Arlene Faber's Samples:
Periodically a new discussion emerges re: digi-stamps.
Are they "really," stamps?
Do you like them or not?
How do you use them?
Of course, there are as many answers as there are artists and crafters.
ggd's personal bias is that they aren't "really" stamps but in this day and age of multi-media combinations, who cares?
And...why buy them?
An ethical dilema.
Anyone with fair computer skills can capture images from the Internet and, unless they are in violation of someone's copy right, use them however their creative muse directs them.
ggd personally does not object to use of images from the Catalog or Blog in this way (particularly when credit for the original image is given) and has expanded on the standard "Angel Policy" to include this tacit permission.....for personal use.
However, digi-stamps or images that you purchase are designed to be downloaded and maintain tight detail when enlarged or reduced. That is one of their advantages.
The images we are providing were not originally produced to be downloaded and manipulated so their use is limited. Use them, do what you can with them, enjoy them, but don't plan on high quality results. Play and have fun.
Kate Pullin (in her About.com rubberstamping guide) describes Digital Stamps as: . . . black and white outline images which you can print and color (like rubber stamping but with the image being printed rather than stamped).
Check here: http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/digitalstamps/a/complete_guide_to_digital_stamps.htm for more information and a list of free digital stamps.
For Some of Her Images Arlene
downloaded floral images and colored them with various techniques. To get you off to a good start check this special "Spring Bouquet" page.
With others she worked her magic in PhotoShop Elements.
Don't have the PhotoShop program? No worry. Check the Internet for some of the many free draw/paint programs. Don't overlook children's programs and of course, check your own Word programs. Many (most in fact) have some kind of paint/draw section. Find one you like and PLAY! Click http://www.ggdesigns.net/SpringBouquetcarving.html for ggd carved images that may work with this technique.
While we definitely can see a place and a use for downloading and utilizing images to color and add to art in any number of ways, we are more excited by what we are calling, for want of a better name and because we haven't (yet) found this as specific type/designation, digi-dos! (Images that you DO something with on the computer rather than by hand.)
Note: In selecting images for the Spring Bouquet, we were surprised to find how few gg designs were appropriate. Line drawings are most useful and ggd's designs are mostly hand carved and contain large solid areas.....good for stamping techniques but not so much for printing and coloring.
On the other hand....the solid areas can be interesting to work with in computer paint programs. However, these too, since they were not intended for this use or prepared for this approach present challenges. If areas are not "closed" you the color you apply will "leak" until it runs against a "dam"which stops it. Quite a surprise sometimes. Keep this in mind as you start to use this technique. You may have to do some "editing" and "adding" to close areas to avoid this. Pretty startling when you first encounter it and are not alert to the possibility and the cause!
Next step for ggd will be to prepare images for digital downloads and manipulation at the start. This is an in-progress project. We will definitely indicate this as a special feature with any future stamp designs.
Meanwhile, have fun playing and incorporating these techniques into your work. It's not either/or but add to provide still more interesting ideas for your stamping projects.
This set of Match Stick drawings is chosen for the promised Spring Bouquet assortment. Usually $20.00, it is being offered to Blog participants only (those of you who send samples of your use of downloaded ggd images, along with helpful hints to help us all use our computers more artfully) at a special price. $14.00 plus s & h. Orders must be received by May 7.
Note: There are no "half tones" on this sheet. This is just how they show up in this image. They are line drawings.
