Ancient Tibetan Artwork

Earn Extra Money In Summer Mixed Media Art Classes

Are you doing this to save cash this summer for something special or wonderful adventure? Well, if this sounds like you, you want to make extra money this summer and you are a professional artist that has a college degree then pursue it. Offer independent art classes to make extra money or make a difference in the lives of those in your community. This article will help you with helpful and informative information that might help you setting up your art program.

Teaching art program may be very rewarding especially when students are eager and hungry to the knowledge. There is a lot to consider when you are planning a summer art program. Don't think it's easy and don't assume that it's fast money. Remember depending on the age group of your students your art programs may be simple or intensive. You are the instructor or professor that should give inspiration, motivation regarding how to draw, paint or sculpt. Spread the joy of the arts by sharing your skills and connecting with other people.

Here is a few information you should consider when organizing your art program/classes.

1. First determine age group of the students.

2. How many students will you take in your class? Would you like a limited or big class?

3. What level of art program would you like to teach? Art programs ranges from beginners, art therapy experience or advanced programs.

4. Decide which kind of art program you will teach for instance watercolor painting, oil painting, painting, charcoal pottery or sculpting. This information is essential because it can help you create your lesson plan.

5. Find a location for your summer art program. Start to look for reasonable vacant spaces within your local neighborhood or community centers.

6. If you are teaching art programs for special facilities like children and adult hospitals, nursing home, high school or studio you don't need to find a location. The facility will be given for you.

7. If you're teaching in your house, purchase drop cloths, easels and various other basic supplies.

8. Determine the tuition fee of your art class by adding all of the expenditures including your time, location and supplies.

9. Plan each class session beforehand.

10. Put together materials needed for every class in a huge plastic bin.

11. Print out material you will provide to students.

12. Prepare examples to display students so that they know what kind of finished art project they should strive for.

Now, you know the basic information you need to generate extra money by teaching mixed media art classes during summer. If you read the list very carefully, you will notice that teaching art class or creating an art program is not hard. It's all some kind of planning and understanding the type of art subject you wish to teach. Enjoy!

Coachlining and Pin Striping

Fine coachlining used to adorn almost all vehicles from when they were horse drawn up to mechanised transport in the 1980s when haulage lorries were still highly decorated and striped. Unfortunately, this type of work is rarely seen these days in the UK, although in America lining or pin striping as they call it is still very popular. So much so that pin striping is a class of work on its own, where stripers pull lines almost exclusively and don't do much or any lettering. Only practice will result in proficient coachlining/pin striping, it is essential that all stripes are absolutely straight. Nothing looks worse than a line which is neither straight or even in thickness. Speed from a practised hand is the only way to do fine lining. A good method for striping lines is to run some lining tape a thumb's width away from where you want the line and then using your thumb as a guide pull the line all the way through to the end.

Take care to look at the root of the brush and not too much at the finished line as this can slow down the motion and possibly cause the line to waver. You look at the root of the brush to tell whether it needs recharging with paint, if so carefully lift the brush from the line and onto a pallet refill the brush with paint. Getting the brush restarted on the line is a little tricky you need to relay it well before the end of the previous line so that the hairs can be gently lowered and the correct width of line is gained. The brushes used for lining and striping differ from sign writing brushes. The coachliner is a very longhaired brush generally a mixture of sable and ox hair set in quill or ferrules and come in various sizes. The sword striper is a daggered shaped brush made from squirrel hair, it is a more versatile tool because curved as well as straight lines can be made with it. The paint used for striping is sign writing enamel, some good brands are Keeps, Wrights and Craftmaster the English varieties or One-Shot and Ronan lettering enamels from the USA.

This type of work is seen mainly on vehicles of all kinds in combination with lettering or graphics, although many signs have coachlining as part of their decoration.

Photoshop - Fine Tuning Selections

Photoshop provides many methods for fine tuning your selections. Whether you use the marquee tools, the quick selection tool, or the magic wand tool, you can fine tune your selections using the refine edge tool.

There is a very visible difference in how the tool options appear in versions CS4 and CS5 but the choices you are making are basically the same, the difference being in presentation. When you choose the refine edge tool, it produces its own pop out menu with the set of options it offers.

The CS4 version offers a 'preview' check box which has been omitted in version 5. I can only imagine that version 5 assumes if you have chosen the refine edge tool, you definitely want to see a preview. Version 4 shows four display options at the bottom of the pop out menu in the form of colored icons. Version 5 offers these same options with its first selection window, 'View Mode'. Both let you choose to see your selection with the 'marching ants' selection boundary, against a quick mask (scarlet) overlay, against white or black background. Version 5 additionally provides a new layer view which shows your selection as a new layer which you can save as output.

All of these viewing options help you distinguish your selection and especially appreciate the tuning you are about to do! You can cycle through these settings simply entering the key 'f'. This makes it very easy to compare these different backdrops, compare the different highlights while focusing on your image and not the menu options.

Options radius and contrast work together balancing their separate adjustments. Photoshop tells you that increasing the radius helps improve your selection edge in areas of soft transition. This would be a 'fine tuning' area between your choice and the part of your image outside. Using contrast restores some of the color removed from your choice, restores some of the crispness that your 'radius' adjustment removed.

Smoothing will also soften your selection edge and help blend the transition between your choice and area outside. Cycling through the display options is really helpful to appreciate your adjustments. In a very real sense there is a trade off between smoothing your selection and actually changing your image.

Removing jagged edges provides a soft transition in your selection but the tools that soften add or remove detail and color in the process. The different display modes makes this much easier to see. Both CS4 and CS5 versions provide a 'feather' and 'contract/expand' adjustment but in version 5 the contract/expand is labeled 'shift edge'. This is what you are doing when you expand your selection boundary and this adjustment provides that helpful control.

To me, 'feathering' is closer than any of the adjustments to actually adding to your design. Because feathering softens both sides of your boundary, you are adding an effect as much as sharpening your selection.

The refine edge tool is just that: you are defining a refinement process then fine tuning that refinement... so applying then removing an adjustment, cycling through the different display options will provide the best method for deciding on what 'refinement'... works best for you!

What Is a Graphic Design Artworker?

What is an artworker?

I have often been asked this question by graduate graphic designers looking to break into the industry. It is not an unreasonable question as its not really something you can study or certify for so a definition is hard to find.

You will see job ads for these positions in some of the more specialised design publications. Artworker, Creative Artworker, Layout Artist, Mac Operator etc...

The role came about before the introduction on apple macs when all typesetting was done manually. The designers took on a more of an art directing role and left the typesetters to bring their scamps to life. Nowadays with the mac ubiquitous in every studio these days, the designer can now get more hands on. Indeed in small agencies they may be asked to take on the artworking role too but in larger setups the separation is still maintained.

Its interesting to note in Asian countries like Hong Kong, China etc, where the industry developed differently, artworker roles are relatively rare. It's taken for granted that graphic designers job will encompass this function.

So what's involved in these roles and how do they differ from a graphic designer? In a nutshell, the artworker is responsible for setting up the final artwork that will go to print. They take the designer's rough scamp or mac files and rebuild these to print quality standard.

This can range from checking the type flow looks good with no widows/orphans, headlines are tracked correctly, alignment and spacing is consistent, images are of high enough quality, colour balance adjustments, retouching, ensuring separations are correct etc.

However, some 'Creative Artworkers' will go beyond quality control and will have some input in the layout of the piece. A typical task would be to take a design and reformat the size/orientation for different applications. i.e from an advertisement to a 48 sheet poster to a web banner to a television still...

In this case the artworker will need to have some layout sense to create something that is well balanced and in tune with the designer's expectations. Beyond this, some artworkers may specialise in other aspects such as photo retouching or illustrations so they will have more in-depth skills in the software tools they use.

You will find artworkers in all fields of design such as branding, packaging, literature... each with slightly different skill sets and competencies.

In effect they let the designers get on with designing and let someone else take care of the details.

Improvising Techniques for Drawing

Even those who are not blessed with the gift of drawing can make their skills better by practicing patiently and keeping in mind a few tips and tricks. While some might not be aware of this fact, but even practicing the basic shapes will help in augmenting the drawing skills. So, even the children should be taught the shapes so that they know the characteristics of every shape. The artists and the students of the art should know the variations in the lines which range from the zigzags, to straight lines to swirl lines etc.

Even the thickness of the lines play a vital role in adding dimension to the figures and the characters sketched. Of the many attributes that the artists should have they should be keen in observing the forms, shapes, textures and the lines in the pictures and should be replicate it in their art and projects. While some artists start to groom their skills at a very young age, others hone it much later in their lives. The more the artists practice, the better will be the results.

One should take out time to experiment with the various tools that are available for drawing and use the medium that they are most comfortable with. While some artists are perfect at sketching making use of the charcoal pencils, there are others who produce almost life like projects using the oil paints and the water paints.

This article highlights certain aspects, which will help the individuals in enhancing their skills.

Those who wish to practice the art of drawing should invest money and time in buying the quality tools and the utensils used in drawing and practice patiently. Those who are starting for the first time can even practice on the graph paper or the tracing papers as well.One should accentuate the basic shapes to add more dimension to their projects. For example simple detail when added to the basic shapes like oval will help in sketching a head.In the same manner, the individuals can also introduce the various shading techniques into their sketches which will add depth to their drawings.Those who are interested in pursuing their careers as the artists should take out time to take professional classes. Others can also use the guidance provided at the websites designed to provide valuable information to the young art students and the enthusiastic individuals.

These tips will help one in gaining a lot to improvise their drawings and the sketches and make them appear realistic and dynamic. Even those who do not have time due to busy schedules can take online classes to get guidance.

Shopping for an Artist Supply Store

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Like a kid in a candy store?" It elicits images of rows and rows of brightly colored candies, bins and bins of lollipops, licorice whips and salt water taffy. The air smells sweet and sticky. There is so much to see and explore! That's how it is for an artist in an artist supply store. Paints and brushes and papers and pencils and charcoals, all in one place, all waiting to be explored.

Artist supply stores are not always easy to come by, especially those that carry quality supplies. Of course, there are many large chain stores that carry decent supplies. In today's economy, it is nice to be able to find creative materials at a discount. But the quality is not always the same. They focus soley on the end result - the completed painting or sketch or sculpture - and the supplies needed to get you there. One of the great things about the Electronic Age is the accessibility we have to vast amounts of resource, via the Internet and portable electronic devices, which enables everyone to have access to online materials. There are hundreds of these online stores. Some are very large business and some are smaller, boutique-like stores. Regardless of whether or not you buy from a brick and mortar store, or a virtual one, finding a great store is one of the most important things to do as an artist. It matters where you get your supplies, and it matters what kind of supplies you are purchasing.

Take time to research the offerings of online artist supply stores. Do they have a wide variety of canvases or brushes or paints? Do they are competitive pricing? Is there a way to get free shipping? What brands of artist supplies do they carry? Keep in mind that while the largest online artist supply stores carry a vast assortment of creative materials, they may not have what you want, and their pricing may not be as good as you think. Be willing to spend some time visiting the smaller online supplies stores, too.

Taking the time to visit artist supply stores will be beneficial to both the artist and the art appreciator. By doing so, you will be able to choose the art supplies that will enhance your work, that will fit in your budget, and that will enable you to improve your entire creative experience.

Ashlie Esco has been involved in the arts for more than a decade. Her areas of expertise include scrapbooking, painting, and fiber works. If you would like to learn more about art supplies, including finding great teacher supplies, please visit artist supply store, a source of high quality art and teacher supplies and information."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashlie_Esco

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Article Submitted On: March 08, 2011

How to Choose a Wacom Tablet

When it comes to buying a Wacom tablet, there are many different choices. Wacom makes tablets for absolute newbies to seasoned professionals. The choices can be a little daunting at first, but this article will detail the different options available and help you decide which one is right for you.

The Wacom Bamboo Fun is the best of all the Bamboo models if you haven't used a tablet before and want to make a serious jump into the digital design world. You can use the pen or your hand to move things around, edit photos, draw and paint. The pen, like all of the Bamboo pens, is pressure sensitive allowing very good precision. It is the largest of all the Bamboo models with an active drawing area of 7.5? W x 5.1? H and the tablet Dimensions are 13.3? W x 8.8? H. A nice bonus is that Adobe Photoshop Elements & Nik Color Efex Pro are included. This tablet is highly recommend for the beginning designer or moderate designer who wants to make the switch to digital or combine it with standard design.

The Wacom Bamboo Craft is another great tablet for a newbie except it is primarily for arts and crafts projects and scrap-booking. You can use hand gestures to navigate quickly between photos and use the pen for more detailed work such as handwriting, drawing or photo editing. The size is quite a bit smaller compared to the Wacom Bamboo Fun. Active drawing area is 4.9? W x 3.4? H and tablet dimensions are 9.8? W x 6.9? H. It includes some great software (Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials, and Nik Color Efex Pro) and some nifty extras exclusively for arts and crafts. It is handy for a crafty person who is computer literate and looking to reduce clutter.

The last three tablets in the Bamboo line are the Bamboo Pen and Touch, Bamboo Pen and Bamboo Touch. The Bamboo Touch is unique from the other tablets because it does not come with a pen. You can only use your hand to manipulate images, files, etc. It is the cheapest of the tablets and not recommended if you want precision.

Look to the Bamboo Pen and Touch or Bamboo Pen for precise editing. As you may have guessed, the difference between these two are the ability to use your hand or not. Both tablets work very well so it comes down to personal preference.

A good choice for people who have used a tablet before and mid-level designers is the Wacom Intuos4. It is available in different sizes -- extra-large, large, medium, small and a wireless model. The largest being 18.2? x 12.0?(Active Area) and 24.5? x 18.2?(physical size). The smallest is 6.2? x 3.9?(Active Area ) with a physical size of 12.2? x 8.2?. Another upside to this model is that it comes with an improved pressure sensitive pen which is especially good for painting. It also comes with a five button mouse which most people don't need, but it is a nice extra. The Intuos4 includes some non-impressive design software. For professionals, it will more than likely not be an issue, but newbies will need to buy their preferred design/illustration software.

Lastly, there are the Wacom Cintiq 21UX and Wacom Cintiq 12WX. These are the Cadillac of Wacom tablets. Actually, they are considered displays because you can draw directly on the screen. No more hand-eye coordination needed. Drawing on the display is a great advantage and offers even more precision. The Cintiq 21UX is cumbersome though. Roughly the same size as a standard 17" monitor. Physical size is 22.1? W x 16.6? H, the display is 17? W x 12.75 H" and it weighs 22.4 lb with stand. If you have the extra space and are a professional who will use it daily, then it is highly recommended.

The alternative is the Wacom Cintiq 12WX. Much smaller in size, but has the same benefits of the Cintiq 21UX. Only 16? W x 10.5? H with an active area of 10.3? W x 6.4? H and weighs just 4.4 pounds. It's great for a professional designer who will use it very often and who does not have a lot of space. It's also light-weight enough to be portable and sit in your lap.

Always keep in mind size, need and price when deciding which Wacom tablet to buy.

The author is a freelance graphic designer who has been using different drawing tablets for the past 8 years. She is familiar with using non-Wacom tablets as well as the Wacom tablets she reviews in this article. She prefers Wacom and hopes this article will help someone else decide on the right Wacom tablet for them. To read the author's more detailed reviews and opinions of Wacom tablets, go to http://www.wacomtabletreviews.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Baldillez

What Is Graffiti? Really

I want to address this question because I feel that as graffiti is becoming more widely recognised its true core and meaning is becoming somewhat lost and ignored. I also find it increasingly frustrating to see so many commercial interests pick up on graffiti artists' style while the true artists continue to be condemned by the majority of an ignorant society.

Consider this... Do you find it offensive and invasive when you are constantly bombarded with advertising and other commercial messages? They're everywhere; on your favourite television shows, on the back of buses and taxis, in your favourite magazines, on the billboards that cover almost every inch of a city. These messages come into your home and are more often than not uninvited and unsolicited.

So how different is graffiti, really? There are many different forms of it some of which are rightly considered pure vandalism, while other forms are pure art but hardly recognised for it. The real value of graffiti art is in the artist's ability to have a voice, to get their own message across in an otherwise superficial commercialised society (often representing the voice of otherwise unheard members of society - the young, the minorities, the poor).

How can we silence this voice while others use their style to capitalise on its ability to connect with a particular market? Shouldn't the fact that commercial interest sees graffiti as a valid way of connecting to a particular group of people give the art and its artists some sort of validity of their own? Surely they must be on to something that a segment of society can relate to...

Modern graffiti as it is developing today takes a number of different forms, tagging, bombing, piecing, street art, slaps/stickers and even chalk and 3D art in the streets. Like many other disciplines in art, some of these styles have legitimate merit while others maybe a bit more subjective. Unfortunately as a lot of these forms of art are linked back to graffiti and they are immediately dismissed as illegal vandalism created by derelicts.

In saying all of this I understand that there is no way that I will be able to convince everyone that graffiti art has its merits. All I'm really looking for is the ability to capture a handful of people and make them stop and think about their perceptions and assumptions. Do you feel the way you do about graffiti because that is what society has taught you to believe? Have you ever really taken the time to consider where these artists are coming from, what they're trying to express and why?

For many graffiti artists their work is a dedicated passion. They purchase their own materials (honestly who gets away with racking anything these days?), put in many hours of practice to hone their style and design their pieces and often get into obscure places to make the most impact. How many commercial artists do you find who are equally dedicated and passionate?

In this sense graffiti is one of the purest art forms around today. It is created solely from the artists passions, not for commercial or monetary gain. I don't understand why more people don't recognise and appreciate this. Perhaps then governments and police could take a more understanding and perceptive approach to the criminalisation of the art and its artists.

Personalize Your Art Decor - Photography

In our series of Art and Decorating Articles, we have discussed the value of art as perhaps the least expensive way to create the ambiance you want to achieve for your home or office. We have provided our insights into how to select the pieces that best meet your needs and how to hang your choices in the easiest and most effective way. Now we would like to begin a series of Articles on the Various Genres of Art.

Remember the choice must be yours, reflecting the mood you wish the living space to convey and the personal joy it brings to you every time you view it.

We all have a favorite place we love, that brings us joy. It may be a secluded forest, or a bright sun filled beach, or the peaks of majestic mountains. For each of us, there are special people that bring us joy and peace. Why not use the special places and people to create the joy and peace of your living space.

Today, across the internet, local and national professional photographers offer a wide variety of photographic art. With new reproduction techniques, photographic art is available in all sizes and on different backgrounds including canvas. Local artists are your best bet if you want familiar scenes. Depending on your style, even historic photo art is available such as the famous "kiss" from the cover of Life Magazine at the end of World War II.

While photography is almost 200 years old, the advent of the digital camera has changed the game allowing anyone to create the fantastic images you desire; and allow you to share the pride in your own picture decor.

Getting started on creating your own photographic art is easier than you think. The first step is getting the camera. Don't get hung up on an expensive camera, you don't need it. A great shot is as striking to an ordinary camera as to an expensive camera. With a digital camera you can see immediately what you have captured and have the ability to re-shoot the picture until it is just right. When taking your photo be sure you have enough light to bring out the focus of your picture. Also, don't forget the background if you are photographing a person or object keeping the background simple and light to bring out the subject. In nature scenes, the background of the ocean, trees, or flowers adds depth to make the photo natural and pleasing.

Once you have captured the scene you want (whether your own or from a photo artist), don't forget the frame. The final presentation of the framed photographic art is important to show the work to its best advantage.

Photographic frames come in two basic styles which are metal or wood and are available in almost all colors and styles from plain to ornate. A simple black metal frame allows the artwork to stand on its own and is an especially good choice if you are hanging multiple pictures. A bleached white wood frame is often used for seashore scenes to contrast the blue green color of the water for an added natural look. Wood frames stained in the appropriate color can highlight forests or mountain scenes, again creating a natural feel.

Which ever way you choose to go; purchased photo art or creating your own, you can have pride in creating the unique ambiance for your living space and feel good from the memories that are always there for you.

Just How to Create a Pop Art Painting Utilizing Tempera, Markers, Ink and Pen Painting Techniques

Tempera is a painting method in which the colour is mixture of pigments with paste and also the holding sources: the expression tempera derives from the word temperare, which means blend. The paper for painting could be a harsh paper, wood or canvas. The painting brush for painting by using tempera is more substantial than the painting brush for painting with watercolor, but also it's a little bit of gentler than the painting brush for the acrylic painting. We are able to use a custom color scheme for painting or we are able to make use of the cover of the container to combine the colors for the photo to art canvas portrait.
Tempera is a thicker, opaque and a cover colour. We whiten the tempera by using white tone and this way we could possibly get distinctive shades and pigments of colors that can be used in the customized pop art painting. You need to stay away from raw colors directly from tube. The covering of the coloring shouldn't be way too dense due to the fact then your coloring can certainly peel off. We are able to purchase colors into a bundle or every tone separately.

Markers

The marker pens are available in a variety of colours and pigments. You are able to choose just one color (black color, for example), or a couple of colours, or all of the colors. We are able to result in the lines using the markers, but also we are able to paint on the small surface together. The marker usually delivers an equal line no matter from the amount of force. Hence, if you want to possess a different line you need to use marker with various thicknesses. On the market you'll find normal marker pens, disolveable in water, alcoholic and long term marker pens insoluble in water. You are able to combine the marker pens with other techniques like collage, watercolor or Warhol styles to create a pop art portrait of the baby.

Ink and pen

Previously bird feathers were utilised for sketching, similar to the feathers of a geese, turkeys, ravens and swans. The feather was basically sliced to length (to obtain a well-defined top). Because of the pockets the feather can keep ink by itself, also it was ideal for simply writing and drawing. Then a metallic pencil was designed It has a longitudinal slot for regulation of the lines (more force leads to a thick trace, and less heavy force thinner trace).

The top notch depends out of the function: quoted-pens (for sketching in the wheel) possess a sharp top, and we use it in the classroom; red-pens that leave a wider trail, and ato-pens that have flat, slant top which provides a very thick and thin lines, with respect to the direction. The lines using the pen are clear, crisp and clear. However, the pen is very sensitive on the manuscript from the author. Using the pen we are able to draw on a hard smooth canvas paper. The direction from the drawing is generally from the top part to the underside and in the left to the right. In any other case, the pencil is going to be stocked in the paper.

Crafting The Perfect Model Yacht

On a smooth, clear body of water, no other ship carves quite a gentle path as that of the yacht with its build that is crafted especially for speed. If you are searching for a yacht on the ocean, look for the gait of a long white boat that is smooth and flawless in its movements. You will usually see many yachts without their backup sails flying, in part due to the fact that the electric engine on board is more popular with sailors, as well as easier to manipulate. Very often, the full, broad, beautiful sails of a yacht will be at full mast during a display of speed, such as during races or boat shows. Every ratio and molded board of a model yacht is the same as its life size version. The accuracy of these models is perhaps the greatest of any model ship available on the market today. Many a model yacht finds great favor with those who enjoy display items that represent speed and a love for the ocean.

The traditional role of a yacht is of a boat that could take its passengers to where they wanted to go in record times, and with the ultimate in pleasant travel. The yacht originated in the Dutch lands of early Norway, partly because of their expertise on the water. Yachts were the boats of choice for Dutch tradesmen and nobles who enjoyed sea travel. Sharp rocks and reefs were the only real threats to a yacht, and they were built with tougher bottoms in their hulls to compliment their light weight. Yachts of today were directly influenced by these design choices.

The market speaks for itself, and the model yacht stands as one of the most unique and in demand model boats of this modern era. For many, a model yacht is more distinctive on the display podium than any other model ship. A model yacht is often chosen as a modeler's best work because of the intricacy and great care that must be taken when making such a model. The degree of quality model yachts is unparalleled compared to any other type of model ship because of this.

The model yacht display item should be put somewhere with a great amount of light, thereby increasing its visibility and luster. Other objects that originate on the ocean, such as sextants or captain's logs, do well when placed near a model yacht and vice versa. If these two types of decorative items are placed together, they multiply the illusion that your office or home space is one of the ocean's bounty by ten. For many, taking care of a model ship is hard, but these same people are always surprised when they learn how little it takes to keep a model clean. The separate parts of the model need to be looked at briefly for any sign of degradation. Dusting your model yacht monthly is one of the best ways to ensure the coat of paint never looks dull or uncared for.

George is an avid collector and connoisseur of all things nautical- nautical decor, model yacht items, historical artifacts, etc. He has written articles for several large manufacturers and retailers of model ships, and he is a master ship builder himself. He brings a unique perspective from both the retail and the consumer side of the nautical decorating and wooden model boats building markets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Roy

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Article Submitted On: March 21, 2011

Kandinsky's Circles

Kandinsky circles is a popular topic with art buyers around the world and refers directly to a painting by Russian abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky called Farbstudie Quadrate. This well known art work is often called "Concentric Circles" or "Several Circles" as well, but the three are in fact the same thing.

The artist was interested in the theory side of art and constantly experimented with alternate combinations of colour and shape within his abstract paintings having originally started off as a far more traditional artist who was then known for landscape and portrait paintings instead. The great lengths that Kandinsky went in studying such artistic topics within his work went as far as publishing a book in English and Russian which highlighted his findings, though few people now look beyond the visual nature of his paintings. The complex mind of this intelligent mind is not what grabs people to order reproductions of his paintings in the 21st century, but more the exciting abstract blends of colour and shape for which he is now best remembered. The series of paintings which combined squares and circles together is just one example of his exploratory work.

Farbstudie Quadrate features contrasting circles and squares, in three rows of four. On first inspection, the painting is pure simplicity, almost child-like in style. Only after an understanding of the artist and his thoughts behind this painting will people truly appreciate this art work in full. For many, however, this isn't the desire to learn so much about it, and the immediate visual appeal by itself is enough for them to enjoy this and other circle related paintings by Kandinsky.

The style within these series of paintings and the exposure of Kandinsky as an artist have made the paintings popular as reproductions, with the most frequent choices being in the forms of stretched canvases, posters, art prints and also many like to download them as wallpapers to add to their computer's desktop background.

Kandinsky's Circles are an impressive series of paintings which are amongst the most popular abstract art works currently and also offer a great example of an artist who was experimental and passionate with his career, which could so easily have been in something other than art. Fortunately he found a path into abstract art and here he managed to produce a reputation and legacy as an important contributor to both Russian art and also Abstract art as a whole and innovative minds like his are essential for the development of future art movements that challenge the status quo.

How to Create a Personalized ePostcard

Once in a while, one might feel like being creative. Creating a greeting ePostcard for someone special will definitely inspire you further. Playing with colors and images can be fun, but could be very complicated with advanced photo editing software solutions.

While there are many complex software solutions available to design graphics (like Photoshop), they can be overwhelming for newbies. Thus, the tool that we are going to use, is not some graphics designing software or complicated photo editing program. We'll make our postcard with Microsoft PowerPoint.

All you need is a nice component image/clip-art(s), preferably with transparent background, so that you could customize the background color schemes as per your desire. Make sure that your clip-art is suitable for the occasion. For example, for greeting your beloved, choose a bright heart clip-art, or picture of a flower, bouquet etc. For expressing birthday wishes to a friend, on the other hand, you might need an image of delicious cake or balloons.

So grab your clipart with transparent background, and open PowerPoint.

1. Choose a blank template, copy paste your clipart (or insert it)

2. You could paste multiple copies of same clip-art or a couple of different clip-arts. Rotate and position them on your slide.

3. Now let's format the background. Right click and select format background.

4. Choose a suitable color. You might also consider adding a texture or gradient instead of single color. A gradient could be linear or radial and will consist of multiple stops. Click on each stop and change it to make a gradient of your choice of shades.

6. Click on Insert tab, and insert text box. Or insert a Word Art, which gives you some predefined templates for stylized text. You can modify this text by selecting the text and right click to select "modify text effects". You can choose a gradient for text color and outline also.

7. Type in your Message and adjust the font to a large size, say 72. Include the name of your special someone in the message to create the ePostcard exclusively for him/her.

Play with the settings, add 3d Rotation, shadow and bevel effects to customize your postcard.

8. Go to file menu (Alt+F) and click on "save as". Change the "save as type" to "JPEG File Interchange. Format". Change the name and location where to save. Click on Save. In the message box, "Do you want to export every slide...", click on "Current Slide Only".

That's it. Your Postcard is ready to send. Have a look at an image made by following the above steps.

Learn How To Select Mixed Media Art Inspired Entertainment For The Wedding Reception

There are a lot of ways in order to entertain invitees at any style of wedding reception including songs, performers, photo booths and slide shows.

When you are preparing for amusement for your wedding reception, you should first figure out what type of amusement you want. Your entertainment can be from comedians, a disk jockey, or a live band. Your choice of the amusement for the wedding reception will bring together everything that had been organized for your special day.

The most significant aspect as you happen to be looking for your wedding reception entertainment might mainly be the price. When all your options are already questioned for your wedding reception entertainment, you should be focused on the individual who is going to do the job properly. Old equipment that is outdated and operating inadequately or tunes that are not good can make a good day turn awful.

If you happen to be getting a disk jockey, you must be sure that they know just what to do and their sound tools are great. Any wedding party entertainment DJ will have a huge range of songs to choose from which means that your guests will be able to pick what they would want to listen to. Any professional DJ is going to listen to just what you desire to get for your wedding party entertainment and will also have some ideas as they happen to be to a lot of wedding receptions. Additionally, when employing a seasoned DJs they will be able to handle any kind of unexpected emergency that could arise.

Make a slide show of pictures of the groom and bride. Photos can include childhood pictures or could begin with the pair's courtship. Put together the slide show on a home computer and burn it to a DVD, or hire a professional to assemble the show. Many wedding photographers offer this particular service for an additional fee. Set the slide show to songs, and play it once for everyone to view, or do not use music and let the photographs run endlessly through the entire evening.

If a bride-to-be has a huge spending budget, she could hire a fireworks company to put together a show for attendees at the wedding party site if it is in the open air. Although a professional fireworks show can be extremely costly, it will certainly entertain attendees making them feel special. Brides-to-be on a smaller budget can go for sparklers and ground fireworks to set off during the wedding reception or during the new bride and groom's departure but be sure to check city ordinances just before setting off fireworks outside of the fourth of July season.

Your wedding day mixed media art-influenced reception will be the last experience your family and friends have of your big day. The entertainment you provide has the power to shape the way they feel about your wedding day.

Advantage Of Early Childhood Art Classes

Well, think it over. Surely, your family and friends are looking out for the best interest of your child. So, probably enrolling your kid in an art program may be beneficial. This article will show you the importance of exposing your kid in art classes during their early childhood.

Art programs are usually overlooked by many academic-minded administrator members of the United States Educational Program. The educational budget cuts on public school are often art programs like music, art and physical education. How will your child learn about art? Now do you understand why family and friends has been nagging you about art program? As parents you can no longer count on the US government or public school to provide your kid with art programs that you once experienced as you were a child. Rather you are forced to get a different option and that's to enroll your child in a private art institution.

Here you will notice a list of advantages of art programs. As you read along you will slowly understand how significant this program will play in your own kid's life.

Creativity - Art class communicates your kid's creativity in every age. Once a child is being creative they'll learn how to express themselves and their thoughts. They can also learn to analyze and think outside the box, which everybody knows is an important characteristic to have when entering the work force.

Expression - Art class can help develop your child to express their thoughts, feeling and emotions. There are lots of children who have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts and so far the best solution is through art classes. Children can draw or color their expression through their art, which allows parents and teachers to better understand them.

As you can see creativity and expression goes hand and hand. It is two elements that are combined that can help your kid to become a happy child. You'll see that most kids who have the two components are really talkative, sociable and followed by a wild imagination.

Focus - Art class can teach your kid to focus and complete the art project. Enjoyable art projects inspire students to stick with the procedure to achieve a finished product. Your kid may slowly discover the feeling of accomplishment after they complete their art projects.

Now, do you realize why your family and friends have been nagging you to sign up your kid in art classes? Art class expands beyond just learning the way you use a paintbrush or make a collage by helping to create well-rounded child and improve their abilities in many areas. These are only some of the advantages definitely there are many others if you do your research. So what are you waiting for? Sign up your child in an art institution now!

Fluidism Art - How To Create It

Technique

Imagine manipulating very shallow pools of colored liquid paint. Place these colored pools on a flat rigid surface, then move the surface by tilting, shaking, tapping, or using a combination of these actions. Experiment with the pools on thought-out backgrounds, or let everything happen at once. Also propel colored liquids through the air, and (when motivated) add formal shapes later. The only guiding rule here is to discover what feels interesting, beautiful or pleasing, knowing already that designs are predetermined in the molecules, geometry and mechanics of fluid flow.

This is "fluidism"--an intense and exciting physical process that produces a particular style of painting. Fluidism is on-the-edge creativity where fascinating aspects of reality are born unexpectedly. In this style of art, calculation cooperates with chance. Wild actions combine with refined actions. Chaos cooperates with control to produce unpredictable, one-of-a-kind compositions.

Action Painting

This style of painting compares to the artistic style of Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), the famous American painter who helped popularize a technique called "action painting" during the 1940's and 1960"s. Fluidism, however, does not aim to mimic, honor or aspire to a predefined idea of "action painting". Instead, this style of action painting has arisen because of principles, motivations and circumstances originally not officially connected to a historical movement.

Artistic Physics

Fluidism, although an art style, is more related to the physics of fluid flow. Rather than appealing to abstract, expressive emotional states of the artist, this style of art reveals the fundamental fluid dynamic nature of the universe. This fundamental, ever-changing nature of the universe registers as emotion, after the art appears through spontaneous events. Here the realization of art causes emotions, not the other way around, where emotions cause the realization of art.

The truth is that the universe finds expressions through an artist, rather than an artist intentionally expressing his or her own impressions of the universe. In other words, the artist does not "own" his or her impressions. Rather, the dynamics of reality allow expressions unavoidably, through the motion of physical media that reflect the most primal creative principle of all. Fluidism, thus, is a direct expression of a primal creative principle. It is the primal principle's "voice" via the artist. This creative principle expresses itself.

Self-Similar World-View

An artist manipulating fluid paint reflects nature manipulating itself into inevitable self-similar structures. Think of it this way: If fluid paint could last through eons of evolution, then it could form the artist's body as a complex structure. Given the particular chemical properties of paint, however, the artist sees only a raw early stage of the life genesis process. He or she sees curious primitive patterns that are precursor patterns of organic living forms.

In the chemical processes of life, a blob of liquid eventually might lead to a cell. A filament eventually might lead to a tail or leg, or arm. A vortex eventually might lead to a beating heart. All these primitive structures (blob, filament, and vortex) exist in fluid flow. All these primitive structures exist and move within the liquid human body, only now contained in more highly organized arrangements and in more complex relationships. A human body toying with fluid, thus, is a human body experimenting with the forms and forces of its own physical creation.

(c) 2011 Robert G. Kernodle

Art Galleries Of Truth And Beauty

Art galleries house the finest achievements that a civilization has to offer. When all is said and done, human beings do have to offer themselves more than eating mating and sleeping. They can create things of beauty and these last beyond the lives of individuals, and become part of a culture. That is why people will stand for hours outside the Uffizi gallery waiting for a glimpse of the works of world famous art.

Major art galleries attract huge crowds who gaze upon famous works of art that have a life of their own beyond the wood or canvas that they are drawn upon. In creating a masterpiece the artist has gone beyond daubing and has created a work that meets what Shakespeare meant when he wrote in the final couplet of his sonnet: So long as men can breathe and eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.'

It is said that when Verspronck painted the 'Girl in Blue' he saw his model not as the girl that she was but as the woman that she was to become. The painting itself shows the expression of an older woman in the face of a child. It illustrates how an artist can see and create a truth which is far beyond the immediate present.

Although Van Gogh was unconventional and divergent in his real life his art has outlasted him and taken on a life of its own. Artists often seem to be divergent characters but ironically their work can become the arbiter of what is important about the society in which they live. Art galleries are places where the works of these people are preserved.

Art thieves are depraved, but not only because they take what does not belong to them. Their real depravity lies in the fact that they trample on beauty and truth for its commercial value only. The person who buys a badly painted and sentimental representation may display better taste than the billionaire who invests in a famous panting without any appreciation of the art.

But despite the fact that art is not really about money many artists have been good business people and many wealthy people are genuinely appreciative of art for its own sake.

There are people who argue that nothing can equal the experience of seeing an original masterpiece hanging in a gallery. Outside the Uffizi gallery will be many professional artists who may have taught art from picture books for many years. Seeing the original of a work that they already know intimately will be a thrilling experience.

The thrill of viewing masterpieces hung in famous galleries does not preclude the wonderful opportunities now afforded by the internet to visit online galleries. From a military outpost in Afghanistan one can pay a virtual visit to the Louvre and approach the Mona Lisa from a distant to a close up view. Details may be examined in the company of experts who explain interesting details such as the crack in the poplar frame that could be missed on an actual visit. Less well known art galleries may also be accessed online and works that appeal may be purchased, and posted to Afghanistan from America or Poland.

Suggestions For Painting Your Property

Almost everything could be painted using your personal choice of a paint brush, roller, spray, or a sponge. The way that the paint is applied depends on just how the finished product will look.

Before you begin anything, you ought to select what color you would like to paint. Paint swatches may feel like a good idea but they tend not to show the actual color. Bright and darker shades happen to look better on wall surfaces, ceilings as well as woodwork. Another thing to consider is that pale colors have a tendency to fade. Before you purchase all of the paint, you must first purchase a small sample and paint a tiny area, this will help you be certain that it will be the ideal color. In case you plan on having the color you decide on for some time, then it will be ideal to purchase far more than needed so that it is going to match in the future should you happen to require it.

Getting brand new options to paint the inside wall surfaces of a house is not that difficult. There are lots of online websites and resources which could help you choose the right shade for your home interior. You can likewise get brand new as well as very creative ideas on interior color designs from such things as bird feathers, crayons, colorful stones as well as rocks, flowers as well as floral bouquets, fabric colors and designs, photographs, works of art, publications, other home interior paints and even from mother nature. Once you have the paint which you will require, you have to think about what you will be applying the paint with. I find it much easier to paint woodwork with a paint brush and wall surfaces as well as ceilings with a roller and a sponge for the closer tasks. You will have to select a few brushes or rollers which differs in sizes so that you can make use of them at the different point as you will require.

As soon as you are done, it is a great idea to completely clean all your brushes in the right solvent, this is going to be stated along the side of the paint can. If you are painting and you want a rest, keep your painting tools inside a plastic bag. In this way, it would keep your paint brushes as well as things from drying. In case your painting project is going to continue for a couple of days, you can seal off the tools in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer for overnight.

With ideal selection and mix of shades, tips, methods as well as concepts like mixed media art, anybody can improve the whole appearance of his or her home. Wide range of choices is available when it comes to interior wall painting. Little guidance and research can teach you which interior paint colors are going to match up with your home as well as what should be the color combo.

Liquidity In History - How Humans Conceptualize And Romanticize Flowing Substance

The physical power of water is well-known. The emotional power of water is perhaps just as significant. Human conceptions and perceptions both seem to respond strongly to images of flowing substances.

Ancient Greece

Of the four ancient Greek elements (air, fire, water, earth), three are properly considered a fluid state, while the fourth is saturated with fluid. Thales (624-548 BC) saw water as the main element: "... the fire of the sun and stars itself, and the whole cosmos, are nourished by the exhalations of water." By contrast, Anaximenes (585-525 BC) favored air, while Heraclitus (544-483 BC) favored fire as the primal element of nature.

Other Ancient Cultures

Go back even farther in history, and we find that in Egypt, Nun (a primordial ocean) gave rise to everything. In Assyro-Babylonian myth, a fusion of salt water and sweet water was the source of all things. Hebrew holy books also explain that all inhabitants of earth arose from a primitive sea. Judeo-Christian creation stories likewise center on water. Similarly, the Koran contains the words: "We have created every living thing from water." Generally speaking, water is a primordial element underlying creation myths and stories around the world.

Liquid Reality

All this seems less surprising, given that 70% of Earth's surface consists of water. The human body also consists of 60-65% water. The elements hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), which comprise water (H2O), are the first and third most abundant elements in the known universe. Water pervades every region of Earth's atmosphere. Life, as we know it, is impossible without water. In short, tangible, understandable reality depends largely on water or a fluid state. There is little surprise, then, that such feelings of awe, respect and fascination might surround fluid dynamic motions. There is also little surprise that art based on such motions might be universally emotional or appealing.

Origin Of Liquid Arts

Marbling is an art form that involves floating colored pigments on water and lifting off random patterns with a sheet of paper. The origin of marbling goes back to China, over 2000 years ago, where it appears in sacred practices of Shinto priests. These priests dripped ink on calm water, transferred resulting concentric-circle patterns to rice paper, inscribed this with prayers, presented it to an emperor who burned it in a ceremony, supposedly carrying the prayers throughout the universe. Here there was a strong belief in the importance of fluid motion in shaping the cosmos.

Marbling spread from its origin in China to Japan, where it was practiced in the 12th century as "suminagashi" (floating ink). The Western tradition of paper marbling emerged independently in the old Ottoman Empire during the 15th century. Known as "Turkish marbling" or "ebru" (cloud art), it resembled suminagashi except in its use of oil-based pigments and chemically conditioned water [suminagashi used water-based sumi ink and plain water]. By the beginning of the 20th century, marbling became almost a lost art. Recently, though, it has experienced a revival of interest among artists and craftspeople.

Future Of Liquid Arts

This fascination for flowing colors in the arts, which spans various centuries and cultures (subsiding and reappearing in different guises) suggests that human beings have an inborn preference for liquid ideologies. All fields of knowledge, therefore, might benefit from formal, contemporary advancements of such ideologies.

Nigerian Museums: What They Offer for the Present Generation

Museums are places where history is made tangible. This means that they (museums) contain relics of cultural materials which have helped scholars in tracing the cultural roots of individual groups within a country or region. The historical stories being read in books, make used of such relics to enhance knowledge (or learnership) of the current generation on the past things or societies that have existed before it. Nigerian museums have a long history and it is closely linked to the helpless nature of things regarding the accidental discovery of certain cultural materials of great value to man. Considering the fact that they (accidentally discovered cultural materials) were disappearing unlawfully against the inherent growth and development of the cultural sector, the need to create a safe place was paramount.

From 1950s to date, over twenty museums have been created to help in the managing of cultural materials which are mostly artifacts and ethnographic materials found within Nigeria. There is virtually no museum in Nigeria that prove to be different from other ones in terms of their activities base on the purpose they were established. By definition, the museums in Nigeria are often viewed as cultural resource centres charged with responsibility to collect, store and showcase to the public the cultural materials of the ancient days. In view of this, the museums are mostly stock with antiquities most of which their photographs are seen in books and other public historical documents. This makes an indigenous visitor who visits five Nigeria museums to predict the contents of the other museums without necessarily visiting them. Considering this, the patronage of Nigeria museums is on the downward curve.

The most important thing however, is that, Nigerians are no longer curious about there past; rather, they are more concerned about their future. That does not mean that the cultural materials housed in museums located in various states in the country are not relevant. The Nigeria people want to have renewed ways of approaching cultural issues. For example, during my research in 2005, I met an artist who have practiced in Jos for over five years and only visited Jos Museum only once. His argument was that there no new things in Nigeria museums because all the museums he has visited in other states have the same cultural material with just a little modification in the arrangement/set-up. The only exception however, is the War museum in Umuaifa and the Military museum in Zaria.

At the moment, it appears that Nigerian museums must diversify in their cultural programmes in serving the public. This is because the traditional role of collection, housing and showcasing to the public is fast becoming un-motivating to the general public. National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) as an umbrella body of public museums in Nigeria should look toward making polices that will rejuvenate museums. New cultural programmes involving youths should be carried out to improve public patronage.

The Unique and Symbolic Nature of "A'Nger U Tiv"

The richness of African culture has generally been reduced since most aspects of its cultures have either been replaced or grossly over-shadowed by colonial as well as post-colonial activities of the West and other cultures of the world. The thatched roof architecture have been grossly replaced with different kinds of modern forms of roofing. The informal learning methods which sometimes involve series of initiations at different stages in one's life have been at some quarters partially replaced with formal education. In dressing, most ethnic groups in Africa have practically lost grip of their traditional form of dressing given way to the forces of civilization aided with technological advancement.

However, there are still ethnic groups in Africa that have not only retained some important cultural practices by way of commemoration but also preserved as well as keep on the production of certain cultural materials of unique appearances to date. One of such groups is the Tiv people of Benue state in Nigeria who have refused to let go the culture of producing their unique and symbolic cultural costume (traditional cloth) popularly known as A'nger. Or sometimes called and linked it with its cultural source as A'nger U Tiv.

The A'nger is woven with Black and white yarns to create beautiful features which makes the cloth to appear like live zebra skin. Traditionally, the a'nger is a cloth normally used in the decoration of illustrious sons and daughters of Tiv. The cloth is also worn by Tiv elders or chiefs during Tiv traditional council which is usually held in Gboko - the traditional headquarters of all Tiv people as well as the permanent place for the seat of the Tor-Tiv. The Tor-Tiv is title for the highest chief who rules over Tiv land and also have a final voice on all traditional issues or cases concerning the Tiv people living in other parts of Nigeria and indeed the world at large.

The colours (black and white) on the a'nger are literally signify the true nature of the Tiv people their believe concerning issues of life or existence. A Tiv man believes in taking a clear stand in any issue concerning life. In Tiv: It is either day or night, left or right, yes or no, death or life, etc. It this believe that is symbolically represented in two colours of nature: Black and White. Honesty and Sincerity in speaking or dealing with issues defines the character of a traditional Tiv man. Another way of viewing the black and white features of A'nger is terms of the peaceful nature of the Tiv people in general. In this way, the black and white symbolically represent the nature zebra in the wild. A zebra in the animal kingdom is one among the most peaceful, harmless and beautiful looking animal. The Tiv people are naturally peace loving and hardworking wherever they find themselves. There are many forms of traditional cloth (cultural costumes) of the Tiv which are worn at specific time honored periods in Tiv land, however, the A'nger is the most respected and highly valued among all the costumes.

Sometimes, when an individual of non-Tiv origin has made a landmark achievement and the Tiv traditional council want to honour him or her with a title, it is the A'nger that is used in decorating him. Although, most of such titles have been politicalized, the meaning and honour accorded to such have not change. Today, A'nger is generally used as form of cultural identification. Young boys and girls of Tiv and non-Tiv alike wear it during schools' cultural week to showcase their culture. Because of the beautiful nature of the cloth, most individuals (men and women) who are non-Tiv, do wear the cap or tie it as the case may be.

During marriages involving an illustrious or respectable Tiv son and a non-Tiv lady, the a'nger cloth is usually used in decorating both of them. This means two things, first for the lady and the second for the man. First, that the lady has been accepted into the Tiv culture and she should not consider herself a stranger or alien in Tiv land anymore. On the part of the man, it means an honour given to him for coming of age to take responsibilities in the Tiv society.

Does Showing Your Art on the Internet Mean It's Going to Be Stolen by Copycats?

Over the years, artists have told me of a quandary they've found themselves in. On the one hand, they want to be able to show their art on the internet where prospective buyers or licensees can see it. On the other hand, they're afraid that if they do so, then unscrupulous companies, here or abroad, might steal the art and use it for their products. That's a common concern, particularly in these days of Chinese knock-off's, but if you stop people from seeing your art, how ever will you be able to license it?

Some of the art licensing agencies in my business have password-protected sites and, once you're in, you can only see very thin, weak, and small images that are, let's say, less than compelling. What if you went shopping in a mall, saw an interesting store and wanted to go in, only to find that you had to get a special password from the owner first before entering the store? Then when you did go in, all the company had on the shelves were very small, washed-out photos of products? How long would it take for you to scratch your head, give us in disgust, and then rush out to go somewhere else?

Any creative or licensing director will want to see what your art really looks like, clear and clean and bright, and will in that instant of first viewing it, consider whether it might work on their products. Give them a poor image and you won't have a chance. And remember that if you send your art to reputable companies, they wouldn't take the very dumb risk of knocking off your art, because you could always hit them with a lawsuit for damages, and there goes not only their time and expenses, but also the reputation they they've worked years to build up.

Some of the "bad hats" in China are going to knock off art no matter what anyone does. That's a given. I've even read that 80% of the operating systems on Chinese government computers are pirated, illegal versions of Microsoft's operating systems. There's seems to be no end to it. So what artists and agencies and copyright owners have to do is to remain vigilant, and whenever they find goods on sale in the United States that have their own unlicensed artwork, they either need to have a lawyer write a letter or even take it further, and the problem get will get solved.

I believe in presenting the very clearest, sharp and compelling images I can to potential licensees. That maximizes my chances of licensing artwork to them. I want them to be excited about the images from the first instant they see them. That way I win, they win, and the artist definitely wins.

So I suggest that you create the best art you can, be sure to register your copyrights with the Copyright Office at the Library of Congress, and then show and promote your artwork every way you can and hope that people see it the way it should be seen, and fall in love with it.

New Form of Rock Painting in Nigeria

The universal role of art as an important means of communication has ushered Nigerian politicians new ways of communicating to the public during campaigns. Today, it is common to be driving on major roads connecting Nigerian cities and see portraits of Nigerian politicians on rock-surfaces found on either sides of the road. This kind of art is necessitated by the desire to communicate as well as make the political aspirant popular during election period. This type of rock painting is remarkably different from the ones discovered in Tassili in north Africa and other places in the world.

While the ancient rock paintings were products of the early men who were probably responding to pure expressive instincts, the new form of rock paintings in Nigeria are done by refined men of this age with the purpose to influence a candidate's success in a particular election. Characteristically, the new form of rock paintings are usually executed in a manner that defies certain rules of design. For example, there is gross misplacement or inappropriate use of design principles like composition, balance, colour harmony etc by the makers (artists) of such artworks. The pictures of Alhaji Ahmed Yerima, which can be found along Kaduna - Zaria road at many rock surfaces, exhibits these traits. The lines are sometimes drawn using black paint. The artist then paints on the rock surfaces using raw colours. The view of such paintings are well enhanced from a distance but at close range, one will hardly come to term with the likeness of the image of the person portrayed.

The dominant style used by the artists is realism and the reason is obvious. All the artists in their sincerity do really want to depict the realistic picture of the political aspirants for the public to see and recognize them. However, in most cases they end up not really getting the resemblance of the face they are trying to portray. If one should take time to take photographic images of one political aspirant as differently painted on different rock surfaces, he or she will observe that, there is no corresponding resemblance in any one of them.

The underlying factor in this inconsistency of images of one person is that, the paintings are works of different artists most of which do not receive formal art training or even apprenticeship. One of the timid artists approached recently after I saw him painting the face of one senator said "sometimes when we draw the person and the face is not looking exactly like him, we write his name under to tell people that he is the one". When asked about his art training background, the artist continue: "I no go school, but I sabi draw" which means I have not gone to any formal school but I know how to draw. It means that even the rock paintings' contracts are not given to professional or qualified artists.

One fact, however, remains that if these rock art (paintings) eventually overcome the harshness of weather and survive for the next age see it, they will be highly regarded and cherished. Why not? They will become antiques of historical value to people of the next age.

Why a Logo Design Must Be of Impeccable Quality?

Have you ever thought why it is emphasized that a logo design should be of good quality? Why this quality matters for the success of a logo design? In this article we'll try to understand this crucial point.

To evaluate the importance of a particular thing, one should always begin with analyzing its role. What is the purpose of a logo design? What is its basic and foremost role? It represents an organization or a business in front of all its target audience. Apparently, this role looks simple and small but if it is analyzed in depth then one would come to know that how crucial it is for the growth of an organization. Representing an organization means establishing its identity. This identity then creates an image in minds of its customers and competitors that leads to success or failure. So, everything is interlinked. Nothing can be worked out alone without the influence of the other therefore quality of the logo design matters the most.

Now, if your logo design isn't of good quality then the image it would create in the minds of your customers and competitors will be low and unprofessional. This will prove detrimental for the growth of your business. Your customers won't be convinced to buy your products.

Logo design is your identity and representation. It is the first thing that serves to introduce your business to your target audience. This means that it marks your first impression and as it is very rightly said that "First impression is the last point" therefore it has to be sound and enticing. This point can also be understood through a simple example. Suppose you have an interview and the job is extremely important for your career growth. At this time why do you emphasize upon proper dressing and presentation? Why is it important for you? It is important because it is going to caste your first impression in front of the interviewer. Other than your dressing is your way of communication that is going to influence the interviewer.

Now relate this situation with your logo design. As it represents your business therefore it shouldn't only look good but should also communicate the corporate message perfectly. Yes, you must make your logo design a good communicator by giving a sound message to your target audience.

When we say an appealing logo design, it not only refers to its outlook but also the message that it sends out. If both these things are able to make your logo meaningful and compelling then it will surely boost your business. On the other hand, if your logo isn't appealing then it won't be able to attract your target customers. It won't even be able to provide your organization with a credible identity in the industry. Thus, all your money spent on your logo will be wasted.

Maintaining an unimpeachable quality also means that your logo is unique and all its features have been aligned with the nature of your business. This will help you gain the trust of your customers.

Purchasing Works Of Art

The public today seem to be very picky about what they have in their homes. A lot of people are in reality starting to invest in various forms of art that will not only be fine decoration, but a talking piece. In reality, this is one of the finest methods to tie a room together and give guests an interesting subject of conversation. People who have not had the opportunity of trying this method of investment will need to examine these excellent tips and get a superb new look.

Before looking for anything, be absolutely certain to think about the amount of money that is required for this type of purchase. Paintings are going to range in price, depending on who the artist is, and where they are living. The prospective purchaser will have to make sure that they study and calculate what they might like to buy the most. Keep in mind, this is not always going to be cheap so be ready to spend a much money for the top paintings.

Afterwards, be sure to research the various types of paintings that are at present most sought after. Naturally the modern designs are going to give the home an modern and sleek appearance that might be unseen to many people. There are brightly coloured designs as well as styles that can be quite contemporary and sleek.

The bottom line is what the collector likes and how they currently have their homes decorated.When doing some research, be sure to learn about some of the most sought after painters as well. David Shepherd is a very well known painter that truly knows how to present nature and wildlife in the most unique ways. Those who are interested in watercolours will need to make sure that they see Russell Flint. His watercolours are very vibrant and will easily be able to catch one's attention.

Take the time researching the great masters and make sure to see what they have to offer in the way of original paintings and prints. A little patience needs to be employed throughout the art buying process. There is definitely no need to commit to any type of purchase. Browse through various galleries and check out various openings to make sure that all of the right outlets have been tapped into.

Individuals who have not invested in or purchased a work of art or signed, limited edition before will need to look in much greater detail so that they find something they will enjoy looking at whenever they come home. A reputable art dealer needs to be located so that the right paintings are purchased. Galleries are great, but they can be very highly priced. A dealer is going to have a number of different pieces that are difficult to source and incredibly unique.

Speak to these local dealers to see what stock they hold and try to find out about any exhibitions in order to make the right decision. Do not forget to take the overall delivery and installation into consideration. Professional delivery is typically included with the any large works of art, and usually the professionals will also install the painting too. These arrangements will need to be made before purchasing so discuss with the dealer about what they offer when placing the order. Buying art does not always have to be such a complicated process.

Actually, many first time collectors have been able to find the painting they had always wanted very quickly. Talk with various vendors and gallery owners to find out what is available and begin shopping today.

Learn The Normal Art Classes For Secondary School Students

If you are this passionate about art from a young age then you should do additional research and find out how to go after your dream.

This post is going to teach you some of the normal art courses that are offered in secondary school. If you are feeling that you've perfected these art classes you then may want to enlist yourself in after school courses in a private art school. These private art institutions will provide you a broader perception on mastering modern and intense subjects on art. Think about it or consult with your parents right after you read this post.

Listed here are brief summaries of standard art courses that are offered in high school

Painting and Drawing - Students who enlist for painting and drawing classes are educated in different methods regarding how to boost their drawing as well as painting abilities. This is very different from your average painting, as well as drawing, lessons in elementary or junior high school. For painting, pupils give attention to shades with the use of watercolor, oil paint and acrylic paint. They are taught modern techniques regarding how to work with various types of paint for certain artwork. For drawings, students are taught how to sketch human and still life by using pencil, charcoal, marker as well as paint.

Art and Design - Art and design is another level of art class. Students are taught the aspects of shapes, outlines, volume and form with pencils, markers, paint as well as computers. This course also focuses on composition as well as design fundamentals.

Sculpture - Sculpture classes are for students who want to create artwork with the use of their hands and not by a paintbrush. As a substitute, they use art materials like clay, stones, chisels as well as knives. This form of art could be functional to non-functional artwork, it really will depend on the artist's mood, expression and imagination. Students are going to encounter thrown pottery, glazing methods and hand-building approaches.

Charcoal - Charcoal art class is for students who want to learn how to draw portrait and still life with black or colored charcoal. They are going to learn how to mix, remove as well as control charcoal on paper. This class can get messy as charcoal could smear on the desk and clothes.

Now, you're no stranger to a few of the standard art classes offered in high school. If you sense that these art courses are far too basic, you may want to consider enlisting yourself in a private art school for extracurricular activity. Talk to your parents as well as counselor if you could get college credit should you pursue to take extra classes from a private art school. If this is possible, your secondary school might excuse you from taking art lessons in school and will credit your advance courses in the private art institution. Good luck!

Interior Decoration With Abstract Art

Abstract art is one of the best styles to decorate your home with. Abstract art offers many advantages aver representational are such as still life, portrait or landscape such as the ease with which it can be matched to many different styles of interior design. Modern art such as Abstract Expressionism and Action Painting can be matched based on colors and therefore is easier to work into a rooms design. The wide range of colors used in a single piece of abstract art makes it easier to change the color or feel of a room without having to replace the art on the walls.

Abstract and modern art is often non-representational, meaning it does not depict a particular identifiable image, but focuses more on color, shape and pattern. Using abstract art, a room can be created without the subject matter of the artwork used for decoration defining the theme of the design. It allows the interior designer to focus on creating a feel for a room rather than a specific motif.

Artwork created in the style of the Abstract Expressionists and other modern artists has the advantage of not taking too much attention from the other elements of the room, as well. Subjective imagery draws the eye and engages the analytical mind, where abstract art adds to the feel of a place without commanding the critical mind to evaluate the content of an image. This is most likely why abstract art is used almost exclusively in the design of sets for newer televisions shows. The next time you see a popular TV drama notice the style of artwork that decorates the offices and homes of the characters. It is usually abstract, most likely to keep the viewer focused on the action of the characters instead of trying to figure out what is in the paintings behind the actors.

Because many abstract artist work quickly on large canvases, it is possible to find large pieces of abstract art for a relatively reasonable price. A five-foot tall canvas depicting people, landscapes or still-life images will often take much longer to complete than certain styles of abstract painting. This does not make abstract art inferior or less valuable, but it does mean that abstract artists can price work lower than artists working in other styles. Interior decorators can take advantage of this fact and create a unified and cohesive feel for all the rooms in a house or all the pieces of artwork in a room without having to spend a fortune.

Abstract and modern art works best with furniture and accessories that have a more modern design and feel. Clean lines, muted colors and sparseness of placement allow the exciting and busy nature of abstract art to come forth and complement a room without creating a feeling of chaos within the elements.

Buying Guide To Display Easels

Display easels are stands commonly used to present items like framed oil paintings and bridal portraits. Standing easels are used in art galleries, homes, as well as in businesses where many times they are used to display huge charts and diagrams. To buy an easel that best suits your needs you need to know some basic information about the many functions, types, and prices of standing easels.

The purpose of display easels is to highlight the presented items, so that a portrait or painting can be spotted by visitors or potential customers more easily. By presenting an oil painting on a display easel, a museum or store is drawing attention to a particular piece of art or painting. Display easels are not just limited to artists' workshops or art museums, but are also used in school classrooms and business meetings displaying graphics and charts.

There are several types of display stands to choose from as well as a wide range of potential uses. In terms of size, there are three types of standing easels: tabletop, lightweight, and heavy-duty. If you want to display brochures or books, you may opt for the tabletop type, which is often used in different types of shops or bookstores. If you are in the market for an easel to be used in a trade show, a lightweight, collapsible type that can be stored away and transported in a bag may fit your needs very well. If the easel is going to be used for displaying a somewhat large-scale art piece or a large portrait a heavy-duty standing easel may be needed. Wood, metal, and plastic are all popular materials used in manufacturing easels and many have an adjustable height feature.

From modern to Baroque to carved wood, the styles of stands are abundant. Your decision as to which stand to buy not only depends on where you plan to use your easel but what types of paintings or items you want to display. For durability and appearance you may want to choose a display easel made of solid wood or metal. The various sizes and designs available in the market make finding a suitable match easy as long as you know what you are looking for.

Depending on the size, material, and design, display easels can be priced at as low as a couple of dollars up to hundreds of dollars. Whether you choose to buy a standing easel online or in a local store, check and compare not only prices but the quality as well to ensure you are getting the best quality for the best price.

Small Business Needs a Bi-Fold Brochure

A brochure is a small booklet which carries comprehensive information of everything about your business or products. Whenever you want to introduce your business among people you need to show all the aspects about your business, brochure is the most appropriate printing product that helps you to tell whatever you want. Brochure has much capacity to increase your sale by convincing the customers to visit your shops and showrooms.

Depending upon your budget, you can choose different types of brochures for advertising. Having low budget means you need to print bi fold brochures.

What are bi fold brochures?

Type of brochure having four sides or two folding panels is known as bi fold brochure. It is the most commonly type of brochures when you find yourself in limited budget and want to promote your business. Surely an innovative and attractive brochure of this type can attract 20 customers and if you distribute 1000 you will earn a lot.

Prefer online printing company

Commonly people find it very difficult to know the exact place which us useful for printing such kind of brochures. Online printing company has reduced your worries regarding printing. Websites of all online printing companies are full of such kind of brochures and their specifications. Visit at least 10 online printing companies; analyze the specification and quotations they are offering. Deeply penetrate into the layout and style of brochure; it will help you to make your mind about printing. Choose one option and place your order.

Unlike other local printing companies, online printing company is beneficial in many regards. They print your order on low rates and treat your design with digital technology. Moreover they are quick in printing process and complete your order in minimum number of days.

Distribution of bi folds brochures

You are free to distribute bi fold brochures in several ways. Simply hand over them to your customers when they visit your shops, place them on the front desk or counter, it will enable the customers to pick them by yourself. Another way to distribute these kind of brochures is by sending through post. This way will directly meet the target audience. Take necessary information about your customers and keep on sending bi fold brochures by post.

If you are still reading this article it means you are interested in printing BI Fold Brochure for your business needs; Simply follow the link in the author information to order your Brochure right now.

The Making of Art Glass

For thousands of years, glassmakers have created glass works that are both functional and decorative. So how is glassware produced in the first place? Here methods for creating handmade glassware will be covered.

1. Into the furnace

Silica, alkaline flux, and other ingredients are mixed together into a batch (dry powder). The top of the furnace is usually in the shape of a dome so that a constant temperature could be achieved by deflecting the heat downwards. Until around the Industrial Revolution, wood was a common source of fuel for the furnace, and later coal. Peat, oil, gas, and electricity are also used.

The furnace is kept at 1300-1500 degree Celsius, and the melting process can take up to 48 hours. Many times the furnace is never turned off. Impurities rise up to the surface, which can be skimmed off. When the glass is completely molten, it can be shaped with a blowpipe or other methods.

2. Glassblowing

A blowpipe or pontil, about 6 ft long, is heated. Glass is attached to the thickened end of it. The glassmaker would make glass smooth and symmetrical by twirling and moving the blowpipe, and then reheat it and blow into a bubble by breathing into the pipe. In this way, the glassmaker could make glass into a desired shape and thickness to make hollow glassware such as a drinking glass or other vessel.

The glasshouse is usually staffed by a large workforce, and in many cases cooperation on a single article is absolutely necessary. Nonetheless, in many studios the main artist (whose name is usually the brand) will put special attention into each piece in order to keep high standards.

3. Annealing

All glass must be annealed. In this process, the finished item is heated in a special furnace, a lehr, and then cooled gradually. This reduces the risk of fracture.

4. Industrial glass production

Free-blowing and mold-blowing has changed little since the Roman days. Even in the early factories, a lo t of glassware was handmade, even though division of labor may have existed. However, in the 19th century, mass-production of glass developed. For example, in the mold-pressing method, molten glass was poured into a metal mold and "pressed." Such production methods were a cheap alternative to expensive handmade glass.

5. At the lamp

For small glass objects, the craftsman can work at the lamp. This method has also existed since the Roman times. Rods of annealed glass are heated in the concentrated flame of an oil lamp or Bunsen burner and shaped by using tools.

How to Start Selling Art

Selling art can be difficult when you are just starting out, and that applies to both selling art online, and selling art offline. There are many theories, methods and processes that can help you to sell your artwork, and each will work differently depending on how you work, which areas you are comfortable working in, and how determined you are to make sales.

Building an Audience

This is a factor that is often overlooked, or considered to be obvious or common knowledge, when considering how to sell artwork. Without an audience for your art, there is little chance that you will make any sales. Without a good, strong audience, both online and offline, there are few opportunities for people to view your artwork, speak to you about it or perhaps even purchase it.

If building an audience is integral to being able to sell your artwork, then how do you begin that process and build an audience for your artwork?

Art Fairs

Art fairs might seem daunting, but local art fairs and affordable art fairs are increasingly becoming democratic platforms for artists to get involved and show their artwork to a wide audience of art lovers. Either as an individual, or perhaps as an artist collective, you can apply for a stand where you can display your work for the length of the fair. With a well prepared application, there is a good chance that you can be accepted to the right kinds of art fair.

While art fairs are great for exposing your work to new people and for starting to familiarise an art hungry audience with your artwork, there is a downside in terms of costs. Based on the size of the stand that you would like to have, and the exposure that you would like to gain in things like the fair catalogue, there is normally a cost associated with acceptance to an art fair. You then also have the challenge of making your work stand out from the crowd at the fair.

However, don't be deterred. The benefits of showing your work at an art fair can far outweigh the initial costs. Just make sure that you plan your mini-exhibition there and that you go prepared with marketing materials like business cards, flyers and maybe even brochures of your work that people can take away.

Exhibition Opportunities

Aside from art fairs, there may be other exhibition opportunities that you can take advantage of at local galleries in your area, or you can seek to host your own exhibitions.

If you have the space, or the means to rent a commercial space for a short length of time, then hosting your own exhibition, or an exhibition with other local artists can be fun and extremely beneficial. The opportunity to show your work to the local community can be a great chance for exposure, and by hosting your own exhibition you retain a lot of control over how your work is displayed and priced, and of course you retain 100 percent of the profits from any sales.

If you aren't comfortable hosting your own exhibition, then you can apply to local galleries so that they may show your work for you. This is likely to be far more cost effective for you as you won't be renting the space yourself, however you do tend to lose control over sale prices and the gallery will take between 30 and 50 percent of the profits from the sale of your work. That said, hopefully the right gallery will promote your work well, and ensure that you are exposed to the right sorts of people.

Social Media for Artists

Despite any negative feelings or views of social media, it is undoubtedly a useful tool for developing an audience for artists. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter can be great places to develop a network of appreciative fans, but also a supportive network.

With Facebook and Twitter, you can create a profile or page for yourself as an artist where you can upload pictures of your work, and keep people informed of what you are doing, or where you are showing your work offline. You can also join groups or other pages, and follow people who you are interested in. In return you will develop a following yourself.

In your profile you should have a link to your own artist website so that people can view your work in a more exclusive environment.

Build an Artist Website using Art Gallery Website Templates

To say, build an artist website, can sound daunting, but that shouldn't be the case. There are many services out there that offer the opportunity for you to visit their site, fill in a few details, click a few buttons and have your very own artist website in a matter of minutes. Therefore, setting up an artist website is a very simple thing that you can do, that will provide massive benefits to you when trying to build an audience, and inevitably selling your art online.

Having an artist website means that you have platform for displaying all of your artwork in a centralised hub that is controlled by you, organised by you, and is uniquely for your artwork. There are, of course, many sites online that allow you to upload your artwork to a large community, but much like art fairs, that means you have got a lot more work to do to stand out from the crowd.

With your own website, your name and artwork are online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to a global audience. As well as displaying your work, you should also be able to have pages of content about yourself and your work, you should be able to advertise events that you are attending or exhibitions that you are going to have. All of this promotional value usually comes at a very reasonable price, and the benefits far outweigh any associated costs.

Promoting Your Website

As an important tool for building an audience and developing a following to which you can sell your artwork, you should promote your website endlessly in everything that you do. You should have links to your website on any profiles that you have online and you should include your web address on any printed material that you create.

You should also ensure that your website has good quality images and good artwork descriptions so that when people do arrive at your website, they have something great to look at, and lots of good information to read.

There are lots of things that you can do to boost your chances of selling your artwork, but you should start by considering how you are going to build an audience, and turn that audience into an appreciative fan base. Begin building your audience through showing at art fairs, or getting involved in exhibitions. Have a look at how social media can work for you as an artist (here is a guide from Twitter about using their service from a business point of view). Also make sure that you build an artist website that is attractive and well populated, using a service that provides artist web templates.

Alex Duveen is a writer for Gallereo, a service that provides websites for artists. Duveen specialises in topics relating to art marketing and art sales, as well as art criticism and reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Duveen

Why Art Will Give You a Much Better Return Than the Stock Market

You can't deny that the stock exchange holds the chance for earning lots of money. But the stock exchange is akin to gambling, and there is no guarantee you will see a return on your money. But luckily, there are lots of more reliable techniques to invest your cash, with the art world offering up a safe investment as well as the potential for huge earnings.

Investing in art can seem like a daunting prospect to individuals unfamiliar with the art community.. But you don't require an art qualification to start out. Take a trip to the library and acquire afew books on art; endeavoring to read at least one book on 'art history'. Don't forget about the value of the online world; with most on the planet now logged on, there are loads of art forums where you can get chatting with other arty types and enhance your understanding further.

Also check out local art galleries and read magazines and newspapers to find out more about up and coming artists. When figuring out which artist or art affords the ideal investment to suit your needs, think about purchasing art from an up and coming artist. Once overexposed, his or her work could become too expensive to you, and have less room to increase in price. A good time to buy an artists work is just when interest in them begins to increase.

The sad side of the world is that there are lots of people aiming to make money as quick and fast as possible, meaning that the art world is flooded with scammers and scams. Prevent this by never letting your guard down, and always doing your research prior to making any big purchases. Ebay is inundated with scams of every variety, and art purchasers are prime targets (perhaps the most common scam is dealers passing off prints as the genuine thing, but scammers are always thinking up new ideas, so keep a sharp mind). Even though it might be hard to resist the bargains, buying your art from ebay comes with a lot of risk, and your best bet is to steer clear of the auction site totally. If you do decide that Ebay, or other equivalent internet sites are how you'd like to purchase your art, always remember that something that sounds unrealisitically great is so for a purpose.

If you feel that investing in art is the way you're going to spend your money, it's essential you maintain all works of art you obtain correctly. The best way to conserve paintings is by housing them in museum standard framing. Though museum standard framing is often somewhat costly, it is the most effective sort of framing money can get. And surely, the very last thing you need, is to find out the art has accumulated ten times its value, but due to unsuitable storage is now worth next to nothing.

Just remember that the worst-case situation is that your art doesn't gain any value. Although this is unlikely, should it happen, at least you still have a piece of art that you can to take pleasure in and enjoy yourself, rather than a piece of paper affirming ownership of a few worthless stocks. Art is predominantly there to be enjoyed, and although it does present great profit-making potential, remember its true function and be sure to pick pieces that you will be capable of enjoy for many years to come.