Showing how your art looks on products just got a whole lot easier!
I feel like I just gave birth… not to a child this time but to a project that has been developing for months. And this blog post serves as a ‘baby announcement’ of sorts because the baby is here, I couldn’t be more delighted, tired and proud to tell the world!
This is my first physical product that must be delivered by mail and not by digital download. Why? Because it has too many pieces and too much content.
What you get:
• 46 Photoshop™ (.psd) or PNG files with professional photographs of stationery, tabletop and gift industry products. The backgrounds have already been removed so they are ready to use for presentation and portfolio mock-ups.
• 9 video tutorials with more than 2 hours of ‘over the shoulder’ live-streaming instruction. Watch artist Tara Reed apply patterns and learn from a few mistakes along the way! (Then you will feel better when you make them too – right?)
What you need:
• Photoshop™ (the video tutorials show CS3 screens but the concepts should work with most professional versions of Photoshop™)
• Art that you want to show on products.
The tutorials focus on placing repeat patterns and borders on the product photos but you can use the same concepts for more illustrative art as well. If you don’t know how to create repeat borders & patterns and save the patterns to the pre-set manager in Photoshop, I highly recommend you consider working through the Repeat Pattern eBooks before buying this product.
• CD drive on your computer to access the product photo files and video tutorials.
Here’s a video that shows you a little more…
To get all the juicy details and a list of exactly what is included, head right on over to:
www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/mockup.html
Check it out now while there is a ‘pre-production’ price of $67 if you order before October 20th (products will ship on October 21st). Even a few freebies thrown in too. So go now… learn more!
Here’s to making things easier!
– Tara
Repeat Patterns… the sequel! The Combo Pack! The excitement never ends!
Back in August 2008, I created an eBook tutorial about how to create repeat borders and patterns in Photoshop™. When I wrote it, I told the reader that this would be the first of 2 tutorials. The second would be a more advanced technique called a “half-drop”. I told the reader they REALLY, REALLY, REALLY needed to master the basic techniques so they would be ready to roll when I got the second book done.
WELL… the half-drop repeat book is ready!
If you already have the first book, Basic Repeat Borders and Patterns, and you have read and learned the information, you are ready to go for “the Sequel”. If you are new to repeat patterns, start with the first book or save some green and get the “combo pack” that has both books together.
If you can provide quality art, in a format that is easy for a manufacturer to use, you save them money. Saving your clients money is one way to stand out from the crowd. I found figuring out how to create repeats, using Photoshop™, was very frustrating. I couldn’t find all the information I needed in one place. I picked up a little here, a little there… over a long period of time.
What I have done with these books is created a very visual, step-by-step guide to repeat patterns… without all the “extra” Photoshop™ stuff… just what you need to get the job done. If you are like me you are busy, wearing many hats in your business, and need to cut to the chase.
“But what is a basic repeat pattern vs. a half-drop?” you ask. Good question!
With a ‘basic’ repeat pattern, you created a section of art that gets repeated vertically and horizontally and can go on indefinitely. It’s like laying basic tiles on a floor, lined up evenly.
A half-drop is a little more sophisticated… instead of lining your tiles up evening, you stagger them. What is the point of that? It makes the repeated pattern harder to pick out with an untrained eye and adds more ‘visual interest’ to the pattern.
Learning and understanding the techniques for a basic repeat will make stepping it up a notch to the half-drop techniques an easier process.
To learn more about the eBook tutorials, click here, and you will go to the repeat pattern overview page of my website. Then you can decide if you want to learn about an individual book or the “Combo” offer.
Have an incredible day – here’s to your success!
~ Tara
P.S. If you need to buy or upgrade Photoshop™, click the link below…
Some things bear repeating…
There are things in life that could use a little repetition.
Like when you have children, how many times do you remind them to wash their hands, brush their teeth and get their dirty laundry off the floor and into the hamper?
As an artist, mastering the art of repeat patterns and borders can give you a leg up on the competition.
In the current economy, retailers are struggling, so manufacturers are struggling, and that means we artists are struggling. Everyone has to streamline and cut costs to survive.
If you can provide quality art, in a format that is easy for a manufacturer to use, you save them money. Saving your clients money is one way to stand out from the crowd.
As you can see from the photo, there are a lot of products that use repeat patterns. Fabric for quilting and scrubs and clothing. Kitchen textiles. Gift wrap, gift bags and tissue paper. The list goes on and on.
I found figuring out how to create repeats, using Photoshop™, was very frustrating. All the information was not in one place. I picked up a little here, a little there… over a long period of time.
But there is good news! I have created a step-by-step, very visual, easy to reference tutorial on how to create basic repeat borders and patterns in Photoshop™. Once you master the basics, there will be an advanced tutorial that shows you how to do more complicated drop repeats. (NOW AVAILABLE)
If you want to learn more, head to my web page that will give you an overview of the repeat pattern tutorial options.
http://artlicensinginfo.com/repeats.html
And this bears repeating as well — have a wonderful and creative day!
~ Tara
P.S. If you need Photoshop™ or to upgrade any of your Adobe products, click the link below.
Man builds home with plastic hammer!
In an astonishing move today, a man uses his son’s plastic toy hammer to complete construction of his home.
Where one firm blow to a nail with a professional grade hammer would have done the job, this thrifty man chose instead to borrow his infant son’s plastic hammer and hit each nail 50 times.
Having all the time in the world, he deflects all attacks on his manhood and proudly says, “”This was a less expensive option and I stand by my decision!”
Anyone buying this story?
Any man I’ve ever met who likes to build things, loves to have “the right tool for the job”. In fact, I’m one handy lady and I have better tools than many men I know.
Sometimes you make do with what you have but for the important stuff– you research and make sure you get the best tool you can find — understanding that it will make the job easier and faster.
That saves time and we all know what comes next — time is money, right?
Now I made that story up this morning to make a point. Here comes the TRUE story. Names will be left out to protect the innocent and preserve the marriage.
I got an email this morning that asked me to play judge and jury in a marital dispute. The artist (a woman who is getting started in licensing) asked me this:
“I have a question for you… I signed up for a Photoshop™ class and I’m looking at buying the software (CS3 edition), which is quite a debit in the old checkbook isn’t it (at $649)? But, my husband insists that I don’t need the base software package and I know I do. So who is right?”
Before answering and spending this couple’s hard earned dollars, I went to the Adobe site to make sure my gut instinct was right. Photoshop Elements is for basic home use — mostly photo manipulations, and isn’t going to be powerful enough for someone who is serious about licensing.
So I replied with this advice:
“Photoshop™ is really one of the best investments you can make in your business. Most manufacturers want art in Photoshop™ — many times in layered files, when they get to the point of licensing your art. You need the power of the professional version to have all the flexibility for your work. Tell your husband you win this one.”
Then I gave her the hammer analogy that I thought he could relate to. She thought it was pretty funny. 
But it makes a very valid point — if you are serious about licensing your art, there are certain things you need to invest in. I believe Photoshop™ is one. I completely appreciate the stress of writing that check or pulling out your credit card. I just mailed my deposit to exhibit at Surtex next year — that always hurts a little!
Believe in yourself. Invest in your business. Have the tools to make your dreams come true!
~ Tara
P. S. Any husband (or wife) that needs me to tell their significant other that they win next time they want a cool new tool from Home Depot – drop me a line and I’ll rule in your favor!
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