OPEN THOUGHT...OPEN EXPRESSION

Hi, I'm Nicki, Digital Artist. Come in, poke around and most of all get a little inspired about how wonderful digital art—in it's many forms— can be.
» Please send responses and questions to ideas[at]nickihart.com
» View my complete portfolio at nickihart.com

A Sampling of My Artwork...


New Year…New Tutorials

Get your questions answered! Have a Photoshop project you are stuck on and need help to complete it? Are you wondering how to make your own postcards for an upcoming exhibit featuring your artwork or how to sell prints online? How about which Adobe product (Illustrator/Indesign/Photoshop) to use for that specific project?

Send ideas and questions to ideas@nickihart.com and you may be featured in an upcoming Business of Art Tutorial on Youtube.

Be sure to include your name/alias and web address when you submit your idea to be credited in the tutorial!

These step-by-step video tutorials are brought to you by digital artist, Nicki Hart of Digital Hart Studios. They are designed to help you become your own master of marketing through the use of the right techniques and software.

Poll: PSD or TIFF?

What’s your preferred file format when saving a layered Photoshop file? PSD or TIFF? Leave a comment below.

Design Tip #2: To Bleed or not to Bleed?

In this tutorial I discuss how to apply a bleed to a standard print document using Photoshop and InDesign.

Late night abstract! It’s something fun and a bit simpler than some of my recent designs. I call it “Jelly Bean” because for some reason I kept thinking of how colorful they are the entire time I made this.

Late night abstract! It’s something fun and a bit simpler than some of my recent designs. I call it “Jelly Bean” because for some reason I kept thinking of how colorful they are the entire time I made this.

Ever wanted to design a postcard that you can hand out to potential clients or direct mail? How about designing an all-in-one solution that does both? This tutorial walks you through the basic setup of a 4x6 postcard in Photoshop taking into account the common mailing standards from the US Postal Service. By the time we finish, you will have a ready to print PDF of your postcard. The postcard is full color on the front and black and white on the back. This is a standard postcard format for direct mailers because it is very economical to print.

Note: This tutorial is not a step-by-step guide to designing the entire postcard. In the interest of time, I have a mockup already in place. I always encourage you to apply these techniques to your own creative design.

»View more Design Like a Pro Tutorials

WIP (Work in progress) abstract. I’m trying out some new techniques and brushes for my latest abstract.

WIP (Work in progress) abstract. I’m trying out some new techniques and brushes for my latest abstract.

“Aurora” combines some of my old styles with some new painting techniques. I’m focusing on textures with my newer abstracts. I still start with a base photograph and work from there to create the finished piece.

“Aurora” combines some of my old styles with some new painting techniques. I’m focusing on textures with my newer abstracts. I still start with a base photograph and work from there to create the finished piece.

Design Like a Pro now on Facebook!

For those of you watching my tutorials, they are evolving! I have launched a Facebook page to host episodes, answer questions and share more in depth talks about design. Head on over to watch my new web show unfold…

(Oh, and give it a “like” while you are there too please!)

Finding hidden treasures in your own town is a very rewarding thing about photography! I didn’t even know this little section of lovely was only about 15 minutes from my home. The point is to get out and explore. You never know what you might find. Once you get to your destination be sure to walk around. Photo opportunities lie in every corner from macros of wild flowers to old bridges. Keep your mind open, and you may discover more about the town you call home and really spruce up your photography portfolio at the same time. Photo taken by me: Copyright 2010 | Digital Hart Studios

Finding hidden treasures in your own town is a very rewarding thing about photography! I didn’t even know this little section of lovely was only about 15 minutes from my home. The point is to get out and explore. You never know what you might find. Once you get to your destination be sure to walk around. Photo opportunities lie in every corner from macros of wild flowers to old bridges.

Keep your mind open, and you may discover more about the town you call home and really spruce up your photography portfolio at the same time.

Photo taken by me: Copyright 2010 | Digital Hart Studios