Personalized pens frenzy!

Ok, being the pencil and pen freak collector that I am, I just stumbled onto this site with great offers and coupons on personalized articles such as pens, keychains, t-shirts, bags, coffee mugs and about everything customizable you can imagine!

The quality of each item is particularly outstanding and not your standard custom items store.

Just look at their keychains here:
Go Promos Custom Keychains

The only thing you need is your logo, photo or custom design and the online tool that the site provides will allow you to come up with the exact result you want, making it fully unique with high quality materials.

There's a coupon available here:
GoPromos coupon

Store special: Vistablet penpad review

If you ever felt that getting a digital tablet to improve your digital drawing experience, especially when it comes to drawing or illustrating your ideas, was nearly impossible because of the high cost of a Wacom tablet, let me tell you that those days are definitely over for good.

Why? Because a certain company called Vistablet has developed their own version to compete with the traditionally established Wacom.

I bought the 7.7 inch Vistablet Penpad on December because of the low cost (40$) and the 10% discount coupon they offered on Amazon.

At first I wasn't sure. Was it worth the risk to buy something 'cheap' for the sake of it?

In this case, risking something is the KEY to gain something that will get you above.

The Vistablet Penpad offers 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, which is the standard for drawing or completing your manga illustrations. Given that manga is mostly black and white, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

The design of the tablet is very simple. It's not on the sophisticated side, nor it doesn't look or feel cheap at all. Indeed it's perfect for beginning students or artists that don't want to spend much in something too fancy.

The tablet is connected to the computer through a USB cable, and it comes with a CD that along with the tablet drivers', it offers alternative software such as ArtWeaver, that I gotta say it surprised me because of its versatility.

It was very easy to install and configure. You have the option of adjusting the pressure, the clic speed and sensitivity, if it works in cm or inches, the buttons, and it lets you test them. Nothing out-of-this-world here, but it assures you that it does its job.



I've been using it with Manga Studio 4 and Adobe Illustrator CS4 recently and I haven't had any issue at all. Both programs (as well as Photoshop) recognize it perfectly, even though with Manga Studio you need to increase the tilt and pressure a bit in the brush, pen, and pencil tool options, so it reads your movements better.

My recommendation would be to never bend it if you carry it in your bag, backpack or purse, make sure you always carry it in a hard case, since it's mostly like a mouse pad, and that could damage it.

Cartoon Vixens Store

I'm going to be opening a Cartoon Vixens store to sell prints of my original work. I'll have t-shirts, posters, the usual stuff. I wish that I could sell my Betty Boop stuff, but sadly I don't have the rights.

I'm also going to start accepting commissions. If you would like to have yourself cartoon vixenized, you'll so be able to send me an inquiry at my Gmail address, amartincolby. I haven't yet figured out the price since I'm not sure how long it will take to vixenize someone. Some of my works take days or even weeks, and I'd certainly like a quicker turn-around time than that for any portraits.

You can also request specific cartoon characters in specific poses. Say you want Betty Boop, clad in armor, wielding a chainsaw, while riding a fire-breathing walrus, I'm the man to get that done. Once I get it done, I can simply send you the image, or I can prepare a high-quality print.

UPDATE: I am likely going to charge $100 for a basic Vixenizing. This means that in whatever photo you send, your exposed body will be changed over to a cartoon. For the same price, I can Vixenize your face and put it onto a body and position of your choice. I will add a simple background for no charge. If you want a more complex background, with some objects and staging, (e.g., a library, dining room, playground, etc.) the price is $200. As with the pose and character request, I can simply send you the image or ready a print. I retain the right to use the image produced in my portfolio, but I will not sell it or make high-resolution versions widely available unless allowed.

The 2011 anime calendars are available at CdJapan!

As the end of the year approaches there's already plenty of 2011 calendars available of your favorite anime and manga series. What better way to start the new year with great visuals decorating the walls of your room or studio to get inspired!

For example, we've got this Bakuman one!

Bakuman [Calendar 2011 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

There are two versions of the Bleach 2011 calendar with top-notch images:

BLEACH (A) [Calendar 2011 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

BLEACH (B) [Calendar 2011 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

And this is just the beginning!

Store special: HP Pavilion dv6-3120us review

The HP Pavillion dv6-3120us

In my continuous search  for the perfect, not-that-expensive laptop for the end of 2010, I find that there are quite a few models that are worth it in terms of price and what it offers.

I have been always skeptic of AMD processors, as I've had desktop models myself with that processor that wasn't quite as efficient as Athlon or Intel.

But I was pleasantly surprised with the AMD Turion II Dual Core Mobile Processor, they have certainly come a long way, the way it can be expandable to 8GB RAM and 2.6 Ghz makes it compete with the new i5 Intel processors and not stay out of the run.

When I first saw the design of this laptop, I imagined a 'pretty' design like Dell and at the same time it doesn't have anything to envy to a Macbook. This model is good for games and entertainment in general, but after trying it, it's perfect for work use, especially if you work in the Graphic Design or Animation field.

It took me a while to get used to the keyboard and the touchpad because they went overboard with the sensitivity, but if it annoys you, you can always go to the Control Panel and customize it as you wish.

It comes with Windows 7 64-bit premium so it supports the Adobe CS5 programs with ease. Another great thing is that it has 4 USB ports!  An additional HDMI and a VGA port enables you to integrate it with your digital camera and it doesn't even work a sweat as the data transfer rates run smoothly.

Some could still say that a 500 GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM can be relatively modest for a high-performance computer that should serve well for design purposes, but guess what; if you look for something wayyy less expensive than a Macbook but that encompasses its main qualities, this is it.

Even the price is similar to affordable Dell laptops at $529 on Amazon with free shipping.

HP Pavilion dv6-3120us 15.6-Inch Laptop PC - Up to 5.25 Hours of Battery Life (Champagne)

Wacom Intuos4 small tablet review

While the Bamboo and Bamboo Fun tablet models by Wacom are meant for office tasks that don't necessarily include illustration, the Intuos 4 and Cintiq line are meant for drawing and illustration.

The Intuos 4 models come in three sizes: small, medium and large. They weight less than its predecessors and are thinner too, so it's easy to carry them in a case. 

But if you're on a really tight budget and feel desperate to put your digital drawing capabilities to test, to see if you can keep up with the so-called 'new' era, you'd go for the small version.

Even for the $199 price on Amazon, you get an impressive 2048 levels of sensitivity, yet a good number of users would say that the price jump is unjustifiable when compared to the Intuos3 and Intuos2 versions. And there's the issue of the infamous shortcut buttons that sacrificed functionality for fanciness, being too small and too near each other.

Still, its design and surface is not as rough as previous versions and looks to enhance ergonomy. The ambidextrous capability is always a plus. The touch ring is one of the best features, it takes its time to get used to it but once you do, it feels comfortable as ever.

However, these Wacom models had one particular default issue with the USB port manufacturing and pen that came defective, that even forced the fabricant to replace the tablet per customer complaints and requests. That's why you can get a refurbished model as low as $139, but often without some of the accessories.

Beware also of the pen nibs. While the Intuos 4 models come with their pen holder, the nibs wear out too fast for frequent use. If you work 6-8 hours daily with your device, you'll know what I'm talking about. You'd have to spend an extra dollar or two for new pen nibs from time to time.

So now you see that it's not all bright, shiny and rosy when buying an expensive tablet if you're a beginner or struggling artist for the sake of it :-)

Still, if you have fallen in love with this model of Wacom tablet and feel like you can afford it, the refurbished PTK440 models have turned out wayyy better at a better price.

Why buy a friggin' Wacom drawing tablet?! (1)

The process of creating a manga is never easy, much less when it comes to animation.

The idea of going digital was to facilitate that process and make it smoother, but many artists to this day prefer to do it the old-fashioned way. Why? Because they like the concept of having created something with their own hands, rather than let a machine do all the work.

Plus, there's plenty of discussions over that digital work will never be like the real thing, meaning that a drawing or illustration done with a drawing tablet will never have the life and the gesture that a true hand-drawing has.

Drawing tablets were invented to 'emulate' the pressure and the subtle hand movements of the artist when it comes to drawing on the screen, that's why you hear of 'levels of pressure sensitivity' when it comes to choosing an appropiate model.

The Wacom Intuos4 medium tablet

Ideally, a drawing tablet with a minimum of 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity should be more than sufficient when drawing manga. Programs like Manga Studio, Illustrator, Photoshop or Corel let you adjust the tilt and pressure of their pencil, brush, blob and pen tools, so you can get the best and most accurate lines possible, without having to suffer drawing with a mouse and being forced to constantly make adjustments.

Wacom is certainly the absolute leader in drawing tablets for their quality. Ask any architect, animation artist, 3D modeler, graphic designer, etc, and to them is as if you were speaking of GOD or the Holy Grial, their Wacom tablet is their livelihood and a key part of their profession.

Wacom tablets come in various models and sizes, and yes, they are quite expensive. Seems to be a part of the 'mystique' surrounding them. I thought so too when I spent 6 months saving money to buy my first one.

And I almost did. Normally you would go with the expensive, reputable item that costs $200 or much more to ensure that you have a quality, all-professional-like product. But guess what, the principle of doing proper RESEARCH before buying a product never goes stale. 


Click here to read a review of the Wacom Intuos4 Small Tablet. 

Store section: the best reviews on the things you are looking for

I've just opened a 'Store' section in which I will also review the best products, gadgets and stuff related to a great user experience, whether it comes to storing your favorite anime series and movies, your favorite software to create your fanarts, or to enjoying anything related to Japanese technology and culture in general.

Let's get started!

ADAM WEST NAKED! ( No Nudity Here, Just a New DVD )

Well, it looks like Adam West revamped his personal website & one feature of it is a STORE area where you can buy autographed items. He has his biography paperback book titled "Back To The Batcave" on sale, signed of course. Then there's a brand-new DVD movie called "Adam West Naked". Here's what the site says about it, "A brand new 2-Disc DVD produced by and starring Adam West. It contains over 3 hours of footage in which Adam goes episode by episode, recounting his personal memories and telling never-before-heard stories about his experience creating the iconic 1960’s Batman TV series. Amusing and intimate, this DVD immerses fans in the world of the classic Batman series in unparalleled depth. The classic Batman speaks alone to you, the viewer, in a variety of amusing settings, whispering in the attic, or astride an imaginary horse at his home. This DVD is a must for any true Batman fan. It will be signed and personalized on the DVD jacket any way you wish." Now, the DVD movie sells for $50.00 which isn't too bad considering that it's both autographed & has about 3 hours of wacky entertainment. Oh yeah, you can visit his site by clicking HERE!