Dear Aerospace Engineering Grad Student - Don't Get Too Cocky With Me

The other day, our think tank was reviewing a number of award-winning ultra-efficient aerospace designs for airliners of the future. These aircraft had won contests sponsored by NASA. After looking at each design, and understanding that they had already been run through wind tunnel tests, and the proper CADCAM software which is specially made for aerodynamics, and then looking at all the numbers we were impressed. What didn't impress us, and I'm speaking for me personally right now, is that many of these designs are just being replayed from the 1960s.

For instance, there was one design by an aerospace graduate student who has excellent possibilities for upward mobility in designing the aircraft of tomorrow from one of the top-notch aerospace engineering schools had come up with an airliner design with an interesting v-tail configuration. It looked suitable, safe, and fast and sleek. However it looked very familiar to me, and therefore I did some checking. It turns out its not unique at all, and I'm not sure why this aircraft design won a contest, because it's now over 50 years old.

You see, there was an aircraft named the Heinkel HE 211 which was designed back in the early 60s but it sure looks a lot like some of the latest airliner designs winning awards in the present period. This aircraft had a shallow V-tail (butterfly tail) and two turbo-fan engines with a probable top speed of about 600 mph and perhaps a range of 650 miles. Today, with our more efficient wings and engines, along with more modern light-weight carbon materials, it would be almost identical in design to the current so-called "new ultra-efficient" designs.

What I am saying is this; "Dear Grad Student of Aerospace Engineering, don't get too cocky with me, I am not impressed with your designs, they aren't original," because in this case study, that design is as old as all of your fathers, and it is not an original concept worthy of any aerospace design award my friends. It seems to me that what we should be doing is letting all these future aerospace designers look through old stacks of magazines, and digital renditions of Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and other magazines produced in the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.

We should let them know that it is okay to borrow various strategies, but we really need them to use their creative genius to come up with brand-new ideas, because mere incremental gains, or borrowing aerospace designs of the past and calling them our future doesn't require graduate aerospace engineering students, it only requires someone to look in an old magazine take a digital picture of it and plop it into a CADCAM design software system. I expect more from our next generation of engineers, we've already broken the sound barrier. Please consider all this and think on it.

Portrait of Baudouin De Lannoy Jan Van Eyck

Some artists work hard to become experts but there are just some whom we might as well believe to be born with the right amount of creativity to stand out. It is typical to hear life stories of artists being rejected for their style but at least came out famous in the later part of their endeavor. As you read on, you will learn about Jan van Eyck and how he immediately capture a great audience even in the onset of his career.

One of the strange facts about Jan van Eyck is that he had no proper documentation as to his place of birth and even the exact date. Most people suggest 1935 to be the latest date of his birth. This artist was easily recognized first because f his expertise on using color. He is adept in capturing the glow of expensive fabrics in his artwork. Many even agree that not one had the ability to work with colors that magically until he emerged.

Jan van Eyck is considered as "the leading painter" during his time in the 15th century. He was in line with other prominent painters like Rogier van der Weyden, Pisanello, and Gentile da Fabriano. According to Facio, he was a knowledgeable man particularly an expert in the classics. It was also known that Jan van Eyck had learned Latin because of his frequent missions out of the country as a representative of their Duke.

Being a connoisseur in painting, Jan van Eyck was able to produce several successful artworks. One piece which impressed quite an audience was the portrait of Baudouin de Lannoy which was completed on 1435. The subject of the painting is a knight of the Golden Fleece which used Northern Renaissance style through oil and wood.

The portrait of Baudouin de Lannoy featured the knight himself with a necklace exclusively worn by members of the Golden Fleece. Also, the subject held a staff on his right hand which indicates his membership in the Duke's court of Burgundy. Married to Adrienne de Berlaymont with a son, Baudouin, received his role on 1430 under Philippe le Bon, duc de Bourgogne, premier chef et souverain de la maison de Bourgogne. Based on records, Baudouin died in 1474.

Apart from the portrait of Baudouin de Lannoy, Jan van Eyck has contributed other successful paintings including The Ghent altarpiece, The Adoration of the Lamb, The Arnolfini Marriage.

The Portrait of Bindo Altoviti by Raphael Sanzio

There is a saying that a "picture paints a thousand words". No wonder why people love taking pictures. In the past however when the camera was not yet invented, people opt to have their portraits made for remembrance. On this note, one of the most important artists of all times is Raphael Sanzio. He is considered to be one of the Three Masters of the Renaissance. One of his notable works is the Portrait of Bindo Altoviti.

Raphael was an Italian painter and architect. He was born in Urbino in Italy and was taught by his father to paint. He was famous for his works that define clarity and ease of composition. He used to wander a lot to do artwork commissions of famous and rich people in the society. He also do commission works in different churches and even for popes thus he was widely known then. Raphael continued to make master pieces. In the time of his death, he was working on The Transfiguration.

Because of his great contribution in the Renaissance period, his works are praised not only Italy. Now, his works would in millions of dollars and are sought after. A lot of his works are still present in churches in Italy and are preserved for the generations to come.

Raphael also commissions self-portraits. One of which was that of the Portrait of Bindo Altoviti. The question is; who is Bindo Altoviti? Bindo Altiviti is a famous and rich banker during Raphael's time. He was into arts; that was why he had his portrait made by Raphael. The portrait is indeed extravagant because of vibrant colors and intricate pose. The brushstrokes were superb and were flawless too. The painting has been widely interpreted in detail. The Portrait of Bindo Altoviti was transferred to one place to other. The family used to own it until was sold to a king, Ludwig I of Bavaria. Now, it resides the National Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.

The Portrait of Bindo Altoviti is kept and preserved so that people may witness the painting prowess of Raphael. Since there are a lot of art collectors who love to get hold of this masterpiece, a lot of painters these days reproduce the said portrait. They are being sold by made to order basis. Indeed, owning a great work of art by Raphael Sanzio is one of the greatest things one could have.

Learn to Draw Without Spending a Single Dime

You can learn drawing cartoons without spending even a single dime. There are number of resources in Internet or cyber world that you can use for this purpose. Make your machine on get a piece of paper and a pencil and you're ready to rock. The real beauty of these free websites are, if you want to stay anonymous and do not want to spare your e-mail address ID you can do so.

And keep in mind most of the time the lessons that you see in the online world are works of the Masters. So you get a chance of learning from the pros.

But one thing you should be cautious about is most of the times these lessons are not graded. That means what you will find is a collection of eye candy created by a master cartoonist. So though these pages are very good to look at they are not necessarily really helpful for the beginners.

This is not to say that there are any dearth is of good beginner level material. What I want to stress upon here is you have to be choosy while selecting your site. If you can get help from someone who has already gone through this selection exercises, by all means use that.

There is another danger you need to be aware of: these beautiful cartoons are really addictive and many youngsters make the mistake of spending a huge amount of time by browsing the sites and never really engaging into any drawing practice.

To avoid this trap have a clear goal in your mind. Visualise yourself being praised by your teachers, parents and envied by your peers for your drawing skills. Also keep in mind if you can really pick up a high level of cartooning skills it can be very lucrative career. Various industries from publishing to entertainment need cartoonists and this demand is really huge.

So make up your mind, whatever level of skill you want to have you will need to spend some time in doing actual practice. The learning curve may not be as flat as you want, that in a sense is good for you. Because, that will keep many amateur wannabes far away from this coveted skill.

Certainly there will be phases when you will feel frustrated but don't let that overcome your spirit. If you keep trying you will certainly be proficient in cartooning and start making drawings that will be loved by all.

Simple Cartooning Skill Can Be an Asset

The reason of the popularity of cartooning lies in its simplicity. It is not only inexpensive to get started with but also simple in a sense that you can draw few careful lines to tell a beautiful story. And because of these reasons more and more kids and youngsters are taking up cartoon drawing.

Maybe you are one of them who love cartoon shows and also would love to be able to draw cartoons. But afraid to believe you can create beautiful cartoons. To make things clear let me tell you one simple thing if you can write you can draw cartoons. Because the area of the brain that controls your fingers while writing is the same area that controls fingers of an accomplished cartoon artist.

Yes I know the cartoons that are seen in magazines and cinemas looks really complicated. But the basic structure, if you look at very closely, is not different from a simple cartoon figure. What makes them look complex is addition of details and colour. Which you can learn anyway in the course of time.

In the beginning the time commitment from your part need not be huge. Regular practice sessions of short duration is what you will require to pick up the skill. Only if you want to take cartooning up as a profession you will need to devote more time for picking up serious aspects of cartooning.

So cut a slice of your time from what you spend for watching many cartoon shows and start practising. All the material that you will require for your initial exercises are actually available with you. Grab your notebook and a pencil and you have everything.

Many parents discourage their kids from taking up cartoon drawing with apprehension that this will affect their studies. But on the contrary, fact is the skill that the youngsters will pick up while drawing cartoons will actually help them in their study because, It will enhance their power of observation and self-expression.

So if your parents are not very comfortable with the idea of your taking up cartooning please have a chat with them and help them to see the positive aspects of it.

So the bottom line is simple, if you want to make cartoons just get started there are many benefits to reap from cartooning. It can be a satisfying hobby that will enhance many mental faculties of yours on top of providing you exhilarating moments.

And if you take up cartooning as a profession there are many good things in store for you because the demand is heavy and the returns that you will get is lucrative. And above of everything else what you will be doing won't be a boring work for you instead your work will be something that you really love and enjoy.