h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have been lurking the site for some time and would like to start contributing. As i'm interested more in art than writing, volunteering here seems to be the obvious thing to do. I'm particularly interested in smileys, but it looks like you have to do what your given, so that's what i'll do.

I await my test.

Atled

Hi Atled

U204560 has links to examples drawn by the Community Artists. You might like to look them over to see what the scheme demands.

You should also look at the specifications carefully at <./>CommunityArtists-What</.> to see how to prepare the images

Unfortunately, the CAs don't get to do smileys or 'community art' (Despite their name) as much as Edited Guide normal graphics, but you never know when an opportunity will present itself...

Thanks, Jodan

Hi Atled

Thanks for volunteering. Someone will be along later with the two test titles. Which graphics package do you use?

Amy

Thanks, Jodan. I read through all the pages before i posted, but thanks anyway.

Amy, i use whatever seems like a good idea at the time, but usually it's either PaintShop Pro or the GIMP. It rather depends on what computer i'm using at the time, and what it has installed.

Atled

Most people do, it's just something someone has to do

Here's the official blurb with the test titles .

Amy



Hi Atled

Thanks for volunteering to be a Community Artist.

To join this volunteer scheme there is an art test. This is because the standard of Edited Entries on h2g2 is very high, and the Editors would like the illustrations to match this

Two random Edited Entries have been picked using the Infinite Improbability Drive. You are asked to do a picture for each of them. You can look in the <./>GuideML-PictureLibrary</.> for the kind of graphics used in the past, use the entry for inspiration, and use the internet for research, but make sure that you follow the specifications that you can find on the <./>CommunityArtists-What</.> page.

The Editors don't want to see photographs relied on heavily, or visible in the finished image, as they'd like to see your drawing style not a photographic montage.

You need to produce the main image, the front page circles and the communicate image for each title although only the main ones will be used because these entries have already had their day on the Front Page.

Once the graphics are done, let the Editors know by Posting to this thread. The details for sending them into h2g2 will then be given to you.

If your pictures meet the Editorial standards then not only will you become a Community Artist but your test pictures will be blobbed and added to the entries.

Your entries are:
A692804 Elizabeth Fry - Social Reformer
A523478 Pogo Sticks

Feel free to ask questions and good luck.

NB: The same rules of copyright apply to images as to text. If you are in any doubt as to what this means, please ask.

Ooh, pogo sticks is a good one.

Yes, I'm very pleased the IPD threw up pogo sticks .

Atled, you may find il viaggiatore's circle template useful http://design.gondastudios.com/lo/resources.htm

It's a photoshop file but it will open in PSP.

Amy

Thanks! I'll let you know when i've got them made.

Atled

Alternatively, if you do have any trouble with circles Atled, I have some templates which are actually designed for PaintShop Pro and work properly.

There's no time limit. Not here anyway. Once you are a CA it's a different matter .

SEF, thanks, i'll let you know if i have any difficulties.

Amy, that's good to know, but i'll try to get it done relatively soon anyway.

Atled

Good luck!

Amy - i've just been doing some more lurking and I found myself reading your personal space, and i saw you use Corel Painter for you artwork. I have a friend who swears by it, and i was wondering if it was really as good as he says it it, what can you tell me about it?

Atled

Painter seems to suit artists who have arrived at digital art via more traditional media. All graphics apps offer three ways of working - photomanipulation, painting tools and vector drawing tools. Each app has its own emphasis. The emphasis of Painter in on the painting tools - the airbrush is particularly good and the latest version allows you to mix colours on a palette just as you would in real life. The vector tools aren't as good as, say, Illustrator but they're easier to use. The main problem with Painter for web graphics is that you can't edit the gif colour table and you have limited options for the quality of jpgs.

Sorry for the delay, i got a bit busy IRL and then forgot to come back here. I have now had a go at those pictures you wanted, what do i do with them?

Atled

If you have any external webspace you could put them up there and post a link to it here for everyone to see. Otherwise you can email the files to [Personal details removed by Moderator] - though there may be a delay in the images being put up in the Yahoo CA group for discussion. It looks like one of the other candidates has been waiting a couple of weeks.

Thanks, SEF. I'll email them now.

BTW, why don't you have a CA badge on your PS? You talk like you are one...

Atled

There. They are sitting in Mina's inbox waiting for her. I guess she won't be in on a bank holiday, so i look foward to hereing more tomorrow.

Atled

I was one. The badge was removed.

NB It isn't just a badge (ie picture) when it is properly embedded in the right hand side of the page (different in different skins). It is automatically generated by the display software from group membership lists held in the main database. Mostly that's all it means but membership of some other groups actually has a more worthwhile (or detrimental) effect on functionality.