectively establish the cyanometer's historical significance, its scientific function, and its continued relevance as an artistic and educational tool for studying colour and the environment.

Inktober is Over

Unlike in previous years, I submit my artwork to every day’s prompt during Inktober. A few might have been late at night, but all were submitted on the day in question. I had decided to have fun doing inkwork rather than stress myself about the ideas or the quality of the inkwork. I’m still getting over some unusual problems related to my corneal graft, particularly with close things that are on my right-hand side. Don't worry; my vision is improving, and this demonstrates I can do stuff like drawing and inking.

The final Inktober prompt was “award”.  So an award, such as a certificate or something for my favourite pen, was the obvious item to draw. I sketched this out, and it was pretty boring. I suppose I could spend a lot of time doing fancy cross-hatched edges and Lettering. Then it struck me I should have an awards ceremony, like a gold Oscar or Logie. A Greek goddess holding my favourite pen, which is still the Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen range. They impressed me with their reliability, and they run smoothly for Indian Ink, giving a solid black line. They’re not the cheapest pens, but they seem to last, and I do find their line work suits my style. I have a few fixed-width fineliners, I dominantly use the thicker ones eg. 0.7 (M). My real favourites are the brush pen (B) and soft brush (SB) both of which give great flexibility in linework, the line width and expressive curves.

So it wasn’t hard to make a decision that the award should be part of the awards ceremony with a Statuette of a Greek Goddess holding the winning pen.

BTW I did have fun participating in Inktober this year and feel quite proud that I submitted something every day and finished the whole month.