Monday, 23 September 2013
Digital Print Artworks Vs Original Art Paintings - A Quick Analysis
Art is a very beautiful thing and only a discerning eye can appreciate the true chastity of some of the traditional art paintings. But technology has now come of age. With improving technology, newer horizons have opened up, thereby broadening the scope of art. With the use of Photoshop and other tools and software, art can now be given different expressions. So, digital print artwork is now gaining a lot of ground and becoming very popular.
So, what exactly is the difference between digital print artwork and an original art painting?
Both are merely two forms of art and both have their own merits. If one talks of history, then original art paintings are works which rely on the traditional modes. These are purest forms of art and are available in their pristine and undisturbed form. You can buy them exactly the way the painter had painted them. On the other hand, a digital print is a more modernistic form of art which relies a lot on technology. With tools like Photoshop coming into play, an artwork can now be converted into the digital format so that it can be printed or shared over the net.
Which one should you buy?
An original painting is a chaste form of art, as compared to the technologically driven digital print work. So if you hail from the old school and are the purist who does not like to digitize art, then this is the one you should opt for. In contrast, digital print artworks are 21st century products. They may not appeal to a purist but they have many other merits to earn brownie points. Since they are available in digital formats, they can be saved easily and preserved for a longer time. It is also possible to reproduce multiple copies of the same artwork. This is something which is unimaginable without the aid of technology, as in an original painting.
In terms of safety, you can be rest assured that digital print artworks are quite safe and less vulnerable to the whims of weather or the ravages of time. They enjoy a long life and can give you your money's full worth.
Original art paintings have greater intrinsic worth and even though they may not have some of the features enjoyed by their digital counterparts, they can make your living room look like a kaleidoscope of life, romance and nature.
Both kinds of artworks are interesting and have their own share of audience. You can buy them online at very reasonable prices.
Do you want quality original art paintings as well as print art designs for home decor. Then, make a visit to http://fabuart.com/, where you can find a huge collection of art paintings under every major segment.
Art And Culture In Antigua And Barbuda
It was also a resource for supplies such as crops and timber. With 96% of the population being descendants of African slaves, the language, music, and art have strong ties to their African heritage.
The British influence can be seen all over the islands. It can be seen in architecture and design of historical buildings and cobblestone roads. Although the modern dialect is a diverse one, the prominent language there is English. There are several religions among the residents, but the majority of the population is Christian.
Artists abound on the islands, from painters to sculptors, pottery designers to basket weavers, musicians to dancers. Art is important to the people and is evidenced in the number of museums, art galleries and cultural centers located there. The cultural centers offer classes in art, dancing and music. You can attend musical events, art exhibitions or see a play.
There are several museums on the islands. One museum has a display of carved jade pieces. Jade was mainly used to carve symbolic figures. The local jade was the only source for the early artisans.
Another natural resource available to the artists is clay. Clay is collected from local pits and used to hand craft pottery. The local clay is also used for sculpting. The art of Indians who populated the area before the British settled there has been incorporated into pottery, sculptures and other works of art.
The music of the islands is one place where you can find a strong African influence. Calypso is a lively type of music the slaves brought from their native home. It has an upbeat and happy rhythm though the words are usually satirical. Slaves working in the fields could not talk to each other. The plantation owners did not understand the native language of slaves, so they sang as they worked and communicated with music.
Drums were an important part of the slaves native music.. Since there was no bamboo available to make the types of drums played in their native land, they invented the steel drums that are featured in Calypso bands today. In 1834 the British government abolished slavery in the islands. Every year since, there is a huge celebration featuring a carnival and Calypso music.
As in most places, the art and culture in Antigua and Barbuda is closely tied to the ancestors of the people. The cultures that populated the area before them hold a place in the history of their land. The people celebrate their diverse culture, and keep it alive in museums, culture centers and art. As with most cultures, their history and ancestors define who they are today.
Kenth Bender artist, Want to know more go to: http://www.fine-art-bender.com
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Non-Figurative Abstract Art - Past and Future
Non-figurative abstraction begins with the imaginative power of humans. Clearly distinguishable from fantasy art, the form reflects reality in non-figurative expressions. In simpler words, non-figurative abstract art depicts real forms in rather a different way. Abstract art is not an outcome of the 20th century thinkers, contrary to popular belief. It also does not have a sudden origin. If we go back to the Islamic and Jewish religions, where depiction of human bodies was a definite no-no, then we can find a lot of calligraphy and non-figurative art forms. Let us even date back to the prehistoric times, where humans used symbols for fire, water or thunder, which are hard for a modern man to interpret. However, those prehistoric creations have an eternal appeal to the modern men, because of the intrinsic aesthetics. Therefore, we can take those depictions of our ancestors as work of abstraction.
What history says?
People regard Wassily Kandinsky as the father of abstract art. Though started with figurative work in 1910, he gradually moved out of it and concentrated on non-figurative forms. Painters like Kasimir Malewich followed his path and took the art form to another level. His paintings were mostly on simple geometric forms. Other artists following Kandinsky's path were Paul Klee, Raoul Dufy, and Piet Mondrian. Piet Mondrian pioneered the first non-figurative abstract paintings.
In the middle of the 20th century, some landmark events totally changed the normal course of abstraction. The Jewish persecution by Hitler, the World War II, and admonition of modern art by the Nazis resulted in immigrant ultramodern European artists into the United States of America, in hundreds of numbers. This brought forward a fresh wave in the American art scenario, resulting in the birth of Abstract Expressionism.
Abstract Expressionism - What it is
Abstraction actually removes the reality in an object. The degree of removal varies from partial to complete. The image becomes a replica of the reality in its subtle form.
The term does not depict any style. It is rather a concept of performing art. The movement, consisting of famous artists like Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock, pushed all the traditional boundaries beyond every limit. Mark Rothko introduced one segment of abstraction with unified blocks of color, popularly known as "Color Field Abstract Art". The other segment included multiple genres like Cubism, Expressionism, Action painting, and Surrealism. However, the core of abstract work remains in depicting the subconscious of the artist on canvas.
Phenomenal wave created by the masters
Pablo Picasso, in the first decade of the twentieth century, created a new wave in the world of abstraction. It drastically changed the presentation, forms, and styles of creations and created a ripple of movements; affecting the works of poets, musicians, and authors all across the globe. Practice of Cubism by George Barque in his emotionally charged paintings with altered forms, colors, and shapes of Expressionism laid the plinth of abstraction. The form also gathered its inspiration from post-Impressionism artists like Gauguin, Vincent Van Gogh, and Cezanne. During the early twentieth century, Henry Matisse, along with his followers, introduced Fauvism. It concerned usage of raw colors.
What makes abstract art different?
The basic characteristic that differentiates abstract art from realism is the fluidity. This form represents things that lie beyond the visionary perception of human beings, like sound, emotion or spiritual experience. To quote Kandinsky, "of all arts, abstract painting is the most difficult. It demands that you know to draw well, that you have a heightened sensitivity for composition and of colors, and that you are a true poet; this last is essential."
The future of abstract painting
With advent of newer tools and methodologies, there is a shift in style from the traditional ones like color field painting and action painting. Forms take different shapes, ideas become modern, and fresh thoughts arise. However, the basic idea behind abstraction remains the same. Non-figurative abstract art definitely has a colorful and bright future.
Sumita Dutta is an expert writer and art connoisseur. Her articles cover a lot of information on fine art and abstract artists. You can find beautiful non-figurative abstract artwork at http://modernartindia.wordpress.com/paintings. The artwork pieces create elegance and beauty in your home. Prices are affordable. Create a room with a character.
Friday, 20 September 2013
Painting in Oils - When a Good Painting Goes Bad, Is There a Cure?
What possible 'cure' might you find for a half-finished oil painting you realise is 'terminal'? Begun with such enthusiasm, it had you feeling on fire with inspiration. Now it hangs, dull and somehow lifeless on the easel and you wonder: 'what to do next?' In truth, the best answer is: 'dump it and start over.'
To destroy it after all the hope, the hours of work you've put in, is a gut-wrenching prospect.
- So, before you pull the last hairs from your scalp or resort to the whiskey bottle, you sink back in your 'thinking' chair - I do hope you have one in the studio - to consider the options:
1.You might move one element - a figure, a building or a tree - to a more prominent place in the picture, because you realise the painting lacks a strong focal point.
2.You might change the colouring of some element - the woman's dress to an eye-catching yellow, the roof of the house to a bright red, or the water in the river to vivid greens.
- No. You won't do any of that, because you already know the dangers of over-painting in oils.
3. You might de-mount the canvas and cut a bit off one side or another.
- It won't help. You already know enough about composition to realise such action would throw everything out of balance.
With that thought, you've reached the Eureka Moment. Your own mind threw up the clue. Composition.
The word stings its way around your brain as you check through the basic rules of composition, learned when you were a student.
1. In a landscape, the horizon must never cut the canvas in half but be placed one-third or two-thirds down from the top.
2. The horizon should never stretch in an unbroken line from edge to edge of the canvas.
3. The focal point, or most important feature of the painting, must always be placed off-centre.
- You followed the rules. So why does this painting look 'wrong?' Well, that flash of inspiration you had, that enthusiastic rush to get started on this painting is the most likely cause of your problems with it now. Sad to say, friend, you'd better face facts.
Be prepared to scrape right down to the primer or else get some trusted person to destroy the failed thing. When you've dried your eyes, please open your ears to an easy way to avoid feeling this anguish ever again.
- You know The Golden Rule but do you know the carpenters' rule? It goes like this: Measure Twice, Cut Once. You can apply the concept to every new, blank canvas you face in the future. Of course, you're not going to take a knife to that new canvas. You'll use a ruler and take some measurements.
On the new canvas, mark the centre with a piece of charcoal. Using a T-square and a ruler, draw horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines, through the centre point to each edge of the canvas. You've now made what I call 'The Star.' So, how does it help?
- It reminds you not to place the focal point on any of its arms. For example, you'll avoid placing the eyes of the subject in a portrait, the head of the lead horse in a group, or the most interesting feature of a landscape on these lines. This way, the viewers' gaze is directed around the painting, always drawn back to your focal point, as planned.
Other artists will have their special 'cures' for a painting gone wrong but in the case of an oils-on-canvas painting, this is one I know to be reliable in avoiding problems before you start painting.
Dorothy Gauvin is an internationally acclaimed Australian painter in oils who specialises in an epic theme of Australia's pioneers. See images of her 'Life-Story' portraits, an ABC of homemade tools for painters with arthritis, plus tips and advice for aspiring artists and collectors on her website at http://www.artgallerygauvin.com/
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Daniel Chiriac: Creating a Life of Art by Painting Beauty
Daniel Cristian Chiriac, born 1972 in Romania, paints oil on canvas. His preferred styles are realism and surrealism. After a long period of abstractionism (before 2006), Chiriac rediscovered the beautiful paintings of the old masters. Being more and more interested in the old masters techniques, he slowly abandoned the abstract art style and turned to surrealism, fantastic realism and classical realism style. Most of his time is dedicated to his little daughters and wife and of course, creating art. Here today, he brings to us his story complete with perspicacity and personal anecdotes relating to his experience of life as an artist.
What is the story behind the works you wish to focus on "Till the end of time" and "The last love of Don Juan"?
Well, it's not so much the story behind them than the fact these two paintings are my favorites.
"Till the end of time" is a painted love poem to my sweet lady, Daniela. She is the sitting model for my painting.
The picture is a symbol of time evanescence. Being so, all that counts in the end is love which must be preserved along the years.
This painting is also my first conscientious attempt to deal with the golden proportion. I never ever, before or after this have done so many calculi for a single composition! Who's that to tell that love isn't mathematics?! Well, my love is mathematics... Daniela is a math teacher.
As for the second painting, I was thinking about this subject for a couple of years before getting started painting it. I saw this title on the street. It was a theater play. The play is quite obscure and I didn't see it so my composition has nothing in common with it except for the title. All the inspiration came from that title around which I developed the story starting from this question:
- What if Don Juan didn't go to hell after his last "love"?
I looked over this question with an optimistic vision, somehow pre-raphaelistic, and not in a pessimistic, post-modern philosophical view ( If post-modern, I would have needed to think upon Don Juan's last love as the term itself says: last..so, the very last of Don Juan's loves. As if he knew it is the last one and then think what would have been his feelings about... well... I digress... let's go back to the main story...
So this is my story:
What if Don Juan had stopped flying from one flower to another? According to the legend of Don Juan, he didn't stop seducing women and his end was in hell... but, being myself a romantic type, I thought that, in certain circumstances, Don Juan could have also been seduced and so, to find "the only one" that was truly for him.
This is the subject of my "The last love of Don Juan"... well, I think that the title should be "The only love of Don Juan" because I think all his "activity" was only a performance not love because I do believe in true love comprised of devotion, respect and sacrifice (unfortunately, so depreciated in these days of exacerbated egoism)... and therefore this is my version of the legend of Don Juan ending: I think that Don Juan could have found his true love with divine help only.
The foreground sculptural element including the chalice, the hand and the pomegranate, represents the life of Don Juan as we knew it: full of lust, carnal pleasure, in a continuous hunt to feed the personal pleasure, all of these, under a demonic influence.
With divine help - which is represented by the dodecahedron which is a symbol of the heaven substance (according to Aristotle) - Don Juan found a woman who embodied all the meanings of a virgin (note the Virgo constellation on the dodecahedron). Only a perfect Virgo could "capture" the soul of Don Juan, I think.
After that, Don Juan realized that his previous life was just a mask and casts it off and then flew for his love on a silver string to the Moon. The Moon itself is at the first quarter which means that the new love is growing.
I don't know if what was in my mind is well transposed onto the canvas, but I hope I managed to do it at least a half of that.
Tell me which old masters influence you:
Actually, when is about influence, I can't give a particular name I very much like Caravaggio and he influenced me. Then there are various Old Dutch painters. But, the main influence in my realist art comes from contemporary realist artists who I think are better in depictions, yet, maybe not as good on the crafting-side of making a painting. I mean by that in regards to the use of techniques that ensure a very good and long preservation of paintings.
How long have you considered yourself an artist?
Maybe since I was 16 or 17... not sure exactly, but I'm sure I was thinking that I have artistic skills. This was also a time when even though I wasn't drawing a single line I considered I made art simply by walking on a street or talking to friends. My mind was way way too open to what art making is. Anyway, I became confident that I'm an artist when I began making a living through art.
Tell me about your first experience painting with oil:
Oh, that's so far in the past! I was a child... Was I 7 or 8? Not sure exactly what was my age when the family friend, who also is the one who initiated me in art, made me a gift box of oil color tubes. He gave it to me and nothing more. No instructions, no guidance... nothing! As you would give a chocolate to a kid and it's something obvious that kids know what to do with. Also, he didn't give me a canvas. So that I painted my first oil painting on paper. That kind of paper you can find for children's watercolors. Had no thinner either, so of course, my brushes were ruined.
I remember that the greatest surprise was to see how long oils take to dry! And also, how many things get dirty... I still remember the subject was a still life of a handcrafted vase having some roses applied on it like a high-relief sculpture. In the vase were roses, too. It was my "early masterpiece" a thing for my mother to praise to her friends long afterwards. Well, quite surprisingly for me, I liked that painting, too. It's a rule for me not liking my paintings more than a few weeks... well, with 2 - 3 exceptions.
What things inspire you to create art?
Things that I think are beautiful. And that can be everything. It depends by the artist's eye. After all, isn't the artist's job to identify beauty where the ordinary eyes see nothing but ordinary things and so, to bring them face-to-face with that beauty through the work of art?
I remember a funny situation about a thing that inspired me. Well, it's true that it was when I was abstractionist, so I've got excuses. So, being at toilet and having nothing, I saw some cracks in the walls with ceramic tiles and found that design interesting. I looked over them, canalized then and came to the conclusion there's a nice subject for a painting. If you look over my abstract gallery, you will see a polyptych painting (4 pieces), green colors predominant, few of reds and blues. That's the resulted artwork inspired by the crackled bathroom ceramic tiles.
What are you trying to convey through your art? What does it mean to you?
Well, I believe that an artist is to bring up to the worldview beauty, simply beauty as the main rule. The rest must be a rare exception. I think that what doesn't fall under this rule is not art. As I think that an artist's eye must be trained to see beauty, I don't try to convey nothing but beauty and this means the whole philosophy to me. No other philosophy, not any alembicated discourse like "spotted in light of art, anchored in the synergy of facts, the recourse to reality, do not elude the meanders of concrete space."
I'm walking at vegetable market and see a tasty sweet pepper for soup; I see a nice still life painting. Also, like the answer to the previous question, one may only see some cracks in the tiles, I may see a painting. So, my mission is to reveal the beauty there where no other eye sees it but the artist's eye does.
Tell me about your creative process, from the beginning of a work to its completion:
Day after day, night after night, I keep ideas on the first support I may find when the inspiration strike. Most of time, the only available support is my own memory... which, unfortunately, is not my best support for the purpose. So that way many ideas are lost for good. Although, I have stored a lot of ideas on written notes or fast sketches.
Funny thing is that, so often I don't use that pile of ideas to start a new painting but the most recent idea that struck me. This why an artist must be a monk if he want almost all his ideas transposed onto the canvas (or any other support... or else learn to paint much faster, not so slow like me. As I said before, ideas come from all over the place from the restroom or vegetable market, to the actual reality at dream reality.
When it is about realist paintings, I set down the model, I do the composition, and then I start painting. Quite simple. I don't make multiple compositions to choose from as I'm confident on my first impulse. Painting process itself is a love / hate activity for me. Until 2006, all of my life, even as a kid, despite suggestions of that early mentor who gave me the first oils and who really hated abstract art, I loved abstractionism and I created accordingly. Well, there was such a joy to paint so! On good days (OK, nights) I had been painting 2, 3 or even 4 paintings! The main problem was that that joy was short lasting... like an energy drink... There's only one painting from that period I still like - Solar Incandescence.
Since surrealism and realism, I almost hate painting process itself because it's so slow - 2 days for a small ACEO miniature (2.5 x 3.5 inches) to sometimes months for large paintings like "Till the end of time". The reward of this pain comes greatly when the painting is ready. Yes is true, the joy of picture I have done disappears eventually, but it lasts much longer and gives me much more satisfaction and gives me a complete feeling and confidence that I'm really an artist. I didn't see much difference between me and a carpet designer when I was abstractionist (forgive me carpet designers).
When it is about surrealism, an idea becomes sketch then sketch a preliminary composition drawing. Then I search for models of objects in my surreal composition. If human bodies, it's time for photo shooting session: me, my wife and my children. If objects of any kind, a photo shooting too. Of course, there's always need for hand drawings as well.
Then, to speed up the process, I use my computer to mock-up from photos and hand drawings into an image as close possible to the final painting picture. I may or not (most often, not) do some color studies. With that image on the display monitor, I start drawing on a paper at the same size of canvas. I make changes if I feel it is needed, I transfer it onto the canvas... and... again, the slow process of painting starts.
No matter realist or surrealist, when I get the painting ready, I hide it from my view for a day or two then, I hang it on the wall. If a week or so passed and nothing on the picture "scratched" my eyes, I then consider my job done and I sign it.
What exposure have you had?
I had no live exposure, I mean no show in brick and stones gallery. And this is because I never could keep the required number of paintings for a show. Internet is my gallery and place for competitions. Yet, I didn't apply to online paid competitions as I'm not a gambler. There are so many wonderful artists applying so that you must be lucky to win even when you're very good.
Yet, I have won 2 awards:
First place in a competition held by ArtJudge.com - oil painting contest
Honorable mention at "Genbaku Dome" art contest by Japanese Post
The most beautiful recognition for me is when my customers send me pictures of my paintings hanging on their home walls along with enthusiastic thanks.
What has been the most unexpected reaction your art?
It happened recently. Someone found my website last year (2012) and was amazed by an abstract expressionist triptych of 3 horses that I painted many years ago. She sent me a very surprising email according to which I'm quite a genius, at least at that moment of creation. I was very surprised by such a flattering feedback moreover finding her graduated from art academy. After this all, I had a commission. Even though I had stopped painting abstract long ago, I accepted her commission and I started painting it. She wanted me to paint for her something of same subject, same manner. I've told her it won't be a copy. Something looking like it at most.
I was very excited as I had rediscovered the joy of abstract painting. So excited than I didn't see my work in an objective manner... she told me to "go wild" onto the canvas... and so, thinking that the painting was finished, I sent her pictures of it. It wasn't the most pleasant reaction. It seemed it would be better if I had been done a copy... which I can't.
Well, I continued the work at the painting until it got a closer look to the old painting and I found it even better than the first one. Even so, the enthusiasm of my commissioner was lost for good. I found it so unexpected because of the huge difference between her first reaction and the last one. Now, you can see that commissioned painting here for sale:
Do you have any regrets in your life as an artist?
I may have... Not so sure... Because I don't know if my life would be the same now... and my life it is. So, if it be to call this a regret, this is the fact that I didn't go to art academy. When I finished up high school, I thought about what I wanted from my life and I decided I want to get rich. Soooo, I went to the Law school, where else to go in order to get rich without a dead rich relative. I was a good law student until the true calling emerged and made law study impossible for me. Hardly, I finished that school but I never practiced.
Even though I consider art school not something a painter must do, yet it offers an impulse for sustained work. You know, a natural gift is nothing without training and when nothing but your own will and self-determination put you to work, the chance to become lazy is quite big.
What plans do you have for the future of your art?
Plans... I want my realist art to be good enough to get short-listed at the artrenewal.com annual painting contest... well, and at the BP portraiture contest (UK). I also want to do a first one-man-show in a real gallery. I don't strive for that, but I want to take the only advantage therein of a regular job: sure and constant salary. Yes, I've got a job. Times are hard for making a living from art only.
Do you have any advice for emerging artists?
Keep hard at work always practicing and learning from any source. Promote your art as much as you can but keep watch on time spent on it. There are so many promoting a lot and creating less and so coming to a point when there is nothing new to promote. Be more artist than advertiser. Keep watching for artists you think make art better than yours. Don't strive for a "personal touch." Strive for a better technique first then that thing which makes your art unique, that cognoscible personal touch will appear naturally.
Share something interesting in your life that relates to your art:
As I told you above, I was student of Law school and during that period I barely picked up a pencil. So, my girlfriend, my lady today, didn't know about my artistic background. I didn't tell her a word about it. After almost an entire year since our coup de foudre, my change back to art resurfaced and I painted a couple of paintings. One day she visited my home and I showed her my work telling her my plan to make a life as an artist. A few seconds after, she was weeping silently... and this was not of joy... 5 years later I married her.
How do you show your art to the public?
Nearly all of my collectors are outside my country yet I do promote myself locally too in my small city. The local gallery curator still awaits my paintings for a show. I was close to achieving that 3 years ago, when I managed to keep all the necessary paintings less 4 or 5 more, when my first baby girl was born. This event needed money... so I had to sell all my available paintings and so the show was postponed.
I also have a Fine Art Gallery online with photos of completed works and my own YouTube channel where viewers may watch my creative process.
Read more from this author at Inspiration and Originality Underlined - a blog celebrating creativity.
Please visit the above link for all of Rebecca's art-related articles and artist interviews.
Floral Art Paintings: Take the Beauty of Nature to Your Living Room
It is always important to stay intimate with nature. In the new era, people find it quite impractical to take daily walks in the park or jungles nearby, owing to their busy schedules. The next best and often-suggested alternative to tie one's soul with the charm of nature is to bring it to your living room through some kind of artworks, say floral art paintings or nature art paintings.
A painting that depicts flowers can do great wonders to your soul and spirit. A flower may appear as an innocuous little thing. But it can convey emotions and happiness in a brilliant and effortless way. So, when you steal a passing glance at such a painting hanging in your wall, your eyes automatically earn pleasure and enhance your mood.
Flower paintings have been popular amongst the artists since time immemorial. A number of renowned artists have used floral paintings to manifest a bouquet of emotions and even tell stories in a silent and subtle way. While hanging a painting of a flower in your living room, you can make certain choices.
For instance, if you have recently tied the knot and aspire to spread an ambience of love in your home, then you can opt for a painting which shows one or more red roses. In case you need something to elicit smile on your face, then a yellow daffodil will also be a great choice.
Flowers have this happy personality which can brush on to you very easily. So when you put up a picture of a floral art in your rooms, then you can expect a revival of spirits. We often get bowed down by the daily rigors of life. Returning home with a stupendous artwork waiting there smilingly can be a great stress-reliever for you and everybody.
Well, floral artworks can be of an eclectic kind. Some are pretty straightforward, while some can be abstract and even profound in their meaning. If there are many members in your family, then you can also opt for a painting which will contain a basket of different flowers. Each flower with its own hue and kind can convey a different set of emotion.
Each will appeal to a different member of the family and can thus instil a harmonious atmosphere in the house. So, it is said, and rightly so, that a floral painting can help family live together in great harmony and without any malice or acrimony which is so common in today's times!
Floral paintings and artworks of your preference can be easily bought online at very nominal prices. The best place for you to get the best floral and nature artworks is FabuArt, just clicking here at http://fabuart.com/art-painting-s/floral
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Simple Card Making Ideas For Kids
Irrespective of whether it is a thank you card, anniversary wishes or birthday greetings, homemade greeting cards are an excellent craft that will be cherished by kids. Sometimes, this skill can act as the base for developing many other skills in your child like writing, painting, drawing, etc. It can also bring about an improvement in their concentration power as they will be too much focused when they are made to participate in an activity that impresses them a lot.
There are art journaling workshops conducted by some studios for teaching this skill not only for kids, but also for adults as well. This practice will develop the communication skill in your child to express their feeling in a non-verbal way. You can teach your child that the simplest cards can be made just with a chart, pen, pencil and glittering pens and so you need not worry as to whether your child will make his room shabby by spraying and dropping color paints on the wall and on the floor.
Here are some simple card making ideas that will be of great help to children to make not only themselves, but also their parents, friends and even teachers happy by presenting them with greeting cards for different occasions that are made with their little hands:
As compared to paper card stock can be used and this will ensure that there will not be any crease or bend. Another benefit about this product as against the paper is that when colors are used, they will not be visible on the other side. Even there are thick papers available in the market and they can also be used in the process.
You can ask your kid to draw a picture of his interest and if he is intending to present it to his friend on his birthday, you can teach him to write some birthday messages on the reverse side. On the front side, let his drawing be present and on the reverse side let the message be written.
Children generally love stickers of their favorite superheroes like Spiderman, Batman, etc. So, you can also get the stickers of these popular personalities in stock in your home. This will be helpful for your child to make use of them as and when needed. Even though, this is one of the popularly known card making ideas for children, it is worthy.
So, start inquiring about art journaling workshops that are conducted either online or near your home and enroll your kid for developing his creativity.
Are you looking for creative and unique card making ideas, then Saranaumann.com is the right place for you. It is the best online source to get new collection of collage work and handmade cards. To explore more details about art journaling workshop, please Click Here.
Monday, 16 September 2013
The Virgin Artist - Watercolor Painting Supplies for the Beginner
All artists have had "firsts". Every first-time art class or workshop starts with a materials list from the instructor. Every art book begins with a chapter on "materials" and the artist usually offers his or her own favorite palette colors.
Of course, our inclination is to purchase everything on the list, and sometimes lots more. It all looks so inviting at the art store!
After years of classes and many week-long workshops with various artists, I have learned to peruse the list for something unusual (rice paper, perhaps). Then I stick to my own supplies and favorite colors, paper and brushes. Most of the other items are just artist preference if you are taking a straight-forward class, and not something entirely new to you like collage.
So what should a newbie watercolor artist purchase? I would suggest this basic list of watercolor art supplies, that will get the new artist painting along in about anyone's workshop. You can always add something the instructor is demonstrating to your tool box later.
1) Palette - I use a large plastic palette with 30 wells and 2 center areas for mixing. Way more than you will need, but get one with approximately 20 wells so that you have room to add colors that you discover as you learn to paint. A ceramic palette is lovely and does not stain but it is also heavy and not ideal for traveling back and forth to class.
2) Paint colors. I would say that starting with 12 basic colors will get you quite far in your painting endeavors. Here's my recommended color list:
- Brown Madder
- Burnt Umber
- Raw Sienna
- Hooker's Green Deep
- Azo Yellow
- Gamboge
- Perm Red Deep (or a good solid primary red)
- Quinacridone Rose (or Alizarin Crimson)
- Ultramarine Deep
- Cobalt Blue
- Prussian Blue
- Indigo
Different manufacturers use different names but many are the same. Shop around. You don't need lots of greens, oranges, purples to start. You can mix many of the colors that you need. This basic palette will give you room to experiment and expand as you want to add other colors like Quinacridone Gold (one of my favorites!) or a lovely Turquoise or Cerulean Blue for interesting skies. Paint is quite expensive so look for sales. Many of my colors are from two brands - Rembrandt, and American Journey (a proprietary brand from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff). You want tube sizes of approx. 14 or 15 ml. The rest are too small to fill the paint wells. You do not need white - I use white only for mistakes! Black is not a necessary color either - you can mix lovely darks with the colors listed above.
3) Paper. My first purchase was a small pad of what was supposed to be 140-lb watercolor paper. That is a standard weight that many artists use. But I soon purchased a much higher quality watercolor block by Arches (it was on sale) and it was an "AHA Moment"! The original paper was really much lighter, had poor texture and the paint did not flow and adhere as nicely as with the better paper. So don't go too cheap with the paper - you will not learn the really paint unless you use good paper. I would suggest a block of Arches 140-lb cold press (9″ x 12″" is a good size to start). Or a pack of 10 full-size sheets of 140-lb cold press (good texture, not too rough) paper, which cuts into four 1/4-sheets for standard painting size. I use full sheets of Kilimanjaro from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, but also look into Fabriano as well. If you have just a little bit of paper, you will not experiment and paint. So purchase a good pack and paint away!
4) Brushes can make or break your painting too. I have a large selection of all sorts - synthetic, 50%/50% synthetic and natural, and 100% natural hair bristles. Each serves a purpose and creates different strokes. a good synthetic 1 1/2″ brush is perfect for initial washes of color or water. You will want a 1″, 1/2″ and maybe 1/4″ flat brush, and a #4 and 8 round. If you can find a good deal on 50/50 brushes I would say go that way. I use various brands, but one of my favorite sets is from an artist Tom Jones. He sells a lovely set of 50/50 brushes through Jerry's Artarama for a great price, and it is a perfect set to start with. Some of the brushes also have a chisel point end so you can scrape tree branches and lines. You will use this set for many years, as I have and still do. I also have the Joe Miller Signature Series 100% Natural Brushes from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff in NC. Each brush holds water and paint differently, each has a special cut, some have a great point for fine lines, some are great for large washes. You will have fun finding your favorites.
5) Extras - Just a few more things that you will need to complete your tool kit.
- Any plastic container will do for water - old Tupperware containers are great.
- You will need a roll of paper towels, and a box of facial tissues (do NOT buy the kind with lotion in them! Basic grocery store brands are fine).
- Large Spray bottle that "sprays", not shoots a stream (check home improvement store or dollar store).
- Sketchbook. Can't plan out your painting without one!
- Paint Tube Wringer: this is a great investment! Paint is very expensive so you want to wring the last drop out of the tube (like toothpaste... ). Just insert the tail of the tube and wind it toward the front slowly.
- Masking fluid - this is rather optional but many instructors will demonstrate this in a workshop. Choose "Temporary" masking fluid, or Drawing Gum. Masque Pen makes one too. Buy a cheap brush to apply the masking fluid or it will ruin any good brush!
- White eraser. You can draw with any pencil but purchase a small white eraser - don't use what's on the pencil or you will mark your watercolor paper.
There are so many fun things that you can buy! My studio is packed so it is obvious that I have had a great time with my art supplies! But hold off until you see which way your painting style is going. It also gives your friends and family ideas and gifts to give you as you progress!
If you have questions about supplies, I am happy to discuss them with you. I would love to see how you start and how you progress! Contact me anytime! Barb@BarbCapeletti.com
Barb Capeletti is a Florida watercolor artist who was won awards for her paintings and is currently shown in the North Beach Art Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Barb sells art print, note cards and original watercolor paintings and supports local fundraisers.
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Modern Wall Art Paintings: Brief Introduction to Contemporary Art
As you live in the modern era, you need to keep pace with the modern art. One of the best ways to revamp your house, clubs or office is to decorate their walls with variety of wall art paintings. Modern wall art painting could enliven your space and inject a spark that otherwise was not there. The beauty of these art paintings can be gauged from the fact that their sale has reported a sharp increase in recent times.
With urbanization kicking in, people are fast shifting basic settlements to elite houses and mansions. Even the furniture has gone through a sea change in the current decade. So, to match these new settings and the new style of decor, it becomes imperative to hang some contemporary art works in your living room and bedroom.
Modern wall art painting is not an un-heard form of art, despite the fact that its origin is fairly new. Keeping in tune with the changed lifestyle and decor, this art has been developed to breathe freshness to contemporary homes. It won't be wrong to cite that it has its roots in old forms of arts and is obliged heavily to its more archaic ancestors.
Having said that, one must acknowledge that it has maintained its own stead, and has always been accepted as a distinct form of contemporary art! The texture is finer and the detailing can be a lot nuanced. These paintings may emulate the past or take inspiration from some other forms of art, but they never fail to manifest their originality.
Though, wall paintings can be hung in all sorts of houses, they are more suited to urban houses where the decor and furniture are rather contemporary. However, if you have a classic decor, then you can still scour the internet or art stores to find some kind of typical abstract paintings that will fit into your homes and their furnishings amazingly.
These paintings also fit into offices where the general tendency is to create a milieu that can evoke inspiration, productivity and creativity. Such paintings can warm up the heart and refresh memory, thereby evoking high productivity and keeping stupor and monotony at bay.
Professionals these days are putting a lot of effort into making paintings which can suit the varied needs of people. With times, art has evolved and so have the artists. At times, an unknown amateur can produce a masterpiece. Aided by technology, the young artists of today are finding a platform for their creation.
Over the years, internet has become the endearing bazaar where painters can get an audience and buyers can bring home some beautiful abstract paintings. FabuArt is a prominent platform where you can find a lot of abstract art painting and wall art paintings for the purpose of home and office decoration. Check out our gallery here, http://fabuart.com/Modern-Art-Paintings
Elizabeth J. White: Capturing Simple Things in Life With Art
Elizabeth White creates her art at home in Easley, South Carolina. Working mainly in acrylic, she does not limit herself. White also uses oil, watercolor, pencil, charcoal and other mediums in creating her art. She considers her style as traditional and she also experiments with different forms of art. Her works are sometimes abstract as well as portrait, landscape and fantasy. "I love to paint, and create; I don't want to sound cliché but to me art is me - who I am as a person." Artworks by White are on display in Greenville, SC at Les Beaux Art, in the village of West Greenville.
Elizabeth White introduces herself:
I have been told my first creation was on mama's pots and pans. I can't say I am from anywhere really; I was born on an airforce base, the middle of three children, so we traveled often. Creating art from memories is something I love doing. I draw inspiration from the old adage, "The best things in life are free" and they truly are, like a church on the hillside overlooking fields of grain, little children playing with all the wonderment of their first experience of the leaves changing color, a quiet day on a old tire swing by the lake. Many things that inspire me, my granddaughter my family, my country, events, one thing is I always give myself in my art, from something that touches me and warms my heart to something so wonderful that I see and the colors stand out vividly... even from dreams, I love to paint, and in between my paintings I love to sketch; and in all my art I feel I leave something of myself.
How long have you considered yourself an artist?
Some of my friends and family members have called me that for years now, but when my sister passed away, I promised I would show my work. And so, for only about five years now I have been showing and selling my art. You might say I am a late bloomer as far as putting my work out in the public eye. Now that things are starting to come together, I want to honor my late sis and use art to raise funds to find a cure for cancer. This is so dear to my heart, as is my sister.
Tell me about your first experience creating in your current medium:
My very first painting in acrylic was at the age of ten. My Uncle Ron, now retired as a commercial artist for an airline, gave me tips on drawing horses. He lived far from us, so I began practicing over and over, so that when he came back for a visit I was ready with my art, to get his critique. I was so thrilled when he told me I was now doing horses better than him! I realize now how he was encouraging me because I still have that first horse in my portfolio book 1971 and I can tell now that poor horse had some issues. I have to say, for a shy girl, that was the spark to light the fire which I have felt within me since as far back as I can recall.
What things inspire you to create art?
First of all the world around me, My granddaughter who is my light, my country, my family, music, sunset, sunrise, a great mountain view or a picnic by the lake. All these and more.
What are you trying to convey through your art? What does it mean to you?
I guess in light of all the bad going on in the world I would hope someone, in viewing my art could have a warm sweet feeling to take away with them. I hope it reminds them of the things we have here and need to appreciate, that don't cost a dime. I hope to take the viewer to a simple place in time and in all my art I leave a object sometimes easy to find sometimes hard to find which I save for the viewer to find.
Tell me about influences:
Firstly my sis and my Uncle Ron. Some of the greats, Norman Rockwell; and the late painter of lights Thomas Kinkade, who inspired a series of watercolor paintings I did called "lights out" which is all natural lights in the night skies.
Tell me about your creative process, from the beginning of a work to its completion:
OK it may seem like a crazy frenzy, but many times I will sketch out things over and over and then it comes to me - what to paint. I guess If I had to think about my process it would be first, to get my canvas ready and primed. Then if I am doing, for instance, a lake I will lay out my lines just to know where things will go, and figure in which way the light is coming and where my shadows are. And then I begin painting. I am hoping to get more equipment so I can go to locations and paint more landscapes in open air.
What exposure have you had?
I have been in Greenville, South Carolina's Art in the Park, the Greenwood Festival of Flowers arts and crafts and Art of Recovery 2011, 2012, and 2013. I am now showing with many other talented artist at Les Beaux Arts; I am on wall six.
What is the most unexpected reaction someone had to your art?
Once I saw a photograph and decided to paint from it. I thought my work was nothing like the photograph though. The owner of the photo contacted me and asked if it was for sale. They bought it for $400.00, what a shock!
Do you have any regrets in your life as an artist?
Yes, I wished I had done this and gained exposure at a younger age.
What plans do you have for the future of your art?
I want to grow, I know some may say "at 52, isn't it a bit late?" but I want to study under a master artist. I am always ready to learn at any point in my life. My goal is to one day close in my car-port and make it into a real working studio. One that will be handicap-accessible and have its own entrance. I would like to have a dedicated place to create. Something I would really like to get other artists on board with working on a collection dear to my heart, what I call the pink collection. This collection would be for a campaign I want to call Tyra's Triumph in honor of my late sis, who lost her battle to breast cancer. I hope to get each artist, including my self, to do a work that is pink or has something pink in it. Then a silent auction would be held and the proceeds go to cancer research to find a cure. It is my hope and prayer that nobody should have to go through what I have witnessed my loved ones going through. Cancer research is more important to me than you can ever know; cancer has touched my dad, his brother and sister in the same year, and then two more sisters to cancer. It's time to stop it, and I want to use art as tool to do just that.
Do you have any advice for artists just getting started?
Oh yes, to begin with - and I know this has been said before - but if you want to be an artist to make money, you will never truly be an artist. I feel it has to come from within, a hunger from your soul to want to create something: something new and fresh, day in and day out and never tire of it, if this is how you feel you are already an artist. I also personally feel you always have to be willing to learn and say to your self I don't know everything there is to know and be ready to continue your education and learning always.
I would also like to point out that you don't have to have all the fancy tools, if you have colored paint, paint, if you have a pencil, draw, if you have a surface that will tolerate paint let that be your canvas. Don't sit around waiting for something to happen with your art - make it happen, don't give up, and keep elephant-skin, because not everyone is going to like what you do.
Tell me an interesting personal story from your life relating to art:
I painted a picture of Monks at a New Year's Festival an idea which came from a friend I had as a child, he was my pen pal in Thailand he was also a friend of my dad. My dad was stationed over there and I was sad a lot so he introduced me through letters to Nippon. He taught me much of his way of life and their culture. One thing I remember was about the way the people would give the poor food when they came through the village once a day, and then taught me about the New Year's festival and so that is a painting from my personal life experience.
How do you show your art both on and off the internet?
I am on different websites, I have a small bio on Les Beaux Arts website I have put work up in Easley at Starving Artist Cafe and have actually sold something there. Additionally, I have work in Pickens, Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina.
Have you sold any of your artworks? If so, how?
Yes my first show was at a gallery where I wanted to learn about abstract art. It was something I didn't really care about at that time, now I know it is because I knew so little about it. And so, I took about six one-hour classes. I sold a painting for $300.00 called Banjo Boy and a $200.00 painting, and then I have sold some smaller work.
Read more from this author at Inspiration and Originality Underlined - a blog celebrating creativity.
Please visit the above link for all of Rebecca's art-related articles and artist interviews.
The Art World of the Painter Luella Lulli: Over 100,000 Views on YouTube
The Roman painter Luella Lulli opens the doors of his art to the world conquering immediately people and succeeding in just three months with a Promo video on YouTube, to reach more than 100,000 views.
The Video was produced by GMF Productions & Communications, Guido Maria Ferilli and Alessandro La Vela and Springo Films and directed by Federico Mudoni.
The painter was born in Rome but lives in Galatina in the province of Lecce for some years now.
When she was a child, her mother, left her by her grandmother, the aunt who was a tailor made her sit beside her and gave her a piece of paper and a pencil starting to draw the faces. In high school he preferred to do the portraits of her companions rather than copying the drawings from the book and the professor surrendered his place on the throne so that he could draw the whole class. Luella was then that he learned the technique of tempera, even though he had already experienced that oil and watercolor by means of the father who painted as a hobby. Even his paternal grandmother painted and his cousin Adolf, who was living in Paris was a painter who lived by selling paintings. One day he came to Italy and seeing the pictures of her cousin said he could count on his help from now on because, according to him, had the so-called "eye" of the painter.
That's how it is born talent worldwide Luella Lulli. After various experience in the capital came the turning point of his life and moved with her husband Robert and her three children, in a small town of Salento, Galatina where he still lives, leaving his parents, relatives and friends in Rome.
It was a shock for the young painter who overcame with the help of faith. He made a journey of faith and wrote a book in which his story experience. He also studied at the time of voluntary hence moving away from self.
She opened with her husband, the doors of his house three unhappy girls who had problems at home and avoiding their stay at the Institute. This period built the interior of the artist bringing luggage to paint many pictures of a religious nature: One for all, at that time, which is now on the wall of a church minervino of Lecce and makes a fine show, with the twelve characters a colorful Pentecost.
From 1996 to 1998 began exhibitions of his paintings in various circles including the cultural circle "Green Ray" in Lecce, at which he presented a solo exhibition titled "Rooftops of Rome" and took part in several group exhibitions at the group of cultural engagement "the Last Supper "every year banning the National Competition for Poetry and Painting" Trofeo Città di Lecce. "It was a period in which he painted local landscapes and many participated in two extemporaneous during the summer, one in Nardò and one in Carmiano, then a collective in 97 in the abbey of St. Mary in cerrate and another in Zollino.
In 2011 he met, one of the painters of Margutta, Paolo Veneziani, a great artist estimated and known who had traveled around the world and that he had an atelier in Pescocostanzo summer destination of the painter Luella Lulli for many years. When the painter saw the pictures of Luella was struck by expressing his amazement and admiration.
So Luella said: "It may or may not like my painting, I do not have to think about all the reasons that stop me but to go out, to express, to sing with the colors, my feelings and my feelings, using the resources and capabilities that I have accumulated over the years, ignoring the negative factors, such as not having attended a school. The proximity of other artists, for that combination came into our lives at the time, convinced me that art does not depend on the school and the technical perfection is not part of.
Art is the gift that gives the possibility to express, without words, emotions and thoughts to those who come face to face with simplicity. Even a child can take a breath of art, be it music, painting, writing. Anyone can tell me, I do not like, no one can tell me: You're not an artist!, Words that I heard in a workshop held in Treviso music for young singers in the grass, that I attended and I tapped joy with words of encouragement for me, I accompanied my niece fan of pop music. "
In 2013, after meeting with the Master Guido Maria Ferilli, friend and author of one of the most famous songs in the world "Un amore così grande" and Maestro Alessandro La Vela, producer and promoter for artists have allowed the painter to project his art in the world, thanks to the company GMF Productions & Communications, and increasing demands for artist exhibitions in galleries worldwide including New York, Los Angeles and other countries around the globe.
His famous religious paintings and those dedicated to the city of Rome are literally flying off the shelves in the States.
Particular attention is devoted to one of his latest work, "The" his "Popemobile" where the Artist is able to represent the great humility of Pope Francesco representing him riding a donkey among the people.
Congratulations to Luella and that his art continues more and more to reach every part of the world thrilling the hearts of the people.
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