Friday Favorites are my weekly wrap-up of the cool happenings going on around Imagekind over the past week. This week saw some very exciting things including the addition of one of the most prolific American turn-of-the-century cartoonists, Zim Zimmerman. Also, one of our member artists posted a great review about Imagekind on our blog that I have to share! Lastly, make sure to check out the latest updates to Imagekind.

Zim Zimmerman Cartoons on Imagekind

Eugene “Zim” Zimmerman was one of the most prolific turn-of-the-century American cartoonists. Who has, however, been since largely forgotten. Founder of what is known as the “grotesque” style of caricature for his use of overly exaggerated facial and bodily characteristics in his subjects.

A Truce, or How Two Wrongs Made A Right by ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive

With over 40,000 illustrations published in his lifetime, Zim’s body of work were often political in nature, highlighting the “melting pot” of American culture and ethnic minorities in the early part of the century. Though many might appear as politically incorrect in our time, the cartoons provide a historical look and critique of American culture during his. Immigrating to the US from Switzerland in 1869 at the age of seven, you can imagine Zim was all too familiar with the struggles immigrants and minorities often faced at the turn of the century.

Good Poker Hands, or Fooling the Talent by ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive

Most prints were originally featured in the two top humor magazines of their day: Puck and Judge magazines. Now, in conjunction with Imagekind, ASIF-Hollywood Animation Archive has provided a collection of Zim’s cartoons for sale as high-quality framed art prints.

Presence of Mind by ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive

Imagekind Review

After ordering one of his prints one of our member artists, Rubens LP, provided a fantastic review of Imagekind on his blog. He even includes pictures! You can see the full review on his blog here. Rubens LP’s conclusion? “WOW!!! Nice surprise… Very impressive.”

Thanks Rubens! I am a total fan of his work so it was especially great to hear he is a fan of Imagekind!

Imagekind Review Print: Smoke by Rubens LP

We love hearing reviews about Imagekind. If you have one yourself on your own blog, send it along! It’s like my birthday when I hear how excited people are to receive their artwork.

More Updates

We’re always updating. This week brings two! First, we released an oft-requested feature: the ability to add images in forum posts. Second, we’ve included the “AddThis” button in Imagekind Storefronts to easily share images found in an artists Storefront with your community around the web. This way, visitors can share artwork for sale on Imagekind to sites like DIGG, Facebook, Twitter and more.  It’s an opt-in feature so you can control if you want your images shared or not.

You can read all the details on the updates in the forum, here.

We’ve all come across art that inspires us. Finding it is usually not difficult. However, if you’re an artist, knowing how to emulate similar techniques takes learning, practice and patience. Below, I have compiled some of the top photography and art tutorials online. This list is in no way exhaustive, as I know there are many more out there.

Most of these were shared with me from our member artists via Facebook and Twitter. If you have a favorite online tutorial site not listed, be sure to drop me the URL! You can leave it in the comments, or share it on Facebook or Twitter. I will try and get it added as they come.

Quick note: Though many of the blogs below contain tutorials on several different techniques, I have tried to point directly to a post that corresponds to the particular technique listed.

Photo Manipulation

abduzeedo.com – Manipulation Basics: Illumination and Coloration

psd.tutsplus.com – All about PhotoShop tutorials

HDR Photography

stuckincustoms.com – Imagekind artist Trey Ratcliff, one of the premier HDR photographers, breaks down the technique on his blog

gizmodo.com

hdrcreme.com – The reference website for HDR photos

Macro Photography

On YouTube – Macro Photography Video Tutorial

photo.net – How To: Create Stunningly Realistic High Dynamic Range Photographs

Oil Painting

Hal Groat on YouTube – Imagekind artist shares tips to oil painting on YouTube

Panorama Photography

yanikphotoschool.com – How to Create a Panorama in Photoshop – Video Tutorial

earthseaimagery.wordpress.com – Imagekind artist shares several tips and tutorials on his blog

Illustration

noupe.com – 60+ Vector Illustration Tutorials

smashingmagazine.com – 40+ Cartoon Character Illustration Tutorials

It is great to hear what others are saying about Imagekind. Occasionally I’ll see someone on Twitter inquiring about Imagekind and I’ll often RT (re-tweet) their question to see what they think.  Check out some of their responses below!

What do you think of Imagekind? Send a reply to us @Imagekind!

@Alex Woolfson:
“Imagekind offers the best paper, good framing, responsive customer service. For prints, they offer best value for clients.

“Done a lot a research and they offer best value & product. Ordered 4 prints & the framing beats local SF experience.”

@Chris Leavens:
“The quality is superb and the staff is very friendly and responsive. They’re great.”

@Tex Smock:
“I’ve been happy with Imagekind; nice prints, good service. I reviewed a print last year at http://tinyurl.com/57xyur”

Friday Favorites is a weekly feature on the Imagekind blog where I share some of my favorite things found on – or related to – Imagekind over the past week. Sometimes there may be many, others, perhaps a few. It might be a single print, an artist, a group of artists, an article, different art styles; who knows! In any case, check out some of the cool happenings around Imagekind every Friday on the blog.

I love the style of vintage-looking photography. So naturally I was thrilled when I saw this post on Twitter the other day: 13 beautiful examples of vintage 1970s photography.

I thought I’d share some of the photographs I’ve found on Imagekind that have a similar style. It’s becoming a common technique in photography to manipulate photos to have this same kind of vintage and retro feel to them. Some artists use antique cameras to achieve this look, while others utilize digital techniques to pictures they have already taken. Check out this tutorial if you are interested in how to give your photographs that weathered, vignette effect.

The desaturated colors and grainy textures are what really make these photographs appealing. Whether framed or on canvas, they really help set a room apart; great for conversation starters!

Seagull in Winter by FA Photography

apple for the day by Vanessa Ho

Atmospheric by Nancy Coyle

Gold Rush by Linda Plaisted

Do you believe in fairies? by Irene L

bird convention by Julie Kruger

Succulants by Vincent-Field Photography

Everything has been figured out. by Damien Rudd

Swing by Emily Baier

365-18-Motel-04-05Small by casey365

You can find more vintage style photography through the various Groups in the Imagekind Community

We often get amazing feedback from very happy customers about Imagekind. It’s truly humbling but also very exciting to see how people are responding to our products and services. This is the reason we do what we do! To innovate the way people buy, sell and create art online.

Have something to share? Leave a comment below, send an email to care@imagekind.com, or connect in the Imagekind forums.

Read on to see just a few of the Imagekind customer reviews we receive.

“Couldn’t have done it without Imagekind”

We have been installing our project the last three days and everything looks wonderful. Couldn’t have done it without Imagekind.

Brandi Cassis – art consultant

“I love your interactive website”

I just wanted to say how incredibly impressed I am with your product. I am a debut author–my first novel hits shelves this June. I always knew when I finally succeeded that I would want a framed poster-size print of my cover. It took some googling, but I found Imagekind.com. I love your interactive website– I was able to see just what my frame,  matte, and print would look like together, which was wonderful. The box arrived via fed-ex on Friday. It was well-packaged to ensure that it wouldn’t break. The print is beautiful–crystal clear–and the matte and frame are top-notch. You even included everything I needed to hang it! It was up on the wall within five minutes of unpacking it.

I’m an Imagekind customer from now on! And I’ll recommend you to all of my author-friends who want prints of THEIR cover. In fact, I blogged about it–with pictures.

Mandy Hubbard – Author

“Really a 1st class site”

Let me tell you how impressed I have been regarding all the prompt & careful follow up I have gotten regarding sale negotiations and arrangements.

Imagekind is really a 1st class site and I’m so proud to be a member.

Jon Blumenaus – Artist

We love hearing your feedback! Have something to share? Email us via care@imagekind.com. Thank you to everyone who helps make this the best community for buying, selling and creating art.

Read on to hear what artists are saying about Imagekind.

“I will never print with anyone else”

“It has taken me a long time and a lot of money to find a printer that met with my standard of quality at an affordable price. My art has never looked as beautiful as it does when it comes printed from your company.

“My Customers are extremely impressed. I will never print with anyone else. You have a dedicated customer and I recommend you to all of my clients who I work with in the visual arts.”

“A dream come true”

“I have to say, LOVE LOVE LOVE this site and the offering – making delivery of framed giclees to my customers this easy is a dream come true for me – truly.”

“Will surely be using them again!”

“I sent in an order on Sunday night, shipped international priority and they arrived on TUESDAY at 11am in Markham, Ontario Canada!

“So I have come to expect great shipping from Imagekind, but how about the prints?

“GREAT! I was a little worried about both because of the vibrant colours and the heavy contrast in my work, but they nailed it right on.

“One of the things I like best about Imagekind is that when you upload your shot, you do not have to resize or crop, but can print at whatever size your picture actually is.

“I will also say that I am very impressed with the paper selection they offer, up to 8 different kinds for ‘Gallery Prints’

“All in all I am very pleased with my experience and will surely be using them again!”

“All I can say is ‘wow’”

“I am selling prints through Imagekind.com. I know a couple of other artists that use the service and it seems to work well for them. Just to be on the safe side, I ordered a print for proofing. I ordered the least expensive paper and it arrived yesterday in a nice secure tube. All I can say is ‘wow.’ The quality is great, the colors vibrant, and the image is sharp.”

We love hearing your feedback!

Have something to share? Email us at care@imagekind.com.

“I love how many brilliant artists you have on your site”

“I just wanted to say thank you. First, I love how many brilliant artists you have on your site. It’s so hard to find art I really love and I have found many pieces and collections here. I would have never found them otherwise. And, you make this art available and affordable for all kinds of people. I love good art, but usually I can’t find affordable prints of the contemporary pieces I like. So, thank you for all the options.”

“The frames and matting in all cases are beautiful”

“I wish to advise you this order has arrived, with all five items in excellent condition, and that I am very grateful for the short time you needed in which to make them up and ship them. The frames and matting in all cases are beautiful. Thanks you so much for your help.”

“Imagekind did a fabulous job”

“I have great news! I sold my first photo through Imagekind. Honestly, I was really nervous, being the first photo through Imagekind…AND it was a lady in our payroll dept that bought it!

“It didn’t exactly help my nerves when she brought it in for me to see…and she hadn’t opened it yet!

“I have to say, Imagekind did a fabulous job! My photo, of the Wrigley building in Chicago was something like 20″x30″ and it was phenomenal! The framing was so nice…she wanted me to sign the photo, but after seeing the quality Imagekind did, she didn’t want to touch it! She also noted she thought the pricing was very reasonable.

“She’s actually considering buying more…and we have had preliminary discussions of me doing some photo work for her.

“Thank you, Imagekind, so much for the fine job!”

**You can read more customer comments by visiting Imagekind.com.

I want to feature your favorite art on the blog.

We recently told you about one of the cool new features we added in our big site change that lets you easily share your favorite art. Now, I want you to share your favorite images with me. Share your art, and it could get featured.

Under every image on the showartwork page (the page that shows the image with comments), we added a new tool. Now, in addition to having the option of adding a comment, emailing the artist and becoming a fan, you can now share the image. When you click the share button, a box will appear that gives you the option to email the image to a friend, or post it to various online social sites.

So, I want to see the art you love.

1. Search the site or select one of your own images
2. Click the share button
3. Select the email option and send it to me, nathan@imagekind.com
4. Check the blog and see what others love

Who knows, you might end up seeing the art you love right here on the Imagekind blog.

- Nate