Illustration for Who is Pirate? at Swedish National Maritime Museum

This is the new illustration I did the for the new poster, for the new upcoming exhibition "Who is Pirate?" at Swedish National Maritime Museum, which opens December 5, 2009. I also made 4 additional illustrations that are part of the actual exhibition, in large format. 2,5 x 1 as well as 3 x 3,5 meters in size. It was a fun work to do. I made this illustrations by first sketching in my sketchpad, and later scan the rough skecthes and use my Wacom Intuos pen tablet and draw & painted using Corel Photo-Paint X4, part of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4.

Quotes from the museum's web page "Who is a pirate? It is the name of a new exhibition coming the 5 December at the National Maritime Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Piracy occurs in specific geographical, political and social conditions. It history shows. The Swedish Vitalie Brothers who put fear in 1300 -- century sailors in the Baltic Sea is an example - as well as today's pirates in Gulf of Aden off Somalia. "


To read more about the exhibition please go the National Museum website about the exhibition here>. Its in Swedish, but I made the link to use Google Translate to make it easier for non-swedish language readers. Sorry for any strange translation issues when using Google Translate.


Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

My new illustration & cover design for BTJ förlag Publishing house

Time again to post a new illustration & book cover design I´ve just finished, coming on the Swedish book shelves very soon, the new cover & illustration is for the Swedish publisher BTJ Förlag (publishing) and is called "Chic Lit". A book about Chich Lit, as a reference guide for example librarians and others looking for more quality chic lit books. Written by Eva Georgson. I made both front, spine and back. But today I show just the front. Thats how new and hot the book is. Later on I will post the entire book cover. Picture it as the the illustration is continuing around to the back.


Together with my initial pencil sketches/drawings in my skecthbook, I finished drawing the illustration using a Wacom Intuos tablet, Corel Photo-Paint X4 and CorelDRAW X4. 

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator, artist & graphic designer 

My oil painting in a TV commercial

Just noticed that one of the three oil paintings I made for Swedish hotel chain Scandic Hotel Infra City in Stockholm, Sweden (A Hilton when they comissioned and bought it), is seen in the background in this Swedish commercial, shown on Swedish television channels (and probably movie cinemas) Actimel. Women sits on a bus and then begins to handchake with two men, look closely and there it is, my painting I call "Ocean I." Its 3,5 x 3 meter in size.


Click here to see the TV commercial for ACTIMEL>.
Go to my website and click "Art" to see and read more about the paintings >


Stefan Lindblad
Artist & illustrator

New illustrations - Swedish Fire Protection Association

The information material as a A4 size paper for the Swedish Fire Protection Association just came out. Its called "If a fire starts". I finished the illustrations a week ago, and is the info material is now downloadable from their website. A printed version is coming out shortly. To have a look  now already, please go to their website here>>

I made the illustrations using CorelDRAW X4 and my pencil sketches as starting reference.


Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Swedish Book Fair opens 24th-27th September 2009

The Swedish international book fair in Gothenburg (Göteborg) opens this september, 24-27. Spain is in focus this year. I will be going there for at least one day visiting, among publishers my own publishers, which I have made covers and illustrations for. To quote the press release on the book fair website:

"The Book Fair is a four day long literary festival. The many stages and over 800 exhibitors' stands host meetings between writers, Nobel Prize winners, publishers and booklovers who explore the power of the written word together. Come and join us!

The 25th annual Swedish Book Fair kicks off from the 24th-27th September this year. Spain is in focus in 2009 and some of the country's leading writers will attend the Book Fair. We are happy to welcome Rosa Montero, writer and journalist, and one of the leading narrators depicting modern Spain. Her books have become models for a new and more open Spanish society.

The 2009 seminar programme includes 442 seminars, and an impressive 785 participants from 25 countries will join in the seminars, talks and discussions."

I will be at the book Fair the 25th, Friday the whole day, from 10:30 in the morning. If you are a publisher, editor or similar, and like to set up a meeting, please email me via my website contact page: www.stefanlindblad.com

Have fun at the fair if you are going there.

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

New book illustration & cover design "Moving Fast!"

A new book with cover design & illustration have just hit the Swedish book shelves, a month before the Swedish international book fair opens in Göteborg (Gothenburg). Hegas publishing stand info at the fair. The book is called "Snabba ryck!", ("Moving Fast!" in English). Author is Gunnar Berg. Its target group is set towards both boys & girls from age 10. isbn from the publisher is ISBN: 978-91-85877-22-5. If you like to read more about this new book with my illustrations and cover design, visit the Hegas publishing website: here >>

I made 7 additional black and white illustrations inside the book.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

No Laptops at Café & coffee shops - or?

I found an article in the Wall Street Journal writing about customers using Laptops at coffee shops, Cafés in the USA (New York & San Francisco). Even if not being completly banned, at least stopped during lunch hours or worse. Over here in Stockholm, Sweden, its always been some cafés that actually do see the benefit of having regulars with their laptops. But some never does. Before customers came with books and magazines, and people like myself with sketchbooks and pens and pencils.

It IS a tricky situation of course, but for example what I see over here, being a regular café customer at local cafés around town, I dont see people sitting with laptops so much during lunch rush hours. More before and after. But then at some places there is the baby boomers which have been good for cafés, that spread out and take up seats. At some there is the students. Again some are the intellectual "crowd" of youngster and old timers at other cafés. There is always "crowds" as well as the regular lunch customers. Important customers. But then after lunch if the café isnt at a very hot spot intersection, the cafés will cry empty after lunch rush hour. And thats when these Laptop customers and other "crowds" useally hang around. Personally I would never try to sit and work with my laptop or sketchbook during lunch hours.

But it would be really sad if this would become a real trend that sticks: stopping the regulars who with or without laptops and such, from coming to the cafés. It would kill the tradition and the ambiance. It would destroy the coffee culture no doubt. Cafés are not restaurants.

Its because of this I never sit at the same cafe everyday. Or only buy one coffee and sit for hours and hours. Coffee sittings have to be a mutual subconsious agreement by both owners and customers. Depending on how long I sit, I guess I would spend around 2 - 10 euros per visit at a café. If you see it as you spend aproximatly 300 euros per month at cafés, it means that you might spend more than most people. And if you take a lunch at the café or a restaurant on top of that ones or twice or four times a week, and if you consider one would sit 1-3 hours, thats a fair pay. One thing for sure, those cafés who really does hinders the "crowd" to come will loose money in the long run. How? Not long ago I whent to a café. I was to take a quick coffee and sit for a half hour. Its was around three o´clock. The owner said he didnt have Wi-fi and would never install it. And was rather alian to the fact of having a "laptop" customer like myself. And I felt not welcomed. This whole café always cry totally empty around that time. I was the only one coming in. Result: he lost me as a client.

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Eduardo Risso, great comic artist - who did 100 bullits

The Graphic Novel, Comic book series "100 Bullits" (which have great covers by Dave Johnsson, who made me first noticing the book´s), have a great artist drawing the book series. His name is Eduardo Risso. There are of course many great artists out there, and Eduardo is one among them no doubt. I enjoy looking at his work.

The website of Eduardo Risso is http://www.eduardorisso.com/. Do take a look. He is good on what he does. I also found these other links with info on his work.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Risso
2. http://www.comicvine.com/eduardo-risso/26-18608/

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Graphic Novel, comic writer Brian Azzarello on 100 bullits

I found this interview with Graphic Novel, Comic writer Brian Azzarello. Interview by the Comic Collective. Its a short but nonetheless interesting interview on his thoughts on his story "100 Bullets", and the artist´s he work with on the book.
Hope you enjoy it.




For more read about Brian Azzarello click here> Comic Book Resources
And in Wired magazine, click here>

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Mike Mignola "Hellboy" creator interview, Video clips

Hellboy isnt just a movie, it´s a comic created by Mike Mignola, both story as well as illustration, which made a hugh succes. And eventually two movies made up to date. As an illustrator I see Mike Mignola as an inspiration.

Here is an interview I found on Youtube with said man Mike Mignola by Comic book resources. More interviews, video clips click here>



Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Interesting read - good for the imagination and inspiration

I got a question this morning from one of my neighbours "What do you get all this inspiration and imagination from?", she asked when I told her I was working on illustrations for a kids book. After the useal rambling here and there, going back in to work, I got to think of an old article in the National Geographic magazine and WIRED magazine. Both about ancient writings, finding and restoring them. Its not so much about what the scrolls entail that cought my recolection of them, more the feeling I first got of reading about new and old stories, true and fiction. Inspirational reading to put it simple. Like when seeing the first Indiana Jones movie. The thrill of discovering something.

And because I now mentioned the scrooll, which I recomend people to read, here are the articles

Tales from the crypt (Wired)
The Judas gospels (National Geographic)

The dead sea scrolls
1. dead see scrolls on display> (National Geographic)
2. dead sea scrolls> (All about archaeology)

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Illustrators & designers going freelance article

I found this article on going freelance as a creative in the Digital Art´s Magazine.

Nothing new under the sun maybe, but interesting all the same.

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

This is why Zlatan Ibrahimovic differ from Ch. Ronaldo. He is humble

I personally see Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a better player than all players today, but thats just my opinion. Others may think otherwise, and I respect that. And maybe its because both Zlatan and myself are Swedes, countrymen. But what really does make Zlatan Ibrahimovic to differ to a player like Christiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, is that when Ch. Ronaldo said he was worth all the money spent on him, Zlatan Ibrahimovic says: "No player is worth these sums of today". And people says Z. Ibrahimovic is arrogant. See this clip, interview from Sky Sports.

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Comic Con - interview with Jason Felix, conept artist

Interview with Jason Felix at Comic Con, by CGChannel. The interview can be seen at CGChannel.com. More about Jason Felix, samples of his work, click here>

And read his blog here>

A lot of great work!

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Eight countries - and eight very different Gov. website designs

Eight countries and eight government websites, well nine as I add one extra, the Swedish Royal Court website. Why posting this? I thought it interesting in how different it can look in different countries. And these are only western countries, well Russia is closing in a bit.


Swedish Goverment (Presently head of the EU for 6 months)

Swedish Royal Court

US White House

Canadian Government

Italian Government

Russian Gov, the Kremlin

UK, nr. 10 Downing Street

Japan, Prime Minister Cabinet


Enjoy the Graphic & Web design tour :-)

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

If you are into Comics con.

We dont have Comic Con this big in Sweden. But in a country between the Pacific ocean and the Atlantic ocean they do. If you like to see what its all about, then visit the official Comic Con website. And from there see whats been put up on You tube.

A slightly smaller ;-) comic book event is Small Press Expo in the USA
Which have a even smaller SPX equivalent one in Sweden, runned by "Serieteket". And there is a film & comic con in London, England. Comics in europe though is biggest in France and Belgium. But I couldnt find any link to a Comic event in those two countries.

Stefan Lindblad
illustrator & artist

Music while drawing

This is what I am listening to right now, while drawing illustrations for a book, while using Corel Photo-Paint X4 and Wacom Intuos 4. The song is "Hon är så söt", which means "She is so sweat"
By the Swedish band Bo Kaspers Orchestra. This is a live performance via Youtube.
Enjoy.

Stefan Lindblad
illustrator & artist

Interesting article by Kelly Odell on CEO who dont get it

I read this morning in a Swedish daily newspaper an article by Kelly Odell. http://kellyodell.blogspot.com/2009/07/many-of-our-corporate-leaders-just.html

Its an interesting read on, how according to Kelly Odell, the corporate leaders just dont get it. On how they sack people instead of investing. Well better to read yourself. I know Google translate isnt perfect, far from it. but do use it if you like to read the article. It might give you an idea, until Kelly Odell translate it himself.

After I wrote this post, Kelly Odell as seen wrote, commenting on my blog that he now made a translation of his article to English. Click here for the english article>

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Interviews with digital illustrator artist´s

Everytime we go to a movie which have special effects of any sort, we can be sure some concept artist been involved in the movie. And just about any movie at some point or the other have used a storyboard. Advanced or a simple scribble. Point is that at any point a movie is done some illustrator artist have been involved.

Some are famous in the digital art business, some are not, but they are there.
I have done storyboards myself for commercials, still photo sessions and short movies. I have done presentations skecthes for campaigns and you name it, there are images being done all the time, by great artists never nown to the broad public. They put down a lot of work and effort. And inspires many of us.Therefore here are some nice interviews. Just cklick the links.

Have fun and hopefully be inspired.

1. Syd Mead (Blade runner concept artist)
   Nr 2 Part 1. Movie clip interview at BoingBoing TV/ DRAWN!
   Nr 2 b. Part 2. Movie clip interview at BoingBoing TV/ DRAWN!
   
2. Ryan Church (Star Wars concept artist)
3. George Hull (Matrix concept artist)
   Nr. 2
4. Linda Bergkvist
   
5. John Wallin Liberto
6. 
   

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Convert text into curves and transparant

I once got the question on a Swedish Graphic & illustration forum, asking how to make a text into a vector object and with a transparancy fading out. This is a very simple and fast task to do in CorelDRAW. Here is a picture where I show how I did it. I used CorelDRAW X4. Sorry for the Swedish language on the picture sample.

It says:

1. Choose typ/ font
2. Choose Ctrl+Q (convert text to curve)
3. Choose transparancy tool, an in this case drag handle downwards
4. Finished!
   

Hope you enjoy it,


Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Reading about tourist´s coming to Stockholm, Sweden

Old Town Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stefan Lindblad, copyright 2008

Every year its the same kind of articles in many of the Swedish daily news papers. And I admit I always read these articles when I see them with joy. Its about tourist´s coming to my home town Stockholm, Sweden. Enjoying the scenery and the town and the people. Well that´s who they interview anyway. I am not naive, there must be people who dont like my town, but it seems most enjoy it. But what is fun is to listen to what these tourist anyway feel about the town. Tourist´s stop me on town and talk, by asking me directions, or I approach them myself to help out when I see them standing and dont seem to know where they are. I go traveling myself and become a tourist in other countries, so I am glad when people enjoy my hometown as well.

I wonder if these kind of articles are written in other countries local news papers? It would be fun to know. Here is a link to a official website about Sweden >

So if, dont hesitate to comment and link to an article in the comments field.

Today its sunny in Stockholm, Sweden. Its summer. Enjoy!

Ps.
After I wrote this post originally I found this article in the LA Times. Could be useful and fun for visitors.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

CorelDRAW & Photo-Paint as a Viewer

You may not know this, but you can use CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 as a viewer of internal file formats of CorelDRAW and Photo-Paint, even after a trial version of the program has ended.

Here is a quote on this from one of Corel Corps Product Managers telling this: Gérard Metrailler

Click to read more here >>
And the quote from Corel:
One of the requests that we've received on a regular basis has been for a CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT viewer. This has always been a very interesting point of discussion internally regarding how we could do this. Good news: With CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4, there now is a viewer... and here is the detail on how to get it: Simply download and install the trial version.

The trial version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 enables you to test the full version for 15 days. Once the trial period is over, the application will automatically convert itself into a Viewer, disabling all output features such as save, print, ... You will still be able to use the product, but you won't be able to save your creations. This means that you can keep the trial on your computer if you need to view CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT files on a regular basis without the need to print / save these documents.

Gérard

End quote.


Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Summer read and drawing

Its summer in Sweden and I am working doing illustrations and writing some. But hey it´s still summer and what do I read? All over people talk about their summer read dont hey, in Sweden its a classic question. "Whats the summer read?". While having the coffee cup on one side, half in the sun and half in the shade, on my "table" I have my sketch pads and pens, Moleskine skethpad and a sketch book bought in late april in London, England while on the London Book Fair. Just waiting for the right first drawing to make, and I have finished reading Barack Obamas "The Audacity of Hope", "Alpha Beta" by John Man. "Watchmen" by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons. A Michael Connelly waiting to be read "The Lincoln Lawyer".

Stefan Lindblad
illustrator & artist

Read Swedish News in English language

Ever whanted to read Swedish Local news in English language, well here it is: THE LOCAL.

Its a Swedish paper online which have been around for a while. I bump into it now and then myself, when for example the big Swedish newspaper dragon, The "Dagens Nyheter" (Daily News), make a quote refering to it. DN as its useally called, is one of the Swedish daily morningpapers, the influential one to read if you live in Sweden or actually know how to read Swedish language.

Enjoy.

Stefan Lindblad

Designing logos - Apple vs Apple & PRV

For me copyright is very important. Especially for the individual creator and his/her work, but equally so for company´s.

The Beatles / Apple Corps vs. Apple Computers is a tricky issue. Something that they faught over, the right to their logo. When a Swedish Enterprise in Dalarna (equivalent to State/county) wanted to use an apple as their logo, they chosed to create an apple, looking very similar to the Apple Computers apple. At the same time Apple Computers apple is looking a bit like The Beatles / Apple Corps apple. Now, many may think that this is a non-issue, especially if they believe that copyright should be abolished, dismantled and not let anyone own a copyright at all.

Well for me, it is rather a question of how, in this case, the apple looks like, How similar in design it is. Not that it is an apple in itself. Now, the apple by the Swedish Dalarna Company, if the apple they made had been approved by the PRV (Swedish Patent & Registration Office) , which it was not, could have been seen as different with its hand drawned style. But equally the problem of recognition and brand similarity would quickly occur, on the day the Swedish Dalarna company would be "updating" its logo with a re-design. This would probably quickly become very similar to Apple Computers apple. Furthermore, it would undoubtedly have been stopped because of the likeness to the Beatles apple.

Another example is the software company that develops the desktop publishing software "Quark". When Quark made a redesign of their logo, which they did for the release of its new Quark version, it was instantly criticized for its similarity to other logotyps. It was then redesigned again, but then it became in my view very similar to Sony Ericsson mobile phones logo. Does it sound chaotic? Exactly. Quarks sign is a story in itself.

But still it is important that a logo as much as possible is the logo of one company, not several, otherwise the similarity can be a problem. Why you may ask?

Well every year in Sweden bogus invoices keep pooring into legit companys. They try to fool economic departments during vacation time, when there might be temporary workers in charge of handling the payment of invoices. And the rest of the year bogus companys use similar logotypes and letter heads of legit companys, and send to private households and companys in hope that people will pay without looking and checking the invoices. Basically stealing their money.

So yes, logotypes and the "sender" being the correct one is extremely important.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Just re-read a fun post about CorelDRAW

I just re-read a fun and interesting post about CorelDRAW.
Its from last year, 2008, and still fun and valid. Enjoy!

Click here, Wafflesatnoon.com >

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Explorers enters cave and discover light & water in a cave

Amazing pictures from what might be the largest cave, at least for now. According to the brittish newspaper, tabloid Daily Mail. Read more here, and watch amazing pictures.>>

More interesting articles and pictures about cave explorations and findings can be read on the National Geographic website, read more>>

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Rock Poets new book from BTJ, Illustration and Cover Design Stefan Lindblad, using CorelDRAW X4 & Photo-Paint X4

The new book "Rock Poets" from BTJ Förlag (Sweden), author Richard Ohlsson, came out recently. I did both the cover design and the illustration. The book's ISBN 978-91-7018-644-8. The book is an interesting book about the lyrics in rock music. In this book the music have to take a back seat for a moment, and listen and talk about the lyrics. What are they telling us and what is it we are listening too.





























You can read more about the book at the publisher's website BTJ Förlag.
Since I sometimes get questions from illustrators and designers interested on how I work: I first made a set of pencil drafts in my sketchbook, on the idea of the guitar. From there I draw the guitar ( a Gibson), and made both the illustration and book cover design in CorelDRAW X4 and Corel Photo-Paint X4 (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4)



Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Razzia, a new book, illustrations & cover design by Stefan Lindblad

The new kids book Razzia, Hegas publishing (link in Swedish) were made in 2008 and came out just before spring in 2009. I wrote earlier about the book, and here is a photo of the book that I took recently. The book in itself, and illustrations and the cover has received good reviews. Which is always fun. Here are some comments & reviews about my illustrations inside the book and the cover design with the illustration.

Razzia, written by Leif Jacobsen
Review from Bibliotekstjänst booklet No 5 / 2009.
"Petter, with its old Puch Dakota, lost in reputation in the small village moped gangs by helping to deceive the police and rescue a friend escape a fine for speeding. Here is to be "cool" and "cruel" to gain popularity, the girls' admiration. Leif Jacobsen succeed easily create a story for young teens, which is easy to read and live enter in. It depicts how to get friends by himself to be a friend. With youthful inside talk of today, seasoned with the technicalities of the trimmed two-stroke engines mysterious realm, with sufficient realism to make the story probable, and with a lot of conciliatory humor succeeds author certainly capture even novice readers and get them to smile recognition. Stefan Lindblads dozen expressive, full, ink drawings transpose up petition. Books of this kind will lead hopefully to read more advanced literature. - Bo Nordstrand"

The author, Leif received an email:
"This is a book that will fit many pupils, and with an attractive cover as well. This I will buy several items of for the school library. "
- Lisbeth Göransson, librarian, Kirseberg School in Malmö, Sweden

The Publisher Hegas got an email:
"Hello, I bought 4 items for the school library and woops! as they all were lent out
directly. I have read the book and if you want to know my opinion: Very good and funny
to read it. Just like this, I think guys are in that age. The cover is very appealing.
We wish more similar books. Thank you very much "

Look at a double spread of the book with an illustration>>

Review in several newspapers
In Swedish language
Norrbotten Kuriren>>
Sundsvalls Newspaper>>
Helsingborgs Dagblad>>
Allehanda>>

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Good Design by OK Mark, Old Spitelfields in London

I was in London for several days, and came back home yesterday to Stockholm, Sweden. On Sunday I whent with Mia my girlfriend to the market Old Spitelfields Market. A place and market on sundays filled with high and low design, food and a general nice atmosphere. It was my third time on my third trip to London, England. Among many nice things I (we) saw the design by OK Marc, Kervin Marc. T-shirts with screen prints on and bags. There were more items, but those where the items I stoped and took a closer look at. In plain english I liked it a lot, very good design. Great bags and T-shirts. Very nice colour combinations, and it all seemed well done. As well as I liked the prints on the t-shirts, I have to say also Iiked the seam on the t-shirt sleves. A seam that was not to tightly stitched. With space in between every seam.

Do take a look if you have your way through Old Spitelfields in London. OK Marc design is worth taking a look at!

And dont forget to take a coffe and carrot cake, the one without diary products, in the entrance towards Commercial street. A great cake!

Stefan Lindblad

Illustrator & artist

Wacom Intuos4 - an illustrators wet dream

Yesterday I saw and tested a digital illustrator & artist's wet dream - Wacom Intuos4. Everything I previously wrote on the subject of Wacom tablets is still true and valid, and now even more. Yesterday, March 25, I was at the Munchen Brewery in Stockholm (Munchenbryggeriet), on a Wacom event, the official release of the new tablet Wacom Intuos4, partly because I was personally asked to participate, exibit and so I contributed and exhibited a (bitmap) illustration. 70 x 100 cm printed on a art paper. An illustration, painting which I designed and painted entirely digitally with my Wacom Intuos3 tablet, and the program Corel Photo-Paint X4 (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4) over the weekend. And especially for this event/release. The other illustrator, Concept Artist John Wallin Liberto, who have made concept art for the Harry Potter movies, painted live for the audience using the new Wacom Intuos4 XL. As well as exibiting a digital painting, which I did too. An exquisite painting he's done in Photoshop, a concept art image for a movie.

Guido Möller talking at the Wacom Intuos4 release event

Guido Möller, Wacom Europe's product manager for professional products, held a presentation about the product. And a ERGONOMIST gave a presentation, important one, which in itself is a selling point to use the Wacom drawing tablets instead of a mouse. But everything in moderation as her insightfully noted. I was also enlightened that in the French version of Photoshop, the Magic Wand Tool is called "Le Baguette Magic". And we were told it was actually true. :-) But thats another story.

Stefan Lindblad & John Wallin Liberto, infront of Johns work

And as mentioned John Wallin Liberto, who closed the evening.
As an artist & illustrator, of course I can feel how I on a good day can go into a meditativt state of mind while working. Which I could feel quite strongly this evening as well, when I saw how John painted his work live infront of the audience. All was quiet at times, in the event hall, and it was not just me who enjoyed what we saw painted up before our eyes, on a big screen with the projector's help through Johns computer.

Stefan Lindblad, infront of my own digital work at the event

What the new Wacom Intuos4 adds is a whole lot of very smart functions and settings. The Wacom developers have really made an excellent job. Shortcut lovers will get a heaven of opportunities, however, the first immediate feeling I got was the Wacom tablet drawing surface, the structure, the over all feeling. I told John Wallin how I sometimes put special art surfaced paper on the Wacom tablet itself, and draw on that paper, the Intuos3 that is, to get the friction you get with hand movements you get with real paper. Which is important for me,

when I am drawing and painting. It turned out he did the same. Both the nib´s movements over the paper structure is important, yes, but also and equally important to me, is how your hand glides over the surface of a sheet of paper or a linnen canvas. The material on the new Wacom Intuos4s drawing area is simply exquisite. It feels "real." It is precisely this natural feeling of drawing and painting on paper or linen canvas I feel now. This, together with all the different pen tips make this Wacom Intuos4 to a real "Kick Ass" product. Sure I was personally invited to this event from the Swedish Wacom representatives and exhibited my own work on the event/release, but I am really honest when I write that Wacom really Rock! with their drawing tablets, and this new Wacom Intuos4 in particular. And the thing is that it is incredibly difficult not to like this product.

Tech specs in selection.
2048 levels of pressure sensitivity in contrast to previous 1024, that means a lot actually when you draw and paint digitally. It was good already with Intuos3 and its 1024 levels, now it is just so much better, and much more fun.
Right & left handed will love it. Simply turn the Wacom tablet 180 degrees, and replace the usb cable outlet, to the other side. And jippii you have as a right or left handed buttons all on the correct side.
The Surface itself, drawing area, for the exquisite feeling of friction between the hand and tablet drawing area.

General specifications Intuos4 Tablet:

Resolution 5,080 lpi
Pressure levels 2,048
Accuracy (pen) +/- 0.25 mm (0.010 in)
Accuracy (lens cursor) +/- 0.15 mm (0.006 in)
Tilt range (all pens) +/- 60 degrees (+/- 50 degrees on Intuos4 S tablets)
Reading height 10 mm (0.39 in)
Maximum report rate 200 points per second
Interface USB 1.1 to USB mini-B (Intuos4 S, M and L tablet models); USB 1.1 (Intuos4 XL)
Cable length 2.5 m (8.2 ft), detachable on S, M and L tablet models
Power requirements DC 5V, less than 300 mA, from primary USB port or powered USB hub


Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Here is my work I exibited at the Wacom Intuos4 release in Stockholm, Sweden

CorelDRAW Design Contest 2009

Corel, the program developer of CorelDRAW, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel Paint Shop Pro and Corel Painter, launches an international competition in illustration & graphic design. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4, which includes CorelDRAW and Corel Photo-Paint are the programs to be used to be able to apply and compete. So either if you already have a license and already working with the programs, or if you like to compete, and download a trial version, which Corel allows to be downloadable on their own page.

1. Read more on how to register and download the trial version if needed: http://www.corel.com/coreldrawdesigncontest
2. And here a little more information about Corel>>
3. And here a direct link on the actual program suite, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4>>


A small tip for those like me who use Corel's software.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Photo-Paint batch process & recorder - my love affair

I have a love affair with Corel Photo-Paints batch process and script recorder. Seriously.

Many new users of a program dont know, for obvious reasons, about all that is hidden in a Program like Corel Photo-Paint X4. (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite). I remember all the illustration assignments, with multiple images I have made, and which I have had to convert from .cdr or .cpt file formats, to jpeg file format. If I had known back then I would seriously had saved a half of a days work, in just doing the convertion.

In short, learn about the script Recorder in Corel Photo-Paint X4, and how you can use the Batch process to speed up your work. The recorder in Photo-Paint X4 can be found via Window>Dockers>Recorder, or Ctrl+F3.

I came to think about this fact again, and just had to tip you about it, now when I have myself just finished a storyboard for a 20 minutes short movie, with more than 70 illustrations. With all the illustrations that makes the storyboard, which all had to be converted to jpeg. Half a days work took me less than 3 minutes. Increadible but true.

Explore and have fun.


Stefan Lindblad


illustrator & artist

Great designed Bags & Beads

Red velvet handbag by Gabrielas Bags & Beads

If you like to look at great original hand crafted bags and beads, then here is a website to explore. Gabriela´s Bags & beads >. On the website Gabriela both show and sell her own designed goods. She have both designed and made everything by herself. So if you are looking after something unique, then this could be it. If you like to know more about the designer, click "profile" on the website.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Laptop screens and colour palettes illustrating

Ask yourself how many times you have been sitting with a badly calibrated screen, colouring an illustration in Corel Photo-Paint, worked for ours, only to see how it comes out to bright or just simply with the wrong colours, especially when you look at it on a paper, or a better desktop screen. For this reason, one good thing is to make your own custom made colour palettes. So you are sure to work with the correct colours. I wrote about this earlier, click here, custome made palettes >>. There are several ways to make a custom made colour palette. Which is an especially good practise when you work on a laptop computer, because of the way a laptop screen show colour.

Me for example, I sit a lot working with my illustrations on a Laptop computer using Coreldraw or Photo-Paint and my Wacom intuos3 tablet. Either in a studio, or out on town at a café. Or just simply at home. And later check the colours on my desktop screen. And to add to the issue on colour using a Laptop, (this could be said about a desktop computer as well), if you sit in a room where there is a common light bulb, then you are sitting in a very yellow light surrounding. If you sit in an airport it might be a very blue light. And if you sit with a Laptop Sceen, then the washed out colour you thought you picked, show to be very bright. There are so many things to think about when you work with colours.

To sit in a completely grey neutral environment/room might not sound so fun, or you might not even have the possibility to either. So what is a good practise then when working with a Laptop?

I would say that one (but not the only) is to try to get hold of a PANTONE colour guide. Or any other colour guides. It doesnt have to be a Pantone. For example the Swedish Graphic Business Association have one they used to sell for a smaller price. My point is anyway to get a colour guide. With this colour guide you could get the correct RGB, CMYK or PANTONE colour settings/digits. With the colour guide at hand, using Corel Photo-Paint X4, go to the Palette Editor and make your own custom made colour palette. With "your" colours at hand (and of course you can add from the standard colour palettes), you can be more sure to get the correct colours in your illustration. You could then use that specific colour palette in Photo-Paint X4, and consequently not having to carry with you the complete Pantone colour guid. Which is just extra weight.

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist

Book tip, the creative digital darkroom

Okey, there are not so many books written about photography using Corel Photo-Paint X4 as a program to work with photographs, in a digital darkroom environment. This on the other hand doesnt mean you cant use a book, in this case the book "The Creative Digital Darkroom" as a reference book, and something to learn from, even if it says it use Photoshop. Lets face it Photoshop is more known basically, and because publishing company´s thinks money the book authors/ photographers use PS as their software reference. And because Corel PHOTO-PAINT X4 and Photoshop still have basically the same tools, its perfectly okey to learn from this book. Tone Curve is Tone Curve, and Levels in PS is called Contrast Enhancement in Photo-Paint X4. My girlfriend Mia bought this book, she uses PS CS3 and I uses PPX4, and its as good for both of us. All this said is because tools are just tools. A hammer is always a hammer. No matter what its called around the world.

What I like is that the authors/ photographers Katrin Eismann & Sean Duggan seem to pull it off in this book, when they say that this is a book about digital photography, about working with photographs digitally and not about Photoshop. And this is the good thing. This is what makes this book work. Hats off for that.

The book can among places be found at Amazon, but my girlfriend bought it from a Swedish online store instead. ISBN ISBN 10: 0-596-10047-7 | ISBN 13: 9780596100476 and direct link to Amazon is>> or via the O´Reilly Publishing website>>

Stefan Lindblad
Illustrator & artist