takafumi ide

Author: admin

  • drawing for archival prints

    Since 1999, I have used Mac and Wacom Tablet as my drawing tools for archival digital prints. I use Wacom Tablet. This is quite old… Intuos 2, which is still in perfect working condition, and I have no reason to buy new one. A great product!!

    I always take a photograph in order to trace a motif.  When I worked for a monthly periodical “Car Graphic” magazine, I always looked for a nice car. If you are interested in to see my illustration for “Car Graphic” magazine, please visit here: http://cargraphic.takafumiide.com/.

    For the project at Kickstarter.com, my motif is “threshold.”

    I open the photo image, which I took at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park last week, in Photoshop. I trace and draw the motif or subject with brush tool. It often takes about 4 hours to draw the main subject.

    But sometimes I spend more time because I do several jobs in once. More time is better, because I can adjust my eyes. I prefer to have some breaks while I am drawing.

    Here is the image of the middle of process for creating 5 x 7 inch print. I usually trace all the line and add shadows in this process.

    I like how the black color with Brush tools works for my style of drawing. After I finish the all black ink, I add color. I am thinking to add pale green in the background with leaves…

    Let’s see what is going on next!

    ..

  • installing the lantern at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

    It was rain.

    I waited to stop the rain, but no luck of weather.
    It was the only day to install the pieces at Stone Quarry Hill Art Part in Cazenovia, NY.

    Inside the lantern, there are one high bright LED and one water-proof speaker.
    I used three conductive cable in order to send the signals for both sound and light.
    The ladder was a little bit slippery, but I could install the lantern and the motion sensor without problem.

    I installed the motion sensor and the electric parts box on the tree with Zip-Ties.
    I thought I should hide the box, but there is a big branch behind the tree, so I couldn’t find a space. Finally I installed the box in the place where I didn’t need to cut live brunches.  Although it is in front of the tree and a bit visible, I think visitors can also enjoy watching them with curiosity.

    I tested them out in the rain until dusk. It works perfect for me. 🙂

    The final touch will be done by the Art Park.

    ..

  • motion sensor for threshold

    After some research for the motion sensor for threshold, I decided to use a motion sensor from the Home Depot; Heath Zenith 240 Degree Replacement Motion Sensor.

    I needed to have both wide range (at least 200 degree) and long distance (at least 25 feet) sensitivity. It was hard for me to develop a steady and reliable sensor with Arduino in a short period of time.

    This is what I designed. In order to keep the easy access for a person who take care of the electric parts, I connected a pair of 125V plug and connector. The sensor turns ON/OFF the Arduino board. Once Arduino turns on, it plays a MP3 sound file. The setting of sensitivity will be easily changed on the sensor unit so that I do not need to be there to change the setting/programming everytime. This solved both easy access and reliability for this project.

  • control box for threshold

    Originally I was going to prepare a Stevenson screen for threshold at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. It is easy to buy, but I prepared it myself with some plywood and nails. I designed a bird house like box in order to fit the location in the Art Park.

    Measure the size and cut the materials.

    Build the basic structure.

    It’s gonna be look like this.

    Sand it down.

    Spray brown paint.

    After this step, I sprayed more brownish, attached the door with a hinge and Stevenson screen on both sides. The box will hold the electric parts such as Arduino board with MP3 Player Shield, an original circuit for amplified the sound with synchronized blinking LED, and the power supply. It will be hung a tree with a big Zip-Tie.