Crystal Brush

Dalek104 · #1 March 23, 2007, 9:37 PM

I have created my very own website devoted to my artwork! It's still under construction, but I thought you would all like to see it anyway.

www.crystalbrush.com

Jez · #2 March 24, 2007, 4:18 AM

Looks promising. I can't wait to see you stuff.

Ben Dawson · #3 March 24, 2007, 4:25 AM

yes, looks very promising, great work with the site, looking forward to seeing more.

Dalek104 · #4 March 24, 2007, 5:29 AM

Thanks!

Jez · #5 March 24, 2007, 6:03 AM

Tis a good job that neither of us go by our real names, other wise it would be confusing posting here (I'm a James too, I acquired "Jez" about 9 years ago when a load of american buddies just started calling me it - luckily, I liked it).

I like Reflection Rings. Very nice. DTB (DeskTop Background) potential

The Moonlit Door · #6 March 24, 2007, 6:17 AM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

I have created my very own website devoted to my artwork! It's still under construction, but I thought you would all like to see it anyway.

www.crystalbrush.com

Some great stuff here. My favourite, probably because it could easily be an early Doctor Who title sequence is 'Reflection Rings'.

It's great that you already know the career that you're aiming for, because I didn't when I was about to leave school. The fact that you have your work on show in a functioning website is even more impressive.

Be wary about throwing things away though. Stick them in a scrapbook, or keep them on file somewhere. You never know what ideas they could trigger later.

Graphic Design's about designing something for a purpose, and its sometimes about compromise. That can be difficult, to force a stop on your creativity. Sometimes there will be limits on what you can do.

Have you thought about designing an avatar for yourself? That has inherent limitations. It has to be relatively small for starters, so you can't do anything that will lose clarity once it's shrunk down. It can also relate to your pseudonym on the boards. I'd be thinking: 'Dalek104', what can I do with that? What image can I come up with?

That's a great place to start for a designer.

Dalek104 · #7 March 24, 2007, 6:38 AM

Originally Posted by Jez

Tis a good job that neither of us go by our real names, other wise it would be confusing posting here (I'm a James too, I acquired "Jez" about 9 years ago when a load of american buddies just started calling me it - luckily, I liked it).

Hehe.

Originally Posted by Jez

I like Reflection Rings. Very nice. DTB (DeskTop Background) potential

Thank you!

Originally Posted by The Moonlit Door

Some great stuff here. My favourite, probably because it could easily be an early Doctor Who title sequence is 'Reflection Rings'.

Thanks! Cool idea!

Originally Posted by The Moonlit Door

It's great that you already know the career that you're aiming for, because I didn't when I was about to leave school. The fact that you have your work on show in a functioning website is even more impressive.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by The Moonlit Door

Be wary about throwing things away though. Stick them in a scrapbook, or keep them on file somewhere. You never know what ideas they could trigger later.

Well, maybe I was exaggerating a little there. Usually whenever I create something I keep it. Whenever I "throw something away", it's probably when I start making something, get halfway and then think "actually, I don't think I want this". Thanks for your advice though!

Originally Posted by The Moonlit Door

Graphic Design's about designing something for a purpose, and its sometimes about compromise. That can be difficult, to force a stop on your creativity. Sometimes there will be limits on what you can do.

Thanks for your advice again!

Originally Posted by The Moonlit Door

Have you thought about designing an avatar for yourself? That has inherent limitations. It has to be relatively small for starters, so you can't do anything that will lose clarity once it's shrunk down. It can also relate to your pseudonym on the boards. I'd be thinking: 'Dalek104', what can I do with that? What image can I come up with?

I did design an avatar for myself not too long ago, but then I replaced it.

I may consider creating another, though.

The Moonlit Door · #8 March 24, 2007, 7:41 AM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

I did design an avatar for myself not too long ago, but then I replaced it.

I may consider creating another, though.

That's good, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Dalek104 · #9 March 24, 2007, 6:26 PM

I've put my old avatar back up now. Here's one I made quickly.

The Moonlit Door · #10 March 25, 2007, 5:33 AM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

I've put my old avatar back up now. Here's one I made quickly.

I like both of those, but the one with the Doctor half in the frame is more striking — good picture of Tennant. It'd be interesting having 'Dalek104' in place of the red text actually, maybe in the typeface you've got on your signature. It's very readable and clear.

Dalek104 · #11 March 25, 2007, 5:42 AM

I like both of those, but the one with the Doctor half in the frame is more striking â€” good picture of Tennant. It'd be interesting having 'Dalek104' in place of the red text actually, maybe in the typeface you've got on your signature. It's very readable and clear.[/quote]

Something like this?

The Moonlit Door · #12 March 25, 2007, 5:54 AM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

Something like this?

Yeah, exactly. And even better, the blue line at the top serves more of a purpose, with the red glyphs sitting underneath it, as if it's sliding onto the Dalek's display screen to give targeting information.

Danny Stewart · #13 March 26, 2007, 12:34 AM

Magnificent portfolio so far, Dalek! That's looking truly excellent... I can't wait to follow your site as it develops further!

Dalek104 · #14 March 26, 2007, 1:43 PM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

Magnificent portfolio so far, Dalek! That's looking truly excellent... I can't wait to follow your site as it develops further!

Big thanks, Danny!

Sam Davies · #15 March 28, 2007, 4:16 AM

I love Underwater Burst it's definately the best. How long have you been working on this?

Jez · #16 March 28, 2007, 4:53 AM

Can I make a suggestion on the site itself. I see that you've got closer to finishing it but I think it would be better if the ideal (i.e. minimum) resolution was at 1024 x 768, rather than what it is now. Just makes it easier to navigate if there's less scrolling from left to right to do.

Dalek104 · #17 March 28, 2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Sam Davies

I love Underwater Burst it's definately the best. How long have you been working on this?

Thanks, Sam! I made some of those images about two years ago and I've only just opened the website.

Originally Posted by Jez

Can I make a suggestion on the site itself. I see that you've got closer to finishing it but I think it would be better if the ideal (i.e. minimum) resolution was at 1024 x 768, rather than what it is now. Just makes it easier to navigate if there's less scrolling from left to right to do.

That's probably because I'm making the site with a widescreen monitor. I'm soon going to try and completely change the layout of it, and I'll take note of that Jez. Thanks!

Danny Stewart · #18 March 28, 2007, 10:25 AM

You know, the layout's fine as it is, you just have all this kind of ridiculous padding on either side. Kill that and it'd be perfect.

EDIT: And I'd like to reiterate what a wonderful site it is... you have a lot of talent, and I hope you fulfill your ambitions to become a graphic designer! There are people worse than you that already work that job, so keep at it.

Dalek104 · #19 March 28, 2007, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

You know, the layout's fine as it is

The one on there now is meant to be temporary.

I'll think about it.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

You just have all this kind of ridiculous padding on either side. Kill that and it'd be perfect.

Unless I change the layout, I will do that.

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

And I'd like to reiterate what a wonderful site it is... you have a lot of talent, and I hope you fulfill your ambitions to become a graphic designer! There are people worse than you that already work that job, so keep at it.

Thanks a lot, Danny! That means so much to me!

Danny Stewart · #20 March 28, 2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Dalek104

The one on there now is meant to be temporary.

I'll think about it.

Oh, no, I mean if you want to redo the design, by all means go ahead. I'm sure you can do better. I was just saying in order to fix the immediate problem of the horizontal scrolling all you needed to do was remove the padding -- I meant that the scrolling issue alone was not enough to warrant a complete redesign.

Originally Posted by Dalek104

Thanks a lot, Danny! That means so much to me!

I mean it! You've continually impressed me with your various visual works and you clearly have a plethora of talent already -- imagine what a few years of practice and a course of study at university could do for you! You'd be at the top of your field in no time at all.

By the way, is what it says on the "About Me" section of your site correct about your age? It says you're only 13 years old! I honestly had you pegged for around 16 or 17! If that's correct, then may I say you speak and act well beyond your years. Such maturity in both talent and general demeanor is a welcome change from many 13-year-olds I know.