Lift This!

Coming soon on the 17th of March

A challenge where we study the paper scrapped page, not just for design but for depth. The aim of each challenge is to create a page copied or inspired by a page created with tangible objects. You can create using whatever style and drift as far off from the original as you like. Just as long as you challenge yourself to get the shadows and light right by studying them on the original.

Want to know a pet hate of mine in digi-scrapping?
When digi-scrapped layouts have no shadows.

Of course I understand when a page doesn't require any shadows, especially if its a graphical styled page. But if you're going to use something like a button, please, create shadows!
I talk about shadows in my book, why? Because I think some of us can forget the importance of shadows and light on a page. Look around you, every object you see has light and shadow. Without light and shadow, objects will loose its definition and appear flat and 2D. I don't know about you, but I don't like the idea of my eyes adjusting to a 2D kind of world. It's the same with our pages, if you want something to appear 3d, you create highlights and shadows. Do your eyes a favor and start perfecting this skill.

I've always thought, that if you can train your eyes to see light and shadows on an object, then you are another step closer to becoming a great artist. Observe some of the beautiful paintings out there, appreciate the artists attention to translating light and shadow.

As digi-scrappers, the only thing we would really need to perfect is our cast shadow making skills. Sometimes we will need to improve the light and shadows on an object by playing with our bevel effects layer, but mostly just the shadows which the objects will cast.

Here's an excellent article at Dummies.com called Drawing Light and Shadows. It's not aimed at us digi-scrappers, but the principle should be applied to digi-scrapping. I encourage you all to read it, I think you will gain some valuable insight on how to perfect your shadows.

Catch you on the 17th for our first official challenge!

Comments

[Nicole]

This is going to be so much fun!

[timounette]

Oh no it's too long...
How can we wait the 17th march ???
Great job ladies.

[Heather T.]

This will be great! I love a good challenge...

[Maygirl (Natalia)]

Girls, thanks so much for this site and inspiration. I am so happy to have a piece of Pixel Canvas alive! It warms my heart

[Vinnie Pearce]

Thanks Natalia :) I hope the other girls will see this and join in!

Did you know you can sign into your blog or facebook account and have your profile image displayed when commenting!

[Barbara]

W00T W00T!!!! So glad I found this right from the start!.......... I guess I need to learn how to do shadows right Vinnie! LOL! I always use them when they are provided in kits!!!

Excited to see what challenge you provide for us!

[Barbara]

Hope it is okay to share the layout I did with this paper lift...... mine was a hybrid layout.
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/247295-sokee/1574759-fly/?c=t

[Didee]

I feel great things are going to happen on this blog.....I can't wait!! xox

[Romy]

great idea!!

Vinnie, where do we post the layouts? 2Ps, Facebook or someplace else and come back here with a link?

[Vinnie Pearce]

hey Romy, just post them @ 2Peas and come back with a link. We will have the occasional giveaway when users are creating mostly with 2Peas products.

[Vinnie Pearce]

Barbara, that fine to share now! :)

[Aagje]

Yoehoe, hi lovely girls!! so glad I found you!! Love this idea, only, 17th march...OK, I will wait with patience...

[Suzie G]

Woohoo! vinnie is back! yay! Love that pillow Vin! That is gorgeous! Love the pencilcase too! I am just doing a beach canvas from Rottnest holiday I just came back from! Taking me ages!!! Inspired by your beach canvas with the gorgeous jacinda in the corner. I hope to use some of your products but am still blending the photos and extracting the people! I'll post at 2peas when done!

Anyway, see my posts are ALWAYS long!!! LOL! Love the idea of this challenge! I absolutely love your ideas and the way you see things that we don't think of. You taught me to make a photo the important part of a page not the fancy stuff around it! I am also doing a block canvas with your block template!

Harvey Norman have 40% off all canvases ordered online through to 3rd March - if not same in NZ it would be cheaper to order through AUS! So I am just doing these for now rather than pages, although I just did George's go-kart invited with your engines ready - should upload that to the 2Peas gallery shouldn't I!

Anyway, must go before I break your Typepad thing as the post is so long!!!!! Take care lovely. You sound so happy and excited in your posts!!! I am so pleased!

[Kerry]

This looks like a really cool challenge. I will be checking back. I love challenges.

[Claudia Star]

It's so good to see so many familiar faces....if you would all join us in the lifts too, that would be awesome!!!

[Cathy P.]

OMG! This blog is such a great idea! I love it because my paper pages are inspired by my digi and vice versa. I will definitely be back!

I adore that paper page you chose and the lifts are awesome!

[vke]

Ciao everyone,

I miss the challenges too, and I miss our familiar faces of Pixel canvas...I liked the small community....however...I 'll come back here to check in!

hugs from Italy

[Cheryl Yazzie]

Hi Vinnie!

I scraplift Stacy Cohen layout every month for the Artisan Guild Notebook. She has lots of cool inspiration to lift from. But i havent seen this layout of hers though :)

[Joyce]

Are you going to post any tutorials about HOW to add shadows to the elements on our digi pages? All I know is the simple Drop Shadow Effects built into PSE, but are there more ways? What about adding shadows to the top edge of embellishments? Would love to see some tips on future challenges! Thanks for doing the blog though! Love it!