Any ideas for a newbie?

[cazza42]

Hi,

I know its not Christmas but I have been trying to draw an illustration for a flier. I wondered if anyone could give me any ideas of where to go from here? I think I like what I have done but it somehow doesn't look finished.

I'm thinking it needs a candlestick holder but I can't seem to draw anything that looks right. I also tried some fir branches around the bottom of the candle but it also didn't work.

Help, please!

Carol Leather

P.S. I hope the picture attaches properly, I haven't done this before.

Carol Leather
Newbie

[wolf427]

The lights looked nice on there, combined with Gary's suggestion to darken it, they would look nice. Make the shadow of the bulbs the same color as the bulbs and pull them down and to the side more to give the effect they're away from the wall. If you could make the bulbs glow a bit more, it might help...check out Garys gell tutorials which may help.

http://www.xaraxone.com/tutorials/aug02/
http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/workbook04/index.htm

Looks very good! If you have to porint a bunch out, check out a place like Kinkos for their prices and file format they'll need. Sometimes it coists less if you can drop it off and pick it up the next day, or a couple days later, depending how busy they are.

Brad Hagen
Large Scale Planes
http://www.kithobbyist.com/largescaleplanes/
P-40 Warhawk
http://kithobbyist.com/p40warhawk/

[dafipp]

I think your final is terrific Carol. Great Job!

dafipp

[cazza42]

The product being advertised is a mini embroidery kit that we manufacture and sell to needlework and gift shops. Amongst the range are 25 Christmas designs.

The aim of the advert is to try to encourage the shop owners to think ahead and order in plenty of time rather than leaving it to the last minute. Last year we had a really quiet period and then it got really manic! This time we hope to spread it out a bit more evenly.

Some of our forward thinking customers are already beginning to order their Christmas stock without an advert so the timing is right.

The idea behind the ad is the "Dear Santa" letter from a youngster asking for more kits. The message to the shop keeper is "don't let them down by running out".

This project is supposed to be going out in the post this week so the pressure isn't helping my VERY limited experience with the program.

Hope this explains what I am trying to do a bit further and thanks for the help.

Carol Leather
Newbie

[xander11]

/Can I check what a Snoopie is please? I know him as a little cartoon dog, but can't quite see the connection./

I just wanted to ask - why such well-known hero is absent in the gift-list? It can be not fair, because I like Snoopy more than teddies, robins, snowmen etc. (joke certainly)

Alexander G. (Xander)

[Lord]

Hello Carol!
It’s not Christmas time but,
if you need Christmastree Brush for your Projekt 100% made in Xara X, please told me and i will eMail you the xar.file, i will post a jpeg image to see the tree and the branches,
I like what you drawing in Xara and i like the small Bird(Robin) have you draw it in Xara too or is clipart?

[stlewis]

but it will hammer the printer too!

Perhaps have a white base but try making the less important things paler and bluer, the more important ones brighter and 'hotter' - with reds and oranges.

Another thought; what is this advert selling? What is the text? I am having the support of a business coach/mentor at the moment, and one of my homeworks is writing better adverts. One lesson is AIDA - Attention, Interest, Desire, Action - your advert needs these four in that sequence. Your artwork needs to support what you want the attention for. I guess this is something to do with patterns or threads. What is the need in your customers you are trying to grab?! Perhaps to find an unusual gift.

www.bricksandbrass.co.uk

[dafipp]

...like you need to bring some attention back to the completed stitchery.

dafipp

[xander11]

Very nice picture, Carol! But where are Snoopies?

Alexander G.

[stlewis]

Carol

Are you going to use an inkjet for this? And do lot of copies? Your design will hammer your ink!

You will find useful ideas on the XaraX CD when (not if!) you go for it.

How about changing the textured wallpaper to a Christmassy inspired design - eg vertical stripes with a santa design at intervals. This would kill two birds with one stone.

The lights are not obviously Christmassy - perhaps a chain of paper angels or something like that.

www.bricksandbrass.co.uk