2013 ~ LA PENSINE MUTINE (EN)

How to Apply Mask Effects on Photos

Ey@el12/26/2013Photo Editing No comments

Another tutorial for Paint Shop Pro that you may adapt to any image editing software. Still, it's best to master the basics — that is how to use layers, gradients and patterns. Depending on your chosen application (GIMP, Photoshop, PhotoFiltre, etc.), you'll find many suitable tutorials for beginners on the web. However I'm sure curiosity and patience will lead newbies somewhere close. Take heart and the time to learn.

Materials

a colour picture
a gradient
Leaf tile

Instructions

1. Open a copy of the picture you wish to manipulate.

2. Add Mask from Image and when prompted, choose your current picture (we shall be using the source image as its own mask layer). Make sure you also choose Source Luminance.

3. Merge layer group and then duplicate resulting layer. Marge layers again. You should end up with a single semi-transparent layer.

4. Add a new layer under the existing layer and fill up with your chosen gradient according to your picture and the desired effect (I chose Sunburst style and moved the centre to the top left corner).

5. Add a new layer on top (in between semi-transparent layer and gradient layer) and fill up with a pattern a texture of your choice (you may download the one I used). Set layer blend mode to Hard Light and lower opacity to 55%.

6. Merge all visible layers.

NOTE: To improve the final output, I have lowered the input RGB levels to 0.73 then increased the contrast to 15%. I also lowered saturation to -22% and set hue to 12 (using the Hue Saturation Luminosity tool). Finally, I clarified (strength 3).

For the above variation, while adding a mask, I ticked “Inverse Mask Data”. After merging layer group (step 3), I didn't duplicate the layer but set blend mode to Multiply. On step 4, I added a blue gradient leaving layer settings by default (blend mode to normal and opacity to 100%) then went straight to step 5.

As for improving the output, I only used RGB input levels which I increased to 1.73 and clarified (strength 7).

NOTE: The rule with masks is the darker the source image, the more opaque it will be. So while inverting mask data, light areas will inherit this property while dark areas will let the mask image show through.

Merry Christmas!

Ey@el12/24/2013Artwork, Traditions No comments

I wish you all, young and old, sheeple, rebels, Grinches or jolly souls from France and all over the world, a Merry Christmas! Without participating in those programmed commercial rituals, I just seize the opportunity to thank you for your daily visits and comments. For sure, I could tell you anytime but it would have to be without these lovely toddlers who are much more appealing than the old murky bearded guy traditionally used for Christmas. This “card” is based on Biene's "Merry X-Mas" tutorial in Italian.

Hymn

Ey@el12/19/2013Artwork No comments

Kinglets and robins
Flying off roofs and bushes
Chirping as they did in the time of the Magi
When the air was filled with songs
Then as they thought the world had awoken
They started building their nests
Looking for flaxen wool
To provide a home for their many young
"Noël des petits oiseaux"

Remember to leave some grease for visiting birds in your garden or on your windowsill. They might sing for you in gratitude.

Her Wintery Majesty

Ey@el12/09/2013Artwork No comments

Not quiet yet but very soon: whatever may be said, winter is a beautiful season. Just imagine how an African who's never seen snow might find it awesome. Never lose your enthusiasm about anything, always look for the glimpse of perfection amid what's bothering you and soon you'll only see that. A graphic based on (but so much different as you can see) Titoune's " © La Pensine Mutine. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited.

Paint It Black

Ey@el12/07/2013Song Lyrics No comments

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore, I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love, both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a newborn baby it just happens ev'ryday

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and I must have it painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

I want to see your face painted black, black as night, black as coal
I want to see the sun blotted out from the sky.
I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black, yeah

Original text by MICK JAGGER

The Laws of Cat Physics

Ey@el12/03/2013Humour No comments

**1. Gravity:**A cat may sometimes fall into heavy sleep.

**2. Elastic collision:** Water (even unholy) repels cats.

**3. Pulling force:**When a cat is high on valerian, it get its kicks.

**4. Propulsion force:** Cat paws are fitted with springs which enable them to jump up but not to slow down.

In truth, the cat is an aberration defying the laws of physics, nature and thermodynamics. [...] There are three types of cats: careless, careful, carefree.
The Laws of Cat Physics, Mendenhall

All the Myths on Sunday

Ey@el12/01/2013Song Lyrics No comments

Oh. I am a humble man thankful for my rights and inheritance due
How about you?
And I wan't to stay in sight of things that I believe in
And I know to be true, the sweet sweet truth
I wouldn't question letters of authority,
Yeah I keep the bedroom cold to save energy, 'cos it's good for me

And as long as there's something for me
And long as the world swings my way I don't have any complaints
Oh I believe all the myths on Sunday

Yeah. I am as white as snow, except for when I sit out in the sun
The hot sun, then I look so different
Just like I've become an African
I'm always showing clearly my morality
Yeah. I rule by consent of the majority ain't it good to see

And as long as there's something for me
And long as the world swings my way I don't have any complaints
Oh I believe all the myths on Sunday

Yes sir it's a wonderful life making these decisions
Just for you, no-one but you

And as long as there's something for me
As long as the world swings my way
I don't have any complaints
And I believe all the myths on Sunday

Original text by JOHN BUTLER

Hyde Park

Ey@el11/25/2013Artwork No comments

Allow me to feel nostalgic as the fall season is coming to an end and I miss London and its beautiful parks so much.

My Iron Lung

Ey@el11/23/2013Song Lyrics No comments

Faith, you're driving me away
You do it everyday
You don't mean it
But it hurts like hell

My brain says I'm receiving pain
A lack of oxygen
From my life support
My iron lung

We're too young to fall asleep
Too cynical to speak
We are losing it
Can't you tell?

We scratch our eternal itch
A twentieth century bitch
And we are grateful for
Our iron lung

The headshrinkers, they want everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon
The headshrinkers, they want everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon

Suck, suck your teenage thumb
Toilet trained and dumb
When the power runs out
We'll just hum

This, this is our new song
Just like the last one
A total waste of time
My iron lung
The headshrinkers, they want everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon
The headshrinkers, they want everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon

And if you're frightened
You can be frightened
You can be, it's OK
And if you're frightened
You can be frightened
You can be, it's OK

The headshrinkers, they want everything
My uncle Bill, my Belisha beacon

Original text by THOM YORKE

The Beastles Are Back

Ey@el11/17/2013Humour No comments

**John:**
“Come on, come on, baby, tweet that cat...”

**Paul:**
“Oh, little beast, there will be an answer...”

**George:**
“Gently, you do not want to make my guitar weep...”

**Ringo:**
“It's been a hard day's night...”

Emerald City

Ey@el11/15/2013Literature, Song Lyrics No comments

While surfing on the web, I was surprised to come across many videos of Dramarama, an American underground band I had the chance to interview... 25 years ago (!!!) I thought they had long disappeared so I was happy to find John Easdale is still alive and kicking and has finally gotten some public recognition at home even if owed to some reality show. Worry not, I'm not about to revel in cheap nostalgia and sort through the old junk from the attic. For a moment I just wanted to share this sweet (additive-free) little acoustic song with you about Emerald City, the capital city of the fictional Land of Oz in Frank Baum's books (creator of the Wizard of Oz) since its writer/performer had kindly written down the lyrics for me on a old piece of paper now turned all yellow — but thanks to digitalisation it looks as good as new hey hey.

Emerald City

I've finally found it
I'm feeling my way all around it
I'm going to surround it
Soon everything's going to be fine
Hey hey
I can do what I say

I'm lost in a sweet dream
I'm living on chocolate ice cream
I'm letting off my steam
Now everything's going to be fine
High high
I think I'll learn how to fly

I went for the rental
Those costumes were so continental
How coincidental
They said everything would be fine
Ho ho
I think I'm ready to go, go, go...

John Easdale, 1985

About Emerald City

Located in the exact center of the Land of Oz, being the countries official imperial capital, the Emerald City can be found at the end of Oz's famous yellow brick road, which starts in the eastern quadrant called Munchkin Country.

[...] In the earlier books, the city's architecture was described as being completely green, but in later Oz books, it is revealed that green was merely the predominating color and the buildings are also constructed out of solid gold and silver as well [...] The citizens of the city originally wore all green costumes with real emerald jewels for bottons, but eventually added other gems and colors to their clothing and attire in later Oz books.

[...] Scholars who interpret The Wizard of Oz as a political allegory see the Emerald City as a metaphor for Washington, D.C. and unsecured "greenback" paper money. In this reading of the book, the city's illusory splendor and value are compared with the value of paper money, which also has value only because of a shared illusion or convention. It is highly likely that the Hotel del Coronado influenced its description in later books, as well as in the artwork by John R. Neill.

Source : Wikipedia

How to Partially Remove Colour From Photos

Ey@el11/11/2013Photo Editing No comments

A simple straightforward technique you may use with any image editing software such as Paint Shop Pro (the one I used), Photoshop, GIMP, PhotoFiltre, etc.

Materials

a colour picture with detailed background

Instructions

1. Open two copies of the image you wish to manipulate.

2. Select the second copy and convert it to greyscale in order to obtain a black and white picture. Copy and past the output as a new layer on top of your colour image.

3. Activate the layer you've just pasted and use the Freehand tool to outline the part you wish to restore to colour. Once selected, press Delete then unselect and save as JPEG. That it!

NOTE: You may also use the Eraser tool for small areas but the Freehand tool will provide more precision. Apply in small increments when you deal with detailed shapes.

For the above variation, I lowered colour saturation to 35% for the bottom layer and increased blue and cyan hues by 20%. For the top (grey) layer, I just lower opacity to 85% so as to get a slightly tainted black and white to enhance the faded look of the picture.

Have fun with your pictures!

Bloopers

Ey@el11/09/2013Humour No comments

Knock! Knock! Let me in, I'm freezing my buns off!

A Crêpe for the Guy

Ey@el11/07/2013Artwork, Traditions No comments

Radiohead just won the Guy Fawkes Award for Best Pancake Seller. Thom Thumb and Ed A'Fleck seized the opportunity to literally set the House ablaze. Far too cautious, their three other companions remained hidden in the phonebooth in the background. They promise they'll make waffles for Candlemas!

Gluten-Free Crêpes

Ey@el11/06/2013Cooking No comments

As promised here is the recipe for Thom Thumb and Ed A'Fleck's famous crêpes. Highly digestible, quick and easy to make, they won't stick to the pan and may be used exactly like traditional wheat pancakes. Try some ratatouille fillings with it, it's delicious!

Ingredients

Makes 12-18 pancakes:

2 cups (500 ml) oats milk, rice milk or almond milk
9 oz (250 g) rice flour
3 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients together until it forms a smooth batter without lumps. ¹

Leave to rest in a cool place for 30 minutes then cook like ordinary pancakes.²

Endnotes

^ If you wish to use sweetened fillings, you may add some (natural) orange flower/vanilla extracts or rum to flavour your pancake batter.
^ While Radiohead use guitars, it is best to use a frying pan as it requires great skills to get the crepes off, striking hard on the guitar strings after each verse (roughly what it takes to cook them).

Funeral Pyre

Ey@el11/04/2013Social Engineering, Song Lyrics No comments

Let's have some English jam that went out of date several decades ago but is still edible as much as you like. It contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners and preservatives (the word here in French is “conservateurs” and it's the same word used for Tories who weren't much popular in the UK during the Thatcher years). Released around the time of the annual celebration of Saint John's Eve, this "Funeral Pyre" by The Jam is more reminiscent of the bonfires of the 5th of November when the leader of the evil conspirators who had plotted to bring down the nice elite oppressing the people is burned in effigy. How paradoxical!

Ey@el

Down in amongst the streets tonight
Books will burn, people laugh and cry in their turmoil
(turmoil turns rejoiceful)

Shed your fears and lose your guilt
Tonight we burn responsibility in the fire
We'll watch the flames grow higher!
But if you get too burnt, you can't come back home

And as I was standing by the edge
I could see the faces of those led pissing themselves laughing
(and the flames grew)
Their mad eyes buldged their flushed faces said:
“The weak get crushed as the strong grow stronger”

We feast on flesh and drink on blood
Live by fear and dispise love in a crises
(what with today's high prices)

Bring some paper and bring some wood
Bring what's left of all your love for the fire
We'll watch the flames grow higher!
But if you get too burnt you can't come back home

And as I was standing by the edge
I could see the faces of those led pissing themselves laughing
(and the flames grew)
Their mad eyes buldged their flushed faces said:
“The weak get crushed as the strong grow stronger”

In the funeral pyre
We'll watch the flames grow higher
But if you get too burnt you can't come back home
(well I feel so old, when I feel so young
well I just can't grow up to meet the demands)

Paul Weller, 1981

About this song

A few years after the fact, Paul Weller explained to author Paolo Hewitt that The Jam had written "Funeral Pyre" as a reaction against the smooth sounding records that were currently flooding the market, “so we thought it would be good to do something rough.”

Creep

Ey@el10/27/2013Song Lyrics No comments

When you were here before,
Couldn't look you in the eye.
You're just like an angel,
Your skin makes me cry.
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world.
I wish I was special
You're so fucking special!

But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here.

I don't care if it hurts,
I wanna have control.
I want a perfect body,
I want a perfect soul.
I want you to notice
When I'm not around.
You're so fucking special!
I wish I was special.

But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here.

She's running out the door.
She's running out,
She run run run run...

Whatever makes you happy,
Whatever you want.
You're so fucking special!
I wish I was special.

But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here.
I don't belong here.

Thom Yorke, 1992

A Spicer Crêpe

Below is my "Creep" spoof (originally written in French). Inspiration came from a video of the Q Awards ceremony featuring Thom Thumb and Ed A'Fleck. Wicked, I know, but since I'm not any taller than Thom, I guess the joke could also be on me. The title is actually a pun as in French "relevé" may translate both as "spicy" and "raised up".

Whenever you stand before me
I cannot look you in the eyes
You're just like a god
Your abs make me cry
You're towering like the Everest
Right above my head
I wish I were hunky
You're so fucking hunky

But I'm a crêpe, I'm an toad
What kind of hell am I living in
I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts
I wanna have a leg extension
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect face
Whether or not you're around
I want to be noticed
You're so fucking hunky
I wish I were hunky

But I'm a crêpe, I'm an toad
What kind of hell am I living in
I don't belong here

He's running out smiling
And back again with a stool
So cool cool cool cooooooool

Whatever makes me happy
Whatever I want
You're so fucking hunky
I wish I were hunky

But I'm a crêpe, I'm an toad
What kind of hell am I living in
I don't belong here
I don't belong here

Meow

Ey@el10/17/2013Artwork No comments

A digital scrap page with a cut-out picture I took of my “neighbour” furry friend Meow, a lovely mischievous tomcat who often visits me when he's in the mood for playing tag^†. Nothing better to raise your vibration.

In a Big Country

Ey@el10/15/2013Song Lyrics No comments

I've never seen you look like this without a reason,
Another promise fallen through, another season passes by you.
I never took the smile away from anybody's face,
And that's a desperate way to look for someone who is still a child.

In a big country, dreams stay with you,
Like a lover's voice, fires the mountainside
Stay alive

I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe and see the sun in wintertime

In a big country, dreams stay with you,
Like a lover's voice, fires the mountainside
Stay alive

So take that look out of here, it doesn't fit you.
Because it's happened doesn't mean you've been discarded
Pull up your head off the floor, come up screaming
Cry out for everything you ever might have wanted

I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert,
But I can live and breathe and see the sun in wintertime

In a big country, dreams stay with you,
Like a lover's voice, fires the mountainside
Stay alive

Voldemort

Ey@el10/11/2013Artwork, Movies No comments

To follow in the same vein and illustrate the theme of the day (sorry my article on Voldemort is only available in French for now), here's Voldemort and his Death-Eaters. I thought it would be nice to substitute blood red hues to the original cool pallid hues so as to expose (explode) the “true colours” of these blood-thirsty Satanists to the glow of hellfires.

Homecoming

Ey@el10/09/2013Artwork No comments

This graphic was created with five different colour pictures (photos and paintings) plus one in black and white. I mainly used layer blend modes, eraser tool, smudge brush, paying special attention to details such as light and shadows and the overall blending of colours.

Karma Police

Ey@el10/07/2013Song Lyrics No comments

Karma police
arrest this man,
he talks in maths,
he buzzes like a fridge,
he’s like a detuned radio.

Karma police
arrest this girl,
her Hitler hairdo
is making me feel ill
and we have crashed her party.

This is what you get,
this is what you get,
this is what you get,
when you mess with us.

Karma police
I’ve given all I can,
it’s not enough,
I’ve given all I can
but we’re still on the payroll.

This is what you get,
this is what you get,
this is what you get,
when you mess with us.

For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself.
Phew, for a minute there,
I lost myself, I lost myself.

For a minute there
I lost myself, I lost myself.
Phew, for a minute there,
I lost myself, I lost myself.

Thom Yorke, 1997

About this song

“It was a band catchphrase for a while on tour – whenever someone was behaving in a particularly shitty way, we’d say, ‘The karma police will catch up with him sooner or later,’” says Jonny. “It’s not a revenge thing, just about being happy with your own behaviour.” Thom laughs, “This is a song against bosses, fuck middle management!” “Karma Police” was debuted back in 1996 during the Alanis Morissette tour. Thom sang the line “This is what you’ll get” an octave higher than he does on the album, with brilliant results. Ed was the one who originally suggested they do a song based on the catch-phrase.

How to Apply Texture Effects on Photos

Ey@el10/01/2013Photo Editing No comments

This is an old tutorial from Nanson's Place for Paint Shop Pro but it can easily be adapted to any image editing software such as Photoshop, PhotoFiltre, GIMP, etc.

Materials

a colour picture preferably with great details and midtones

Instructions

1. Open a copy of the image you wish to manipulate.

2. Duplicate existing layer and run the One Step Photo Fix script. If you use a different program, you may adjust luminosity, contrast, saturation and sharpness to enhance the quality of your picture.

3. Duplicate this new layer and apply Topography effect :

Width = 2
Density = 2
Angle = 45
Color = white

Set layer blend mode to Lighten.

4. Apply Edge Preserving Smooth correction (Smoothing 2) then merge down your layer.

5. Colorise the resulting layer (Hue and saturation 35). Set blend mode to Burn and lower opacity to 70%.

NOTE: According to the picture used, you may need to adjust Topography density to a value comprised between 2 and 6. Same as for lowering opacity at the final step.

For the above portrait variation, I skipped step 5 (colorise) and lowered opacity to 53%. I also used the Smudge Brush on the top layer to reduce dark and over-texturised brown areas on the little girl's face and arms.

Sheep

Ey@el9/24/2013Social Engineering, Song Lyrics No comments

Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away;
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air.
You better watch out,
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem.

What do you get for pretending the danger's not real.
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel.
What a surprise!
A look of terminal shock in your eyes.
Now things are really what they seem.
No, this is no bad dream.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by.
With bright knives He releaseth my soul.
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.
He converteth me to lamb cutlets,
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger.
When cometh the day we lowly ones,
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
Master the art of karate,
Lo, we shall rise up,
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water.

Bleating and babbling I fell on his neck with a scream.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

Have you heard the news?
The dogs are dead!
You better stay home
And do as you're told.
Get out of the road if you want to grow old.

Original text by ROGER WATERS

Autumn Colours

Ey@el9/22/2013Artwork No comments

Here we are at the Autumn Equinox — the season of flaming gold and brass when nature somehow shows her true colours previously overlaid by its high concentration of chlorophyll. Going out in a blaze of glory before reentering her greyed-out cocoon to overwinter.

This graphic is based on Korda's "Autumn Impressions" tutorial of which only the original colours remain.

Materials

Instructions

Emerald City

About Emerald City

Materials

Instructions

Ingredients

Directions

Endnotes

About this song

A Spicer Crêpe

About this song

Materials

Instructions

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