My Doodle Flowers - An Example of Evolution in Action

doodle_flowers
Welcome back to Doodle Week. Doodle Flowers are today’s theme. Here’s about the only flowers I’ve doodled in a long time. I was thinking about diving when I drew these. They’re actually crinoids but as my meeting wore on, they evolved into some sort of sea tulip complete with leaves - a new species perhaps?.

This was a rather small doddle and after scanning, the felt tip pen I was using created a very interesting image texture. Like all the doodles featured here in doodle week, I scanned the doodle from notes I have taken during work. I use Linux Zenwalk as my operating system (no MS or Apple ware here).

I scan using Kooka opensource scan software. I then import the scan into Inkscape SVG Vector Illustrator. Inkscape is similar to Adobe illustrator except it’s free. In Inkscape I quickly trace the path of the drawing converting it to a vector image. This smooths the lines as well as allow me to scale it up without losing lots of detail.

I then export the vectored image as a png file and open it using the GIMP image manipulation program. Gimp is similiar to photoshop, and again, it’s free (I have a couple of GIMP tutorials on the site if you’re interested).

With the GIMP I add the color and/or remove some of the text from my notes that crept in close to the image. This sounds like a lot of work but it’s actually very quick to scan, vector and process.

I hope you’re enjoying Doodle Week, if you get the hanking to participate, be sure to upload your doodle and check out the others on the flickr doodle group.

5 Responses to “My Doodle Flowers - An Example of Evolution in Action”


  1. 1 Mark

    I’ll have to try Inkscape at some point but GIMP is an absolute pain in the rectum to use. I really don’t like it at all. It just seems that a lot of its features have been designed in such a way as to try to distance itself from Photoshop meaning I can never find the right function to do even the simplest tasks.

  2. 2 dale

    lol, I’ve used photoshop and still do on occasion but have got to the point where I actually prefer GIMP. Probably what you get used to using. GIMP continues to improve and the latest version is much improved over the past ones.

  3. 3 Lycobus

    Oh my!! I love your red, white and black doodlage. And the rest of your site has some breathtaking Photographs!! Excuse me whilst I poke around Further!

    Lycobus’s last blog post..Great Carniverous Carnations!!!

  4. 4 Claire

    Gimp has me flummoxed to, I hate that bits open up all over the place and I cant figure out how do anything.

    But as folks keep raving about it, I will have to give it another whirl.

    Loved your little tutorial and doodle :)
    Claire’s last blog post..Doodle Daydream

  1. 1 The Abstracted Doodle | little red planet

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