ARTICLES

Tips For Mixing Oil Paints By Annette Labedzki

2008-10-14T09:17:00.001+13:00

Oil Painting dates back to the ancient Roman times. In the ancient times, most of the Cave Paintings were done using Oil Paints only, though the art form and its techniques evolved with time. One of the oldest mediums of Painting, Oil Paint has been able to deliver optimally beautiful results. The trend continues even today and selling Oil Paintings is a big business to be in.

No doubt, Oil Paints have been able to make their mark quite well in the world of art. In fact, when we say painting it is an artwork of Oil Paints we are usually referring to. Oil Painting is all about striking the right mix of colors and their proportionate application on the Canvas. Most artists may though initially get frustrated with the output, if they are not able to mix the right colors. Mixing Oil Paints requires certain amount of understanding of the way, the colors work.

Choice of a color by an artist is a personal decision, depending upon the purpose of the painting and the mood of the artist. Sometimes artists use colors to arouse emotions, or simply because they like certain color (s). Utmost care however, should be taken so that the colors do not conflict with the basic theme of the Oil Painting. This is where a Color Wheel comes in as a savior.

A Color Wheel has six basic colors, which include Primary Colors, Red, Blue, & Yellow, and Secondary Colors, Green, Orange, & Purple. The Color Wheel has extra "in-between" colors as well, that are the blends of these basic colors. The in-between colors are called Tertiary Colors. Now, here are the tips for mixing Oil Paints:

• Primary Colors. Pick the Primary Colors i.e., Blue, Red, and Yellow, as base colors. As long as you have these colors, you can mix any color you want.
• Mixing Oil Paints. Mix these Primary Colors in the Palette and make sure that they are evenly mixed.
• Black & White. Make different shades and tints from these colors by adding Black and White respectively. Using too much of Black or White though, can take away the vividness of hues.
• Thinning. Now mix Turpentine or Artist Grade Mineral Spirits to create thin and fast drying Oil Paints. Thinning gives a fine wash and a transparent touch to Oil Paints. The use of Mineral Spirits is generally preferred, as they are less flammable in comparison to Turpentine.
• Texturing. Finally, change the texture of the Oil Paint by using Sand, Plaster, or Sawdust. It is done to thicken the paint.

Some of the accessory basic tips for mixing Oil Paints are:

• Palette. Keep your Palette clean and organized, in order to avoid undesirable shades from mixing up.
• Brush. Clean the Paint Brush before mixing any different color, again to avoid undesirable mixing ups.
• Pigments. Be careful while using Pigments such as, Cadmium, as they are toxic.
• Hues. Look out for Hues, as they are not the true Pigments and do not mix with the Oil Paints like them.
• Patience. Be patient while mixing Oil Paints, and follow the above given steps carefully.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com

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

2008-06-30T10:22:00.002+12:00

The world offers a lot of gorgeous things to everyone's eyes. As for photographers, they are obliged to capture this magnificent scenery and share it to the whole world without expecting anything in return. But like everything else, in the growing number of photographers competition is inevitable. What will you do, as a photographer to shine among the multitude of shutters and lighting? The internet offers hundreds of photo contest sites that allow users to post their work and let people vote which they think stands out from the rest. Photography is unlikely thing to many, but to some whose passion is in the art, joining online photo contest is the fastest way to get noticed.

There are several types of picture contests: baby photo contests, amateur photo contests, and wildlife photo contests. Picture contest is free to all as long as you let live the artist in you. Whether amateurs, professionals or just sharing your shots with other photography lovers, entering a photography contest might be a wonderful way to express devotion with your hobby. I have seen a lot of very good photos when I searched the internet for photography contest. Some are just good memories caught on camera, some are of grief, friendship and some are tear jerkers. Though at first glance, some pictures are not quite of an eye catcher but if you look closely, the pictures taken are very difficult. Pictures like lightning, a clear photo underwater, or even birds at close up. You will spend at least an hour to shoot a clear view, but photographers are killing their time just to take a good photo of their interest and that is something worth of a recognition. Very rewarding indeed!

Entering a photo competition is fast and easy compared to other online contests. Have your name, your website and of course your photo and you are in. The best thing for in photo competition is having your work posted in the site along with other entries, whether you win or lose you will get the opportunity to share your photos with others for feedbacks and comments to further improve your skills for future contests. For starters, it will be better to join photo contests with free registration. There are more enough contests that does not require entry fees and since your are just starting, its better to gain enough exposure first and learn more experience before getting down to expensive picture contests. Some free entry photo competition give small cash prizes, but win or lose you can get experience and exposure at the same time.

Here are some quick tips to help you win photography competitions (by Photo Critic):

1 - Stick to the topic

2 - Know the rules

3 - Keep it simple

4 - Tell a powerful story

5 - Technical perfection in pair with strong vision

6 - The X factor

And the final tip... Develop your own style

Whether photography or something else, the most important thing is you are having fun on what you do. If you enjoy your work, success will come in lightly.

About the Author

James D. Humphrey is one of the developers and sales executive of Photo laureates. The site's photo contest provide a platform of artistic expression for amateur and professional photographers to gain exposure and recognition.

The 10 Most Popular Artists in History and the Art Supplies They Used by David H. Urmann

2008-06-30T10:21:00.000+12:00

If one were to study the history of art, he would be introduced to the top ten artists as well as the chosen style and genre of each one. Also, he would have a good idea of the supplies that were used by each artist in creating his works.

Below is a list of the ten most popular artists in history and a general overview of the supplies they used.

Considered as a monumental figure of the Golden Age of Holland, Rembrandt Van Rijn is known as an artist that can expertly capture human mood and gesture in his portraits. His most famous works involve scenes of biblical and mythological events and characters. Through his masterpiece "The Nightwatch", Rembrandt has presented the pinnacle of his own artistic language. Being a painter and an etcher, he made use of different types of brushes, paint, and pieces of canvas.

Georgia O'Keefe, a product of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Student's League of New York, stands as one of the founders of emotional representation through stylized representation. She is most well known for her trademark series of cattle bones and southwestern landscapes. Various types of brushes, paint, and canvas were used by O'Keefe in her paintings.

Wassily Kandinsky, a lawyer by profession, started to take up painting in his 30's. Beginning with pointillist techniques, he then shifted to abstract representations of music as well as internal feelings. His style would later be known as abstract expressionism. In creating his paintings, he used pencils and paintbrushes and a wide array of paint.

Henri Matisse, a painter and a sculptor, is another famous artist who is best known as the father of fauvism. This term comes from the French word "fauve", which means "wild beast". Although considered by critics as bestial, Matisse's work, including the popular "The Dance" showed his ingenious use of color and shape. Sculpting tools as well as paintbrushes and pieces of canvas were the common art supplies utilized by Matisse in his time.

"I am surrealism" were the famous words of artist Salvador Dali. His famous works depicted intricate and oftentimes frightening dreamscapes which had distorted figures, double images, and insects. With regard to his art supplies, aside from the brush and canvas, he made use of sculpting tools as he is also a known sculptor.

Known as the premier pop artist, Andy Warhol gained much recognition for his works which involved painting, film, and silk screening. In contrast to other artists who created images of nature and historical events, Warhol focused on making pictures of soup cans, bottles of beverages, and celebrities. His art supplies consisted of stencils, brushes, and different types of paint.

Claude Monet is considered as one of the founders of impressionism, a style which, at his time, was revolutionary. This style gave emphasis to visible brush strokes and the dominance of color and light over line. His masterpiece "Impression: Sunrise", from which the term impressionism was derived, shocked his French fellowmen. Canvas, brush, and various shades of paint were his supplies in creating his works.

Regarded by many as one of the most universally gifted persons in history, Leonardo da Vinci created numerous Renaissance paintings. But apart from being an exceptional painter, he also showed his genius as a sculptor, philosopher, musician, scientist, inventor, and engineer. As a painter, he made use of several types of brushes and canvas. Also, he used a set of sculpting tools for his sculptures.

Creating around 840 paintings and one thousand drawings, Vincent Van Gogh is considered by many to be one of the most accomplished artists in history. He invented his own style of expressive brush strokes and vivid colors through carefully examining genres such as Dutch realism. Van Gogh utilized various paintbrushes, paint, and canvas for his paintings and several pencils and paper for his drawings.

As the founder of cubism and one of the most versatile artists in history, Pablo Picasso has created paintings, prints, and sculptures within his 70-year career. His most renowned works include Les Demoiselles d'avignon, which perfectly demonstrated his style of cubism. As a painter and sculptor, Picasso made use of tools as well as brushes and canvas.

About the Author

For more information on "The 10 Most Popular Artists in History and the Art Supplies They Used" please visit our website.

Introduction to Oil Painting Techniques by Ralph Serpe

2008-06-03T11:25:00.000+12:00

Introduction to Oil Painting Techniques by Ralph Serpe

Oil paint is an amazing versatile medium. It can be applied in a thick buttery fashion or thinned down to a watery consistency. This versatility opens the door to a number of different painting techniques.

My personal preference is to begin my oil paintings by first sketching out the composition using acrylic paint or with water-soluble oil paints. The popular approach to oil painting is to thin the paint with turpentine to apply your initial layers. Turpentine is quite toxic and I prefer not to work with it. Acrylic or water-soluble oil paints can be thinned down with plain old water and are more pleasant to work with in my opinion.

You can also begin your oil painting by first drawing out your composition. There are a few drawing mediums that work quite nicely with oil paints. My two favorites are vine charcoal and water-soluble pencils. I prefer vine charcoal because it doesn't smudge like other charcoals and it can be erased easier. Water-soluble pencils are wonderful because they can be applied like ordinary colored pencils and can also be dampened with a brush allowing you to spread out the color.

If you are the impatient type, you may want to try your hand at the Alla Prima oil painting technique. The Alla Prima method is when you complete the painting in one sitting rather than paint in layers and wait for the paint to dry. Although I usually prefer to work out my paintings in layers, I occasionally enjoy this exciting and spontaneous approach to oil painting.

If you are the careful, patient type of painter, you may be interested in working with glazes. Glazing has lost popularity these days, partly because of the time needed to complete such a painting and it's difficulty, but the results are something truly unique to any other type of painting technique. The composition is first painted with an opaque monochrome underpainting, usually in shades of gray. After this initial underpainting is thoroughly dry, thin layers of transparent oil glazes are applied. Colors are not mixed directly but added in separate layers to get the desired color.

If you are the adventurous type, put the brushes aside and try a set of painting or palette knives. You can achieve some very interesting results with knives that aren't possible with brushes. The oil paint can be spread on thickly and scraped off with ease. What I enjoy most about using knives is the tendency to not focus on the small details. I am forced to paint in a more relaxed fashion that creates an impressionist style painting. Get yourself a set of painting knives and try to complete an entire painting with just the knives. It's challenging at first if you are used to brushes, but it's an enjoyable exercise.

Perhaps you would like your painting to have more body and texture. You could try the impasto technique and apply your paint in thick heavy strokes, leaving evidence of all those wonderfully artistic brush strokes. Take a look at a Van Gogh painting and you will see this technique in action.

It's really no wonder why oil painting is such a popular choice for painters. There is so much to discover in oil painting. You will never get bored trying out all the wonderful tools, mediums and techniques.

About the Author: For more oil painting techniques, including free step-by-step demonstrations from experienced oil painters, head over to http://www.creativespotlite.com/oil-painting-lessons.htm today.

How to Care for a New Oil Painting by Marc Eliuk

2008-05-14T22:49:00.001+12:00

When purchasing or obtaining a freshly painted oil painting, it is very likely that it has not truly "dried" yet. Oil paints can take between a few months to a year to "dry" despite feeling dry to touch. Therefore, let's make a distinction between these two states of dryness:

Dry: being dry to physically touch (taking a week to a month).

Cured: being dried chemically (taking several months to a year).

Although determining if an oil painting is physically "dry" or not, is relatively easy; however, determining if an oil painting is "cured," is a little trickier. Provided that the painting is dry to touch, there are a four major considerations in caring for your painting:

1. Uncured paintings are damaged more easily, especially in the early stages of curing. In the early stages of curing only, you can physically feel the difference between a cured painting and an uncured one, as the uncured painting will feel, "soft" almost rubbery. (Please don't test this by running your fingers across a new painting that you intend to keep, the painting is very susceptible to damage, even rubbing off color if the painting has just dried). Therefore, keep in mind that you want to protect your painting from being scratched, rubbed against, or from rubbing off color (such as touching or using a regular cloth). When dusting any painting, use a soft cloth, feather duster or lightly forced air to dust with as paintings can still be scratched after they have cured.

2. Oil paintings require oxygen to cure. Oil paints cure through oxidation, and how you store the painting will make a difference in curing times. Therefore, closing it in a case with no ventilation, or placing it right up against a sheet of glass when framing, will greatly slow your curing times. If you wish to use glass with a frame, ensure that you have at least 1.5 cm or about ½ inch of air between the glass and the painting. This might slow your curing time but it will at least cure and protect it from being scratched.

3. Uncured oil paintings can be light or dark sensitive. Since curing an oil painting is a chemical process, some pigments will react to extremes in lighting. As with any painting, avoid hanging it in sunlight or near bright halogen lights as it will fade; however, only during the curing period (of up to a year) should you avoid keeping it in the dark all the time. From experience, I've found that keeping a freshly painted oil painting in a dark room for the curing process caused the white pigment to yellow. The closer the painting is to being cured, the less dark sensitive it will be; therefore, when it is cured, it is no longer dark sensitive and no longer an issue..

4. Never use any varnish or any liquids of any kind (at least) until it is cured. During the curing time, or the first year to be safe, leave the painting alone from anything liquid. Liquids of any kind, especially solvents can react, even ruin your oil painting, even when cured. Please research the topic thoroughly on items to use in protecting your oil paintings, and do not test them out on your painting until after they have cured. Keep in mind that some chemicals will still react with a cured oil painting or soften the oils and ruin your painting.

Finally, keep in mind that with proper care, an oil painting will virtually last forever. Photos typically will not, even acid free photo paper will eventually age, oxidize and become brittle over time. With care, oil paintings can remain pristine for centuries and hopefully become family treasures to be passed onto your descendants.

About the Author:

If you have an interest in creating family heirlooms in the form of oil paintings, or are interested in learning more about the accomplishments of the author, please visit my website: www.artzmark.com

The Expressionist Art Movement by Kirsty Semple

2008-04-29T11:24:00.000+12:00

Expressionism was an artistic style which grew like a rose out of the soil of the late 19th early 20th century society. Originating in Germany and Austria and following the anti-authority thinking of people such as Freud, Nietzsche and Dostoyevsky, the expressionist movement focused on the expression of inner experience and emotion. It was less concerned with the reality of what a subject looked like and expressed the artist’s emotional reaction to it.

Expressionist paintings can often be characterised by distorted forms drawn in bold colours and two dimensions, without perspective. But always sought to depict intense emotion and was always strongly subjective. Often the images were full of angst such as Edvard Munch’s The Scream, or the latter paintings of Vincent and Gough such as The Starry Night.

Around the time of World War II the expressionist art movement had migrated to the shores of America. Indeed, it was the artists of this time which established New York as a place of importance in the art world. It has been said that expressionism was a precursor to surrealism and influenced artists such as Dali.

A huge part of the movement in America became abstract expressionism, characterized by dripping paint onto the canvas. One of the most famous of the abstract expressionist painters of this period was Jackson Pollock.

Interestingly the artists pioneering this movement never described themselves as expressionists, it was a label given to them, and as an artistic style is still very much alive today within the work of many contemporary painters.

I myself use this style because I draw musicians. Music itself is an embodiment of the inner emotional experience and with my art I seek to express this subjective image. Expression of emotion through music is something I try to capture in drawings and I can think of no better artistic style with which to achieve this than the expressionist one which provides me with all the tools I need to depict the exquisite passion, soulful blues and poignant heartache expressed by the true musician.

About the Author: To view my art visit me here: http://www.squidoo.com/moonshine-art

Interactive Art Installation for Art Exhibition Promotion by Antonia Marino

2008-04-14T15:26:00.001+12:00

There are so many art exhibitions around that it is essential to make your exhibition stand out from the crowd. One way to achieve this is by having a drawcard to attract visitors. An interesting and successful idea is to create an interactive art installation at the venue to entice visitors into the exhibition and to engage them with participation.

An interactive art installation is usually a large sculptural piece specifically created for the event which the audience can use, play with, interact with, influence, solve and/or manipulate in some way. Their participation allows them to experience a result of some kind. This adds an additional dimension to their exhibition experience and is particularly successful if your installation is unique, fun, challenging or enlightening in some way.

When designing your art installation consider the overall theme of your exhibition, your intended target market, and the available facilities at the exhibition venue.

Exhibition Theme

It is important to make your art installation and art exhibition theme cohesive. If your audience cannot see a logical connection between them your drawcard may not be as successful. Therefore give plenty of consideration to this aspect of your idea. For example, if your exhibition theme is ‘Urban Landscape”, choose an industrial type installation using inorganic materials, hard shapes and modern fittings.

Other questions to ask yourself when designing your art installation are the possible results of audience participation. Do you want them to have a unique experience, or a pre-determined answer? Are you trying to make a statement, tell a message relating to your theme, or do you want your audience to come up with their own conclusions? These questions will help you to refine your idea and create a installation that best suits your exhibition.

Target Market

Tailor-make your art installation to your target market for maximum success. This is important in all areas of business marketing and your art exhibition should be no exception. A target market is usually defined as demographics such as age, gender, geography and socio-economic group.

If your audience is predominantly young middle class college students, your installation should be young, fresh, innovative and modern. On the other hand, if your target market is mainly elderly, upper class art investors you would approach both the exhibition and your art installation in a totally different way. Ask the venue what their customer demographics are in order to give yourself the best start.

Exhibition Venue

When creating your art installation it is very important to consider the venue in every aspect of the design. Visit the exhibition space and plan out the shape and size of the area available to you. Take lots of photographs, capturing every angle. Use a long retractable tape measure to take measurements of the room, noting the dimensions of the walls, including ceiling to floor height. Measure and record the size and locations of all doorways, windows, pillars, permanent light fixtures and electrical sockets. Take particular note of the main entrance way and how the audience will move around the installation.

Finally, ask the venue what resources they have on site, such as ladders, plinths, partitions and portable lighting. These will come in handy for your installation, and may cut down construction or display costs. Whether you are using props and equipment belong to the venue, supplying your own, or hiring them, ensure they are safe to use. This is particularly important if using electrical appliances such as portable lighting. Your audience safety and well-being is paramount.

An interactive art installation can become a value asset to your next art exhibition by making it stand out from the crowd. With just a few important design considerations you can maximise its promotional potential and make your exhibition a huge success.

Tips for maintaining good Oil Painting habits by Kevin Russel

2008-04-08T09:02:00.001+12:00

Following are the tips for you to maintain good oil painting habits:

Tips for saving color:

• Clean away any mixtures near heaps of colors you are setting up to keep.

• Keep a habit to put colors in same place on palette - used up areas must be worn out & wiped for new oil paint for next painting session.

• For disposable palettes scoop off mounds of paint you desire to maintain with your knife and move them to a fresh sheet; if a skin shapes, stab and take away the skin and work with the new color under.

• If you are not regular on painting for a week - cover palette with plastic cover & place in freezer.

• When you desire to clean your palette clean off central mixing area of wooden/acrylic palette, when you are done with your oil painting,

• For caring for tube keep tubes clean, wipe necks & caps.

Caring for your brushes:

• Wipe to take away surplus paint on rags, newspaper, etc.

• Rinse in container of solvent not advisable to soak. • Clean your oil painting brush with rags, newspaper to immerse up solvent

• You can also use mild soap (shampoo or dawn), put dab in palm of your hand, foam brush in palm moving in circle to work foam into bristles.

• Lather & wash it in lukewarm water until soap suds are snow white, & rinse with clear water; bristles might discolor.

• Press bristles into tidy, solid shape while moist.

• Let it dry and store in jar bristle-end up.

Safety precautions:

• Read labels on oil paints and mediums - some are gently toxic (cadmium colors), so you need to careful with it.

• Avoid consumption of food or smoking while you paint

• Wash hands carefully after oil painting reproduction session; try using lotion to hands before hand, paints would wash off easier

• Some solvents don't create deadly fumes, any how, must be used in well air room - open a window

• Some solvents are combustible also and toxic (gasoline, kerosene) - stick to turpentine and petroleum stuff made for artist's use.

About the Author:

Kevin Russel is a Copywriter of Artist oil painting. He written many articles in various topics. For more information visit: Famous art painting contact him at admin.1artclub@gmail.com

How to use oil pastels - for the beginner by Regina Donaldson

2008-03-21T23:40:00.001+13:00

Using oil pastels as a medium for canvas-based painting is no longer any different at all from using regular, petroleum-based oil paint. Oil pastels are easy and flexible to work with; offering artists of all skill levels an unlimited armory of creative potential. Most importantly, oil pastels are also considered a safe alternative to both oil pains and soft pastels.

For centuries, artists have had to give up oil paints, especially in their old age, as the dust associated with oil paint itself caused health concerns. In the 1950s, advances in the science of oil-like pastel paint made it possible to produce the first-ever dust-free alternative, but painters have never taken to it until recently, when they got the formulas just right… Over time, the blacks finally became dark enough; the hues finally became separate enough, and so on. The end result is that we now have a dust-free, ecology-friendly alternative to oil-based paints that can be made into tube or stick form, and perform just as well in every way. It's taken over 50 years for science to get the formula just right, but in the 1990s they finally succeeded in producing a non-petroleum-based paint that had no harmful effects to the environment, and best of all, no dust!

The man who wrote the book on how to use oil pastels, quite literally, has a lot to say on this subject. In 1983, an artist from New York by the name of John Elliot wrote the very first article on how to use oil pastels, even before the formula had been perfected, for the prestigious American Artist magazine. For many years before that he passionately worked towards pushing paint manufacturers into speeding along the progress of their work towards perfecting the paint. If there is any one many behind the phenomenon of oil pastels, it is John Elliot.

Often noted as the world's leading authority on oil pastel paints, his 2002 book, Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Watson-Guptill publications) demonstrates step by step how to become a master of oil pastels. He covers every aspect of oil pastels in this book, far more than I can even hint about here. He includes the history, the chemistry, and the techniques of oil pastels, or "dust free pastels" as he would like us to refer to them, as the name 'oil pastel' implies that they are a petroleum derivative, which they are not.

Unfortunately, many artists will still have issues with the high price tag associated with these perfected paints. Perhaps they aren't for everyone, at least not at the beginner's level. Still, finding the right medium to work in is a very crucial first phase for any artist, so you really should give oil pastels a try if for no other reason than to make sure that the cost should not be justified. The following is a way to inexpensively make your own oil pastels, although the sharpness and overall quality will naturally not be as good as the professional grade.

Start with manufacturing a Gum tragacanth solution. (1 part gum tragacanth powder, 30 parts distilled water, & a cap-full of alcohol)

Simply put the gum tragacanth, available at a fine arts store, into a clean bottle and stir in just enough alcohol to make a soft paste. Then add the water, shaking it all together. The hard part is that tragacanth can't be forced to bond within 2 whole days, only then will it absorb all the water and swell into a true gelatinous suspension.

Next, combine equal parts of dry pigment (of your favorite color) and zinc white, (also both available at that same fine arts store) with just enough distilled water to make a stiff paste. Once mixed, add just enough Gum solution (that you finished letting sit for two days) to allow you to grind it with a pallet knife until the paste is completely smooth.

Finally, deposit the soft color paste on a blotter or newsprint and let it absorb most of the moisture before shaping it into sticks. Use room temperature, or only slight heat, too much will cause cracking.

You can roll these oil pastels directly to pastel paper or cardboard and use in the traditional way you are used to. Again, I must stress that this method will produce a more basic, dusty version of oil pastels, not the expensive, but worthwhile grade that you can buy from your local art supply warehouse. Still, considering the low price of these materials, there is probably no better way to get started in oil pastels, and of course to reduce the risks when just trying them out.

If you haven't yet given oil pastels a try, or if you know you like them but still feel they are too expensive, I encourage you to attempt this recipe a try. There are few mediums as rewarding as oil pastels on canvas, in both performance and product. You owe it to yourself to at least learn more about this wonderfully evolved medium, and of course how to use oil pastels.

About the Author: Thriving artist Regina Donaldson is a professional painter with pieces in several galleries throughout the Southwest. Visit her oil paint informational website for free tips, techniques, and resources on all oil painting mediums, including more instruction on how to use oil pastels: http://www.oil-paint.info

Learn How to Draw Using the "Five-S" Method by Will Kalif

2008-03-11T13:01:00.000+13:00

One of the difficult things about learning to draw is understanding the process an artist uses to go from a blank piece of paper to a completed drawing. The “Five-S” method is an easy way to understand how an artist does it and how you can do it too.

Drawing is not a process where an artist starts at one end of the paper and works his way to the other end and by the time he gets to the right side of the paper the drawing is done. Drawing is a process of creating an object, subject, or scene on paper in stages. With each successive stage the object comes closer to looking realistic.

Of course every artist is different and that means that every artist has his or her own process of drawing but they all come down to five simple steps that you can learn and follow. Here are the steps:

1. Silhouette 2. Shape 3. Shade 4. Smudge 5. Shadow

This method, called the Five-S method is really easy to follow and you just progress through the steps from beginning to end. Here is an explanation of what each step means.

1 Silhouette: This is the first step. What you do here is look carefully at the subject you are drawing and then in light lines you draw a silhouette of it on the blank piece of paper. In this step you don’t have to do just the outside lines of the subject you can do some of the inside lines too. But keep them very scant and very light.

2. Shape: Fill in the internal lines of the subject. Use the strokes and directions of your pencil to represent the shape of the parts of the subject. If a part of the subject is curved you should use curved lines in that area of the drawing and in any flat sections you should use straight lines. But for now you are not filling anything you are just getting the shapes right.

3. Shade: This is where you fill in the shapes with either color or shades of grey. Look carefully at your subject and note how light falls on it. This is the most important aspect of this step because even if a surface is all one color it may have different shades of that color depending on how light affects it.

4. Smudge: You can use your finger for this step but it is preferable to use a tortillon (blending stump). Very few subjects or objects are composed of sharply defined lines. Everything is composed of subtle gradations of color that flow around and through the surfaces. You should blend the colors on your subject using strokes that follow the shape of the subject – rounded areas should be done with rounded strokes etc.

5. Shadow: This is the final step. Look to see how your object or objects cast shadows on themselves or on the things around them and add these shadows. If you are using color in your drawing the shadows should be composed of darker shades of the same color. This will ground your object in reality. You should also use an eraser to erase any graphite or color from areas that have bright light reflections on them.

Drawing is not magic but it does take practice, skill, and an understanding of the process that is taken in order to go from a blank piece of paper to a finished product. The Five-S method is a good way of helping you to understand and to remember this process.

For More creative ideas and Projects visit the author's website at: Storm The Castle - Creativity and Medieval Fantasy with an edge. Or visit his site devoted to learning Fantasy art at: The Free Fantasy Art School

Brilliant Ideas: How to Have Them by Andrew Broadhead

2008-03-05T10:42:00.000+13:00

The way to be creative and have brilliant ideas is very simple, but it is a technique that many people do not feel comfortable using.

To have great ideas, you must come up with lots and lots of ideas. Your ideas will, of necessity, be good, bad AND ugly. Most of them will be so awful that you will almost certainly dismiss them before you even allow yourself to write them down.

This is a massive mistake. Brilliant people have just as many bad ideas as everyone else. The difference is that they do not let that fact stop them from writing the idea down and then coming up with loads more ideas. They simply set aside their judgement while they are in the brainstorming phase and then later on they discard the ideas that are not so brilliant.

The secret is to trust that if you come up with enough ideas and do not judge them at all, you will eventually come up with a few good or even brilliant ideas.

Sound too good to be true? How many people do you know that actually allow themselves to come up with lots of bad ideas? Not too many I would imagine. Most people are so conditioned by society to judge everything, that anything different or new gets automatically discarded as rubbish.

Try this technique with honesty and an open mind. It never fails - assuming you stick with it. Remember though, you may have to have a thousand ideas that do not work until you get one that does. If you do not believe this, look up one of the greatest inventors of all time, Thomas Edison, on the net to see how many attempts it took him to invent the light bulb...

Most aspiring artists are told to throw away their first 100 paintings because the chances are they will be cliched or simply not very good. In the same way, potential novelists are told that they will probably have to write around a million words before they are any good, or that they will more than likely not get a publishing contract until they have written three or four novels. I ask again, how many of us are that dedicated that we would stick it out? Success comes to those that persist and never quit.

Visit the author's self-improvement & spirituality blog

After a highly successful career in sales, Andrew gave up the 'rat race' almost four years ago and now writes and works from his home in rural Derbyshire, UK. Having been on a spiritual path for most of his adult life, Andrew now feels inwardly compelled to share some of the things he has found along the way.

You can read more from Andrew at http://solotow.blogspot.com where he discusses all manner of self-improvement and spiritual matters.

Placing your precious paintings in storage by Sandy Cosser

2008-03-01T10:10:00.001+13:00

There are occasions when it is necessary to place valuable possessions in storage. In these instances, it’s important to see that the storage conditions are conducive to the safety and preservation of your valuables. Works of art, and paintings in particular, are vulnerable to changes in the environment and can be easily damaged owing to excessive handling. Many materials are used when creating an oil or acrylic painting, such as fibreboard support material, preparation layers, various layers of paint, and varnish. Each of these will react differently to handling and the environment, and will contribute to the condition of the painting.

Each time a painting is handled there is an increased chance that it can be damaged. Changes in environment can also have an adverse effect on its preservation. In dry environments, such as an attic or household that’s dependent on heating, the paint is particularly vulnerable to cracking. If it’s necessary to transport a painting in cold weather, ensure that the transportation vehicle is heated. The optimum condition for the transport of paintings is moderate temperature and a neither too high nor too low humidity level.

Packaging of the painting for transport is extremely important. Wrapping should include moisture and water resistance, and puncture and dent resistance at the front as well as the back. The wrapping should also include insulation against extreme heat, coldness and sudden changes in temperature, and should be cushioned for shock absorption and protection against bumps and accidental drops. After the successful transportation of your painting, you must take the appropriate measures for its safe storage. Try to match the climate conditions of the storage facility as closely as possible to those in which the painting will ultimately be displayed. Airflow is an important factor in the storage of paintings. They should be raised off the floor for maximum airflow and to prevent possible water damage. Cotton sheets should be used as covers, as this will prevent mould.

If you are storing many paintings it’s advisable to insert carton dividers between them to avoid undue pressure. Interior walls are best for stacking your paintings, as they are drier than exterior walls. If the storage is long-term, examine the paintings from time to time to check for degradation. On these occasions they should be dusted, and the covers and other means of protection should be changed. Sachets of silica gel, which absorb moisture from the air, can be used to protect the paintings from humidity.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting, the Mona Lisa, is an example of a brilliant work of art showing visible signs of wear and tear. The Louvre, in Paris, has made a relatively controversial decision to not restore old paintings simply because they look old. They believe that works of art should look their age. This is why the sky in the Mona Lisa remains a coppery colour instead of a vivid blue, as it was originally painted. Curators at the museum say that the coppery look has been acquired through the repeated application of varnish over several centuries.

The National Gallery in London, on the other hand, follows a different approach. It removes built up, yellow varnish from its paintings and applies a fresh, clear coat. Restorers know that the process will have to be repeated, perhaps in a 25-year cycle, but they believe that paintings should be viewed as the artists intended them.

Paintings are often bought, not only for their beauty and aesthetic value, but also as investments. Well maintained works of art can double or triple in value, making them an excellent return on investment. To keep them in good condition, however, it’s necessary to pamper them and treat them as delicate, but temperamental, loved ones. Taking the proper care when displaying, and especially when storing them, could result in a monetary sum that makes the effort worthwhile. Recommended Sites: http://www.preservation.gc.ca/howto/articles/painting_e.asp#top, http://www.sternart.com/article_item.asp?ID=1, http://www.oberlin.edu/alummag/oamcurrent/oam_fall2002/main_conservation_1.htm.

Paint Brushes are an Investment by Emma Snow

2008-02-13T13:10:00.001+13:00

Brushes are the most important painter's tools. Buying brushes is not just a random decision, but one that should be made carefully. Selection of brushes is personal and is based upon needs and level of investment desired. Because a brush will only last as well as it is cared for, proper cleaning and storage of brushes is probably even more important than the decision of what brush to buy. Because no matter how wonderful a brush is, if it is abused it will quickly be discarded.

Types of Brushes

The hair of the brush is what primarily denotes what type of brush it is and it's purpose. Although natural hair brushes usually cost more, they do not all create the same results. Sable hair brushes are probably the most popular brushes. They are soft haired brushes that move the paint easily and keep their point. Sable brushes are great for watercolor. Hog hair is also used to make brushes, but has a very different effect with media. Hog hair brushes are stiff brushes for heavy paint and will leave brush strokes behind. They have spilt ends and hold more paint and are used in oil painting. Synthetic brushes are also common for artists to use. These are generally less expensive, but still produce quality work. Paint brushes are an artist tools and several different types are needed depending on the project and desired result sought. More expensive brushes keep their shape after a stroke and do not fishtail or bend when paint is applied to paper or canvas and therefore have a more professional result. Less expensive brushes may be suited for some jobs, especially when used in crafts and with products like glue. The other factor identifying a brush is the handle. Traditionally long handled brushes are used for oil painting because the artist is standing at an easel. Shorter handled brushes are for watercolor and acrylics because the artist is sitting and painting in greater detail.

Cleaning and Care for Brushes

Because how well a brush is cared for effects how long the brush will last, extra effort put in to properly care for these important tools will be well worth the time. All brushes will eventually wear out and will then need to be replaced, but lengthening the span of time before that is necessary will help the budget. Cleaning is crucial to extending the life of a brush. Each brush should be cleaned immediately after use. Use a mild soap and clean in the palm of the hand. Rinse thoroughly and when water runs clear, lay the brush flat to dry. It should not be left vertical to dry as this will cause water to be pulled into the handle and will ultimately cause the handle to loosen and the brush will no longer be usable. Paint brushes should never be left sitting in a glass of water. Other than the effect it will have on the handle, it will crush the bristles. If the brushes are soaked, use a brush container that will suspend them and only fill the water to soak the bristles and not the ferrule or handle. After the paint brush is cleaned and dried it may be stored upright, or in a flat brush holder. Cleaning brushes is not only done at the end of a painting session, but should be done as needed. As a person is painting, effort should be made to keep paint away from the ferrule of the brush, but inevitably will naturally be drawn up the brush. As the paint gets close to the ferrule, it should then be cleaned. This is to prevent the paint from getting under the ferrule and drying there. Natural hair brushes also need to be conditioned on a regular basis. There are paint brush soaps that come with conditioners in them, or conditioner can be bought separately.

Make the investment of brushes one that will be used wisely. The results that a good paint brush produces are worth the initial cost, but only if the effort is made to care for them and extend the value of the investment.

About The Author

Emma Snow is a creator at Craft Kits http://www.craft-kits.net leading portals for crafts and creative individuals.

Banksy Is The World's Most Wanted Graffiti Artist by James Smith

2008-02-11T22:58:00.001+13:00

You can see graffiti in every country in the world. It often defaces walls, poles, trains and the fronts and sides of buildings. Graffiti is considered undesirable vandalism to its victims who spend time and money to paint over or wash it off their property. Indeed, graffiti painting is an ongoing problem in many subway stations and on public walkways, signs, cement walls, and other locations.

However, on the streets of the United Kingdom near London, an artist called Banksy continues to gain international recognition and fame for his graffiti. The fact is that Banksy's "street art" has become immensely popular with both pedestrians and private art collectors alike. In the last several years, there have been a number of exhibitions and auctions of Banksy's art work as his popularity has soared.

The growing popularity of his art is in evidence in the secondary market where a painting titled “Space Girl and Bird” sold for $575,000 in an auction event last year (2007). In fact, Banksy's art can now be found in many private art collections worldwide. Banksy has also produced leaflets and books on art and has his own website. He self-published his first three books, “Existencilism,” “Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall,” and “Cut It Out.”

His latest book called, “Wall and Piece,” was published by Random House and has already sold more than two hundred and fifty thousand copies. Nevertheless, Banksy continues to keep his real identity secret to avoid arrest and prosecution. His anonymity is said to be born of a desire to be a “quality vandal” and to elude the police. He once said, “Imagine a city where graffiti wasn’t illegal, a city where everybody could draw wherever they liked, where the street was awash with a million colors and little phrases. . . . A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business.” He has a unique view of the art world as well. He has said, “The art world is the biggest joke going. It’s a rest home for the over-privileged, the pretentious, and the weak.”

Banksy's graffiti began appearing on trains and walls around Bristol, England in 1993. By 2001, his street art could be seen all over the United Kingdom. His art has a distinctive style which makes it easy to recognize. It features attention to detail and uses layered stenciling and spray paint. Banksy uses familiar images and his pictures contain dark humor and are often controversial. His art is often focused around anti-war, anti-establishment, and anti-capitalism themes. Sometimes Banksy's works have a pro-freedom message.

Banksy uses rats as images in many of his pictures. His most famous street paintings are a series of black-and-white stenciled rats. Many of these rats are created to be larger than life. The rats have become immensely popular with London pedestrians. A “gangster rat,” painted on a wall near the Smithfield market, wears a peace-sign medallion and carries a sign that says “Welcome to Hell.” Another rat holds a sign that reads, “Please love me.”

Other Banksy art features the image of two policemen kissing painted on a public wall. In another picture a military helicopter is adorned with a pink bow. Winston Churchill has a Mohawk haircut in another. He has even produced revisionist oil paintings such as Mona Lisa with a yellow smiley face, and a pastoral landscape surrounded by crime-scene tape. Banksy, dressed in a disguise, installed them in the Louvre and the Tate.

Banksy often uses public walls as a background to display his art. Although recently he has been creating art on canvas as well. In addition, Banksy sometimes enters museums and galleries to add his own art to the museum collections. In the last several years, Banksy's street art has been seen internationally. It has been found in the Middle East on Israel's West Bank barrier, and in various countries worldwide including Spain, Palestine, Germany, and the United States. He painted the security fence at Bethlehem with a scene of a hole in the concrete barrier. The hole revealed a glittering beach on the other side.

Banksy is viewed by people in many different ways. To some he is an anti-hero who touches the public conscience. Others think of him as an anti-social rogue who vandalizes public property. Some people who have done business with him consider him to be both a genius and a madman. Many view him as unique and irreverent.

On his website Banksy states that he has bought a taller ladder to use in his work. So there can be no doubt that his graffiti (“street art”) will continue. For their part, the authorities in the United Kingdom will continue to try to identify and subsequently arrest Banksy, the world's most wanted graffiti artist.

About the Author:

James William Smith has worked in senior management positions for some of the largest financial services firms in the United States for the last twenty five years. He has also provided business consulting support for insurance organizations and start up businesses. Mr. Smith has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College. He enjoys writing articles on political, national, and world events.Visit his website at http://www.eworldvu.com

Throwing Pottery is Great Fun By Andrew Be Edwards

2008-02-05T09:49:00.001+13:00

The act of throwing pottery, which is essentially to create pottery through the use of a device known as a potter's wheel is one that many people go into their first pottery class expecting to enjoy immediately. While it is an essential pottery skill for some of the many pottery techniques, it is not something that is generally taught in the first class of an introduction to pottery sort of environment. Unless you are taking a class that is particular focused on learning to throw pottery it is typically a skill that you will get around to eventually rather than jumping into feet first.

If you are not a dip your toe in the water sort of person you can always find classes and courses (many of these are taught by art shops and museums in your local area or the nearest metro area). If you cannot find an acceptable course in your area you can always search your local library for information as well as purchase various videos and books that will teach you the essentials from book stores or online. The one thing to keep in mind when it comes to throwing ceramics or pottery is that it is often best to have some sort of fundamental understanding of working with clay before you begin. It just makes the process go a little more smoothly.

If you are going to be throwing pottery or dealing with any sort of pottery on a regular basis you should familiarize yourself with the proper safety procedures for doing so. This is information that most people will receive when taking classes offered by qualified instructors and is vitally important as there are some dangerous materials that are often handled when working with ceramics. If not you can find a great list of safety measures for working with pottery by doing a simple search online. I do recommend you study them well as I am sure you do not wish to risk your health for the sake of a hobby, even one as enjoyable as making pottery.

Even after you've managed to take a course or two on throwing pottery you may be interested in taking a course that deals with a specific design style of throwing pottery. One popular style is Raku pottery. You can often purchase videos for various styles that will be rather simple to follow once you have general throwing basics down and you can move on to more stylized methods of throwing pottery that are a bit more challenging and more fun in the long run. Increasing skills and expanding them is always a great pursuit and there are simply so many things that can be accomplished with pottery.

http://pottery.09cn.com/ is a website that you can lean more about Pottery.

http://pottery.09cn.com/Throwing-Pottery-is-Great-Fun.html

Creativity Or A Slow Death? By Nick Rice

2008-01-16T14:09:00.001+13:00

I read somewhere that the best test for creativity in business was simply to ask “are you creative?” So I tried it. And for the majority of people it seemingly proved true. The people that we all see as creative (designers, PowerPoint gurus, out of the box thinkers) said yes; and the planners, project managers, sales people said no. So I naively believed it to be true.

Watching my two year old daughter run around and play reminds me that we’re all creative. We all have boundless imaginations. We always have. Unfortunately our educational system has progressively worked that aspect our being out of our nature. No educational system on the planet puts as much emphasis on creativity as they do logic. Think about the number of math and science classes you took versus the arts and humanities. Not that logic is bad. In fact, it’s a critical element of life. I just believe that we are over-balanced on logic compared to creativity.

I believe the lack of creativity is slowly killing business. That lack is driving everything to a commodity price-driven market. It’s creating an environment that puts cost cutting before customer satisfaction. Without creative thinking how will the engineering team discover the next breakthrough product? How will the marketing team develop messaging that stands above a crowded market place.

Creativity isn’t solely the realm of designers and ad agencies. It shouldn’t be associated with art. It does not equal wild and crazy. It doesn’t equal foolishness. And being “creative” not a job title.

When you hear “out of the box thinking”; that’s the call to creativity. It’s your management team asking you to come up with a new approach. It’s daring to think differently. It’s not copying the competition. And after all, when you boil it down isn’t creative thinking what we’re paid to do? If everyone has the same view, the same ideas, the same approach, and the same results why are we all still here?

To succeed in business is to be creative in your role. Growth demands creativity. It will separate you from the competition. As humans we’re trained to only notice what’s different in our environment. Therefore, standing out is the best way to raise awareness. The lack of creativity across the board is not only hurting your brand, it’s ultimately hurting your profitability. And it’s hurting your employees.

Creativity isn’t a special gift - we’re all born with it. It never leaves, it’s just hiding behind years of logic. I challenge you to find time to let the two year old inside of you come out and play. Your employees, customers, and shareholders will thank you.

Nick Rice is an accomplished visionary marketing mentor with both client and agency experience in marketing, sales, strategic planning, communications and branding.

For 13 years, Nick has given marketing and advertising advice to large companies like IBM, Sabre, Adobe, Lexmark International, Farmers Insurance, Salvation Army and Dell as well as dozens of small professional service businesses.

www.nick-rice.com

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

Increase Your Creativity: Work in Other Mediums by Susan Fuller

2008-01-12T22:15:00.001+13:00

Are you looking for ways to increase your creativity?

Many years ago a group of music students at the Boston Conservatory of Music taught me this lesson. Every one of them was working in some medium other than their music. Some of them were acting, others painting and still others dancing, but all agreed their music was improved as a result.

This is true for all "creatives." Improve your creative process and output by singing if you're a painter, by dancing If you're a sculptor, or by painting If you're a writer.

By working in a secondary medium you have a chance to be a beginner, to loosen your creative muscles, and to bypass performance anxiety. Since it's "just for fun," you get to play and experiment in ways you may not allow yourself in your primary medium, or at least you haven't for a very long time.

Think of it as a warm up exercise. The fun you have playing in a new medium is contagious and will energize your creative work.

The cross pollination that happens between mediums also inspires new creative possibilities. Looking at art, listening to music or watching a performance can inspire, but actively engaging, in a hands-on sort of way, will catapult you into a whole new realm of creative inspiration.

I recommend working in another medium for all "creatives," but it is an especially helpful technique when you're feeling uninspired or just plain blocked. We all go through dry spells. So rather than beating yourself up about being blocked, take a class in something you've never tried or go to the art store and buy some materials to play with.

Whatever you choose need not be extravagant or expensive. Knitting and gardening are favorites among my clients. Other possibilities are drawing, painting, photography, dance, acting, pottery, cooking, sewing, quilting, singing, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument. You get the picture. Any and all creative mediums work.

If you're not already working in another medium, the best place to start is to look for something you always thought might be fun but never gave yourself permission to try. Follow your heart and your dreams, be willing to experiment and, most importantly, take some action to get your creative juices moving in new and exciting ways.

What new medium are you going to try today?

About the Author

Susan Fuller is a creativity coach who helps artists, writers and performers, achieve creative and financial success. She is a visual artist. writer, and entrepreneur, who has taught The Artist's Way for over a decade, and recently introduced the Creatives Cafe Coaching Group and the Creatives Café Online Membership, where "creatives" come together to take creative action.

For more ways to increase your creativity, you can download "

Digital Camera Specifications

2008-01-05T10:52:00.001+13:00

Width	Height	Pixel count	Megapixels	Camera examples
320	240	76,800	0.1
640	480	307,200	0.3	Apple QuickTake 100 (1994)
832	608	505,856	0.5	Canon Powershot 600 (1996)
1,024	768	786,432	0.8	Olympus D-300L (1996)
1,280	960	1,228,800	1.3	Fujifilm DS-300 (1997)
1,280	1,024	1,310,720	1.5	Fujifilm MX-1700 (1999)
1,600	1,200	1,920,000	2	Nikon Coolpix 950
2,012	1,324	2,663,888	2.74	Nikon D1
2,048	1,536	3,145,728	3	Canon PowerShot A75
2,272	1,704	3,871,488	4
2,464	1,648	4,060,672	4.1	Canon 1D
2,560	1,920	4,915,200	5	Olympus E-1
2,816	2,112	5,947,392	6
3,008	2,000	6,016,000	6	Nikon D40, D50, D70, D70s
3,072	2,048	6,291,456	6.3	Canon 300D, Canon 10D
3,072	2,304	7,077,888	7	Olympus FE-210
3,456	2,304	7,962,624	8	Canon 350D
3,264	2,448	7,990,272	8	Olympus E-500,Olympus SP-350
3,504	2,336	8,185,344	8.2	Canon 30D, Canon 1D II, Canon 1D II N
3,520	2,344	8,250,880	8.25	Canon 20D
3,648	2,736	9,980,928	10	Olympus E-410, Olympus E-510, Panasonic FZ50
3,872	2,592	10,036,224	10	Nikon D200, Nikon D80, Sony Alpha A100
3,888	2,592	10,077,696	10.1	Canon 400D, Canon 40D
4,064	2,704	10,989,056	11	Canon 1Ds
4,256	2,832	12,052,992	12.1	Nikon D3
4,288	2,848	12,212,224	12.2	Nikon D2Xs/D2X,Nikon D300
4,368	2,912	12,719,616	12.8	Canon 5D
4,608	3,072	14,155,776	14.2	Sigma SD14
4,992	3,328	16,613,376	16.6	Canon 1Ds II
5,616	3,744	21,026,304	21.1	Canon 1Ds III
7,212	5,142	39,031,344	39.0	Hasselblad H3D-39

What To Look For When Buying A Digital Camera by Lane Smith

2008-01-05T10:51:00.001+13:00

So, you're out shopping for the holidays and you've decided to buy a digital camera for a good friend. There are literally hundreds of different models and types of cameras to choose from. Should you trust the salesman? He's only there to help urge you to buy one. You need to know what you want before going to a store. Don't get discouraged, just read on. First, you'll need to decide on what type of camera to buy. What types of things will the person you're buying it for use the camera for?

The most basic type of camera is called a point-and-shoot. These are the typical type of compact camera with built in lens and flash most people have. They're great because they're extremely portable, but if you don't know what to look for, they might not always produce the best results. Buy a point-and-shoot for someone who just wants to take pictures for fun.

Next up on the list are SLRs (which stands for single lens reflex). These cameras feature interchangeable lenses, the ability to add an external flash, some even support wireless connectivity to your computer. These are typically used by professionals, but in recent years, the cost of a decent SLR has dropped drastically and more people are starting to use them. SLRs typically produce very good photographs, but the learning curve can be quite steep, so they aren't for everyone.

Back to point-and-shoots (because this is what the majority of you are probably going to buy), the main determining quality is their sensor. Even cellphones with built-in cameras that have plastic lenses are able to produce some pretty decent results in bright sunlight, but they will almost never work well in any low light condition. This is because they have a very small sensor and sensors work by letting in light. The bigger the sensor, the better the image quality, which is most noticeable in night photography. Camera companies very rarely list the size of their sensor, so the best and easier thing to do is simply to look for a point-and-shoot that works well in low light, and it will no doubt shine in every other aspect.

Megapixels are actually very irrelevant nowadays. Most salesmen will lure into buying a camer me size, those prints are going to turn out grainy. As long as you don't need to print anything larger than an 8x10, look for a camera in the 3-6 megapixel range. Anything more or less and you'll be disappointed.

But what about camera features? That's right, many of you want the red eye reduction, facial recognition, auto exposure, and color correction tools built right into your camera. There are actually very few cameras that offer both good image quality and a good feature set. Really, it all comes down to letting the camera do the work for you. You can either learn to use a slightly more complicated camera for better results or let the camera do everyone on its own for somewhat less spectacular results.

About the Author

Lane Smith, Digital Camera

Art Prints By Kent Pinkerton

2008-01-05T10:48:00.001+13:00

Art prints are reproductions of an original work of art like paintings made by a photomechanical process. Art prints capture the rich and vibrant colors of original artwork. Unlike posters, art prints are made using special heavier print stock that is mainly intended for prints.

Compared to posters, art prints are highly durable. A high-quality art print can last for several years. Even though they are longer lasting than posters, they should be treated with special care to prevent fading and discoloration. Certain art prints can be washed with glass cleaner.

Most people think of art prints when they have to decorate a room or a new space. Art prints play a vital role in decorating your rooms. Selecting art prints is very important as they can change the look and feel of a room. Using a carefully selected art print, one can achieve the illusion of lengthening, broadening or heightening the room.

A well-chosen art print reflects the taste and style of the family that occupies the house. Art prints made in different art styles such as Asian, American masters, art deco, expressionism, folk art, gothic art, modern renaissance art, and vintage are perfect to complement one’s room decor. In addition to decorating rooms, art prints are a good gifting option. For instance, bird art prints are ideal gifts for nature lovers.

In the early days before the internet became a marketplace, art prints were available only through galleries or museum shops. Today, art prints can be shopped online at a reasonable price. Art prints available online are categorized by artists, subject, colors, and art styles. Gift certificates for art prints are also available.

Most of the websites offer a wide range of online catalog of art prints of famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Leroy Neiman, Rene Magritte, and Jack Vettriano. Art prints based on different subjects like American life, animals, architecture, fantasy, humor, landscape, spirituality and religion, music, and world culture are available as well.

Art Prints provides detailed information on Art Prints, Fine Art Prints, Framed Art Prints, Original Fine Art Prints and more. Art Prints is affiliated with Fine Art Galleries.

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

Helpful Tips For Using Your Digital Video Camera And Getting The Most Out Of It by Peter Cheongkh

2007-12-27T22:44:00.001+13:00

There are many things that you all should know about getting the most out of your digital video camera. Many people jump into using their digital video cameras before ever learning about some of these helpful little tips, that can really make a big difference. It is time to stop making so many mistakes when using your digital video camera and start learning how to record and photograph just like a professional, or atleast you will think of yourself as a professional when you start figuring more out on your digital video camera. It is important that you pay attention to some of these little tips because doing these things can definitely make a huge difference as to just how good you get at using your digital video camera. Too many people are afraid of their new digital video cameras, thinking that somehow they might hit the wrong button and just totally mess it up completely and you do need to know that these things are quite durable and very hard to break, unless you just drop it or beat it with a hammer!

Do not think of a digital video camera as something complicated, think of it more as something you could really have a great deal of fun using. You might even end up surprising and impressing yourself, who knows! The key to a good digital video camera moment, is to always remember to think about your lighting, hold your hands steady or use a tripod, utilize those amazing features that are available and do not over think what it is you are trying to do with your digital video camera. It is supposed to be enjoyable for you to play around with your digital video camera, not stressful, so do not make it out to be a job or something, relax, you will do fine. There will be so many opportunities for you to capture amazing and even funny moments with your digital video camera, and those opportunities that you took advantage of will turn out to be some very wonderful memories that you can enjoy for years to come.

Remember, if you are planning on uploading your digital video cameras recordings or photographs, onto your own home personal computer system, there are different types of software that you will need to think about purchasing beforehand. Without the type of software programs that you need, editing your photographs or video recordings might not be possible. If you can take a minute to determine which type of software you need in order to accomplish this kind of task, do so ahead of time so that once you are ready to upload all of it onto your computer, everything that you need will be right there prepared and available for use. It is a great deal of fun using a digital video camera and being able to show off all of your images to family and friends is also a lot of fun, for everyone.

About the Author

The author engage in marketing online, home base business, affiliates programs. Visit us at: http://www.emarkethall.com

Airbrush Art: The Preparations and Reviews by Goodness Maseko

2007-12-21T14:20:00.001+13:00

For airbrushing t-shirts, sweatshirts, denim and other natural fibers you first need to wash the material. By washing the material you will remove any loose fibers. Also washing the material will take care of any shrinking prior to placing your airbrush art design on to the material. So make sure that you have washed and fully dried your material before you begin.

Wood surfaces should be sanded prior to doing any airbrush art. Take the time to use sand paper and lightly sand the wood down by hand. If you are doing a mural on a wood floor then use a hand floor sander. You don't want to mar the wood only remove any rough areas. If the wood has been waxed or has a gloss coat then sanding this will remove this and allow for the paint to stick to the surface.

The better care that you take of your airbrush the longer it will last. So keep your airbrush clean with the right cleaners and once a month do a full break down and cleaning. With needles most artist find that the airbrushes coming out of China bend easier than any of the other airbrushes. So look for one that is made elsewhere so that you do not have to keep trying to straighten a bend airbrush. The best airbrushes to use that are the easiest to take care of are name brand airbrushes. The knockoffs are harder to take care of because are made from cheaper parts that break easier than the name brands.

Basic airbrush parts

The air cap and head assembly are on the front of your airbrush and they cover the tip of the needle. The purpose of these parts is to control atomization of the paint spray. Should these parts become dented or damaged in anyway you should replace them immediately. Damage to the air cap and head assembly will effect the performance of your airbrush. Thus like the needle you will be unable to create desirable airbrush art. Both the needle, air cap and head assembly can be purchased at almost any craft or hobby shop that sells airbrushes and airbrush parts.

Pay special attention to the threads on your airbrush. The threads are located on the head assembly and where the air hose connects to your airbrush. If these threads should ever become cross-threaded then you could end up with an air leak. An air leak will effect the function of your airbrush so make sure to take care not to cause any cross-threading in these areas.

Is airbrush makeup a form of airbrush art

Airbrushing can be done on almost anything that you can imaging. Airbrush art is one way to take something and turn it into a master piece. Over hand painted art, airbrush art can be done in less time but with the same great effects if not better. There is more that you can do with airbrushing that you can not do with hand painting. You can take airbrushing and create a beautiful mural on a concrete wall to turn that once bland wall into a work of art worthy of some attention. While you can do this by hand the time factor makes airbrushing a better choice.

Those that apply make up are considered artists and airbrushing on makeup is just another great way that they have found to show off their artistic median. The make up goes on water and has to dry. As it dries those watching can see the transformation of the subject from what she was to what she is now becoming. This is why a lot of people do believe that airbrush makeup is another form of airbrush art.

About the Author

If you are interested in more information and guidelines, visit me on fun and entertainment information guide your family entertainment center.

Why People Love Painting By Rajneesh Dubey

2007-12-18T22:40:00.001+13:00

People are in love with painting since they came to life millions of years ago. Having fulfilled their essential requirements they looked up to some recreational activities. Beautiful cave paintings of prehistoric times like those of Lascaux, Le Marche and Chauvet Cave and Bhimbetka bear the testimony of the fact. It might have started from drawing something on the soil with their fingers because a good diagram on the soil helps you to become an accomplished artist.

A colorful object attracts everyone. Colors give the fancy of the person a new world. When someone holds a paint brush, he thinks that whole cosmos can be again drawn through his fingers. Seas, skies, mountains, valleys, gorges, people, animals etc, can all be drawn with immaculate details just on a sheet of paper. Moreover, to color the figure concerned the pigments could be sourced from various things like minerals, vegetables, synthetic materials and other naturally occurring objects.

A cherished memory could well be preserved through a painting. Thus paintings can be made out of imagination as well as of the real thing or the real incident. Painting world is so diverse that a budding artist can choose his style and affiliation to a particular style and then decide to go ahead with. He can specialize in the painting on the basis of medium like water color, oil color, pastel color, fusion etc. Similarly an apprentice can choose to make specifically landscapes, seascapes, skyscapes, waterscapes or the fusion of them.

The most interesting part of painting is its commercial aspect. If an artist can carve out for himself a niche, then finance will never be a constraint for him or her. If he works hard in innovation, creativity, consistency and patience, his work can give him everything. Thus, a hobby can be a stabling factor in life. All painting greats had started their journey by just drawing a diagram on surface through their finger. Come and join the league if your fingers are itching to do something.

About the Author

Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://ethnicpaintings.com This website gives you comprehensive informations on painting history, development, trends, popular painting styles, great painters, famous paintings, painting galleries and museums, painting tips, painting classes. In other words, this website is a treat to painting freaks.

To learn tips on how to learn painting please visit Ethnic Paintings

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

Free Art Instruction - Portrait Painting Tips & Techniques by Ralph Serpe

2007-12-17T12:38:00.000+13:00

Being able to capture the likeness of a human being on canvas, using paint, is certainly a sought after accomplishment for many new painters. It can also be somewhat challenging. This article will cover some of the more basic portrait painting tips & techniques and help lessen some of the confusion many beginners face. With practice, you will soon be painting portraits like the masters.

If at all possible, I highly recommend you paint your portraits using a live model as opposed to a photograph. There is simply no substitution for painting from life.

Painting a successful portrait is all about how you observe the subject. You want to study the subject as a whole. Study the bone structure and try to see shapes and planes. Do not try and paint every little detail exactly as you see it.

For beginners, it is probably best to start out with a lighting effect where light and shadow are in high contrast. This will make for a much easier painting.

Focus on one section at a time. Finish each section before moving on to the next.

Keep the darks of your portrait at a thin consistency while your lights should be painted on thickly.

Many beginners struggle with mixing flesh tones. I know I did when I first started painting. Remember that skin comes in a variety of colors & textures, so there is no specific formula for mixing flesh tones in portrait painting. You will have to experiment and practice, until you find the right color mixtures for any particular subject. Never purchase any pre-mixed flesh colors. When mixing your colors be careful not to over mix, which can deaden a color.

Try and repeat the colors and values in your painting to create balance.

When painting hair, don't try and paint every individual strand of hair. Look at the hair as one object and then paint the lights and darks. Paint the hair in the direction of the shape of the head.

The muzzle area of the face (the space between the nose and mouth) is generally the same color as the flesh but cooler.

When painting backgrounds, don't make them too detailed or busy. If you do, you will draw focus away from your portrait.

Add bits of color where the shadow meets the light in your portraits.

Fleshier parts of the face are generally warm and bonier parts of the face, like the chin for instance, are generally cool in color.

The white in the eye is not white. To get an accurate color for the white in the eye you can take the subjects basic flesh color and then lighten it with a gray made from black and white.

I hope these portrait painting tips & techniques have helped. Portrait painting can be difficult, possibly even frustrating in the beginning. Never give up and keep practicing. You will get the hang of it.

About the Author

Visit Creative Spotlite for more portrait painting techniques. You may also find our sister site helpful where you will find more art articles.

Investing In Art By Clyde Lee Dennis

2007-12-14T18:41:00.001+13:00

As you probably are already aware great paintings and art work does not come cheaply. In fact paintings and other art work by certain artists are sold for millions dollars. While the work of other artists is sold for only a few hundred dollars. Even the smallest piece of work of art can cost you upwards of $300 at the same time. Consequently, those who invest in art expect more from their purchase and rightfully so.

There are certainly lucky art collectors. Those who have been fortunate enough to collect excellent pieces of art over the years. Some artists paintings they've collected in the past are worth much more than they originally paid for the piece. There are always cases in which a collector purchases the work of an unknown artist only to have the artist become famous. This leaves the collector holding the work of a famous artist and gives him all the financial gains that come along with being in such a position.

If you love art there is no reason you too could not shop for art and paintings and expect that the piece of artwork you bought will fetch you a price worth a lot more than your purchase price. Collectors are in the business of investing in art work after careful examination.

Examining artwork does not mean that it should merely be attractive to your naked eyes. Excellence in art is determined by the smoothness and finish of the work. Excellence is also measured by the choice of subject and how well the subject has been expressed. As history has shown a piece of art may have only one or two colored strokes but these simple strokes being able to reflect what the artists was thinking makes the work valuable. Determining this value is the essence of art collecting.

Examination includes checking the condition and authenticity of the pieces. Of course if you are going to purchase any piece of art you must receive assurance and certification that the piece is authentic. Uniqueness should also be of some concern as a bulk product may not be of any use to you as a collector considering that others possess a similar piece. This is one of the considerations that greatly enhances the value of a piece of art. The most treasured pieces of art in the world are those that are unique and authentic works by a famous artist.

Most art collectors and investors also give careful consideration detailing in the piece of art. So to be sure it is necessary to have an eye for art. To be a successful investor you should be able to determine a good piece and a not so good piece of art if it comes from the same artist.

Art

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

Great Tips for Buying Artwork Online by Chris Robertson

2007-12-13T15:27:00.000+13:00

With plenty of artwork available online today, art lovers use this newfound market to secure masterpieces and home decor art at incredible prices. If you love to buy art, the Internet can be a valuable resource, saving you time and money. But first, learn to shop for art online wisely and be careful when choosing artwork. Use these tips to find quality artwork while keeping spending to a minimum.

Discover New Artists

The Internet offers a great opportunity to explore artwork and discover new artists. Use the power of search to find hundreds of artists. Then surf through their available paintings to find the styles that appeal to you. Ask questions about the artists by email or phone. Some artists or art retail companies use experienced art consultants to answer questions. Take advantage of this service when available.

Keep in mind that there are thousands of new artists who are very talented. Since they,re just starting out, they might offer their paintings for far less than a famous artist. Some original paintings by new artists can increase in value tremendously over time, as the artist becomes better known in the art world.

Use search engines to find art by certain keywords such as: artist name, type of art (landscapes, people, antiques, flowers, children, animals), date or time period of artwork, and medium (watercolor, acrylic, oil).

Online Tools to See the Scale of the Painting

Use Web tools that enable you to see the actual size and scale of a painting and how it would look in a room on a wall. Some websites provide these tools to help art buyers see how the artwork would look on their wall. They can choose different wall colors, frames, matting, and a variety of sizes to get a feel for how the art would complement their own home.

Authentication - Is It Important?

Buying art online is similar to buying jewelry or any other high-ticket retail item. Whether authentication is important or not is really up to you as the buyer. A good rule of thumb is if you plan to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a piece of art for investment purposes, then you'll want to be sure it's authentic. Use an authenticity service that you feel comfortable with and make sure the painting is not a reproduction or digital reproduction.

Also, consider if having original pieces of art is important to you. Some art lovers admire the detail, love, and experience put into a sole piece of art. They are very willing to pay more for original paintings, even if only for pleasure.

If you want artwork simply for decorating your home and have a limited budget, digital reproductions are available online at very affordable prices. These reproductions look similar to the originals, but have been reproduced for mass distribution.

Visit Local Galleries

You can also find great new artists and ideas by visiting your local art galleries. Take pen and paper with you to write down artists or the names of paintings that catch your eye. Then go online to search for these artists to see their other paintings.

Always check out online art retailers through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Online to be sure the companies are trustworthy. Buying artwork online can be an enjoyable experience if you take time to explore all the beautiful paintings and find artwork that fits your style and budget.

About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: artwork online. Visit Majon's Arts directory.

Oil Painting Lesson - Introduction To Oil Painting Fundamentals by Ralph Serpe

2007-12-10T10:57:00.001+13:00

To accurately convey your feelings about the subject you are painting, you should learn and understand the fundamentals of oil painting like drawing, colour theory, value and composition.

I hope to give you a better understanding of these fundamentals in this article. This article is meant to be an introduction. You should study these topics further on your own when you have time.

DRAWING

Learning to draw, as a foundation for oil painting, is one of the most valuable skills a beginner oil painter can have. Many new artists usually frown upon the idea of drawing first. They would rather jump right into painting, as most beginners do.

Nothing is more rewarding for a painter, than working with colour, but if you want to gain experience working with values, form, and space, then drawing is something you should consider learning. This is not to say that you should master drawing, as it is an art form all in itself, but do spend time drawing and sketching your subjects before you work with colour. Did you know that in art schools, many years ago, students were not permitted to work with paint until they successfully spent at least a few years drawing first? They must have been very restless, but imagine how skilled they became before they ever lifted a brush.

You should at the very least have a basic understanding of drawing techniques before you begin. Check out Amazon.com for some great beginner drawing books that will give you a well rounded introduction to drawing and techniques. A book that is highly recommended by artists is: "The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards".

COLOR AND VALUE

Colour is probably the single most exciting part of oil painting. It is truly amazing how an artist can take a two dimensional surface and create the illusion of depth and distance using colour. To accurately depict a three dimensional scene using colour requires much practice and an understanding of colour theory and how to mix colours.

The basics of colour are value, hue, saturation and temperature. The value of a colour is how light or dark it is. The hue refers to the colour itself as it appears on the spectrum of colours. The saturation is the strength or purity of the colour. The temperature of a colour is how cool or warm a colour is. For instance a cool colour is blue and a warm is red. Artists can use temperature to give the illusion of distance. Cooler colours tend to recede into the distance, as in a distant mountain range, and warmer colours tend to advance closer toward the front of a picture. Colour theory is a very broad topic, one that deserves more thorough attention. A great book on colour theory and mixing is "Colour Mixing the Van Wyk Way: A Manual for Oil Painters".

COMPOSITION

Have you ever visited an art museum and a particular painting just grabbed your attention and drew you in? Something in that painting kept you there looking and studying it. One element the artist successfully used in that painting was composition. The artist laid out the shapes and divided the space in the painting in such away that appealed to your senses. Here are some points to consider when developing your composition:

1) Avoid putting the main focus of interest in the center of your painting.

2) The areas of your canvas should be divided into parts of different sizes. For instance, if you are creating a landscape painting, do not put the horizon right in the center of your painting.

3) Do not place all the interesting parts of your composition on the left side of your painting. People read from left to right so they will have no reason to continue viewing the rest of your painting.

4) Avoid placing an interesting or important element of the painting too close to the edge of the canvas.

There are other elements that contribute to good design in an oil painting. Here is another good book to study if you would like to learn more about this fascinating aspect of painting: "The Simple Secret to Better Painting: How to Immediately Improve Your Work with the One Rule of Composition by Greg Albert"

I know all this information seems overwhelming at first. Oil painting can be very challenging in the beginning, but don't let that intimidate you. The most important thing to remember is to never give up and keep painting. You will learn from your mistakes and grow as a painter. Everything will come together in time. Happy Painting!

About the Author

If you enjoyed this article, then be sure to visit CreativeSpotlite.com today for more great oil painting tips and instruction, including step by step oil painting demos from experienced artists. Also be sure to visit the Creative Spotlite Art Instruction Blog for more free art instruction.

Painting Books - Drive into the World of Creativity By Isabel Rodrigues

2007-12-07T12:42:00.000+13:00

We all like being creative. Our busy schedule hardly gives us any time to spent time with our self’s. Constant focus on work makes our life dull. One of the best ways to make your life colorful is by doing some painting in your spare time. A Painting Book consists of some beautiful and decorative paintings. If you are an artist it will definitely help your cause.

Today you can find many painting book outlets providing some wonderful painting books. If you would like to learn painting you can find a painting book that meets your cause. There are books for beginners that provide step by step guidance of different aspects of painting. These books also provide you with some useful information about color mixing . Painting books are also available for advanced artist. These painting books are highly advanced and drive the artist to new world of creativity.

Painting can be of different types. There are books designed specially for a specific type of painting. A person interested in face painting can find a book specially designed for painting a face. Similarly, a person interested in learning house painting can find a painting book as per his choice. Painting books are also available on tole painting and oil painting. These specially designed books provide various tips and guidelines and train a person into a professional artist.

About the Author

Isabella Rodrigues writes for painting-books.info, offering the latest information on painting books, visit them today and get the latest information on painting.

Visit today: http://www.painting-books.info

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

The Beauty of an Abstract Painting By Francisco Segurata

2007-12-06T00:26:00.001+13:00

The art of abstract painting began a very long time ago. Artists began this art several hundred years ago. In fact, you have probably seen some of the more famous abstract paintings before. You may recall a famous abstract painting created by Van Gogh. Picasso also had an abstract painting or two as well. Modigliani is also known for his abstract painting work. Because of these artists, and many others, the art of abstract painting has gained popularity in the modern world.

Now what exactly is an abstract painting? An abstract painting is defined in many ways. First off, an abstract painting does not depict reality like traditional paintings. In the beginning, most art was depicting a photographic or realistic expression of someone or something. But an abstract painting does not do this. The definition of an abstract painting is that an abstract painting does not depict objects in the natural world. Rather, an abstract painting uses colors and shapes in a non-representing and nonobjective manner. It can be of anyone, anything, or just nothing at all.

You can easily see this when you look at an abstract painting. An abstract painting has bold, bright, and vivid colors. An abstract painting also has many biometric shapes that are used with the bold colors to make the artwork stand out. It is both strange and beautiful to look at an abstract painting.

In the 1940's a movement called "Abstract Expressionism" was started. This movement was started to show the freedom of an artist's expression and to push the art of abstract painting. It was started in New York in a school that also called it "Action Painting." This school was one of the first American schools that declared its independence from the European style of artwork. They liked to think of their art as a form of spiritual and intellectual art. This then further pushed the art of abstract painting.

Now that you know the history of the art of abstract painting you may come to understand it better. It is important to appreciate all forms of art, including the odd art of an abstract painting. You may find yourself wanting to get a piece of this artwork for yourself. It is truly an interesting thing to look at.

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.paintingcenter.info a blog focusing on Painting, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Paintings. For more info visit his site at: Painting

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

Tips for Shooting Better Photos By Chris T.

2007-12-05T23:31:00.001+13:00

So you are wondering how to create those beautiful pictures, but no matter what digital camera you have, you seem to make really bad pictures. Is it the camera's fault? Most likely not! You probably are not using your camera properly or you have your camera's a bad setting. Here are some tips you could apply to improve your photography skills!

First thing is, if you are taking a picture of someone and you are getting those red eye's in the photos, try to get the person to not look directly at the camera. Also, check to see if your camera has the red eye removal functions, that will become useful!

Try to use a tripod! Sometimes when you are holding the camera, you tend to wobble it a bit no matter how steady you can hold things. If you don't already, and you should! Clean the damn lenses! Sometimes your pictures come out a bit blurry because your lenses are dirty! Use the cloth that came with your camera, or if it didn't come with one, buy one! You can get them as cheap as $2!

Try to Take the photos in a well lit room with out the flash. Flash can will make things seem brighter than normal, so try to take photo's in a well lit room. Try to get some skills in photoshop and invest in getting Photoshop Elements! Its like a lite version of Photoshop CS3, plus it has all the features you need and it costs only around $80 - $100! This will be great for the finishing touches to make your photos have that professional look!

Chris T. Likes to do photography in his spare time just for fun!

If you found this information very useful, visit this page to make yourself a true professional: http://www.squidoo.com/profphotography/

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Top 10 Most Expensive Pieces of Art Ever by Sean Donahoe

2007-12-05T23:28:00.001+13:00

Do you ever wonder how much that piece of art in your home may be worth? Have you got an original piece of art by a unknown artist or are you lucky enough to have an original piece of art by a popular artist? The art world is often in uproar when a much sought after piece is placed on the market and keen collectors almost fall over themselves to obtain this desirable item for their collections. The following list is the top 10 most expensive pieces of art recorded to date in descending order. Get ready to be amazed.

Note: These prices are take into consideration inflation from the original reported auctions or private sales and is priced in millions USD. This list provides estimated worth's only and is not intended to be an accurate record of art sales. This article is used to illustrate art worth in broad terms.

10. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II by Gustav Klimt - $89.1 Million
In 1912 Gustav Klimt painted Adele Bloch-Bauer II. Adele Bloch-Bauer was the wife of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, a rich industrialist of the time, who was a avid sponsor the arts and supported Gustav Klimt's work. Adele Bloch-Bauer was the only model ever to be painted twice by Gustav Klimt. This item was part of a set of two and Adele also appeared in the much more famous "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I".

9. Portrait de l'artiste sans barbe by Vincent van Gogh - $90.1 Million
One of the numerous self portraits Vincent Van Gogh painted, this particular version is the most recognizable and popular. Painted in 1889, this piece created massive waves of interest when it was placed at auction at Christie's, New York. Christie's only estimated this piece would sell for around $20 Million.

8. Dora Maar au Chat by Pablo Picasso - $97 Million
Dora Maar au Chat commonly known as Dora Maar with Cat was painted in 1941 by Pablo Picasso. This wonderful work by Picasso depicts his Croatian mistress, Dora Maar, seated on a chair with a small black cat perched on her shoulders. As was common with his work, he uses wide swaths of contrasting color to draw out the subject.

7. Irises by Vincent Van Gogh - $97.5 Million
Irises is one of the most famous pieces painted by Vincent van Gogh. This piece was one of his early works while he was at the asylum in Saint-RÃ©my-de-Provence, France and was painted in the last year before his death in 1890. This item is currently on view at the Getty Museum in California.

6. GarÃ§on Ã la pipe by Pablo Picasso - $113.4 Million
Currently owned by the John Hay Whitney's estate, it sold for $104.1 million at an auction in Sotheby's in New York City in 2004. Sotheby's estimated originally a pre-sale worth of $70 million. Many of the worlds art experts speculated that the painting's high sale price has much more to do with the artist's name than with the historical importance of the painting itself.

5. Bal au moulin de la Galette, Montmartre by Pierre-Auguste Renoir - $122.8 Million
Commonly known as Le Moulin de la Galette, this wonderful work by the popular French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir was created in 1876 at the MusÃ©e dâ€™Orsay in Paris. Bal au Moulin de la Galette, Montmartre is a smaller version of an impressionist painting Renoir painted with the same title.

4. Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh - $129.7 Million
Once more, Vincent van Gogh appears on our list with one of the most expensive pieces of art of all time. This portrait of Gachet was painted just outside Paris in 1890, and depicts his then doctor, Paul Gachet. Gachet, who took care of Vincent during the artist's last months. Gachet was an hobby artist and became good friends with Van Gogh.

3. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt - $137.6 Million
The partner to the earlier mentioned work of art. This is the first portrait of Adel Bloch-Bauer Klimt and was created in 1907. According to reports, it was sold in June 2006 for $135 million to Ronald Lauder for his gallery in New York City. At the time this sale occured it set a record as the most expensive painting ever sold.

2. Woman III by Willem de Kooning - $140.2 Million
Abstract expressionist painter Willem de Kooning painted this print in 1953 and this fantastic piece is one of 6 paintings by Kooning in which the central theme was a woman. Woman III was sold by David Geffen in November 2006 to the billionaire Steven A. Cohen for a reported $137.5 Million.

1. No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock - $142.7 Million
At Last, we come to the most expensive art to date, No. 5,1948 by the artist Jackson Pollock. This abstract piece, created in 1948, was created on a 8 x 4 feet sheet of fiberboard, with large amounts of thick brown and yellow paint drizzled on top of it, forming a chaotic nest-like appearance. This work of art was sold by David Geffen in 2006 for $140 Million making it the most expensive work of art ever sold.

So, as you can see, there is some vastly expensive pieces of art in the art industry being sold. I am certain you are asking yourself "What about other pieces of older art?" All of these wonderful pieces of art in this list were created after 1800. Any art prior to this date is usually in the possession of museums throughout the world. The Mona Lisa, for example, was insured in 1962 for approximately $100 Million. Taking into consideration the rate of inflation it is fair to assume that its current worth would be around $670 Million today. However, you are unlikely to ever see this majestic smile in Christie's or Sotheby's anytime soon.

If you have been inspired by these items and would like to see more. Thankfully you do not have to pay anywhere near these prices if you would like a copy of these items on your wall! You can discover wonderful reproductions of each of these items in many sizes, formats and mediums on our Arteblanche.com website. We have one of the world's largest inventories of art from the popular artists in this list to unknown artists and cover every aspect and work of art imaginable. We hope you have found this article informative and as inspiring as we did in writing this.

About the Author

Sean Donahoe is the CEO and founder of ArteBlanche.com, one of the internet's leading art suppliers, which he runs with his wife Tamara. Arteblanche.com has a massive inventory of high-quality art poster prints, fine jacquard weave tapestries and highly-collectible and officially-licensed magazine covers from Rolling Stone Magazine, Time Magazine and Life Magazine.

Materials Required For Watercolor Painting by Jimmy Cox

2007-12-05T23:26:00.000+13:00

My attitude toward materials may be summed up by paraphrasing the old adage that just as you can't be a good carpenter without good tools, so you can't be a good watercolorist without good materials.

Even the beginner, who must spoil and throw away a lot of paper, should not start off with too cheap a grade of paper. Adequate machine-made rag-content papers are available for practice. However, as soon as possible, the beginner should switch to a good handmade paper. Such paper not only takes paint better but shows up whiter at those times when the paper becomes an integral part of the design, such as when painting snow scenes.

It also pays to be consistent in the grade of paper you choose. This makes it possible to evaluate your work as you progress. After you've learned to achieve a certain effect on one grade of paper and find that it doesn't work on another grade, you'll understand the importance of this point. By using the same grade, you can, under ideal conditions, achieve the same effect rather consistently.

In the beginning you may want to use a lightweight unmounted paper, say 72 pounds. However, you will soon discover that it will tend to buckle when heavy washes are applied. The resulting wrinkles can be most disconcerting when you are trying to paint reasonably straight objects such as telephone poles, fence posts, and piles. I have found the 300-pound weight to be nearly wrinkle-proof.

In choosing paper you must also consider its texture. Surfaces from very smooth to rough are available. Selection is usually based on the technique employed by the artist. I use the rough paper almost exclusively because I find it of great help in softening edges, creating textures, etc. I prefer the 300-pound d'Arches rough or the 300-pound AWS rough. The d'Arches has a slightly yellowish tint, whereas the AWS is pure white. Both are handmade and of the same high quality. Sandpaper it used chiefly for scratching off paint in areas where more white is needed.

Masking tape is used to cover those areas of a painting that you wish either to leave as white paper or to paint later on. Maskoid serves the same purpose for small areas.

Butter knives are very useful as tools and, because of their blunt edges, are particularly handy for scraping off paint softly for textural effects. Although there are many colors of fine quality available, I find that for my work Rembrandt colors are the most satisfactory I use the following watercolor brushes: 2-1/2 inch second grade camel hair and 1-inch Grumbacher aquarelle which are flat; 1-inch, 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch short-hair flat bristle brushes, made for oil painting; numbers 12, 8, 5, and 2 red sable Winsor & Newton or Grumbacher round watercolor brushes.

Additional equipment needed by the watercolorist are a soft cosmetic sponge (fine-textured and natural - not rubber) ; a water container; paint rags; hand mirror ; a low sketching stool; kneaded and sand erasers; HB, 2B, and 6B pencils; drawing board; tube of rubber cement; paint-box and mat knife.

A 5-inch by 7-inch sketch pad is another useful adjunct to the sketching trip for thumbnail sketches preliminary to working on the main picture or for pictures to be finished back in the studio. This also serves as a record of the amount of work you have done during the year. Now it only remains to begin painting!

About the Author

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How to Understand the Qualities of Color by Jimmy Cox

2007-12-05T21:01:00.001+13:00

Let us consider color as an artist sees and uses it. Color has three main qualities: hue, value and intensity.

Qualities of Color

If we look at any given color analytically - the red of an apple, for instance - we discover that it possesses three outstanding characteristics or qualities. First, there is that quality by which we recognize one color from another, and which we suggest by its name. This we call "hue." The apple is red; red is the hue (name) of the color. Remember the equation: "Hue equals Name."

We can alter the hue of a color by mixing another color with it. If we mix red pigment with yellow pigment, we produce orange pigment; this is a change of hue.

Next comes the quality by which we discern lightness or darkness in a color. This we call "value." It is by value that we are able to discriminate between light red and dark red.

By mixing a color with something lighter or darker than itself, we change its value. If we mix black or white (or water, in the case of watercolor pigments) with a color, we change its value but not its hue.

A color in its full, natural strength may be called a "normal" color or a color of "normal" value. If lighter, we call it a "tint"; if darker, a "shade." These latter terms are so often abused that some authorities prefer the substitution of the word "value," as a "light value of blue" rather than a "tint of blue," or a "dark value of green" rather than a "shade of green."

Thirdly, some colors are strong and some weak. The quality by which we distinguish strength or weakness in a color is called "intensity." If we remark that an object is colorful or strong in color, we refer to its intensity.

We can change the intensity of a normal color by mixing it with other hues; this tends to dull or gray it. We can change intensity without changing value or hue by the addition of neutral gray of equal value. This quality which we call "intensity" is also called "chroma" or "saturation" and the value of a color is sometimes termed "brightness" or "lightness." Though these particular differences in terminology are of slight consequence to the average artist, they emphasize the unfortunate confusion of terms which exists in the entire field of color.

"Tone" is a word of ambiguous meaning which is often employed in a general way to include all normal colors, tints and shades. Some authorities, however, use it to refer specifically to grayed values of any hue. Thus, color mixed with white would be described as a tint; color mixed with black, a shade; and color mixed with both black and white, a tone. If these words were always used in just this way, it would doubtless be easier to communicate color distinctions more accurately than we now do, but in common usage all three words are used almost interchangeably.

Texture, though not truly a quality of color, as are hue, value and intensity, is so closely related to these qualities that it must be considered along with them. If one paints an object, he must keep in mind its shape and character as revealed by its color (hue, value and intensity) and texture. The light and shade on objects can be thought of as agents for the expression of shape and texture, as modifiers of color.

Even in non-objective paintings texture is a very important factor; since there is no subject interest, texture is often one of the painting's chief attributes. In fact, some non-objective painters are noted primarily for the textures they achieve with unusual materials such as sand or mud, or the fact that they apply their pigments in some unorthodox way, such as dribbling, which creates a particular textural effect.

For the beginning artist, the above discussion will give the basic outline of terms that are used to describe color. A grasp of these basics will pave the way to greater understanding in his own use of color in his work.

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