Hi, i'm new to the forums here (and pretty much to photoshop as well). i'd like to create a logo for a school paper called "the inkblot" but i haven't got a clue on how to begin. i'd like it to be simple, just black text with (obviously) splattered ink and an inkblot somewhere. can anyone help me out? i would be really really grateful. and you get a cookie *waves cookie* ;\
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inkblot effect
- Thread starter verity
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MindBender
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Well, you're going to be hard pressed to find someone to do your work for you... but if you're looking for help with a technique I'm sure there is a bevy of knowledge here.
When you say "inkblot" are you talking about Rorschach style inkblots or do you mean just an ink splatter effect? If you want a splatter or puddle effect, that would be pretty easy to come up with using a custom brush effect or some paths. What software/version are you using? Photoshop 7 introduced the new adobe brush engine which allows some very easy ways to build a splattering effect (there might even be one included, can't remember).
More info = better answer
When you say "inkblot" are you talking about Rorschach style inkblots or do you mean just an ink splatter effect? If you want a splatter or puddle effect, that would be pretty easy to come up with using a custom brush effect or some paths. What software/version are you using? Photoshop 7 introduced the new adobe brush engine which allows some very easy ways to build a splattering effect (there might even be one included, can't remember).
More info = better answer
Another thought - while I was browsing the web for free typefaces I found this one "Creepygirl". Might do for your text?
Quote "ReadMe"
Kiwi Media Presents...
CreepyGirl!
For more information about Kiwi Media and Kiwi Media Fonts, visit
http://www.itis.com/~wonko/kiwi/
or contact wonko@itis.com.
Attached sample.
Quote "ReadMe"
Kiwi Media Presents...
CreepyGirl!
For more information about Kiwi Media and Kiwi Media Fonts, visit
http://www.itis.com/~wonko/kiwi/
or contact wonko@itis.com.
Attached sample.
WOW. thanks a lot. That's a great starting point. I'll look into your suggestions. If anyone's curious here's an example of the (temporary) logo: www.the-inkblot.org
ideas on how to jazz that up? it's a nice concept but a bit plain
ideas on how to jazz that up? it's a nice concept but a bit plain
D
Dodo
Guest
Verity,
As a layman er... sorry, layperson, I have to say your logo looks pretty good already. You can possibly add something to emphasize the liquidity of the large ink blot.
http://www.geocities.com/withmyluckthisnameistaken/blotty.gif (the link is a bit temperamental, so try copying it into a new browser window - I suppose they don't like referential linking!)
I think the bevel might be a tad too harsh in my example.
You can also try to soften any hard edges for letters inside the blot since naturally the surface tension of the ink/fluid pulls it into more curvy shapes. It can happen though that some sharper corners remain (from what I can remember of my leaky pen days) due to the texture of the paper. Who knows, maybe you can buy a cheap pen/some ink from a local stationery store and make a blot on a piece of paper - there's no better example than reality.
P.S. If you really want to jazz it up, I suggest listening to some Miles Davis while looking at it.
As a layman er... sorry, layperson, I have to say your logo looks pretty good already. You can possibly add something to emphasize the liquidity of the large ink blot.
http://www.geocities.com/withmyluckthisnameistaken/blotty.gif (the link is a bit temperamental, so try copying it into a new browser window - I suppose they don't like referential linking!)
I think the bevel might be a tad too harsh in my example.
You can also try to soften any hard edges for letters inside the blot since naturally the surface tension of the ink/fluid pulls it into more curvy shapes. It can happen though that some sharper corners remain (from what I can remember of my leaky pen days) due to the texture of the paper. Who knows, maybe you can buy a cheap pen/some ink from a local stationery store and make a blot on a piece of paper - there's no better example than reality.
P.S. If you really want to jazz it up, I suggest listening to some Miles Davis while looking at it.
D
Dodo
Guest
Oh I only copied the blotty bit (with the "ink") written in it, to a new layer, smoothed it out a bit (since the edges were a bit too edgy) - used some Gaussian blurring too. Then I selected the Blending Options for this layer and did some Bevelling and Embossing on it, adjusting the size and softness until it looked "fluidy". I think I also used Liquify somewhere - it seemed the right thing to do for some reason.... \:]
And finally.... I shrunk it to make it look better because some of the splodginess was still too rough around the edges. Size does matter! So really, I did nothing. Photoshop did it [stuned].
And finally.... I shrunk it to make it look better because some of the splodginess was still too rough around the edges. Size does matter! So really, I did nothing. Photoshop did it [stuned].
D
Dodo
Guest
Thanks for the tip Shaun.
*sigh* okay. I played with the bevel and emboss - and i'm only able to get it to look.. "glowy" if that makes any sense. How did you get it to look so shiny?? mine looks like it has a warped drop shadow.. or something like that
and I was wondering if it would be possible if you could send me the psd version of that file..?
and I was wondering if it would be possible if you could send me the psd version of that file..?
D
Dodo
Guest
Sorry, I don't have the PSD file anymore - never keep them very long. That way, one is always creating! (And you're not reminded of yesterday's failures!)
Your "blurry glowy drop shadow" effect might be due to your bevel size being too large? Make sure you're using an inner bevel - adjust the size and softness - that should be sufficient. Also have contour selected. If you need it even shinier, you can always change the highlights of the bevel or add another layer of the inkblot with an overlay blending mode - I guess!
You can also have a look at the various techniques used to enhance the reflectivity of objects found in various PS tutorials. Verity - the truth is out there!
Your "blurry glowy drop shadow" effect might be due to your bevel size being too large? Make sure you're using an inner bevel - adjust the size and softness - that should be sufficient. Also have contour selected. If you need it even shinier, you can always change the highlights of the bevel or add another layer of the inkblot with an overlay blending mode - I guess!
You can also have a look at the various techniques used to enhance the reflectivity of objects found in various PS tutorials. Verity - the truth is out there!
D
Dodo
Guest
Ok, I recreated it and you can download the zip file at the URL below. Obviously there's no guarantee it looks the same as my previous one.
http://www.geocities.com/withmyluckthisnameistaken/wecomeinpeace.zip
As I said previously, it looks a tad sharper if scaled down to 50% once you're finished with it. This also makes for a smaller file size (this image is nicely suited to be saved as a gif since for all intent and purposes it's grayscale). Or you can also apply the Unsharp Mask filter if you wish to keep it at its current dimensions.
Do you have any mathematics homework I can do while I'm at it?
http://www.geocities.com/withmyluckthisnameistaken/wecomeinpeace.zip
As I said previously, it looks a tad sharper if scaled down to 50% once you're finished with it. This also makes for a smaller file size (this image is nicely suited to be saved as a gif since for all intent and purposes it's grayscale). Or you can also apply the Unsharp Mask filter if you wish to keep it at its current dimensions.
Do you have any mathematics homework I can do while I'm at it?
Haha no, but you can have a cookie *hands you cookie* =o) thanks a lot Dodo - you've been an absolute angel. I actually didn't give up fiddling with it and while I still liked yours better, here's the finished product:
www.the-inkblot.org/images/logo3.gif
thanks SO much for all of your help =o) you've really made me feel welcomed to the forums
www.the-inkblot.org/images/logo3.gif
thanks SO much for all of your help =o) you've really made me feel welcomed to the forums
D
Dodo
Guest
Glad I could assist. I can't figure that I'll be helping many folks as I just don't have the knowledge or graphical eye :B.
HOWEVER (!), even though it is your image and you like it as you made it (which is the whole point - making something and being pleased with it), I would just like to note on two things:
HOWEVER (!), even though it is your image and you like it as you made it (which is the whole point - making something and being pleased with it), I would just like to note on two things:
- 1. I'm not sure what the purpose of the drop shadow is in your image. As I'm a fan of simplicity, trying to do too much in terms of effects on an image, often spoils it a bit. Logically too, as I thought it was some kind of writing - thus flush on a piece of paper, it would not have any real height dimension - let alone be floating in mid-air. This also does not go with the ink "spill" that does not have a drop-shadow.
2. The bevel in the ink is a bit too straight/sharp. You might want to see if you can get it a bit rounder looking. In my first post you could see the bevel curving around the "wells" formed by the letters in it - like around the dot in the "i" for example. That just gives a further illusion of depth and fluidity.[/list:u]
Again, it depends on the look you're going for - so I can't really say there's a wrong or right - just saying how I would've thought about it had it been something I had to do. I do like the original idea you had though - clear, well laid-out and thus effective as a logo - not gaudy or too busy (I just said that to avoid any violent repercussions this might have).
Happy Photoshopping!