Workshop: Matryoshka Doll Project

Vectortuts+ loves Illustration and discovering new talent, so today we are proud to be launching a new community project that combines both, the Vectortuts+ Matryoshka Doll Project. The best thing is, you can be a part of it! Find out how to get involved, at the jump.

I’m excited to announce that today we’re launching the Vectortuts+ Matryoshka Doll Project! This project aims to spark your imagination and showcase the work of our extremely talented community. Fire up your imagination and let’s get started!

All you need to do for this project is download the design template and customize the Vectortuts+ Character in any style and theme that takes your fancy. Add your work to the Vectortuts+ Facebook Group and show us what you think a custom Vectortuts+ character would look like. We will showcase a selection of the entries on our blog.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Would you like to participate in the Vectortuts+ Matryoshka Doll Project? It’s easy, all you need to do is Download the Template, join the Vectortuts+ Facebook Group and get creative!

Download the Design TemplateDraw your image onto the template, you can be as creative as you like, feel free to alter any or all of the illustration. We want to see creative and fun projects so go crazy!Upload your design to the Vectortuts+ Facebook Group with a short description of the design and what kind of character it is.Artwork can be any style or theme as long as it’s vector and 100% your own work. You don’t have to spend hours and hours on your piece, the project’s aim is to be fun, fast and individual.You may submit more than one designWhen you publish your work on Facebook, please include one or two paragraphs about yourself and/or your work and a link to your website / online portfolio.Have Fun!

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Learning About Art Glazes With a Classroom Mural Project

A classroom ceramic mural project is an inspiring way to involve students in learning basic ceramics and Acmi glazes techniques. Designing and producing their own ceramic tile wall mural not only teaches students the technique of ceramics, but also can be a great source of pride: it gives the students a sense of the value of collaboration, and of being able to make a permanent contribution to their school community. Moreover, the theme of the mural can be keyed to other classroom activities and lessons, such as social studies, science, geography, and art. Some possible subjects for a mural are plants and animals, undersea life, outer space, dinosaurs, athletic events, local history and landmarks, circus, flower gardens, etc. The art instructor can work together with classroom teachers to create lessons and provide supporting materials, so that the students have a good background understanding of the subject matter. The art instructor should prepare the students by explaining the differences between ceramic and painted murals, and exhibit historical examples of ceramic murals with slides. Depending upon the chosen subject, the students can be shown historical examples of art works with subjects similar to the theme of the projected mural, such as the paintings of Rousseau (for jungle animals); Moillet or Seurat (circus); or Impressionist garden paintings (flowers, landscapes).

The students should be directed to make individual drawings which illustrate different aspects of the completed mural. The student drawings - in different arrangements - can be projected onto a large paper fastened to the wall with an opaque projector, until a pleasing overall composition is found. Then the students can color the enlarged projection with crayons or markers to guide the selection of dipping glazes which will be used in the final mural. The paper drawing is then cut into 6-inch squares, each of which represents one tile. The squares of paper, and the unglazed commercial bisque tiles, should be labeled on the back with row and column numbers, so that it will be easy to recognize where they fit into the final mural. Underglazes are used to create the design or picture on the tile surfaces. These are safe and simple to use, and can be applied with a brush. Underglazes do not bleed or move when fired, and they take on deeper values when they are fired.

Clear art glazes can be poured over the tiles or brushed on in three coats (making sure that each coat is completely dry before applying the next one). If the glaze is applied by brush it is better to fire the underglazed tiles before applying the clear glaze, to avoid smearing (brush on the clear glaze and fire once more to cone 05). The kiln can be loaded in the afternoon and fired at 02 all night, then turned up the next morning and fired to cone 05. This way the kiln shuts off while school is in session, avoiding late-night trips to check the kiln. A 22" by 27" kiln can fire approximately sixty to eighty 6" by 6" tiles at a time. The final mural should be installed by a professional tile installer.

A ceramic tile mural project is an ideal way for students to learn about Acmi glazes and other art glazes. It can bring classroom subjects to life; and the permanent installation can serve as a point of student pride. Murals made with ceramic dipping glazes can be placed on the walls of hallways, cafeteria or gym, and on walls by doorways and drinking fountains.

Workshop: Creative T-shirt Project, Round 3

Vectortuts+ loves Illustration and discovering new talent, so today we are proud to be showcasing the third and final round of the Vectortuts+ Creative T-shirt Project. Check it out at the jump!

The designs are posted in no particular order, but we thought it would be fun to kick things off with some cuddly animals and dinosaurs by Andres! Great work everyone, it’s been fun to see what you’ve come up with.

Thankyou to everyone who participated, if you missed the previous designs, check them out in Creative T-shirt Project Round 1 and Creative T-shirt Project Round 2

Andres Alfonso
"Hello, I’m Andres Alfonso, I like to illustrate funny animals and here’s my t-shirt designs "We are all animals" and "Prehistoric Kids" like me on facebook"

Js Daniel
"Hi JS Daniel here. I am an illustrator & designer. I love anything art. You can see more of my work at www.jsdaniel.com"

Joe St Onge
"I was hungry when I did this!"

Seyi Oyekoya
"Can’t say much cos it was done in a rush"

Adrien Falconnier
"Hello, my name is Adrien, I’m French, and I draw the head of my friends! Vectortuts you soon!"

Piotr Bajbak

Michel Moura
"My work here are different, more dream of one day being only illustrator,
drawing done in 10min"

Mahdi
"Hi, I’m Mahdi I’m from Morocco!
This is Badass Rabbit"

Syed Maaz
"My name is Syed Maaz. I gave life to my graphic designing career in 2008. I’ve always been very passionate about art, especially manual calligraphy and abstract painting, I feel that I will always strive to learn more about this field because in my opinion, graphic designing is an occupation that I was meant to pursue.. to check out my other work please follow the links: syedmaaz.blogspot.com and strongmind.deviantart.com"

Andrei Marincas
"Hello! I’m Andrei Marincas, a freelance graphic designer and photographer. I design for web, print, identity and branding. You can follow me on twitter and facebook or visit my website"

Raymar
"I’m Raymar an aspiring graphic designer in the Philippines.
This is one of my first full vector artwork inspired by Jared Nickerson works which I have been experimenting for that time since then I don’t use gradients in vector portraits anymore :D
Well here is my portfolio totopc.site90.com"

Lukasz Wójcik
"Sketches moved to cyberworld …Joy and satisfaction from every illustration are most important, and if someone enjoy my works? … Hmm… Please Enjoy!!! That is for me even greater motivation and satisfaction."

Byron
"Hello there! My name is Byron and I’m from Malaysia. This is my "first time ever" complete art using Adobe Illustrator. I never get the chance to learn deeply about AI but I’m really interested in illustrator especially Vector art. So this is my logo which I trace from my very own logo. So I’m not really satisfied with myself because I only trace this image out as I’m not good in AI. Anyway here it is! P.S: For anyone out there that willing to share knowledge about AI with me, please do share with me and teach me how to improve in using AI! Please teach me more about AI! Thank You!! :D"

Tomás Bojko
"Hi, everyone! This is TRABAGR, a collaborative project from Czech Republic. These four t-shirts are a small sneak peek from our labs. Our illustrations are hand-drawn and pursue simplicity together with bright colors. You will find us at www.trabagr.com"

Rey Exzyl
"Hi! Here is just some random stuff that’s been going in my head.
You can see more of my works here: reyexzyl.deviantart.com"

Selena M. Trujillo
"A couple of years ago I started working with a burlesque circus and found my own creative muse again for just fun, personal projects. The people I work with in the circus and being among such creative and talented artists just creates an amazing atmosphere that inspires. I just wanted to throw out a t-shirt idea for the circus. I’m Selena M. Trujillo. I work at Basin Printing and Imaging, and I also work for saltfirecircus.com in Durango, Colorado."

Ed Rogers
"Death Turtle – Edward Rogers,
Created in Illustrator
Very cartoon/vector style"

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