What program to make challenge blog sketches

[Tamidolphin]

My daughter has a sketch challenge blog and I usually just photo her sketch but thought about spiffing it up a bit but I don't know what program everyone uses to make the "professional" looking sketches.

Tami

[anitabestampin]

Ooooo...I would love to know this too! I am hoping that there might be a tutorial on how to create these somewhere out there.

[shayles]

I am wondering if you couldn't do it on something as simple as Paint? You can Draw outlines over one another right? You can fill in areas too. Scale might be a problem though. Just a thought.

[Tamidolphin]

I have corel draw etc but have seen the sketches used have bows and scallops and background papers

[garkarlon]

Hi! I used to create sketches for one of the design teams that I was on, and I used Microsoft Publisher. It was the easiest to use. I tried doing it in Photoshop Elements and it just took too much time messing with it. Hope this helps!

[TheresaCC]

I use Photoshop Elements. I like to make mine in layers so I can nudge things around a bit as I go.

[Ellibelle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayles

I am wondering if you couldn't do it on something as simple as Paint? You can Draw outlines over one another right? You can fill in areas too. Scale might be a problem though. Just a thought.

My then 6year old son (now 7) used the paint program to redraw the handdrawn sketches I needed with the paint program. They worked fine for me and the challenges I needed them for. I am pretty sure you could also try the free "gimp" program (but haven't given it a try yet myself).

[Aimitup]

You could use Adobe Illustrator if you have that program.

[JulieHRR]

I loved using Apple Works Draw, but they don't make it any more. Boo. It was SO easy to learn and use. I could whip out templates so fast with that software. *sigh*

Now, I usually use a vector based software like Vector Designer, and am self-teaching to use Illustrator and Photoshop CS4.

I have used Photoshop Elements 3, but found it takes me too long with that software to get what I want.

[BohoRose]

I'm a graphic designer AND just started making challenge sketches for a new crafty motivational blog that I hope to open next month if I can just quit procrastinating

Anyhow I've used a lot of different programs for graphic design. I started out self-taught and then after 3 years decided to take some real classes.

Anyhow ... Here's a few programs that you can use & save graphics as images.

For the Novice I would recommend the following:

Microsoft Publisher -- a general do-it-all desktop publishing program. It will let you draw boxes, import clipart & save your final project as a graphic file (i.e. jpg, gif, tiff, png)

Microsoft Powerpoint -- this program is used mostly for presentations and slideshows, but like Publisher you can use it to create shapes, import clipart & save your final project as a graphic file (i.e. jpg, gif, tiff, png)

Microsoft Picture It -- a basic photo editor that's easy to use, has a few easy to use graphic manipulation features, you can draw shapes, import clipart, and modify graphics

Paint -- You can use this program if it's all you have, not the best way to go but it will do for basic sketches

For the Advanced users:

Photoshop / Photoshop Elements -- Primarily a photo editing software however there are limitless possibilities of the things you can do with these programs and tons of free tutorials online to learn new tricks

Illustrator/ Corel Draw / Inkscape -- This is my favorite program as a designer for many reasons. These vector based programs create graphics that are scalable without distortion. Great for logos and things that you may want to print very large and need to be able to enlarge without losing quality. For sketches this program works well because you can create any combination of shapes, easily change colors of objects with a few clicks, and this program would be great for anyone wanting to create their own digital stamps.

Personally I used Photoshop to create the challenges for my blog. I chose to go this route because I know I'm only making images for web viewing so the quality doesn't have to be great & I chose to make very graphical sketches.

Here's a preview of how my sketch turned out:


HTH!!

[va.sunshine]

interested as well.....thanks ladies! *~*

[karentom]

Hi Tami,
I find your 11 yr old hand done sketches charming.
If you do go high tech, I hope periodically you will show both.
Karen S

[Crafts]

I usually do card layout sketches in Adobe Illustrator. However, those who don't have access to that type of program can do them in Photoshop instead. I've previously posted step-by-step directions in this thread: Forums at Splitcoaststampers

[Tamidolphin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karentom

Hi Tami,
I find your 11 yr old hand done sketches charming.
If you do go high tech, I hope periodically you will show both.
Karen S

Thanks I was thinking that I might get more players if they look a little more professional but maybe know one minds our low budget production.

[vikkijo]

Can anyone give step by step instruction on Using Illustrator?

[cat_woman]

If all you need are basic shapes, then you can also use Word. You can "layer" the shapes, move them around, move them back or to the front. You can fill shapes with patterns and different colours to represent different layers or patterned papers. You really don't need a fancy graphics program to do it.

[Erin K]

Is it totally lame to just use a pencil? Because if I ever plan a sketch challange that's how I intend to do it? haha.

[dougnat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin K

Is it totally lame to just use a pencil? Because if I ever plan a sketch challange that's how I intend to do it? haha.

I don't think it is