Anna Aden Writes

This book was published 22 years ago! So I am bearing that in mind as I got through it. However I've found it is  not very intuitive and that has nothing to do with age. It's just difficult to understand. It took me a while to find the CD ROM - yes, it's that old - however I'm sure I probably got it about 15 years ago, but it doesn't matter.  Though the files are still the same psd formats, the quickmovie instructional videos did not work because of the age. This was irritating because a lot of the exercises seemed to rely on users following the video rather than the instructions.  It starts off chapter 1 which is Natural Selection and roughly has eight lessons. Regarding copyright I used the images supplied on the CD with the book or from https://www.loc.gov/free-to-use/colors-tell-the-story/ where you can get free stuff. The fundamentals The first project was using the quick mask tool but the instructions weren't very clear, and it took a while to understand. ...

Adobe Photoshop 2024 release - Classroom in a Book by Conrad Charvez I did most lessons except the web ones, preparing for print, editing video and working with camera raw which I didn't think was worth it. I did not learn as much as I think I would have, but I borrowed it from a library so there was no cost to me. I think it's probably overpriced at $64.99 or £51.99.  However the caveat, and there is a caveat, if it was part of a work project, I probably would buy it. After all I did get the 2023 Illustrator Classroom in a Book which cost me £48.99 - I didn't finish it however I got enough skills and confidence to do my book cover featured blow.  Cover from learning the illustrator in a Classroom book I guess depends on how much value a person gets from it, and how desperate you are. I was desperate when I paid £48.99 even though I had access to LinkedIn learning webinars.  Good Selling Points It a good showcase of what Photoshop 2024 can offer but rarely goes in de...

 3 Lesson MAKE A LOGO WITH SHAPES  This lesson was more interesting and about making logo with shapes.  Topics covers  Create a new document.  Use tools and commands to create a variety of shapes. Understand Live Shapes. Create rounded corners. Work with drawing modes. Use the Place command. Use Image Trace to create shapes. Simplify paths. It was a bit dull to begin with but after a while it got exciting because I was creating shapes. Overall,  I'd say the property panel needs a bit of practice and honestly my shapes didn't make the grade.  However I've learnt maybe best to think in layers or shapes. Like sketch it before hand in composite shapes. Yes it does spoil the magic a bit but it may prepare one for the lessons.  Note, I think there may be different configurations because the line segment tool in my package  has it's own option and does not reside as an option under the rectangle icon. Complaint: Yes. I thought it was going to do the...

Yes, I'm back again. The Substack thing didn't work out and I'm going to get email list which will alert when I have new content for  those who like reading the blog.  Abode Illustrator 2023 release by Brian Wood I got this book out and yes, I know 2024 is out but I thought this was good enough. My main goal is to make my new book cover using illustration. There are 16 lessons and one introductory one which I call lesson 0. A Quick Tour Of Adobe Illustrator (2023 release)  The introductory lesson is suppose to be a quick tour around the software with an image at the end. This is mine below. It was supposed to take only 30 minutes but took me longer, over three days but I didn't time it. Above is the result and a lot of things I had do to over and over again before it sunk it.  However you can register the copy and get a digital version with the lesson files. I didn't because I need to run through it. I could have done this with social media - youtube and other platf...

I tried. Three times. I even read the end hoping to intrigue me. Then I tried again. Nah. Couldn't do it. However, if you love sharp writing, an excellent voice with a good sense of wit and humour, this book is for you. John Sanford is a good writer it's just I wasn't into this. Sometimes that happens. I just thought the plot the was given away in the first three chapters and so I lost interest. The plot was given away in the back of the book, and then more in the first three chapters. I made no connections with the character. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood. Who cares? I didn't so I didn't read the rest. Still available for Amazon if you fancy a sample read. https://www.amazon.com/Deadline-Virgil-Flowers-John-Sandford/dp/0425275183/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8 -----------------------------------------------------------  Check out Bigga Day's books on Smashwords.com https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/bigga Apple iBooks https://itun...