★ | LIKEASPOTLIGHT (NOVEMBER)
And it's that time again! So, if only ONE (and I do mean ONE) good thing came from Sara abandoning me having to leave lj/falloutoftrees, it was that it mean for this month I could rec twice the things all by myself! Which is good! I've always been super indecisive but this month was extra tough it seemed. So lucky me, I get to recommend double of everythingggg. Now that I won't be able to take recs from Sara, means I count on you qts even more to share things with me :3 While I'm here I'd also like to pimp tv_lims! Sign-Ups are open til Dec 3rd (r1 is up and closes then!) Consider participating! Okay, off we go~
partitioning @ nonewsteps (watch)
↳ icons
Two words: Close. Crop. No no, let me start over. Two words: Any. Crop. Meg's crops are just fantastic. She does close crops like no one I've ever seen, but really every crop she does is well. Whether it's a center one, a heavy negative space one - anything. Everything suits the cap she uses perfectly. Also, in a sea of super vibrant and blurry/sharp icons, Meg is a breath of fresh air. Personally, the natural coloring that she pulls off (literally just extracting colors that are already in the caps) is so impressive and something I've never been able to do. Overall her icons are so fresh and so clean clean /outkast. Her fandoms are actually pretty varied too so I bet if you aren't a member of her community and browse it, you'll find something to your liking! Meg knows what she does well and owns it. ♥
erzsebet @ songburst (watch)
icons
I admired Liz's Disney icons from a far~ for a long while and then she also quickly became of my favorite HP icon makers. Her style has changed, or changes, from time to time and it's really awesome to see tbh. One thing that is always a constant for Liz is her love of colors! I'm not talking about those bam-in-your-face colors (though she does those well also), but she owns rich and warm tones (yellows, browns, greens, etc). If I could describe her icons with one word it would be "Depth". Be it a close crop, or a solid-colored-background-negative-space icon (my favorite of hers), there is always depth to the icon. No icon is ever ever flat. Her icons also have a lot of geometric shapes to them which is really cool to see. Oh and she is also one of those text bamfs that I have forever jealousies towards. Le sigh. ♥
↳ resources
TEXTURE | butterphil
(large) One thing about me is that I rarely use textures "as intended". So those popular tumblr textures intended for use as a large scale/as is? Yeah, never happens. Love the purple hues of the clouds; set to screen or lighten to lighten up blacks/shadows in icons. Yellows in soft light is nice too.
TEXTURE | unknown
(large) I scoured everywhere I could think of to try & remember where I picked this up but to no avail. Please let me know if you know! Softlight, hardlight and screen are my favorite blending modes for this.
TEXTURE | accio-glow
(large) Much like the first texture, just one that I like to use to spice up shadows or brighten up the overall icon. The closer into the middle you get, brighter the icon.
TEXTURE | i-rise-inside
A very simple decorative texture but idc, find myself having to stop myself from wanting to one way or another use it in an icon. Screen, obv~
resources
TEXTURE | innocent-lexys
Screen, lighten, softlight, etc. I manipulate this one quite a bit by just erasing parts so the streaks only show where I want them to show.
TEXTURE | innocent-lexys
lol okay I'll be honest and admit that sometimes I use this just to grab the purple shade and - again - set that to lighten/screen for shadows. I do like the pink for a nice edging effect also.
FONT | Before the Rain
I think I've only used this one once but I really admire it from a far~ I think in the right hands this is a beautiful font for larger pieces and if you can make it work, smaller as well. SO PRETTY.
FONT | Grant's Ghost
This is an almost creepy font that I find works well for darker graphics (in my imagination it'd be great for SPN or Buffy fandom). Just a heads up, the kerning is by nature that wide so if you'd want the letters closer together you will have to adjust it so.
↳ and more
MUSIC | Face Up by Lights | YT / DL
I recently found out about Lights (shout out @runawaytomars) and it's srsly all I listened to late October, most of November (til I found next song). I love A LOT of her songs so really I'm going to recommend her as an ARTIST and just randomly pick this song for the sake of the spotlight. She has a person is tres qt too, such a nerd :') The lyrics to things song specifically are so lovely and lift you up~
MUSIC | Alone by Kelly Clarkson | YT / DL
From her new album! This song... I JUST WANT TO GET UP AND JUMP AROUND. Take hair out of ponytail/messy bun, set volume to highest setting and begin dancing around and singing the chorus at the top of my lungs - no matter that it's 2am and my windows are wide open. Even just going to YT to grab the link, I sat and listened to it all. I kid you not, this song is prob the reason I'm most happy that I got to rec two songs because I just HAD to include it.
TUMBLR | sarisafari (tag)
Everyone knows Sari's icons I'm sure but I have to give it up to her for her larger pieces. Her texture use and composition creativity is out of this world. Again, I don't even watch all of what she watches and I'm probably spoiling myself but whatever lol so worth it.
TUMBLR | tilmitt (tag)
I only follow about half - if that lol - of what Michi follows but I don't even care because when something comes up that I do follow (usually HP) it makes it all worth it. So clean and subtle and such emotion in all of her pieces!
and more
TUMBLR | kingbolt (tag)
You guys are getting three recs this month, hope you don't mind~ COLORFUL QUALITY! The two above really do love their neutrals but if colors are your jam, follow Sarah's tumblr. ESPECIALLY if you're a Disney fan! Most favorite Disney maker ever, be it in icons or larger pieces. Plus, this is a case where I do follow a lot of what she follos so I can vouch for some bangin' fandom choices >:]
YOUTUBE | KurtHugoSchneider
♥‿♥ I am such a sucker for music artists on yt. Off the top of my head I could name a dozen people/bands I wish had huge recording contracts over people that already do. Kurt, a music producer, features and works with some GREAT talent and showcases some of his own here and there. Everything is shot beautifully and the covers from the original pieces are absolutely brilliant (save for the very latest one uploaded :/) I just swoon and am amazed at his talent and those of whom he features.
SITE | Listography
#pokerface Don't look at me that way, I just really like lists. I just wanted to point this site out for those that aren't aware of it. Especially with a new year coming up, maybe you want a handy way to keep track of xyz. Ever had a LJ scrapbook and just get tired of having to update it all the time? This is way easier. THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT IT. Here's mine if you'd like to get an idea for what sort of things you can keep track of. Mine is pretty basic, a lot of fandom stuff. But honestly, the sky is the limit! Baby names, places you want to travel, wishlists, etcs. #teamnerd
RULES & DISCLAIMERS
• If using resources, please credit the appropriate maker in your resource post.
• The RIAA dictates that all music downloaded should be removed after previewing for 24hrs. We are not responsible for what you do with the music that you download.
• Fonts used in banner: Null Free, Lane Posh, REM Tour
Fin! I hope you found something that strikes your fancy. Remember, this an interactive activity! I showed you my favorites for the month of November, and now you share yours with everyone! Share as much or as little as you'd like. Be it resources, a maker you recently found, or just what you've been jamming to nonstop! SKY IS THE LIMIT! Before you get to scouring your texture or font folders, I'd just like to point out two quick things: You have about 24 hours to nominate over at wonderous_stuff Icon Appreciation Month Awards. This isn't me fishing for noms by any means, I just want to make sure as many people as possible nominate and that the word gets out and hopefully we can all find new makers! And finally, please join me in wishing Sara (I'll email her this link) a....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARATHESHRIMP ♥!
partitioning @ nonewsteps (watch)
↳ icons
Two words: Close. Crop. No no, let me start over. Two words: Any. Crop. Meg's crops are just fantastic. She does close crops like no one I've ever seen, but really every crop she does is well. Whether it's a center one, a heavy negative space one - anything. Everything suits the cap she uses perfectly. Also, in a sea of super vibrant and blurry/sharp icons, Meg is a breath of fresh air. Personally, the natural coloring that she pulls off (literally just extracting colors that are already in the caps) is so impressive and something I've never been able to do. Overall her icons are so fresh and so clean clean /outkast. Her fandoms are actually pretty varied too so I bet if you aren't a member of her community and browse it, you'll find something to your liking! Meg knows what she does well and owns it. ♥
erzsebet @ songburst (watch)
icons
I admired Liz's Disney icons from a far~ for a long while and then she also quickly became of my favorite HP icon makers. Her style has changed, or changes, from time to time and it's really awesome to see tbh. One thing that is always a constant for Liz is her love of colors! I'm not talking about those bam-in-your-face colors (though she does those well also), but she owns rich and warm tones (yellows, browns, greens, etc). If I could describe her icons with one word it would be "Depth". Be it a close crop, or a solid-colored-background-negative-space icon (my favorite of hers), there is always depth to the icon. No icon is ever ever flat. Her icons also have a lot of geometric shapes to them which is really cool to see. Oh and she is also one of those text bamfs that I have forever jealousies towards. Le sigh. ♥
↳ resources
TEXTURE | butterphil
(large) One thing about me is that I rarely use textures "as intended". So those popular tumblr textures intended for use as a large scale/as is? Yeah, never happens. Love the purple hues of the clouds; set to screen or lighten to lighten up blacks/shadows in icons. Yellows in soft light is nice too.
TEXTURE | unknown
(large) I scoured everywhere I could think of to try & remember where I picked this up but to no avail. Please let me know if you know! Softlight, hardlight and screen are my favorite blending modes for this.
TEXTURE | accio-glow
(large) Much like the first texture, just one that I like to use to spice up shadows or brighten up the overall icon. The closer into the middle you get, brighter the icon.
TEXTURE | i-rise-inside
A very simple decorative texture but idc, find myself having to stop myself from wanting to one way or another use it in an icon. Screen, obv~
resources
TEXTURE | innocent-lexys
Screen, lighten, softlight, etc. I manipulate this one quite a bit by just erasing parts so the streaks only show where I want them to show.
TEXTURE | innocent-lexys
lol okay I'll be honest and admit that sometimes I use this just to grab the purple shade and - again - set that to lighten/screen for shadows. I do like the pink for a nice edging effect also.
FONT | Before the Rain
I think I've only used this one once but I really admire it from a far~ I think in the right hands this is a beautiful font for larger pieces and if you can make it work, smaller as well. SO PRETTY.
FONT | Grant's Ghost
This is an almost creepy font that I find works well for darker graphics (in my imagination it'd be great for SPN or Buffy fandom). Just a heads up, the kerning is by nature that wide so if you'd want the letters closer together you will have to adjust it so.
↳ and more
MUSIC | Face Up by Lights | YT / DL
I recently found out about Lights (shout out @runawaytomars) and it's srsly all I listened to late October, most of November (til I found next song). I love A LOT of her songs so really I'm going to recommend her as an ARTIST and just randomly pick this song for the sake of the spotlight. She has a person is tres qt too, such a nerd :') The lyrics to things song specifically are so lovely and lift you up~
MUSIC | Alone by Kelly Clarkson | YT / DL
From her new album! This song... I JUST WANT TO GET UP AND JUMP AROUND. Take hair out of ponytail/messy bun, set volume to highest setting and begin dancing around and singing the chorus at the top of my lungs - no matter that it's 2am and my windows are wide open. Even just going to YT to grab the link, I sat and listened to it all. I kid you not, this song is prob the reason I'm most happy that I got to rec two songs because I just HAD to include it.
TUMBLR | sarisafari (tag)
Everyone knows Sari's icons I'm sure but I have to give it up to her for her larger pieces. Her texture use and composition creativity is out of this world. Again, I don't even watch all of what she watches and I'm probably spoiling myself but whatever lol so worth it.
TUMBLR | tilmitt (tag)
I only follow about half - if that lol - of what Michi follows but I don't even care because when something comes up that I do follow (usually HP) it makes it all worth it. So clean and subtle and such emotion in all of her pieces!
and more
TUMBLR | kingbolt (tag)
You guys are getting three recs this month, hope you don't mind~ COLORFUL QUALITY! The two above really do love their neutrals but if colors are your jam, follow Sarah's tumblr. ESPECIALLY if you're a Disney fan! Most favorite Disney maker ever, be it in icons or larger pieces. Plus, this is a case where I do follow a lot of what she follos so I can vouch for some bangin' fandom choices >:]
YOUTUBE | KurtHugoSchneider
♥‿♥ I am such a sucker for music artists on yt. Off the top of my head I could name a dozen people/bands I wish had huge recording contracts over people that already do. Kurt, a music producer, features and works with some GREAT talent and showcases some of his own here and there. Everything is shot beautifully and the covers from the original pieces are absolutely brilliant (save for the very latest one uploaded :/) I just swoon and am amazed at his talent and those of whom he features.
SITE | Listography
#pokerface Don't look at me that way, I just really like lists. I just wanted to point this site out for those that aren't aware of it. Especially with a new year coming up, maybe you want a handy way to keep track of xyz. Ever had a LJ scrapbook and just get tired of having to update it all the time? This is way easier. THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT IT. Here's mine if you'd like to get an idea for what sort of things you can keep track of. Mine is pretty basic, a lot of fandom stuff. But honestly, the sky is the limit! Baby names, places you want to travel, wishlists, etcs. #teamnerd
RULES & DISCLAIMERS
• If using resources, please credit the appropriate maker in your resource post.
• The RIAA dictates that all music downloaded should be removed after previewing for 24hrs. We are not responsible for what you do with the music that you download.
• Fonts used in banner: Null Free, Lane Posh, REM Tour
Fin! I hope you found something that strikes your fancy. Remember, this an interactive activity! I showed you my favorites for the month of November, and now you share yours with everyone! Share as much or as little as you'd like. Be it resources, a maker you recently found, or just what you've been jamming to nonstop! SKY IS THE LIMIT! Before you get to scouring your texture or font folders, I'd just like to point out two quick things: You have about 24 hours to nominate over at wonderous_stuff Icon Appreciation Month Awards. This isn't me fishing for noms by any means, I just want to make sure as many people as possible nominate and that the word gets out and hopefully we can all find new makers! And finally, please join me in wishing Sara (I'll email her this link) a....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARATHESHRIMP ♥!