four x letter x word

...how i get down...

2010-06-19T03:11:00.000-07:00

a lot of people ask me, how do i create my artwork, or what procedures i use.

Here's a brief explanation of how i turn typography sketches,into digital.

The same goes for any work i do that involves, heavy or minimal sketching.

Im not much of a hand drawn artist, but when i sketch, no matter how terrible it is, i know exactly how i want the results to look like. So as long as i know what the destination is, getting there is no problem. Adobe programs are so advanced and if you use your tools correctly and efficiently, you can create the most craziest shit!

The reason i chose to use this abstract example is because its symmetrical, and easy to hand render.

I took inspiration from death metal logos, punk logos, gothic architecture, the Book of Kells, Blackletter fonts and ambigrams.
i'll start drawing the logo straight onto paper. i drawing the letters from influences.They dont need to be perfectly drawn or measured,i use Illustrator to do all of that. for the most part,i'll Spend a lot of time on the sketches, creating at least 3 or 4 that im happy with as these sketches will determine how good the logo is.

Some letters are more difficult to make symmetrical than others,but i typically use backwards letters if necessary or make 2 thin letters symmetrical to one wider letter. i try to keep the first and last letter symmetrical.as much as possible i try to keep it very legible and keep the widths of the letters as consistent as possible. It helps to understand the basics of typography.

Some letters a more tricky than others to make symmetrical. It is sometimes a good idea to start with the most complex letter, then draw a flipped version of it to use as a template. i then try to fit the other letter inside the template as best as possible. Sometimes the first letter will still need to be modified to get a balance between the 2.

Here are some examples of sketches where I have had to make 2 letters symmetrical with each other. The green area’s are where the template was drawn from the other letter. Once you have drawn around that it should then be erased.

Once i have some sketches im happy with,i scan it in.

Now this is where the hard work really is. after i scan the file, i then take it into Illustrator and drag down rulers wherever things need to be on the same level and wherever i need straight lines.

i take the Ellipse tool and draw circles wherever there are curves in the logo. in every case, its good to be thorough. The more i am, the smoother everything comes out.

now i'd Select the pen tool, change the fill color to black and make the stroke transparent. i'll draw in the shapes, using the guides and circles to help me.i usually just do it shape by shape, and not worry about making everything join.

This is where i use the opportunity to change any parts of the letters to make them look better. Making sure any symmetrical letters are perfectly symmetrical by drawing one side, and duplicating it.

Now that i have half of the logo complete,i draw in all of the other letters using the blue outlines as a guide. i always end up to a Compromise between the 2, this can be gnarly,what i find that works best is to just find a balance of keeping it symmetrical and legible.Then i'll Keep working and editing at this until i get all the letters the way i want them.

usually, when i sketch and hand render, i try to as much as possible to stay into illustrator. But in most cases, i'll take it to to photoshop to add depth, with textures,strokes and grunge brushes.

Total time= roughly 6-7hrs depending on the job.

Thanks for hanging out! Cheers!

Quick Flicks from this weekends Big Boy's Big Toys/MMA/Bully Dog EXPO

2010-06-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

for more flicks visit the NO FEAR HAWAII,TheModelMansion,Facebook pages..

...music changed my life...

2010-06-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

Check out this track from the homie Sincere (on the hook) with his old crew from LA. He's out here in Honolulu,Hi now doing the solo joint. Im looking into getting back to Making beats again, Hopefully we can collab in the future. Bring the Coast to the Shores.

Big Boys Big Toys | MMA Expo @ the Blaisedell June 11th & 12th

2010-06-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

Lights,Camera....Gatorade...

2010-06-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

Working from home has its pros and cons. The Pros: i wake up in the morning/afternoon and clock in, in my boxers. Cons: i get stir crazy and bored=Ergo; Online shopping. Lots of it.

Today i received a nice shipment of photography equipment. Including Tripods,Studio Lighting and a macro LED lamp. super excited to take it out and start taking more photos of random shit and do photoshoots with a few models. I seem to go in hot and cold phases with photography, but every time I get a new lens or equipment, I get inspired and take a bunch more pictures. Mind you, 99% of them suck. But there are always those one or two out of every hundred that I dig, and that makes it worth the time and effort. You can expect a lot more photo postings on this here blog in the coming weeks and months. I’ve also decided to try and write more often. When important things come up, I usually take to the blog, and leave out the smaller day-to-day only-mildy-interesting items. But since this site is all mine and I can do whatever I want, I’m going to write about more nonsense. You can skip over all of it or check the site every day or once a year. No worries. You’re always welcome here. Just be warned that you may be presented with a page-long soliloquy about the warp zones on super mario bros.

Theres also a lot of other things i ordered to help me improve with the photography, being that 90% of the photos i take, will be incorporated with my designs for upcoming seasons for IV Letter Word.

Of course, I’m at the mercy of delivery services, so my equipment may not arrive this week, in which case you can disregard everything you've just read. Also, for the record, I tend not to use the warp zones on the mario bros games until I’ve already beaten them, then use the warps when replaying. Care.

...this picked my day up...

2010-06-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

IV Letter Word Fall 2010 preview

2010-05-31T18:22:00.001-07:00

Dropping 06.25.10
STOCKLIST TBA

Much Love to Jeri Lee
http://www.myspace.com/jerilee

you can also check her out in Estevan Oriol's 'Women of LA' Book www.estevanoriol.com
as well as numerous work for Mister Cartoon & Estevan Oriol's Line,Joker Brand www.jokerbrand.com

ALL HEART showcase @ Sand Island R&B

2010-05-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

My Band 'Relapse', playing another show this weekend May 29th, 2010. Come Down and show your support,i'll buy you drinks and take my pants off.

...more from Iron & Ink @ Bar35

2010-05-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

Model LeeAnne reppin' the Badge of Honor on Stage
Photos courtesy of The Model Mansion

Iron & Ink @ Bar35

2010-05-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

IV Letter Word Fall Line Preview

2010-05-17T22:15:00.000-07:00

Droppin' 06.25.10

Travis Barker x A-Trak at The Roxy

2010-03-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

o3.10.10

2010-03-16T01:06:00.002-07:00

AVA: Hallucinations

2010-03-16T01:06:00.000-07:00

Angels And Airwaves - Hallucinations (Full Music Video) [HQ] from wwwblink182hu on Vimeo.

via Modlife.com

She said what? ...and i told her that i didn't know...

2010-03-14T16:24:00.001-07:00

Flicks of my band Relapse at The Trinity Test Showcase

R&B bar @ Sand Island
03.07.10

4 Wheel Parts Sample Sale

2010-03-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

ive officially fallen in love..

2010-03-12T20:22:00.000-08:00

im not really into Vlogging, but this girl, Natalie Tran (Sidney,AUS), has thee most entertaining channel. not to mention she has a kick ass personality. also, she's cute.

Source:http://www.youtube.com/user/communitychannel

Flicks from This past Sunday's "Customer Appreciation day" Event

2010-03-09T22:19:00.000-08:00

Customer Appreciation Day @ NO FEAR HAWAII Kapolei

2010-03-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

NO FEAR HAWAII along with FOX RACING and ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINKS presents

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY!!

Come Check it out! This Sunday, March 7th, Noon-4pm @ The NO FEAR KAPOLEI store.

Free energy drinks from ROCKSTAR and tons of giveaways from FOX and NO FEAR HAWAII.

live entertainment with DJ AUDISSEY in the mix!! its gonna be Crazy!!

You dont wanna miss this!!

BEN GRILLO: MICRO TATTOOS

2010-02-27T05:06:00.000-08:00

If you’re looking to get the illest micro tattoos then look no further than Ben Grillo. He’s a master at his craft and the owner of the magic hand responsible for inking some of the world’s smallest and most detailed pieces. This tattoo here was done on a photographer, OSOK (One Shot One Kill), and he had this camera tattooed on his wrist to stay in touch with his roots while also commemorating the first camera that he learned to shoot with.

GOLD PLATED VERSACE AK47

2010-02-27T04:40:00.001-08:00

If you’re into weapons and luxury brands then you’ll dig this gold-plated Versace Edition AK47. It’s the perfect way to protect your home in style!

...just in case the authorities are reading this post don’t trip becaues all the internals were removed and it’s a non-functional art piece.

What the What?!!

2010-02-27T04:36:00.000-08:00

This guy danced his ass off!!

I didn’t know what to think or say when I saw this video but I will tell you that his confidence is inspiring – and a bit disturbing all at the same time. So now that I’ve got you all fucked up and disturbed….have a great weekend! And dance your ass off,because if this guy can,then you ain’t got no excuse

balance.

2010-02-27T04:30:00.001-08:00

Find your balance and get to peddling.

Being busy doesn’t mean shit if you can’t produce results and lately it seems to be a new craze to talk big and walk small. I’m sure it makes people feel good to talk about the big things they’re doing (and planning) but when all that action equates to no results, then I’d be utterly embarrassed. That’s why it’s important to look into the history of the people you befriend or the companies you do business with because history always has a funny way of repeating itself. On the same note, take a look at what you’ve done, the networks you’ve built, because if it seems to have repetitive pattern of success (or failure) then you need to either pat yourself on the back – or get some help.

Fuel for the morning

If you’re like me and coffee gets you going in the morning then the Keurig is a definite must have….it’ll get you up and going in just about 60 seconds. Just pop in a shell and hit fire

dope.

2010-02-27T04:28:00.001-08:00

CUSTOM BMW M5 PICK UP TRUCK.

2010-02-27T04:20:00.001-08:00

...probably an old one...

2010-02-27T04:16:00.001-08:00

...but i had a good laugh.

Obama: "Daaaaaayyyyyyummmmmm" *in chris tucker's voice*

ASS WIPES….literally.

2010-02-27T04:10:00.000-08:00

"Strapped"

2010-02-24T16:54:00.000-08:00

Photo stolen from the new Fast Life book. 2010 is bringing lots of exciting specialty items.

via www.famoussas.com

Canvas Sale - Sunday @ TFL

2010-02-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

This Sunday at The Fast Life in LA we're putting 20 new canvases out for sale on the street. 3rd Street won't know what hit it, come by and check out the art!

via www.famoussas.com

...even the gas stations are Hollywood; in Hollywood

2010-02-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

While driving to 3rd & Promenade, Jason and i ran into this. We had to circle the block to see what all the cosmic lights were about...Lo and Behold..it's an ARCO gas station...with fairly low gas prices.

Announcing: Travis x A-Trak

2010-02-18T20:07:00.001-08:00

MTV Shows

The Fast Life;LA

2010-02-18T19:18:00.000-08:00

Our Trip to The Fast Life in Hollywood.

First off,Hands down,The Most Attractive Retail Store yet. The first thing that catches your eye is on the east end of the store,hangs Mike Giant's (rebel8 SF) Hand painted piece.
To make a long story short, i left Happy, and got chills to see,in person, the Memorial Billboard piece for DJ AM,that stood on top of the store's roof.

**Photo Credit: Jason Cacpal

Shock Planet x IV Letter Word Contest

2010-02-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

*****REPOST***** (via) http://shockplanet.wordpress.com/

Shock Planet is proud to bring you a new contest.

We are giving away men’s and women’s t-shirts provided by FANATIC BRAND INDUSTRIES / FOUR LETTER WORD MOVEMENT.

The tees will be available FIRST COME FIRST SERVE/RANDOM to those of you who:

1. follow these twitter accounts: Shock Planet, Fanatic Brand Industries and Four Letter Word.

2. post the message via Twitter “I want to win hook ups from @ShockPlanet @xFanaticGirlx & @IVLetterWord”

3. submit name, age, tshirt size, shipping address, twitter (facebook/myspace), and contact email to ShockPlanetMerch@Gmail.com

We only have a small number of tees to hook you up with, so hurry!

(we really like to see RT’s on Twitter!)

(sizes are subject to availability, and what manufacturer has sent us, we will do our best to accommodate winners!)

Spread the word about the contest

If you want to help us out and support Shock Planet, Fanatic Brand, and IV Letter Word simply save this image and post to your blog, twitter, myspace, etc…

The Getty Museum

2010-02-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

The Getty is one of thee most beautiful places i've ever seen in my life,not only because of it's romantic setting, but mainly for the architectural structure of the entire estate. There's fairly a good amount of rad exhibits of artwork. Everyone should visit The Getty at least once. it absolutely worth sitting on the 405 for.

Mike Giant & Derick Montez

2010-02-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

"Just Another Day" | Mike Giant & Derick Montez from Justin Gallagher on Vimeo.

'Almost Alice' Sampler

2010-02-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

LONG LIVE MCQUEEN

2010-02-15T20:28:00.001-08:00

Thank you for skulls, discussion on Darwinism through fashion, and theatricality.

“When you see a woman wearing McQueen, there’s a certain hardness to the clothes that makes her look powerful. It kind of fends people off. You have to have a lot of balls to talk to a woman wearing my clothes.”

– Lee Alexander McQueen, 1969-2010

Greetings and Salutations fellow earthlings!

2010-02-15T20:15:00.000-08:00

WELCOME!

Stay tune for updates on our company