Happy Holidays

Here are some photos taken during today’s class. Have a safe and wonderful break!

Creating custom scenic windows

Today we will learn how to add windows (and any scene we desire behind those windows) to our room.

Open your window image, path it out in Photoshop, and drag it into your room file:

Adjust the perspective of the window with the transform tools
(Edit -> Transform -> Perspective, Edit -> Transform -> Scale, and Edit -> Transform -> Distort)

Duplicate the Layer (Layer -> Duplicate Layer)
Flip the duplicated image so it looks like it belongs of the opposite wall (Edit -> Transform -> Flip Horizontal)
Move the duplicated window to the other wall.

Remove the scene inside the window pane using the tool of your choice:

Open the scene you would like to go in your window:

Drag the scenic image into your room file.
Make sure the scene layer is below the windows layer in your layers palette:

Adjust the perspective of the scene so it matches the perspective of the window with the transform tools (Edit -> Transform -> Perspective, Edit -> Transform -> Scale, and Edit -> Transform -> Distort)

Remove any part of the scenic image that does not belong in the window with the Photoshop tool of your choice:

 

This technique can also be used to combine an artwork and frame of our choice.

Today we will:

• continue working on our rooms
• create a new blog post with a .png of our progress

The difference between .psd, .png, and .jpg files

Today’s essential question: What are the differences between a .psd (photoshop), .png, and a .jpg file?

By this point in the project, our room file should have many layers, similar to this:

You should save the Photoshop file regularly (File -> save) or control+S to protect your work from computer crashes.

Unfortunately, Photoshop files are huge and only show up on computers that have Photoshop installed on them. Therefore, we can’t post them to our blogs.

Our blogs accept both .png and .jpg files. Both of these files flatten the image – that is, they merge all layers into one layer. If you accidentally open the .png or .jpg of your room file, you will see something like this:

Always double-check to make sure you have opened the .psd file (with layers) before you make any changes to your project!

.jpg files do not support transparency. That means that if you remove the background from a file in Photoshop and then save it as a .jpg, Photoshop will add a background back in, and all of your work will be lost list in the example below:

If I save my file as a .png, the background will still be transparent:

The lesson?
Make sure you save your files as Photoshop files every 10 minutes or so.
Then, at the end of class, save a version of any picture you plan to post to your blog as a .png.
When you open the files next class, though, make sure you open and work from the Photoshop file.

Today we will:

• discuss the difference between .psd, .jpg, and .png files
• continue working on our room design projects
• create a new blog post with a .png of our room design so far

Adjusting Perspective

Today we will learn how to use various features in the transform tool (perspective, distort, scale) to add detail to our floor and walls.

Start with this blank room. (Click on the image to view it full size, then right click -> save picture as):

How to Add a Texture to Your Floor Using the Perspective Tool

Drag your floor texture into your room (do not use the “place” feature!)

Edit-> Transform -> Scale. Scale your floor so it fills the space below where the floor meets the wall. (This is one time that it is ok not to hold down shift, because distorting the dimensions of the floor texture in this step might actually make it look more realistic later.)

Edit -> Transform -> Perspective.
Drag the front corners of the floor outward to transform your floor so it has the correct dimensions.

If your floor still feels a bit off, you can adjust individual points by going to Edit -> Transform -> Distort.

You can use these same tools to add texture to the wall.

Drag your wall texture image into the room file and use the perspective, transform, and distort tools to make it look like it fits on the wall:

Once the first wall looks correct, you can duplicate the layer (Layer->Duplicate Layer), and flip it (Edit -> Transform -> Flip Horizontal) and then move it to the other side of the room.

Duplicating layers will also help you fill the back wall. For example, simply scaling the image on the back wall may look strange if you force the bricks to fit the space.

However, you can scale the image to be the appropriate height (Edit -> Transform -> Scale).
Once again, it may be ok to distort the dimensions of the image in this case.

Then duplicate the layer (Layer -> Duplicate Layer).
Flip the image so you will have a seamless tile (Edit -> Transform -> Flip Horizontal) and move the image so it connects with your other layer.

At the bottom of your layers palette, click on the folder icon  to make a new folder.
Name it “brick wall”.
Drag all the brick layers into this folder. That will help keep your layers organized.

Further uses for the perspective/distort tools:

• make a poster, framed picture, or mirror look like it is hanging on one of the side walls
• add windows to one of the side walls

Today we will:

• begin dragging images into our room and using the perspective and distort tools to make them look like they realistically belong in the room
• save our image as a PNG and create a new blog post with our progress

Removing backgrounds from our images

Today we will remove the background from each our image we plan to add to our room.
We will learn about a few different tools that we may use, and will choose the best tool for each image.

The magic wand tool

The magic wand tool does most of the work for you, but only works when both of the following criteria are met:

1. the background is a solid color
2. there is a high level of contrast between the object and the background (ie. navy couch on a white background)

Follow these steps to remove the background from an image using the magic wand tool:

1. Double-click on the layer named “Background” in the layers palette.
   Rename it anything except “Background.” This should unlock the layer.
   If you do not do this, you will have issues later on!
2. Select the magic wand tool form the toolbar on the left side of the screen.
   (sometimes it is hidden beneath the quick selection tool)
3. Click anywhere in the background area to select the background.
   
4. Press control + x to remove the background.
5. You should now have a transparent background, as evidenced by the grey and white checkboard:
   
6. If this did not work (or you have a random color in the background now), you did not rename your “Background” layer earlier. Photoshop will keep adding colors to the background regardless of how many times you try to delete these colors.
   If this is happening to you, double-click on the layer named “Background” in the layers palette.
   Rename it anything except “Background.” This should unlock the layer.
   Then repeat the previous steps.

Eraser tool

The eraser tool  is probably the most intuitive Photoshop tool to use, as it acts just like a regular pencil eraser. However, try to avoid the eraser tool.   It is very difficult to get clean lines with the eraser tool, and it will be difficult to create a professional looking room if our furniture looks like this:

The pen tool

The pen tool in Photoshop works very similarly to the pen tool in Illustrator.
The pen tool will give us the most control and the cleanest lines, but it is also the most time-consuming.
In general, if there is not enough contrast to use the magic wand, you will want to use the pen tool.

How to use the pen tool to path out images

1. Go to the “paths” window.
   (It is probably hidden under the layers palette. Make sure you switch over to the “paths” window,
   or you will draw a colored shape with the pen tool instead of a path!)
   
   Click the “create new path” button.
2. Go to the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Select the pen tool. 
   Outline shape you want to lighten.
   Important difference from Illustrator: You will need to hold down on the “Alt” key
   whenever you click a tangent point to make the second half of the tangent line disappear:
   
3. Once you have closed your shape by clicking on the first point, go back to the paths window.
   Right click on the path you have created, and click “make selection.”
   
   Feather the selection by 1pixel (this will soften the edges of your selection).
   You can tell that the couch has been selected because it is surrounded by dotted lines:
   
4. Control + click to copy your selection. Control + click to paste your selection.
5. Go back to the “layers” window.
   Make your original layer invisible to make sure you have successfully separated out your object.
6. Save your image as a “Photoshop” file (“.PSD). This will allow you to go back later if you distort the object in your room.
   (You don’t want to have to path out your image all over again!)
7. Then save a copy of your image as a “.PNG” file. (This is what you will upload to your blog today.)
8. Here is a preview of what the couch will look like in the room.
   (Remember – you will not work in your room today or you will get in big trouble!):
   

Today we will:

• Use the pen tool to path to separate images their backgrounds.
  Save each file as both a .PSD and a .PNG (NOT a PDF).
• Create a new blog post with the PNG file of each image whose background you have removed.
  This will help me track everyone’s progress to see how many images they completed today.
• DO NOT TRY TO BUILD YOUR ROOM. This will force you to save your pathed out images in their original files.
• If you finish pathing out all of your images, make sure you have a texture for the floor (hardwood, carpet, concrete, etc), windows (and images of the scenes that will go in your windows), and light fixtures.

Gathering images to use in our room

Today we will learn several tips & tricks that will help with our room design project.
We will download very large images (at least 2MP) and post them to our blogs.

Angle of View

When downloading images, consider the point of view from which the image was chosen.
For example, this couch would look great against the back wall:

while this couch would work better against a side wall:

If you have to choose between an image that is your ideal color, or one that has been taken from the perfect angle, choose the perfect angle. Trying to fake the perfect angle with Photoshop’s perspective tool will give you something like this (notice how we should be able to see the side of the armrest):

Changing Color

On the other hand, it is very easy to change the color of an object in Photoshop.
In the example below, I will change the color of the couch:

See how well that works?

Here is the blank room file. I am only including it for the purpose of testing whether or not the images you have downloaded are large enough to work. DO NOT START BUILDING YOUR ROOM – We have at least another day’s worth of tutorials to complete first.

Today we will create a new blog post with the following:

• Post a minimum of 20 images that we may use in our room design project. They should be at least 2MP in size. These images should cover the following things: architectural details, color, floor materials and coverings, windows and window coverings, lighting, furniture, art and accessories.  If you plan to change the color of any items, note that.
• A paragraph describing the intended purpose of the room, and how the items you have posted will contribute to the room.

Interior Design Project

Today we will begin our interior design project. We will research various interior design styles and create a new blog post with a “mood board” of the look we hope to achieve.

We will start with this blank room template and turn it into an interior space of our choosing. You may want to consider, but are not limited to, spaces such as a dream bedroom or dorm room, an art studio, a coffee shop or restaurant, a music venue, or a store.

Here are some examples created by my middle school students. I expect more from this class:

Interior Design Styles

Below are some images of various interior design styles. These are just ideas to get you started; you do not have to model your interior space on any particular style.

Art Deco

Asian/Zen

Modernism/Minimalism (shop at IKEA)

French Country/Shabby Chic (shop at Anthropologie)

Gothic

   

Industrial (shop at Restoration Hardware)

 

There are many more interior design styles featured on the Interior Designipedia website.

Today we will

• research potential interior design styles we may use in our project
• create a new blog post with the following (Giacomo’s post is a great example):
  • a minimum of 15 images we may use in our room design project. These images should cover the following things: architectural details, color, floor materials and coverings, windows and window coverings, lighting, furniture, art and accessories. Remember, you are starting with the plain image at the top of the blog post, so you will have to add every detail in the room yourself.
  • a paragraph describing the intended purpose of the room, and how the items you have posted will contribute to the room

Drawing 3D Letters in One Point Perspective

Today we will introduce one point perspective. We will eventually use one point perspective to create realistic looking rooms in Adobe Photoshop.

This tutorial will teach you how to draw 3D letters in one point perspective.
It contains instructions originally published here.

In one point perspective, an object gets smaller as it moves further away from the viewer. The further from the viewer an object gets, the closer it gets to the vanishing point. In one point perspective, all objects eventually converge at the vanishing point.

How to Draw 3D Letters in One Point Perspective:

Arrange your 2D letters in a way that fits your purpose. I placed them in a circle to demonstrate the 3D effect, which occurs later, from all possible angles.
Choose a point on your paper and make a little cross there. This cross is your vanishing point, towards which the letters will become smaller and smaller.

Take a ruler and connect all edges of your letters through a line with the vanishing point (these lines are called perspective lines).
But don’t draw any lines that would cut through a letter.
In some cases, like at the bottom of the left ‘E’, you can draw the lines for a short distance, until they touch a letter (a ‘T’ in this example). This gives the impression that the three dimensional shape of the ‘E’ continues behind the ‘T’.
But all lines, no matter how short you draw them, have to point directly towards the vanishing point.

In the case of rounded letters, like the ‘S’ or the ‘D’, you don’t have any edges from which to start your perspective lines.
Draw tangents to the sides of the letters in this case.
(A tangent is a straight line, which touches a curve in one point, without crossing it.)

And with that your 3D effect is already achieved.
Now you know how to draw 3D letters that beam into infinity.
But if your letters are supposed to end somewhere, you have to cut them off at one point.
Below I use a ‘T’ to demonstrate how to do this.

Place a little mark on one of the perspective lines, where you want your letter to end. The closer you place this mark to the vanishing point, the thicker the letter will appear to be.
Use this mark as the starting point to draw a line that runs parallel to the front side of the letter. In our example this line is the top of the T’s back side.
From where this line touches the next perspective line, you continue to draw the back side of the ‘T’ parallel to the front side.
In this case, it is the right edge of the ‘T’, which runs straight downwards.

Now you have completed the upper part of the ‘T’. But where you have to cut off the trunk is not immediately visible.
To solve this problem, you can draw in the whole backside of the ‘T’ with dotted lines:

First you can draw in the whole rectangle of the T’s upper part.Since you know, that the trunk of the ‘T’ lies exactly in the middle of this rectangle, you can use this knowledge to draw in the whole trunk with dotted lines also.
And on the right side, where the trunk is not covered by the top of the ‘T’, runs the line we were looking for.

Erase your dotted lines afterwards, and you have successfully constructed the back side of your 3D letter!

Now use the same method for all of your letters. For some this will be easier than for others. Especially rounded letters are difficult, because you don’t just have to draw parallel straight lines, but parallel curves.

In the picture above you can still see the dotted line, which I used to construct the back side of the ‘D’.
Note that I placed the ends of the ‘3’ and the ‘D’ very close to the vanishing point, so that these shapes look thicker than the others.

Finally you can erase all perspective lines and the vanishing point, as well as any other dotted lines you may have drawn for additional orientation.
And there you have your 3D letters, floating in the depth of space!

Side Note
This method is a generally good way how to draw in perspective. You can use it to draw any sort of objects in 3D, not just as a way how to draw 3D letters. First you draw your object in 2D. Then you connect its edges with your chosen vanishing point. Afterwards you draw in the backside and erase the superfluous lines. That’s it.
A circle, for example, would become a long, round pipe; and a square with a triangle on top of it would become a 3D house.

Today we will:

•  watch Ms. Lawson’s one point perspective demo
• finish our tshirt designs and post the finished designs to our blog
• write a thank you note to Donors Choose (if you used the Prismacolor colored pencils)
• practice drawing words in one point perspective according to the instructions on  this blog post

Previewing what our designs will look like on an actual t-shirt

Today we will preview what our designs will look like on a t-shirt.

Here are some print-resolution t-shirt images to start with. You must use one of these images, both because our actual t-shirt color options are limited to black or white, and because they are large enough that they will print at a high resolution.

Follow these steps to get your design on a t-shirt:

1. Open your t-shirt design in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Delete the layer with your original sketch.
   (Click on the layer with the sketch, then press the trash icon  at the bottom of the layers palette.)
3. Unlock all remaining layers.
   (Click on any lock icons  in the layers palette. When the lock icon disappears, it means you have unlocked the layer.)
4. Select the black arrow tool from the top of the toolbar.
5. Click and drag the arrow across the entire design area. This should select all the pieces of your design.
6. Copy your design by pressing control + c.
7. Download the t-shirt image of your choice from this post.
   (Click on the image to view it full size, then right click -> save image as and save it to your student number.)
8. Open Adobe Photoshop.
9. Open the t-shirt file you have downloaded from this post.
10. Paste your design onto the t-shirt be pressing control + v. Several options will pop up. Select “paste as SmartObject.”
11. Scale your design to the correct size by holding down shift AND scaling from the corner.
    (If you don’t do both of these things together, you may distort your design.)
    
12. When you are happy with your design, press the “enter” key.
    Here is an example of what a design might look like on a t-shirt:
    
13. Save your design as both a photoshop file and a jpg.
14. Upload the following two files to your blog:
    1. a PDF of your final t-shirt design (this is what we will print on the t-shirt)
    2. a jpg of your design on a t-shirt

Today we will:

1. create a mock up of what our designs might actually look like on a t-shirt in Adobe Photoshop
2. finish vectorizing our t-shirt designs in Adobe Illustrator
3. create one blog post with
   1. a PDF of your final t-shirt design (this is what we will print on the t-shirt)
   2. a jpg of your design on a t-shirt
4. create a second blog post with a thank you letter to the people who donated money to Donors Choose to buy our Prismacolor colored pencils. Your thank you letter should be start with “Dear Donors,” be a minimum of 150 words long (more is even better), and cover the following topics:
   1. thank them
   2. tell them what we received (each student got a 24-pack of Prismacolor Premier colored pencils)
   3. tell them what we learned (colored pencil shading and blending, the Pop Art Movement and the artist Wayne Thiebaud)
   4. tell them what we made (candy still life drawings)
   5. tell them why their donation made a difference

More Banksy Antics

Today’s essential question: Who or what determines how much an artwork is worth?

Last fall, Banksy hired an elderly man to sell some of his artwork in Central Park for $40 a piece. Only three people bought anything, one of whom negotiated a 50% discount!

The ‘Spray Art’ stall Banksy setup in Central Park on Saturday.
Photo: http://www.banksyny.com/

Today we will:

• continue working on our t-shirt designs
• post a PDF of our progress to our blogs