Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Acrylic Painting Tips for Starters
2. Be sure to blot your brushes. It is recommended to keep a paper towel or cloth next to you as you are painting. Get into the habit of regularly wiping and rinsing your brushes after each use. This helps to prevent wear on the brush’s ferrule and ultimately fights against paper blotches.
3. Use a painting easel to support your unfinished paintings. Look for other types such as French easels that may come included with an canvas carrier and extra room for supplies. When it comes to an easel, do your research and choose the one that is perfect for your artistic flow.
4. Improve your flow and keep your colors vibrant. You may want to use a flow-improver medium rather than simply water while painting. This increases your color flow with minimal loss of color opacity.
5. Use painter’s tape to support your hard edges. Without damaging an existing layer, you can place tape in areas where you want to make sharp lines or avoid painting overall. These tapes do not stick permanently to your artwork and they don’t leave behind any residue.
6. Experiment with your paints. If you are working in mass medias, you can use acrylic paints as an adhesive material. There is no need in wasting glues or time, if you are working on a collage you can use your wet paint as glue.
The other things to keep in mind when using acrylic paints is both blending and glazing. You want to make sure to mix your colors as soon as you squeeze them from the tube. Likewise, while glazing you should do it layer by layer and avoid any buildup. Of course pre-planning is highly recommended. If you know you will be painting with acrylics be sure to invest in the proper acrylics, stay-wet palettes, towels and containers, and of course the appropriate painting easel.
Source:articlesbase.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Beginner Acrylic Painting Tips & Techniques
Some of the wonderful benefits of using acrylic paints are their versatility, permanence and ease of use. These paints can be applied thickly as an impasto or in thin washes similar to watercolor. Acrylic paint does not yellow or harden with age like oils.
Another reason artists love to work with acrylics is their fast drying time. Since acrylic paint dries so quickly, colors can be applied and layered quicker than oil paints. But with this fast drying time comes a few disadvantages:
1) The paint will not remain workable for very long, so you have to work fast.
2) Brushes can be ruined if you do not clean them right away.
3) If you plan to paint outdoors, then acrylic paint is probably not the best medium to use, especially on a hot sunny day. When you lay out your colors on a palette or other surface, they will begin to dry quickly forming skins on the surface, making them quite difficult to work with.
ACRYLIC PAINTING TECHNIQUES
Watercolor Effects
Many artists like to use acrylics in a fluid state, similar to watercolor. There is a notable difference though. With acrylics, washes can be layered on top of one another without fear of disturbing the colors underneath. You must wait for one layer to dry completely before applying another of course. Once each layer dries it becomes insoluble in water. One disadvantage to using acrylics as a watercolor medium is the difficulty in modifying the color. Once acrylic paint begins to dry it becomes very difficult to modify and washes can sometime dry with unwanted hard edges. You can avoid this problem in one of two ways. You can either dampen the paper before the paint is applied or you can use an additional brush dampened with water. Use one brush to apply the paint and immediately soften the edge with the other brush that has been dampened with the water.
Pouring & Dripping Technique
This technique was made popular by the master painter Jackson Pollock in the late 1940's and early 1950's. You use a very fluid acrylic paint for this technique. You can pour it directly on the canvas or dip a brush into the paint and let it drip down onto the canvas. You can create some very interesting effects with this technique. Check out Jackson Pollocks work to see this technique in action.
Sgraffito Technique
Sgraffito is a scratching technique. It got its name from the Italian word graffiare which literally means to scratch. Just as the name implies it involves scratching into the surface of the wet paint which reveals either the ground or layer of dry color underneath. There are a number of different tools that can be used for this technique. Tools like screwdrivers or the sharpened end of an old paintbrush handle can work.
Using a Squeegee
A regular squeegee that you can buy at any hardware or auto store has the ability to create some interesting effects. First squeeze out some paint blobs directly along one edge of your support. You can layout whatever colors you wish. Then with one fluid motion drag the paint across the surface with your squeegee smearing and mixing the paint as you go.
ACRYLIC PAINTING TIPS
Variety
One of the things that makes a painting interesting is variety. Use a variety of different brushstrokes, techniques and values in your paintings. Change the direction of your brushstrokes or mix different techniques in the same painting.
Don't Copy
Don't copy other artists. Allow other artists to influence you and paint your own impression of what you see from your heart and soul. This is how your inner creativity shines on the canvas. It is what set painters like Vincent van Gogh and Salvador Dali apart from the rest. They each injected their own style and heart into their work.
Observe Your Surroundings
Spend time observing and studying your subjects and surroundings. Landscape artists spend a great deal of time outdoors studying nature. Figure and portrait artists spend a great deal of time studying the human anatomy. If you aren't spending enough time observing the subjects that you wish to paint, then you won't have the necessary knowledge to paint them.
Art Supplies
Are you using quality acrylic painting supplies? In the beginning when you are experimenting, it is ok to use cheaper supplies, but as you become more experienced, you may want to consider investing in better quality. When it comes to fine art supplies, you usually get what you pay for. If you buy cheap brushes, they will more than likely begin to fall apart. The ferrule of the brush can loosen and the hairs can fall out. If you use cheap paint, you will get cheap looking results. The colors will not have the same brilliance or the right consistency.
Don't Be Afraid to Use your Paint
Lets face it, good paint does not come cheap, so in an effort to conserve our paint, some artists will use as little paint as possible. This is a reasonable concern, but the truth however, is that your paintings will be more interesting if you lay down the brush stroke, leave it alone, and then reload your brush. Don't try and scrub the paint into the canvas, otherwise you are just staining, and not painting.
Don't Over Think
Don't overly criticize or judge your own work while you are painting. This will discourage and frustrate you. Just relax and let go. Trust yourself and your abilities. ?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Acrylic Paints Can be Diluted With Water
acrylic paint is water-based meaning it dissolves in water instead of
oil-based meaning you need to dissolve it in oil or turpentine, it's
much easier to clean up after. You can soak your brushes and clean your
hands in plain tap water, instead of smelly and flammable chemicals.
Another advantage to acrylic paint is that it dries much faster than
oil paint usually overnight. If you're working on a painting that needs
to be done on time, that's important. Acrylic paint was developed as a
water-based alternative to traditional oil paints.
Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant
when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted with water, the
finished painting can resemble a watercolor or an oil painting.
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint containing pigment suspended in
an acrylic polymer resin. Different from oil painting as watercolor is
different from oil painting. There are techniques, which are available
only to acrylic painters, and there are also restrictions, which are
unique to acrylic painting.
Acrylic paints can achieve an oil-paint-like effect, and do so in
much less time. Applied to look like oil paints, acrylics are somewhat
limited due to the superior color range of oil paints, and the fact
that acrylic dry to a shiny, smooth.
Acrylics paints are sometimes used in place of watercolors because
acrylics dry closer to the desired color slightly darker, usually,
while watercolors dry lighter and often unpredictably, especially for
beginning artists.
Source:articlesbase.com
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Art Therapy
It involves wide variety of art materials like paints, clay, chalks, markers, batik and many more. Art therapy is very useful for hyper active children, stressed and over worked people in order to give confidence, relaxation and enhance cognitive ability. In this therapy person has to use art material in order to express him self. There is no special art skill require for the person only his reaction is important for expression. By applying oil and acrylic paints with finger person can easily release its tension. By using clay, markers, chalks and other medium of art person’s personality usually judged by the art therapist.
This therapy is not only useful for adults and old people in order to increase cognitive abilities, better relationships with family and friends, able to enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of the creative experience but especially for aggressive children for their better development.
Source: Free articles, articlesbase.com
Saturday, April 17, 2010
There's Great Fun in Face Painting on Kids!
High school teens have enjoyed painting faces for pep rallies for quite some time. They paint their mascot paws, team logos or names, school names and colors on their faces for both fun and fundraising. It's an easy way to earn money for the junior prom, senior class or an upcoming class trip. They set up booths at local arts and crafts shows, midnight madness sales, and during special school functions. Low prices keep the student customers coming back, along with their friends.
Face painting is also used as a way to earn money for special needs, such as a charity event. It can help fund an account for someone hurt in an accident or give financial support to someone who has a chronic illness, such as a heart condition, cancer, or multiple sclerosis.
The ideas for kids face painting are limited only to your imagination. When painting faces of young children, you must have patience, allow time for fidgeting, and keep your design simple. It helps perfect your talent to practice the pre-selected designs in advance of an event. Most children are happy to be your guinea pig for your practice sessions.
Ideas for designs come from many places: popular cartoons, movies, coloring books, the animal section in your local library or bookstore, magazines featuring flowers, catalogues, and toy stores. Try asking the neighborhood kids for their ideas. They know what's 'hot' our there on their scene and what they'd be happy having drawn on their own faces. Kids can be extremely helpful and imaginative. Ask them to show you their favorite characters or to choose pictures from their own book collection.
Fingerprints are always fun. Try painting a fingerprint of a parent on a child's face, using the person's own finger, of course. And in reverse, you could even paint a toe print of a child on a parent's face! Paint the name of a favorite pet on a kid's face. Try dipping a willing pet's paw into the paint and stamping it onto the kid's face.
For quick fun, try face painting stamps. Draw a picture of a face onto a large piece of paper and have the child stamp a design on the face. Regular rubber stamps can be used for this, of course. But for actual human face use, there are special face stamps.
Lastly, where should your face painting take place? Try shopping malls, hospitals, birthday parties, charity events, festivals, school events, flea markets, church functions, craft shows, parades, and open house events. Hobby stores may offer classes for kids face painting or might allow you to teach a class yourself. After all, you'd be appealing to the younger shoppers along with their parents, and that would bring in more business.
Face painting is fun and creative. Think about it ... you can have a lot of good times with this activity.
Source : articlesbase.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
A Japanese Martial Arts -kendo
Kendo is not very well suited as self-defense - quite the contrary, it is a very aggressive martial art! There are no blocking techniques which are not counter-attacks: you must attack quicker than your opponent to defend yourself! Kendo is a full-contact martial art - unlike most other martial arts, the cuts are not just marked, but they are delivered with only a minimum of restraint. Still, injuries (other than occasional blisters on the soles of the feet) are very rare. The injury frequency is in fact equal to the one in curling.
To avoid injuries, the kendokas use protecting armor (bogu). The different parts of the bogu are:
Men - a fencing mask combined with shoulder flaps for protection of the head, face, throat and shoulders.
Do - a breastplate, covering the torso and stomach.
Kote - a pair of padded gloves for the hands and the wrists.
Tare - an apron which is worn around the hips to protect the thighs and the groin.
The concept of Kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the Katana. The purpose of practicing Kendo is:
To mold the mind and body,
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for Improvement in the art of Kendo;
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor,
To associate with others with sincerity,
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able to love his country and society,
To contribue to the development of culture,
And to promote peace and prosperity among all people.
Source : articlesbase.com
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Where Did Body Art Come From?
Drawing were made on the body by dipping sharp bones into natural-colored paint, Thousands of years ago, these sharpened bones punctured Thee skin leaving everlasting designs on the body. One of man's oldest form of self-expression is body art. Research indicates tattooing is an 8,000-year-old practice. For some, being tattooed meant you were a slave.
In some parts of the world, having body art was a sign of honor and prestige. For other countries, Thee markings are signs of beauty. An artistically-covered body would gain respect in many different cultures.
Many people that are tattooed claim that once you have your first shortly you will want to have another. This makes sense to me. There are many people who spend hours upon hours in the gym pumping up Theeir muscles to perfect proportions. They are after Theat define sculpted body, so why not use it for a permanent canvas? A talented tattoo artist can make a good income by being in the right location, body art is becoming more and more popular. It's not just a dying fad, the in-your-face, 'up yours' attitude that used to be associated with young people covered with tattoos doesn't apply today.
Rising among the popularity of today's form of body art is the body piercings. People use this form of body art as an act of self-expression and they will pierce many parts of their bodies. The ear is not the only spot to put an earring or stud. It is common to see multiple studs in the face of a young adult today. Nose, lips, tongue, eyebrows, chin, bellybuttons, and nipples to name a few. Having body art leaves none to the imagination. Oh, I almost forgot, you can even have a stud down there.
Be sure you really want the body art before you get it done although body art may look cool, and it makes people take a double look, tattoos do not come off so easy and holes can leave scars.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Toys for the Adult World
This change in the attitudes to sex has been a great boon for the sex industry. The markets are now opening their minds to sex aids of all kinds. This can range from things like flavoured body paint to sex dolls that are modelled on well-known porn stars. Adults with little time for relationships have many options these days. The proliferation of sex toys has begun to allow single folk to have their healthy share of sexual pleasure. As for couples, the availability of sex aids and toys has been a live-saver for many dying relationships.
Moreover, the act of sex is not it. Adult games of all kinds have begun to bring in a novelty and excitement into bored relationships. Moreover, all these things can be purchased over the web. Thus, if one's idea of a sex store was something resembling a dark, cheesy outlet with all kinds of grey characters, an attitude change might be required. The Internet has certainly made it easier to purchase toys to fulfil our adult needs. A trip to a website that sells sex toys is a smart move to make as far as getting hold of these sex aids is concerned. Life is becoming better for the sexually active adult.
Source : articlesbase.com
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Have a Pumpkin Painting Party - Get Pumpkin Painting Ideas
You can choose something from a magazine, newspaper or perhaps you found something in your favorite craft magazine that you'd like to paint. That's great. You can also design your own patterns and faces. Your pumpkin is the canvas, waiting to be made into a masterpiece. Get started having some fun!
Get a jump-start on Halloween by inviting a few of your childs' friends over for a pumpkin painting party. Because kids can be a bit messy be sure they wear old clothes. Have them bring along an apron or old t-shirt for extra clothing protection.
You as the host will need to supply one pumpkin per child, as well as all the art supplies necessary to complete the pumpkin project. Permanent multi-colored markers make a good start. Acrylic paint and detail brushes can be used to fill in the details of the design.
You can use a pattern from coloring books, magazines or just let their imaginations run wild. As an option for the older children, additional embellishments can be added to further spruce up their creations.
A handkerchief, scarf, yarn or raffia can be used for hair and to make hats. Buttons can be affixed to the pumpkins with stickpins for noses or earrings. Look around the house for odds and ends that could be used, or ask the children to bring their own makeshift accessories.
When they are finished with their pumpkin painting project take a picture of each child with their creation. Be sure to use either an instant or digital camera so you'll be able to give them the photo, along with the pumpkin, to take home.
Article Tags: Pumpkin Painting Party, Pumpkin Painting Ideas, Pumpkin Painting, Painting Party, Painting Ideas
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com