My Memories Review and Giveaway

What an amazing find! I came across this very easy to use and cool digital scrapbooking software and I had to share it with everyone. I usually keep my posts to illustration related stuff, but when I tried the MyMemories Suite v2 software and noticed how easy it was to use, and how many incredible and creative templates and themes it had, I had to blog about it. Besides, I love giveaways!


When my kids were first born I had the creative impulse to document their life in scrapbooks. I bought a ton of tools and used my graphic design abilities to create very interesting layouts. I quickly realized that it was very time consuming and as much as I wanted to scrapbook, my time was too limited, and I was slowly falling behind. Now that I have MyMemories Suite v2 I plan on doing a lot more scrapbooking.

It comes with over 1500 background papers, 1300+ embellishments, 20 new templates, a resource gallery that lets you drag and drop pictures, embellishments, shapes, backgrounds directly onto your layout. There is also a wizard to help you assemble your book quickly and easily.
This product is so easy to use, that I downloaded it, installed it in 5 minutes, and it only took me ½ hour to create the 5 pages below by using the theme templates. Cropping, resizing, moving, and deleting objects was so intuitive!










It is well worth the $39.97 investment, but wait… you could get it for FREE here by entering this giveaway.

Here’s how you can enter to win:
(Each entry requires a separate comment)

MANDATORY
1. Visit My Memories and comment back here with your favorite digital paper pack or layout.

EXTRA
2. Follow My Memories blog.
3. "Like" My Memories on Facebook.
4. Follow My Memories on Twitter.
5. Follow Edrian Thomidis Illustration.

This giveaway will run through Friday September 9th at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced on Saturday, September 10th.

It will be YOUR responsibility to check back and see if you've won.


If you can’t wait, or you end up not winning, you can use coupon code STMMMS81019 for a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!

Good Luck!

Illustration Friday: Disguise

It has been a while since I participated in Illustration Friday, but this week's topic fit perfectly with something I had just started working on. I hope you enjoy it!
Also check out my groups blog OnceUponASketch.

FREE Coloring Page. Dancing Squirrel

Week 7 Collabo Coloring Sheet-Edrian and Wilson

This was posted a while back on my group blog. Make sure you visit it for more FREE coloring sheets. A free downloadable coloring sheet/digital stamp for this week! A new collaboration from the "Once Upon A Sketch" Group. Edrian Thomidis and Wilson Williams, Jr.! Edrian provided the initial sketch and Wilson did the finishing inks. Enjoy!

Back to School. In color

This is my version on the Back to School coloring sheet I posted earlier this month all in color.

Keep Germs to Yourself. Sneeze in your Arm and Wash Your Hands.

Kids go back to school, and in a matter of minutes are exposed to countless germs! Nowadays, schools teach kids to sneeze in their arm or in a tissue and dispose of the tissue. They should also wash their hands afterwards to prevent the spread of disease.

Here are two free coloring page/digital stamps.
Click on the image to print and color.

*Please respect copyright. The pages above are approved for personal use only.

Free Coloring Page - Back to School

It's time to think about going back to school. Enjoy this free coloring page/digital stamp.
Click on the image to print and color.

Promo Process - June Mailer.

I know I had shared this piece on an earlier post, but now that I can openly share that this was OnceUponaSketch's first mailer as a group, I can also tell you a bit more about the process.

As a group we decided on the theme of mythical creatures and I wanted to focus on a Unicorn. The design of the postcards was pre-selected and we all had to work within a specific format.
Below are a few images that highlight my process.




I start with a sketch (not shown), which I then clean up, and use as my final art line once I scan it (first image). I then add color, shadows, and all other details (image 2). I wanted to use a soft palette that would complement the light colors of the Unicorn, but wanted to balance it out with some splash of color shown on the flowers and fairy dresses. I also wanted to give the right shading to the Unicorn to balance the dark eye, but without taking away from the movement of the piece. This last part was a bit more challenging and I used the “call a friend” card. I asked my peers and they were able to help me get the right balance.


Tip: Another tool that I use constantly as I’m working is the saturation tool, and I usually have it as a separate layer. It allows me to see that I have a good tonal value throughout the composition (image 3).

Illustration Friday - Remedy

Hopefully he'll feel better soon...

New Short Visual Story in Black and White - Flip Book Style - Enjoy!

I recently added a short visual story to my website showing a morning routine scene with a dog like creature as the main character. I hope you enjoy it. Hide / Show FlipBook

 

Hide Flip Book

Introducing Once Upon a Sketch

We all know that great feeling we get when we belong. Well, I belong to a group now and not just any group but an illustration group.
YES!!! I am now part of Once Upon A Sketch. A new illustrator collective, master-minded by the very creative Wilson Williams Jr. with the idea to promote our individual talents and also to reach out to other illustrators in the community by providing useful information through our group blog.

There are four members in the group: Norm Grock, Aja Wells, Wilson Williams and myself. Please take the time to visit our website, get to know us and follow our new group blog. There will be lots of interesting stuff posted regularly.

IF:Beginner

Beginner's Guide to Middle School. At least that what you think of with the book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". I watched the movie and it got me thinking about characters.

The sketches above are some of the characters I drew to depict a variety of personalities and ethnicities in Middle School.

Life has been hectic, so I hope to get it in color sometime before the summer. In the mean time, your comments and suggestions are welcome!

I'll be making an exciting announcement in the next coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Experiment

I recently experimented with a new style. It was not intentionally, but more accidentally. I had an image in my head that I had to put down on paper and execute and in the process I realized that it had nothing to do with my current style. After questioning my own style direction for a while, i embraced this new image as just an experiment and a way to dabble into something a little different, more Middle Grade oriented.

As an artist, I am always trying to refine my craft but also aware of the pitfalls of not having a consistent style, so it is a tricky balance to allow yourself the room to experiment, learn new techniques that allow you to grow as an artist, but maintaining that clear undeniable signature that defines your style.

In any case, I thought I'd share the original image here, and also the version I later modified to match my current style.

New Promotional Piece

This is my new promotional piece which will be going out before my birthday I hope.