Wood Graining - The Art of Replicating Wood on Any Surface

Faux finishing is the term which broadly applies to most decorative painting techniques. Faux finishes can generally be divided into four categories: Wall finishes, Specialty Finishes, Marbleizing, and Wood Graining. Common wall finishes are: sponge painting, ragging , color washing etc... Specialty finishes would consist of techniques like crackle, or metallic and patina finishes which are used on small items like picture frames or vases etc... Marbleizing is the art of replicating marble on surfaces , while Wood Graining is the art of replicating various woods on any surface of choice.

Wood Graining Basics

Wood graining requires the use of a "glaze". Glaze (in the world of faux finishing) is a translucent paint base that can be tinted to a desired color needed for the faux finish. A good faux finish glaze will have the ability to hold a pattern without creating a noticeable texture (such as a texture paint would), and be translucent allowing the various layers of glaze to interact with each other. A favorite glaze of mine is Modern Masters Tintable Glaze.

Start with a base coat

A "base coat" is a solid colored background upon which the wood graining technique will be applied. Base coats are usually various shades of "buff" ranging from gold buffs to warmer orange buff colors, other base coat colors are variations of red or coral for Mahogany to light shades of cream for Maple and other light woods.

The key to good graining is to do it in layers

A common method of wood graining is to put down a first "background" layer consisting of wood pores or cell structure over which a second primary grain layer is applied.

The background layer

There are a lot of different variations of background grain that the wood grainer employs depending on the wood he is trying to replicate. One common background graining method is known as "flogging" , which is done by lightly patting the wood graining glaze with the flat edge of the bristles of a Flogger brush. It is not absolutely necessary to use a special Flogger brush (although they do a better job), you can substitute a standard paint brush for flogging


Source : ezinearticles

Different Types of Paint Brushes

Painting is one of the most creative jobs. An artist when he puts his thoughts on to the material it is important that they require complete and a good set of tools that his brush, the palette, and many other things . There are many different kinds of painting brushes from which you can choose from like big, square, small, fan, angle, mop, rigger, Filbert, Bright and many others. These brushes differ in their size, shapes, the fiber used in the brushes, some of these brushes are made of synthetic fibers, natural hair, and some are made of the combination of both synthetic fibers as well as natural hair. These brushes are available in different sizes like some are available in the size of a pencil tip and some are almost as large as a brush used for the painting done in the homes. So there are a wide variety of choices available for the artists to choose their brush which they can be more comfortable with.

Here are few tips which would help you choose the right kind of the brush for your painting experience to be made more beautiful.

To start with it would be a bad idea to refer all those books which tell you about how to paint certain objects with certain objects. Because painting completely depends on your creativity and skill.

For oil painting you'll mainly need two kinds of brushes with different sizes. It would be better to stick to the basics Flats and Filberts. Flat brushes provide you with sharper edges in the course of painting, and on the other hand Filberts create more rounded and softer strokes owing to their shape.

It is better that you have Flats and Filberts of three main sizes, small, medium and large for both the cases.

Incase you are intending to create paintings of size more than 18 by 24 inches then, it is essential that you use large painting brush so that it speeds ups your painting process. An old house brush can also be useful in painting large areas and even for painting the entire canvas with a similar color. These seven brushes can be more than enough for painting but if you are interested to carry some more handy brushes than you can probably go in for a Rigger or a small round brush which you can use for signing your paintings.

As far as it is concerned for synthetic versus natural then natural hair brushes are suitable for oil paintings. So decide on your choice of the paint brushes and do take good care of your paint brushes.

Source : ezinearticles

Introducing Brush Painting to the Early Learner

Learning to handle a big tool can be an adventure, especially if you are a child. There is so much to explore.

The brushes we use in early childhood centers generally have wooden handles of varying lengths with short bristles...hard and soft.

It takes a lot of experimenting to find a comfort level in holding a brush:
Should I use my left or right hand?
How about trying a grabbing, fist-style approach?
What is this "pencil-style" approach?
Which end do I use...the wooden end or the bristle end?
How much noise can I make with this thing?
What happens if I just throw it across the room?
What is this gooey stuff in the pot?

Before the child can begin to think of this new object as a useful tool, he needs to experiment with it. He needs to gather some basic data about its physical characteristics and discover what they mean to him. During this time of exploration, teachers should not expect artwork to magically appear. In fact, no artwork may be produced.

But, after the child has had time to explore the paint brush properties, it will be time to introduce a painting medium.

Learning to dip the brush into a paint pot is an exercise in eye-hand coordination. Eye-hand coordination needs time to develop and can be seen on a time continuum. Some will be naturally better than others. So, what can teachers do to make the child's first painting attempt fun and successful? Here are a few thoughts to consider for the classroom learner.

Use chubby, short handle brushes. They are much easier for the young artist to negotiate.
Use wide tip brushes. Very large brushes that might normally be used to paint the trim on a house would work just fine. A little hand could really get a grip on this type of brush.

Be sure the paint pots are secured to a surface to avoid the artist chasing the pot around the table or even creating spills. A secured pot also allows an artist with any level of coordination to get some paint on that brush.
Use wide mouth paint pots. Save the fancy covered pots for later.

Use a thick paint that will easily stay on the brush while the child learns to take the brush from the paint pot to the paper.

Use a large canvas so the child, regardless of coordination can see the immediate relationship between dipping the brush and making a change on the canvas.

Make sure the canvas is also secure. Clip it to an easel or tape it to a table.

Use one color pigment. Original forays into learning to paint are not about learning to recognize or mix colors.

Learning to paint develops children's important pre-reading and writing skills. As children recognize they can make marks or alter the appearance of paper they want to express themselves. The more competent they become in handling painting tools the more sophisticated their messages become. They want to create their own symbols that can be retrieved. They want to share information through their artwork.

School is often the only place some children can experience the joy of self-expression through art. This sometimes wonderfully messy activity offers great joy to children as they unknowingly develop hand muscles, develop eye-hand coordination, and learn about transferring knowledge through symbols.

Source : ezinearticles

Tips on Oil Painting - Measuring Oil Painting Brushes

Let us begin with the standard type of brushes used when painting with oils. Here they are:

* The Flat - The flat brush has a flat ferrule, is square-ended, and has medium to long hairs. The ferrule of a bush is the metal sleeve used to join the bristles and handle of the brush.

The flat brush able to carry a lot of paint and can be handled fairly easily. It can be used to produce bold sweeping strokes or when used on its edge it can also draw fine lines.

* The Filbert - The filbert brush has a thick, flat ferrule and is oval-shaped with medium to long hairs. It has long handles. It is a compromise between a flat and a round brush. With its soft rounded edges, the filbert brush is often used for blending and drawing. If used for the purpose of blending, natural hair is best because the wet hairs hold together better.

* The Bright - The bright brush has a flat ferrule, short-length hairs, and is usually set in a long handle. The width and length of brush hair is about the same. The bright brush is suitable for short controlled strokes with thick or heavy color.

* The Round - The round brush has a round ferrule, is round or has a pointed tip. It is used to produce fills, washes, and thick to thin lines. A pointed round is good for fine detail. A pointed round brush is with very short hair is called a detailer for obvious reasons.

Then, there are also a number of special oil brushes that are used to accomplish specific tasks. Here are some of them:

* The Fan - The fan brush has a flat ferrule and has hairs spread out in a half circle. It is used for soft blending, smoothing, textures, and specials effects. For soft blending, natural hair is best while synthetic works well for textural effects.

* The One Stroke - The one stroke brush has a flat ferrule, is square-ended, and has medium to long length hairs. It has a short handle and can hold large amounts of paint. It is primarily used to paint block letters in one stroke hence its name.

* The Sash - The sash has long handles and tapered bristles. Bristles are stiff hairs. The sash is perfect for detailed work on large paintings and decorative painting.

* The Script and Liner - The script brush is a pointed, narrow brush with very long hair. Liner brushes have shorter hairs and are narrower. The script and liner brushed have round ferrules, short handles, and high paint carrying capacity. They are used for lettering (such as signing your paintings), outlining, highlighting, and to produce long thin strokes.

The brushes as described above are really more than you need to start painting with oils. If you are a beginning artist it may be a good idea to try out the flats and the filberts first.

For example, learn how to paint with one filbert real well. See how far you can carry your paintings with just this one brush. You will be surprised, after a few months of practice, how versatile that filbert really is.

Source : ezinearticles

Tips on Oil Painting - Measuring Oil Painting Brushes

Oil painting brushes come in all different sizes. In fact, there really is not a consistent standard throughout the industry. Sizes are usually given as numbers. For certain brands and certain sets of brushes these numbers can run from 1 to 24, 10 to 100, or 0 to 30, etc.

You will also find size markings such as 00 (or 2/0). A 00 brush is one size smaller than a 0 brush. Similarly, a 000 (or 3/0) brush is one size smaller than a 00 brush or two sizes smaller than a 0 brush.

Note that not all like numbered brushes are the same size. The actual size depends on the manufacturer and has also to do with the fact that some brushes are manufactured using the imperial system of units and others the metric one. However, you can count on the fact that a higher numbered brush will always be larger than a lower numbered brush. Also, the brushes of a particular series or set will generally be properly sized relative to each other.

The best thing you can do is to physically inspect a set either in an art store or on the Internet (if the merchant shows actual size pictures of the brush set).

One system of measuring brushes in actual measuring units such as millimeters or inches that is in fairly widespread use proceeds as follows:

* Diameter of Brush Head - In this system the diameter of a round brush head is measured at the top edge of the ferrule. The ferrule is the metal ring that holds the brush hair in place on the handle.

* Depth of Brush Head - When you lay a flat brush on the table, then the depth of the brush head is the vertical height of the brush head measured at the top edge of the ferrule.

* Width of Brush Head - The width of a flat brush head is the length of the hair at the top edge of the ferrule measured across the hair. For the flat brush on the table you measure the horizontal width at the top edge of the ferrule. Of course, the width of a round brush is the same as its diameter.

* Length of Brush Head - The length of the brush head is the length measured from the top edge of the ferrule to the tip of the hair along the center of the brush head. For a brush on the table you measure the middle line segment that starts at the top edge of the ferrule and ends at the tip of the brush head.

Brushes should always be measured when dry because when they are wet they expand. Also, do not confuse the width of a brush head with the width of the brush stroke. The width of the brush head is fixed once and for all but the width of a brush stroke varies with pressure, the kind of paint used, the angle of the brush head, and the flexibility of the brush hair.

Source : ezinearticles

Paint Brushes - Many Types

Paint brushes are used to apply paint to a variety of surfaces. There are many different types. Some are artist brushes to paint canvas and some are for painting walls, floors, ceilings and other items.

Natural Brushes

The term natural paint brushes applies to the bristles that they are made from. A horse hair brush is one of the natural kinds. Some people swear by the natural type. Natural ones are the most expensive types. They can be crafted by hand. Artists also prefer them because of their ability to hold the paint so well. They can last for years. They usually are crafted with a sturdy wood handle and are cleaned after each use to preserve the brushes.

Synthetic Brushes

Synthetic brushes are usually made from nylon. The bristles on a synthetic paint brush are made from nylon and sometimes the handle is wood and sometimes it is plastic. Synthetic kinds are a lot less expensive than natural ones and are often just thrown away after use.

Types

Whether synthetic or natural, they come in an array of sizes and uses. There are ones that are made for the specific type of paint to be used, and there are ones used for different types of jobs. There are ones that are wide and used to paint walls and ceilings and other areas that can handle a wide swath of paint at a time. There are some that are cut on angles that are used to cut in walls and ceilings, painting the space where the walls and ceilings connect. There are some that are very thin to get into tight spaces. Artist ones are of course on a much smaller scale than paint brushes that are used to paint walls. There are specialty ones that are used to apply certain materials to a surface that are already frazzled.

Costs

They vary in cost and the price really depends on the materials they are crafted from and what they will be used for. For example artists natural paint brushes that are very small can costs around thirty to forty dollars, where as synthetic ones that are used to paint an entire room can cost five dollars.

Paint brushes come in a variety of styles to fit various needs. They range in cost from the very cheap to the rather expensive.

Source : ezinearticles

Custom Brushes with Photoshop

Making custom brushes is one of the easiest things in the world. Seriously! I don't know why I've read some tutorials that make it out to be this multi-step, intimidating process. Creating your own brushes helps to customize both your artwork and the Photoshop work environment.

The Hard Part

"But ... you said this would be easy!!" Technically, yes, but I've found that some people actually reach a little stumbling block when trying to think of what would make a good brush. Well, the short answer is ANYTHING! I've made brushes out of fuzzy leopard slippers, bananas, old trash cans, fabric swatches, dirt ... hundreds of things. It helps to have a scanner and/or a digital camera ... that really opens up your possibilities. Just a quick walk around your house might yield dozens of fun textures you can make brushes out of. But, even if you don't have either of those, you can often snurch some good textures off the internet. Try a google search for marble tile and see what comes up. Sometimes you'll get a nice big image to work with. I'm not condoning stealing someone's art photos to rip a brush off with, but if it's just a sample photo of tile, or fabric, or screen, or whatever, I think it's perfectly fine ... you'll be drastically changing the image in the next steps anyway.

The Next Steps

Okay, so you've got some good textures then? Right, let's make a custom brush out of 'em! Open up your image in Photoshop. The first thing you'll want to do is desaturate the image (Shift+Ctrl+U in PS7). Then cut and paste what you've got into a new layer. Now delete the background layer. Once you're down to just the single layer, mess with the brightness/contrast until you get the desired effect (this will require you to think a little bit about how you might use the brush in the future - will you be wanting to use it as a 'grunge' effect ... something more technical ... etc. etc.)

The Super Easy Part

Now that you've got the image looking like you want, you'll need to create it as a Photoshop brush. Go to 'Edit' then choose 'Define Brush'. Give your new brush a name and that's it!! Easy, huh?

Saving All Your Hard Work

There are few things worse than having hundreds of cool brushes gone in an instant. It's happened to me on one occasion where my hard drive fried out and I didn't save all my customized Photoshop stuff. So I'm going to help you avoid any tragedies and tell you how to save your brushes.

Once you've got an amount of brushes made (I personally like to create 'sets' of brushes that all kind of work together, or just happened to fit my mood that day!), go to 'Edit' then choose 'Preset Manager'. A window with all your current brushes will pop up. You can click on each little square individually. What you're going to want to do is shift+right click on the series of brushes you want to save. Once you've done that, click on 'Save Set', give the set a name and save it to your computer (of course these brush files are what you're going to want to back up!). There, you're done!

Source : ezinearticles

Enhance Your Artistic Skills With an Air Brush Compressor

When people get bored with their lives, they look for things they want to do to enjoy. They seek for things that could take them away from their boredom and these things are usually connected to what exactly they are inclined into. Like for instance, those people who love music tend to have singing and dancing as their hobbies. People who love literature usually write poems and stories during their free time. This is also the same for people who are inclined to arts. They usually look for things and methods that could possibly make their experience with art worthy and rewarding.

For those people who are art enthusiasts, there are now some new techniques and tools that could enhance once talent in arts. Airbrushing for instance, is a new kind of art that is related to the advancement of technology nowadays. With this technique, the artist uses an air brush compressor to have high quality prints in order to clearly relay the emotions and messages of the painter. In the old times, some traditional tools were used and although they were beautiful and artistic, the end result of using air brush compressor is far more defined that it.

We could notice these days that anything can be designed and painted. Different kinds of designs can be done on anything and when it comes to art, anything is possible. The use of air brush compressor paved the way for automobiles to be designed in an artistic and creative way that specifically meet the needs and style of the owner. This kind of business is a fast-growing one these days and what you only need is your own creativity to come up with the right design or exactly replicate the design chosen by your client.

Although this type of technique relies on the creativity and intelligence of the artist, the techniques on how to use air brush compressor has to be taken into consideration also. The techniques on how to use it are also very important to have a high quality end result. NO matter how artistic a person is, one has to undergo trainings and lessons on how to appropriately control your hands and the other technicalities when it comes to this device.

There are many types of this kind of compressor in the market nowadays and looking for the right one is one aspect that you should remember. While you are still a beginner, it is best to start using a simple compressor to be familiar with it. Mastering the basic skills would lead to a great result and finally you can think of your own techniques. Now, when you gave already mastered it, you can start buying a bigger compressor to accommodate the things that you want to do. When you are ready and skilled, you can already start your own business especially when some people already start recognizing your product. Most big business have also started with smaller ones and usually start with just hobbies of the owners.

Source : ezinearticles

How to Clean Art Brushes

Many artists have their own systems and rituals for cleaning thier important tools, their brushes. And like these many artists, I also have my own methods. This article will deal with cleaning oil painting brushes.

I have found that the best cleaning liquid for my oil painting brushes is baby oil. That's right. Just regular, inexpensive baby oil that you can purchase at most grocery, department or dollar stores. This has many advantages versus more traditional cleaning solutions. Most artist use paint thinner, or odorless paint thinner. While paint thinner works great for removing oil paint from your brushes, it's an awfully toxic substance. Even when handled per manufacturers instructions there is still danger present. Paint thinners produce extremely dangerous fumes, and some painters compound the problem by using "brush beater racks" that atomize the paint thinner into a visible cloud, ready for inhalation. This is where baby oil has an advantage. Even when using a brush beater rack (I don't recommend using one indoors), baby oil is far to thick to easily atomize like paint thinner. Also, there are no harmful fumes and it's not a big deal if it gets on your skin. Baby oil is also an excellent conditioner for your brushes.

Here's my method and tools for cleaning brushes with baby oil:

1. Appropriately sized coffee can or metal baby formula can.

2. Cleaning screen. Many types are available from different manufacturers. Check your local art supply store.

3. Baby oil. Just regular, cheap unscented baby oil.

4. Bags to line your cleaning can. I use 1 gallon storage bags. Not the ziplock type but the type of bag that requires a bag tie.

5. Place a bag into your can, then place the cleaning screen in the can. The bag will keep your can clean and make things super easy when it's time to change your baby oil.

6. Fill the can until the baby oil covers your screen by about 1/4 inch.

7. Scrub your dirty brushes against the screen.

8. For smaller brushes, simply dry the brush on a paper towel or rag. For larger brushes, take the brush outside and beat against a pole or a brush beater rack to remove the largest part of the baby oil. Then use paper towels to squeeze the remaining oil from the brush. You won't be able to remove 100% of the oil, but the left over oil will condition your brush and help it to maintain a proper shape.

To summarize, baby oil offers the following advantages over traditional paint thinners:

Safer to handle, cheaper to purchase and provides additional conditioning for your most important tools.

Source : ezinearticles

The Art of Writing - Calligraphy and Bamboo

In today's modern world, the exercise of writing by hand has given way to texting and typing. Nevertheless, an exercise still exists that celebrates the art of handwriting for its ability to communicate the spiritual planet with the artist. Meaning gorgeous composing, the exercise of calligraphy can be a skill type that conveys the emotions, integrity, aesthetic feelings and culture of the artist to its readers. In this training, the medium of the artist and how it is wielded is as critical as what is put on paper. It really is necessary to choose the right tool to produce these wonderful characters and the bamboo brush is that tool.

Considered among the Four Treasures of China, the bamboo brush (pen) is sturdy but light, adequate to let the artist accomplish the quick, forceful strokes needed to hit the paper properly. Writing brushes themselves are extremely valued and are generally seen as a symbol of the spirit unique to the Chinese folks. The tip in the writing brush is usually made of hair of diverse animals. The calligrapher dips the tip in ink, and wielding the shaft with several hand movements, produces characters on the paper. The composing technique revolves around the means to hold and use the brush to write characters. The Chinese term gi bi signifies to begin your stroke along with the term shou bi signifies to end your stroke. In writing, both strokes include these, the crucial steps that determine the form of your stroke. You can't make indecisive strokes and must know how you are going to write the strokes and where they are leading to. Forceful strokes ought to be distinguishable from light strokes. Your characters will be like withered trees, formless and styleless if you are unfocused.

The practice of calligraphy is definitely an intense discipline being studied and is surely a significant part of Chinese culture. It entails the evolution of composing styles as well as the development of rules and techniques. Even prior to gi bi, the calligrapher have to adhere to the traditional way of practicing handwriting by following the three basic actions of mo, Lin and xie. Mo entails tracing while practicing holding the brush. Whilst practicing, the main areas of focus will need to be stroke, structure and style of calligraphy. The next step, Lin, involves having a model to copy and beginning to take a conscious approach to realize the characters themselves. Following a couple of months of detailed study comes lin xie, through which the very first copy of stroke is made on paper after studying the specimen and memorizing the strokes.

No matter its origins, calligraphy remains an enduring fine art variety in this modern age. Mainly because of its reliance on its medium to create the characters inside the strong but flowing manner needed, some say that calligraphy is a fine art of the brush. The bamboo brush is the medium that may keep this wonderful art flowing.

Source : ezinearticles

Decorating With Glass Christmas Ornaments

In days past the Christmas tree was hung with every type of decoration someone thought would look good. There were crocheted pieces, paper chains, icicles, and glass bulbs. They came in so many different colors the tree would look like a rainbow. Then people started getting more select in their choices. Styles were changing. The traditional Christmas tree became a work of art. New glass ornaments became available. This started taking on a new look. People could choose from hand painted designs, specialized ornaments, and personalized ones. The range of colors grew as well. Now the tree could be color coordinated with the decor of the house. The evolution of the glass bulb has grown even further today.

Glass Christmas ornaments grouped into themes. There are stained glass ones, etched ones, and so many more. You can walk into any store and find Currier and Ives or Thomas McCain on the more traditional globes. There are fantasy creatures like fairies and dragons for the younger crowd. Specialty ornaments are available which represent lines of work like teachers, firefighters, and police men. Hobby enthusiasts can find ornaments which reflect their favorite pastime from fishing to photography. Some of the most exquisite ones are from overseas. These unique bulbs are usually hand blown glass. They come in all different shapes and sizes. There are animals, snowflakes, and teardrops. Some are more traditional with hand painted detailing. They are spectacular to behold.

Tradition is strong when it comes to decorating the tree. Some people choose an ornament each year to commemorate the year. There are glass Christmas ornaments designed for this group. The ornaments can be custom ordered with names and dates. Some craftsmen will hand paint the ornament with specific instructions. Wedding and anniversary ornaments are gaining popularity as well. The etched glass ornaments are popular for this tradition.

Fun and whimsical ones are a pleasure to look at. These can range from a pretzel twist to cartoon characters. There are so many to choose from it is sometimes hard to decide. Many people can not and just choose what ever strikes their fancy. These are the people who's trees can tell a story. Everywhere on the tree will be something that tells about the family who decorated it.

Glass Christmas ornaments are extremely fragile. Special care must be given each year to preserve the collection of color and tradition. There are specially designed storage boxes for keeping the keepsakes safe during storage or transport. It would be wise to invest in some of these storage boxes if the collection is large.

As each year passes, the collection of them grows. There are new ones available all the time. There are times when someone will stumble upon a forgotten box in the attic. The contents can be amazing. The old time craftsmanship used to create some of the traditional globes has been forgotten. The care and precision of the painting is a true work of art. These are the globes which should be given a place of honor on the tree.


Source : ezinearticles

Drawing Lesson - Lines and Shapes in Fine Art

To become more efficient in drawing in any area, especially in fine art there are few design fundamentals that must be learned. In this drawing lesson consider the lines and shapes in a drawing. Variety in drawings are dependent on many factors. Such as variety of shape, tonal values, edge shapes, texture and gradation. This is a long list, but each is important when considering the rhythmic quality of drawings. Upon further study, we learn that the variety of shape is found frequently in nature.

Try to draw a row of trees, make them all about the same height and same distance apart. Use your imagination to make this drawing interesting and show lots of life. Do you see how hard it is to accomplish this? No matter how much you draw from your imagination, or how far you are able to go with design, there comes a time when you need to study from nature. Study enough that there is no addiction to painting trees in only one style. This leads to boredom on the part of the viewer because there is no variety.

An example of lines, the horizontal lines creates a feeling of calm and contemplation. Can you imagine the long line of the horizon on a calm day at sea? This line gives a sense of peace and rest, a touch of infinity that no other line can communicate. The vertical line creates a feeling of elevation. For this example, picture a pine tree and how it is typical of the sublime that we associate with the vertical in nature. Churches often use their spires to create this vertical feeling of line for their impressiveness.

The combination of horizontal and vertical lines, as seen in the Cross, is a combination of lines that instantly rivets the attention, and probably has the most powerful effect upon the mind that could have ever been devised. These lines and shapes signify solidity in the foundations of drawings. They also help drawings have a natural appearance. An emotional significance, depending on some arrangement of abstract lines is to be found underlying the expression in every good drawing, usually hidden by the artist.

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How to Draw a Christmas Scene

Drawing a Christmas scene is quite an open-ended choice, limited only by one's own creativity. However, conceptualizing an idea and planning the execution are essential, as your attempt here would be to organize several disparate elements in your frame. Following steps will guide you about how to create a magnificent holiday scene out of your imagination:

• Location. The logical first step is to decide upon whether you want an indoor or outdoor picture, as the choice of the components and their placements will vary accordingly.

• Elements. As mentioned earlier the elements indoor shall be different from the elements outdoors. In an outdoor layout, a snowman, snow covered pathways, houses with chimneys (preferably hut designs), tall trees (Christmas tree shaped); Birch trees, falling snowflakes, etc. may be placed. Christmas indoors include a prominent Christmas tree, socks, wreath decorations, lights, decorative candles, a fireplace, sofa set & table, partial Christmas feast or snacks, and so on.

• Layout. Once you have decided upon the items, organize them into coherent scenery. Mark basic geometrical shape to represent each item on your drawing base. For outdoors, begin with the ground structure - well-defined streets (urban) or a continuous patch of undulating land (rural). Place your houses and trees systematically. Triangles placed over rectangles/cuboids form the basic structure for hut-like houses. Usually, Christmas landscapes are depicted in the nighttime, but you may choose a day setting, as per your preference.

Christmas tree is the biggest and most prominent feature in the interiors. Place your tree on the either side of the frame to create space for the other objects. To portray warmth during the Christmas season, brightly burning wood in the fireplace is an essential part. Position the fireplace with hanging socks, adjacent to the tree and the sofa set & table in the front of the fireplace. You may use decoration on the walls and elsewhere in any manner. The skeletal shape for the tree is a large triangle resting over two vertical bars. Similarly, use rectangle for fireplace, cubes/cuboids for sofa, circles for wreathes, curves for hanging decorations, and the like.

• Christmas tree. After creating the fundamental triangle, draw a five-pointed start at the top. The leaves are then pictured in layers that keep increasing in width along the slant of the main triangle. However, do not attempt to draw individual leaflets; the outlines of the layers would suffice. How to adorn the Christmas tree is again a matter of personal choice. Nevertheless, traditional embellishments, including ornaments in solid tones or color bands, lights, candy sticks, sweets, toys, etc. form an integral part of the decorations. Wrapped gifts under the tree complete festive touché and are easy to sketch. Therefore, you can be generous with their numbers.

• Details. The final steps would be to add details to your base drawings and set them in bright seasonal colors.

 
Source : ezinearticles

Abstract Paintings - How to Understand Abstract Art

"Everyone wants to understand art. Why not try to understand the song of a bird?...people who try to explain pictures are usually barking up the wrong tree." - Pablo Picasso

What Picasso says about understanding art is very relevant to how we approach abstract paintings. Many people think that abstract paintings must have a specific meaning of some sort, which could be clearly understood and articulated if only they knew how. This misconception is not helped by the endless supply of people prepared to spout nonsense about what they think the artist was trying to say. The almost inevitable consequence of this situation is that people can either feel as though they are being excluded from sharing in some secret knowledge, or alternatively conclude that abstract painting is in fact all a sham. Either way, the result is that many people do not feel well-disposed towards modern art or abstract paintings.

I certainly identify with Picasso's remark as far as my own paintings are concerned. If I had a specific message or a meaning that I could articulate in words, then I would articulate it in words - the painting would have no purpose. The whole point of creating an abstract painting is that it embodies something that only it can, in a way that cannot be put into words. It is not an essay it is a painting - it encompasses and expresses things in a language that is unique to the medium of paint. That is why we should not try to 'understand' abstract paintings in the way people sometimes feel they ought to be able to.

The viewer should not look for a clear narrative in an abstract painting - it is not going to tell a story, or refer to an external 'subject' in the same way that a figurative painting will. But that does not mean there is no meaning or no subject, or that abstract paintings cannot communicate with and move people. When asked about subject matter, the Abstract Expressionist artist Jackson Pollock said, "I am the subject". Pollock's statement is not just true, it is inevitable.

The experiences, personality, memories and mood of the abstract artist cannot help but be fed into the painting if the artist approaches the work in an open and honest way. I do not need an external subject or idea before I can create a painting - I simply begin. The fact that I am me and no-one else is what makes my work different to anyone else's, and the same is true of all artists. The colours I choose, the marks a make, the accidents I choose to leave, or to obliterate, these are all things that I choose because of who I am.

If you were to present several different artists with the same basic design on a canvas and ask them to pick up a brush and develop the painting, the differences in what they would choose to do would be enormous.


Source : ezinearticles

The Painting of the Tribes

Warli - The Concept & History
Warli Paintings belong to the largest Hindu tribe in India called the Warli or Varli tribes, tracing back to the Neolithic Period, between 2500 3000 BC. They are found in the Thane, Nasik, & Dhule district of Maharashtra, extending up to the Valsad district of Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. The word 'Warli' comes from 'Warla,' meaning a piece of land or field. Since, their tribal language, a mix of Sanskrit, Marathi, and Gujarati, does not have written words, Warli Paintings were the only means of transmitting their tradition. These tribes have their own customs and beliefs, which they show through Warli Paintings.

The Details
Warli Painting is a simple style of painting, consisting of profound things. It is a ritual artwork, measuring 8 by 6 meters, done inside a hut. The painting is done in white, over earthen backgrounds. Occasionally, red and yellow dots are used. The white color is obtained by grounding rice in water to get white paste. The background walls are made red with the help of a mixture consisting of branches, mud, and cow dung. A bamboo stick chewed at the end is used as a brush.

Earlier there used to be no straight lines in the painting, though nowadays, artists have started incorporating them. A series of dots and crooked lines form a straight line. The trademarks of Warli Painting are circles, triangles, and squares. Circle represents the sun and the moon, triangles represent the mountains & the pointed trees, and square represents the sacred enclosure or a piece of land.

The themes of Warli Paintings are repetitive, mostly revolving around marriage, celebration, birth, harvest, and activities, such as hunting, dancing, and sowing. Though, initially, the graphics consisted of the flora and fauna, nowadays bicycles and transistors are also included. The paintings were done on the walls of huts. As their popularity increased, paper also became a medium of the art.

The Artists
Initially, tribal women would paint on special occasions only. In 1970s, Maharashtrian artist Jivya Soma Masche (born 1934) started to paint on an everyday basis. His talent was noticed nationally and then internationally, which prompted other men to start with this artwork.

The Artworks
The most preferred theme of Warli Painting was marriage. The paintings were considered sacred, without which the marriage would not take place. Other significant images were that of the Tree of Life and Tarpa Dance. Indian Paintings were always outstanding, owing to their superior creative and imaginative skills. The cracked walls of the villages of Warli are primarily decorated with these paintings, even today.

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The Fine Art of Lighting - Bringing Out the Best in Artwork

It is possible to get a master of fine arts in lighting design. Light is perhaps the most crucial element in creating art. Film makers, photographers, painters, print maker and, yes, even writers work with light to create texture and mood. In fact, shop owners, business managers, architects, and nearly anyone choosing a seat on the porch or around the pool considers light in making their choice. A work of art such as a painting is essentially an interpretation of light. An artist does not paint a tree, but rather paints how the light is reflected off of the tree. To bring out the qualities the artist worked to create, proper picture frame lights, and art lights should be used. Art lighting is a craft and skill in its own right. Finding the right light for the right art, complementing the mood, bringing out the theme and enhancing the artist's pallet are all part of the design. There are several factors that should be considered when creating a lighting plan.

There are some other issues to consider when creating a lighting plan that go beyond bringing out the best qualities of a painting. One basic concept of any design is relationship to other objects in the room, be it other pieces of art or merely objects like a fireplace, fish tank or large plant that might demand attention. The other major issue is preservation of the work of art. Natural light, fluorescent lights and other forms of light emit ultraviolet rays that can damage some works of art and lead to the fading of colors and images. Indirect natural light, while favored by an artist at work, may not be the best choice for a finished product on display. Sculptures are often a good choice for natural light. Many museums have skylights that allow rooms to be lit and change by the hour creating a dynamic experience.

There is a style of oil painting that uses a glaze. This glaze helps in decreasing the drying time of the oil paint and increases the reflective luminosity of the painting. Light bounces off the glaze giving it a nearly glowing quality. Many of the Dutch masters used this technique. Finding a proper light and the proper direction of light can make one of these masterpieces pop and come to life. Like a mirror reflecting light, care should be taken to position a light in such a way that the reflection is directed and glare is avoided.

Most people do not have a Dutch master piece hanging over the couch. Glare often remains a problem as these paintings are often behind glass. The angle of light can reduce both glare and reflection. Consider the place from which the painting will be most observed. This is often from the center front, but in some cases will be off center. Set the light or lights at an angle that doesn't bounce the beam into these areas.

Quality of light is important as well. Natural light brings out the blue tones, incandescent light brings out the warmer tones. Fluorescent light is just plain ugly. Halogen lights are often used in museum settings and offer descent quality.


Source : ezinearticles

How to Paint Trees - Learning to Paint

Painting trees is possibly one of the first features that new artists attempt to put in their landscape paintings. Painting trees is not difficult, but you do need to follow a few simple guidelines.

There are two types of trees, deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous trees go through quite a few color changes and eventually lose their leaves every year. Therefore they look different and have different color foliage at different times of the year. Evergreens may change slightly, but in general look the same all year.

When painting either type of tree, look at the overall silhouette that the tree forms. Most of the time you will notice pockets and spaces where you can see through the branches. This empty space is called negative space and without it, your tree will not look accurate.

Start by painting in the tree trunk. You may not see too much of a trunk on an evergreen, but paint it in anyways. Usually a gray paint is a good choice for tree bark. Deciduous trees trunks usually do not grow straight upwards. Usually as the tree grows and becomes heavier, you will see it curve and bend. The trunk will also be larger at the bottom and get smaller up the tree.

When you paint the branches make sure that you overlap some of them. It depends on what type of tree you are painting as to the shape, size and direction of the branches. Branches, like the trunk, will be larger near the main trunk and get smaller the further away they grow.

Now add foliage. It would not be reasonable to think you could paint every single leaf on a tree. Painting foliage is dabbing clusters of paint here and there to make the viewer believe it is leaves. The trick is to add enough paint without filling in all of the negative space. You should use a few variations of color as you work. Chose color based on the season that you want your painting to express.

Adding pine needles is similar to adding foliage to deciduous trees. In general, you will start at the base of the tree and work upward. The reason that you should paint in the trunk first is because pine trees usually have fairly straight trunks and as you add the pine needles, you can follow the line without having your tree lean to one side or the other. Start to leave some negative space about half way up the tree and leave more near the top. You should see parts of the trunk. Now use a lighter color and add a few highlights.

One last tip is that trees often grow in clusters or groups. Overlap them in your paintings. Don't make your trees look like perfect round lollipop trees, or Christmas trees. Nothing is perfect and to create perfect looking trees, you need to show their imperfections! Have fun and enjoy learning to paint trees.

Source : ezinearticles

The Art of the Wedding Invitation

Wedding invitations are the foundation of the wedding ceremony. The invitation is typically the first glimpse the guests will have that lead to the details of the occasion. The wedding invitation is also the one item that many guests will keep as a remembrance. Therefore, the invitation must be elegant, beautiful, and nothing short of amazing. Wedding invitations often set the tone of the entire wedding and therefore must be carefully crafted with attention to every detail. Since they also reflect the personality and taste of the bride and groom, the invitations are uniquely personalized for each couple.

Invitation designers offer a variety of designs and services that will allow the bride and groom to choose an invitation that will fit in with their wedding theme and match their own tastes. From traditional engraving to letterpress printing, wedding invitations are about as limitless as the imagination. Both these techniques are timeless, providing an element of elegance and beauty you just can't find in traditional forms of communication today.

Engraved invitations are very beautiful. A skilled craftsman etches the text of the invitation, backwards, onto a piece of copper metal which is known as the die. The raised print that results from using the die comes from using a press to push the paper into the inked die. When a person looks at the back of the invitation, they will be able to see the indention made in the paper as a result of using this process. These invitations do not have to follow any sort of traditional format, but often use formal language.

Letterpress invitations are one the cleanest and most precise ones out there. As more people share a growing concern for the environment and want to do their part to ensure they are reducing their carbon footprint, more people are turning toward using letterpress wedding invitations. Earlier letterpress was done with handset movable type that is inked and then pressed into the paper. Today more boutique letterpress companies use photopolymer plates and aluminium bases for letterpress jobs instead of movable type. Since the paper is thick cotton, these invitations have a very distinct handmade feel with additional textured elements because of the depth of the painting.

When it comes to choosing between the engraved wedding invitation and the letterpress wedding invitation, both are comparably priced, as they both take a considerable amount of time, effort, and expertise to craft. While thermography is about half the cost of traditional engraving and letterpress wedding invitations, it also results in a lesser quality invitation.

For many who are still in the decision stages of what sort of invitation to do for the wedding and who to hire, it is important to realize that the paper is one of the most expensive elements in the invitation. Using a high quality paper will ensure the invitation will withstand the elements of time, and as many people will use the invitation as a keepsake, this is incredibly important. Do not sacrifice paper quality to cut down the overall price. It will be a decision you'll regret later.

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Painting Your Own Plastic Coffee Mugs

Every person likes to receive gifts and give them as well. Novelty items are a popular choice for gifting but they require a healthy budget. In case the pocket does not allow spending too much on gifting items, some gifts can be made on your own. These solutions are cost effective and represent the inner feelings of a person. One such item that can be customized according to the mood is plastic coffee mugs. Customizing mugs is a great notion and it proves to be effective for near and dear ones too. Mugs can range from photo mugs to travel mugs and even to funny mugs. The mugs may contain a phrase or a witty line to cheer up any person's mood.

Getting started with all this stuff requires previous knowledge. If a person is not well verse with the decorating of mugs, special kits are available in the market that contain all the essentials that may be required to decorate a coffee mug. Several pottery stores and craft shops instigate people to design their own mugs using these kits and other brushes and paints. Kits can also be purchased on the internet. The contents of such kits are a plain white mug, different sized brushes, paints and some stencils for drawing neat shapes. If the creativity of any person seems to get limited because of these kits one can always visit a pottery store, get his own plain mug and start designing the mug by using one's own art and craft supplies.

If the mug is being designed from the very beginning, a person should always remain focused and careful. It is better to spend a little extra time on the mug rather than ruining it completely. A stencil or a light pen can be used to make an outline shape and rest assured your paint will do the trick. Tracing with the paint becomes much easier if an outline is available. If one desires to add some fun to the mug, add-ons such as glitters and sequins can be used as well. However, these add-ons should never be used on plastic coffee mugs because they can easy be washed off. Painting with vibrant colors and writing catchy lines is the best that can be done on coffee mugs.

If you are looking for some inspiration, why not look in your favorite books or movies? Internet and magazines can also inspire a person to write thoughtful sentences. A problem that arises with painting mugs is that not everyone is gifting with the talent of painting. Such a person can always get the mug printed to give it a neat look. After all, it is all being done to make yourself and others around you happy.

Source : ezinearticles

Funny Commercials

Some of the best ad campaigns revolve around the funniest moments captured through the lens of the camera. This clever cinematography has helped in developing some of the most amazing associations for any brand with its respective target market. A funny commercial is simply not defined as crafting jokes and situations, which are humorous to record and reproduce with the help of camera. Rather the entire process requires detailed planning, creative thinking, much consideration and attention to perfection. Only by taking into consideration all these aspects will an agency or a business entity be able to produce a campaign that is attractive to the audience and offers them great value.

One of the most important tasks, when developing a video for a funny commercial is, to conduct an in depth analysis to study the target audience, for whom the commercial is being developed. The age range of the target audience is also important when developing a funny commercial as the humor requirement for young teens will be different than that of the middle aged crowd. Moreover, one thing to be kept in mind that it is almost impossible to amuse everyone, but the focus should be to reach out the maximum audiences according to their humor appeals. Another aspect to ponder upon is deciding whether the funny action should be live action or animated.

With the help of Macromedia Flash and other such software, it is now possible to produce wonders in videos based on animation. This is the reason why most of the humorous commercials are based on sophisticated animation techniques. Complemented with advanced computer animation tools; these graphic and animation tools allow the ad developers to craft commercials, which have close proximity with the real life scenarios. Next important step is that of the commercial story and plot. This includes, creative thinking, planning and writing, complete with a written script. Moreover, if more than one actor is involved in the shooting of the commercial, then script and scenes should be written and elaborated in writing.

When writing the story line of the commercial it is important to select the situations which are an everyday situation in life, so that the potential audience can well associate with it. Another way to go about it is by opting for problem-solution approach while keeping the scenes humorous. Another impressive strategy when developing the plot of the funny commercial is to get help from the pseudo-exaggeration. This approach is responsible for creating many memorable characters, which include; not just acting, but witty dialogues, visual cues and other such details. The actors selected for the commercial should be able to deliver the lines and depth of characters and situations.

Source : ezinearticles

How to Put the Boom Into Bloom With Fantastic Flower Photos!

For beginners, photography is a great hobby. The opportunity to go out and about, taking everything from sweeping landscapes, to stunning shots of speeding racing cars. On vacation, exploring new countries, or just having fun at the beach. However, sometimes it's nice to slow the pace down - and the sheer pleasure of capturing a single flower, or a vast field of flowers, should not be ignored.

So how can you ensure that the flowers you see in the wild look just as lovely when you view them back on your monitor, or better still, print and frame them? Well, it's not just a matter of simply walking past some flowers and snapping your shutter - the way you take flower photos is key to success.

There's no doubt that capturing a flower in full bloom is the ideal. So timing is everything - you will need to know when they are going to look at their best for you - flowers like to pose too!

A key element to any photograph is the quality of the lighting. To best capture your flowers, a bright sunny day is preferred. It's very difficult to make flowers look truly amazing in drab, overcast conditions. Not by coincidence, they appear much more at ease in sunshine.

Successful flower pictures can be taken with most modern digital cameras, but if you can use one that enables you to control aperture and depth of field, this would be an advantage. You could check out one of my previous beginner's photography articles on controlling aperture and shutter settings to improve your photos.

It's usually best to "dress down" for your flower assignment. At least, wear jeans - as invariably you will have to kneel, or even lie, down in order to get up close and personal with your chosen blooms.

So once you are there, try and be creative. Flowers can be pictured in a host of many ways - but just enjoy yourself and experiment. Don't forget your basic rules of composition, so include a point of interest the viewer can focus on. For example, in a vast field of flowers, you could try isolating one single flower, keeping this in focus and blurring the remainder, controlling depth of field by altering the aperture settings. Consider changing the colour of this one flower later on, in Photoshop. Or you could make the background monochrome.

You could even try getting right amongst the flowers, so you can see the world from their perspective. Why not picture the petals close up, with the camera pointing up slightly in order to catch the bright blue sky. Experimenting with pictures of flowers can be a fun aspect of beginner's photography, and as you get more experienced at it, you may find that your images become a more serious study into the world of flowers.

Source : Ezinearticles

Essential Lighting Tips For Flower Photography

It does not matter to whether you are using a natural light, artificial light or both at the same time to photography a close-up shot of flowers. The things which you will have to keep an eye on are the type, character and angle of light.

If you are conducting an outdoor photo shoot of flowers, the ideal time would be during the morning and evening. The amount of sunlight during the afternoons is too bright. This increases the risks of casting shadows onto your subject, thus, results in your pictures to not turn out too well. Prior to that, harsh sunlight will obligate the flower's subtle details. If you still have to shoot under the bright sunlight, make sure to use a diffuser. Using a diffuser will assist you by reducing the amount of sunlight.

Cloudy skies are often times the perfect macro shooting moments. Therefore, get rid of the thought that only sunny days are good for flower photography.

Built-in or accessory flashes with artificial light can both be used to harmonize natural light and create some pop to the image. When light is concerned, we aim for a smooth, soft lighting. To achieve this, disperse the light or bounce the output from a Speedlite. One way to do this is to use a translucent object to cover the camera's incorporated flash.

The Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX and Macro Twin Light MT-24EX are specially designed for macro shooting. Ring Lite brings about a flat light effect. Even so, the dual curved tubes can produce soft, smooth lighting. Ring Lite can also produce breathtaking effects as it illuminates the subject and underexpose the setting to black.

The Twin Lite set-up comes with two tiny flashes and a bracket. What I like about this macro flash unit is that it is extremely versatile. By saying this, all I mean is that the flash output and angle of flash can be adjusted separately. This direct lighting will create depth and texture in your pictures.

Whichever macro flash units you choose, make sure to set your white balance to match the lighting condition and color temperature. Set a custom white balance before you shoot. Otherwise, shoot in arrow. That too will be good. Remember that the white balance and other parameters in post-posting are always adjustable

Have fun photographing flowers with these light tips! Tell me how this article managed to help you.

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How to Sell Photography Online

Photography is a fun filled hobby and if you are confident that you are a good photographer with fairly decent knowledge of taking amusing pictures, then your hobby can be rewarding. On the internet, just like any commodity, you can sell your photographs.

However in order to succeed, you need to know how to sell photography online in the right way. You have to find the right place and convince buyers that you have beautiful pictures that are worth the price. Every photographer wants his work to be appreciated and it will not hurt if you are able to make a few hundred dollars with the photos that reflect your imagination.

Before getting into how to sell photography online, it makes sense to understand why someone wants to buy your photos anyway. There are numerous graphic designers, website designers, small businesses, ad agencies and magazines that are looking for images and photos. Not everyone can afford a professional photographer with sets and models to get the job done. So, they are ready to buy good quality photos from anyone as long as the photos are relevant to their needs.

If you want to know how to sell photography online, you should start looking out for stock photography websites. These websites accept photos from registered users and sell them to buyers depending on the theme of the photo. The websites will charge commissions with every single photo of yours sold online. You do not have to do anything aside from spending your time in grooming your photos so that they will be accepted by these websites.

Not just any photo will be accepted by stock photography websites. These websites, depending on the success of the website itself, will have a team of editors and reviewers who have full control to determine whether to accept or reject your photo. Once your photo is accepted and added to their photography database, you can simply wait for buyers to buy those photos. The best part with stock photography is that the same photo can be sold multiple times to different buyers.

Buyers who want to buy photos online usually search with stock photography websites first based on their own keywords. People do not want to buy photos that are not related to their theme. You should always carefully choose keyword list for your photos if you are keen about selling your photos online. You should take photos that can capture the attention of your prospective buyers so that your photos sell easily. If you have models in your photos posing, you ay have to submit model release form to these websites to ensure that you have not taken photos of the person without getting his or her permission.

There are people who are making as much as $5000 per month by selling with their photos online. Many of them did not know anything about how to sell photography online before they started and are not trained professional photographers. If you want to make residual income with your hobby, you should spend some time to learn about appropriate editing techniques to make your photos irresistible for buyers.

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Digital Versus Film Photography

Most people today own a digital camera. The superfluous number of models on the market has made photography a hobby and activity that is no longer restricted to the professional. Further, with social networking websites and the online world, digital photos are easily shared and stored. But as with most technological developments that signify a departure from traditional or longstanding practices, a dialogue has emerged as to the benefits of digital versus film photography. The portability and ease of the digital camera makes it a more popular amateur photography option. However for professionals, there is still an argument as to the merits of both film and digital photographic cameras, with both versions still in use today. Here's a quick rundown of the advantages of both digital and film photography.

Advantages of digital photography

1. Instant review of pictures. Digital cameras allow photographers to assess the lighting and composition of their work immediately after taking a photograph. If need be, they can simply recapture the image.
2. Fewer ongoing costs. Once a digital camera has been purchased, it costs very little to take, and store, hundreds or even thousands of digital photographs.
3. Various functions and settings. Digital cameras can be used to capture videos as well as photographs, and there are a number of settings through which the photographs can be taken, such as sepia and black and white.
4. Metadata. Digital cameras are embedded with metadata. The time, date and model of camera are all recorded with the image and form part of the image's memory.
5. Digital manipulation. Once a digital photograph has been transferred from the camera to the computer, it is easy to digitally manipulate, retouch or affect the image.

Advantages of film photography

1. Better to capture detail. Film photography can pick up and capture greater variations between light and dark, making black and white film photography preferable to digital.
2. Photo quality. Film cameras produce photographs with higher definition than digital photography. For larger photographic prints, film cameras produce much higher definition and clarity than their digital counterparts.
3. Cost. For amateur or hobby photographers, digital cameras are affordable, easy to use and perfect for capturing special moments. For the professional, however, quality film cameras are significantly cheaper than their digital counterparts. Furthermore, because new digital models are continuously hitting the market, digital cameras tend to lose value rather quickly while film cameras usually retain their value over the years.
4. Aesthetics and tradition. Many photographers vouch for an aesthetic quality to film photography that cannot be replicated by digital cameras. Such advocates are also often drawn to the tradition and history of film photography.

There are pros and cons to both film and digital photography. For many photographers, however, the final decision rests on their personal style and their budget.


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How to Do Tasteful Nude Photography

Artists have been enchanted by the nude form of the human body since the dawn of time. Nudes feature heavily in statues and paintings through the ages. The relatively new art form of photography offers even more possibilities for creating nude art. But with the prevalance of pornography and tacky glamour photography, it is important to steer clear of anything sleazy.

If you want to create nude photos in a tasteful, artistic way, the secret is to take sex out of it. As soon as it looks like your model is trying to look sexy, the photo will start to look tacky. Trying to look sexy works fine in clothed photos - as seen everywhere in advertising. But a nude model trying to look sexy sends a clear message to the viewer that the aim of the photo is to titilate. If you want your photo to look artistic then make sure your model isn't trying to look sexy.

An easy way to stop your nude photo from looking 'glam' is by having the model look away. Virtually all tacky glamour photos have the model looking at the camera. So have her instead gaze off into the distance. Direct her to look 'lost in thought'. Instantly it'll look more artistic and 'soulful'.

If you must have her looking at the camera, get her to look moody... Anything but sexy! If you look at European fashion, models like Kate Moss are often scowling in photos. Try to tell a story, show emotion. Your model's instincts may be to pout and try to look seductive... Guide her to more interesting expressions if she's looking at the camera, or to just look tranced out and dreamy when she's looking away.

You can even frame the photo so that the model's face isn't in the picture. Then the body becomes an abstract shape rather than a person. Or have her head in the shot but angled so her face isn't visible. Without an obvious face showing, the photo will become a study of shape and line.

The other important consideration is the lighting. 'Page 3' photos are always well lit, with a bright background, and this isn't what you want. It's almost impossible to do anything artistic with too much light. What you need is atmosphere, and for that you need shadows. So position your model so the dominant light source is to the side or even behind her. Create shadows. Leave some of the nudity to the imagination.

Just these two things - moody lighting and having the model look away - will instantly make your nude photos look more artistic. Your model will appreciate it too!

Enough for now... If you found this useful, please check out my photography e-book, "How to Start a Successful Photography Business" at the link below, which is packed with useful tips to take your photography to the next level so you can start making money from it.

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Types of Stock Photography

Many businesses use stock photography for their marketing and advertising needs. Whether it's web, print or broadcast, licensed stock photography can be used to forward your business objectives by giving you high-quality images and graphic elements that will make your finished project look professional. There are two main categories of stock photography: rights managed and royalty free.

Rights managed photography licenses are negotiated upon a number of criteria, which includes the duration of use, how it will be used, image size and quality and exclusivity. These licenses are generally more expensive than royalty free licenses, but allow for broader usage. Typically, rights managed stock photographs can be used by your company exclusively, meaning that other companies or agencies will be able to use the same image for the duration of your license.

Royalty free licenses allow for mass use of photographs for a set fee. This means a photographer can license an image to be used multiple times. Some of these images are licensed to be used thousands of times, meaning you can print or distribute thousands of copies of your marketing or advertising materials with the same photograph. Higher usages of an image may require an additional payment. Royalty free stock photography licenses are not exclusive, so any other company or firm may use the same image in their materials at the same time.

There are restrictions for stock photography licenses, both royalty free and rights managed. These restrictions will ensure that the photographs and images are not used in an illegal or defamatory way. The use of stock photography images in resale products, such as shirts, mugs, hats and other for-sale merchandise is not allowed.

Furthermore, any stock photograph that contains a person or people will require a model release. The release states that the model or models used in the photograph have given the photographer permission to sell their likeness. Any stock image that will be used for commercial purposes must have the appropriate model release.

Stock photography that is classified as editorial is not to be used in commercial applications. These images can be used for educational or for news reporting purposes. The most common uses of editorial stock photography are found in newspapers, magazines and textbooks.

There are many places for you to obtain stock photographs and images. You can buy photographs directly from the photographer or have them licensed to you through stock image firms. These firms contain huge libraries of images and exclusive photo collections. You can choose between higher quality firms, or microstock firms that are cheaper.

Microstock firms offer stock photography through the Internet and contain images that are usually taken by amateurs. The images may not be as good as the more expensive, larger firms. However, they may be worth a look if you have a strict budget to which you need to adhere. Small businesses usually use microstock firms for licensed photography.

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Photography Image Enhancing Services for Models

Looking at a magazine cover, many of us wish that we had the same skin and complexion that the model on the cover. However, these models have their photo retouched by photo-enhancing specialists to remove any wrinkles, blemishes and any other marks on the photos. Therefore, if you have a skill at photo enhancing, you could consider offering these services for a fee.

The main things required to start a service offering photo enhancing are Photoshop skills and the necessary software. Photoshop is one of the good software programs available nowadays. However, if you have any different program that you are comfortable with, you may as well use it. When offering photo-enhancing services, you could offer your help in photo retouching and glamour enhancement of portraits. The budding model will need your services the most.

With your programs, you can help remove wrinkles, improve skin texture, enlarge eyelashes, enhance and reshape lips, remove hair strings, whiten teeth, remove any existing teeth gaps and many other changes. It is also possible to apply or remove make-up and to smooth skin texture of the photography too. One of the most challenging aspects found in the world of photo enhancing is digital slimming; if you have a knack for this particular skill, you can command top dollar!

It is not only the models who need digital slimming to be done on their photos; portraits, wedding photos and perhaps some photos of children too may need some changes to be done to make one look slimmer. You could offer to remove double chins and to slim down the face and body. Sometimes, one may need a background change to emphasize a person or to change moods in the picture. Therefore, you can create plain color backgrounds or some artistic indoor or outdoor environment in the picture too.

Word of mouth can prove to be sufficient advertising for you. Models will have friends who are also models and may need some help in their photos. However, it is not that advisable to rely on it only. You should look around for modeling sites. On sites there are many models' portfolios displayed wherein you could offer your services to them. So it proves to be quite beneficial to you to advertise on these sites.

You could make it convenient for the customer to send the photo to you via email. You then can make a quote, of about $50, which is rather reasonable. The price of course, depends on the amount of work involved in touching up the photo. Offering rush delivery, where you send over the photo to them within a day provides an added incentive for clients to approach you for their services. Of course, you could hike your prices for this by about 50%; the client will surely be happy to pay to get the perfected photo quickly!

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Things You Need To Know If You Are Considering Fashion Photography School

Do you have a knack for taking photographs and a love for fashion? Perhaps attending fashion photography school is something you may want to consider. Fashion photography school teaches you how to use photography to take photographs that sell everything from perfume to clothing.

Fashion photography is not as easy as it looks. Many men dream of going into this field so they can mingle with beautiful models and take photographs of them. This is not what fashion photography is about. Fashion photography is an art form. The models may be lovely, but they can only look as good as the fashion photographer makes them out to be.

There are many tricks used in fashion photography. Lighting. Wind. Shadows. We see this on television whenever we watch programs about people taking photographs of models. But what people do not realize is that the photographer is an artist. He sees the model in a certain way and photographs her to portray this image he has in his mind. It is not unlike painting a portrait. In a way, he is painting a portrait. He is just doing it with a camera.

Each of us perceives different sights in our mind. Not all of us can see what the fashion photographer can see. This is why it is so important that he or she be proficient and serious about this art form. This is not just a way to take pictures, but a way to make art. Art that does not hang on walls, but is depicted on magazine covers and billboards and on television. But it is still art, just the same.

In addition to taking the best shots of beautiful models, a fashion photographer must be mindful of props and backdrops and locations. He or she will often take advantage of different situations in nature to create the most beautiful photographs. They will use natural and artificial lighting to make the image they have in their mind come to life.

Props are often used and are very important in the work of a fashion photographer. Fashion photographers often work for advertising houses or directly for magazines that are selling a certain product. The product must be photographed in such a way that it is desirable to the viewer of he photograph. While we often think of fashion photographers as photographing models, sometimes the models are merely the props. The real image he or she is trying to convey is the pillow, or the sofa, or the draperies. He sets the scene, like an artist, and makes it appealing to view.

Of course, fashion photographers first and foremost must know quite a bit about photography. Photography in itself is an art form. They must know about cameras, lighting and equipment. They must know when to shoot in black and white and all about color. They need to know which colors will be best for the model to wear in a certain scene.

This is not a career for men who want to meet models, but an admirable profession for a serious professional who has an eye for art, loves photography and has a deep admiration for fashion.

Source : Ezinearticles

Practical Pinup Photography

Three-Stage Practical Pinup Photography

If your frustrated by bad photo shoots and wasted studio time then now is the time to do something about your wasted efforts. With this system you can learn how to do professional shoots in three easy steps. After all when you think pinup you think sexy. I mean what could be more fun than taking photos of a pretty girl.

There are a lot of great photographers out there but not all of their material is going to be top grade. They only produce average shots most of the time with only a few reaching what I would call publishable quality.

With this simple system you will be shown how to produce brilliant shots time after time after time. Its just a question of knowing how!

Practical Pinup Online Workshop is a complete eLearning Course. The video, eBook and Audio Book take you through all aspects of the three-stage system; it's an easy-to-follow system that absolutely anyone with even a basic knowledge of photography can use to produce absolutely brilliant Pinup shots.

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN LEARN WITH THIS SYSTEM

#1: Finding the best models and how to get them to sit for you.
#2: Planning a photo session from start to finish.
#3: What the best props are for Pinup and how to use them to create mind- blowing images.
#4: Creating a set from scratch in no time at all and for just a few dollars, even in your own home.
#5: How to take stunning Pinup shots with very basic equipment.
#6: Building a flexible lighting set-up and using it to create multiple moods.
#7: Styling for the best effect.
#8: Generating a relaxed studio atmosphere and building rapport with your models.
#9: You will even be provided a complete set of ready-to-use photo session concepts.

You can cut through the years of wasted effort most beginners go through and benefit directly from this extensive guide, learning first-hand as you are walked through this system every step of the way. You learn so much seeing the positions of the lights, how the models move, the directions that are given to the model.

You will also get a bonus hour long photo shoot video with a real professional model. In it's completely raw and unedited footage of the entire session, showing absolutely everything!

If this is your chosen career then this program can change your life giving you the knowledge you need to become a published Pinup photographer. Can you imagine being able to get models to sit for you and then running your own photo session, producing hundreds of images all at the highest publishing standard?

Source : Ezinearticles

Practical Pinup Photography

Three-Stage Practical Pinup Photography

If your frustrated by bad photo shoots and wasted studio time then now is the time to do something about your wasted efforts. With this system you can learn how to do professional shoots in three easy steps. After all when you think pinup you think sexy. I mean what could be more fun than taking photos of a pretty girl.

There are a lot of great photographers out there but not all of their material is going to be top grade. They only produce average shots most of the time with only a few reaching what I would call publishable quality.

With this simple system you will be shown how to produce brilliant shots time after time after time. Its just a question of knowing how!

Practical Pinup Online Workshop is a complete eLearning Course. The video, eBook and Audio Book take you through all aspects of the three-stage system; it's an easy-to-follow system that absolutely anyone with even a basic knowledge of photography can use to produce absolutely brilliant Pinup shots.

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN LEARN WITH THIS SYSTEM

#1: Finding the best models and how to get them to sit for you.
#2: Planning a photo session from start to finish.
#3: What the best props are for Pinup and how to use them to create mind- blowing images.
#4: Creating a set from scratch in no time at all and for just a few dollars, even in your own home.
#5: How to take stunning Pinup shots with very basic equipment.
#6: Building a flexible lighting set-up and using it to create multiple moods.
#7: Styling for the best effect.
#8: Generating a relaxed studio atmosphere and building rapport with your models.
#9: You will even be provided a complete set of ready-to-use photo session concepts.

You can cut through the years of wasted effort most beginners go through and benefit directly from this extensive guide, learning first-hand as you are walked through this system every step of the way. You learn so much seeing the positions of the lights, how the models move, the directions that are given to the model.

You will also get a bonus hour long photo shoot video with a real professional model. In it's completely raw and unedited footage of the entire session, showing absolutely everything!

If this is your chosen career then this program can change your life giving you the knowledge you need to become a published Pinup photographer. Can you imagine being able to get models to sit for you and then running your own photo session, producing hundreds of images all at the highest publishing standard?

Source : Ezinearticles

Fashion Models and Fashion Photography is Everywhere

We see it on billboards and in magazines the world over. So, what exactly does it take to be behind the camera? Aside from an interest in shooting the human form, you will also need to be prepared to forgo modesty in the pursuit of the best shot. Many fashion photographers are subject to nudity and awkward poses, thus the need to forgo modesty. If you're passionate about the possibility of becoming a fashion photographer, the following advice may help to get you on your way.

It is very unlikely that a self-taught photographer will be picked up in the world of high-end fashion. While he or she may get the occasional freelance job, the chance of becoming employed with a magazine or particular designer is slim. The executives in this fast paced world are seeking photographers who have been educated in photography and are experts in beautifying a subject on film. Fashion photography takes a great deal of precision and the photographer is required to understand color schemes. Fashion photography also requires an understanding that, most of the time, you're job is to sell something (typically clothing) and in order to succeed you must know how to bring your given product alive on film.

Photographers the world over have varying styles and ideas when it comes to composition and lighting. In the world of fashion photography, these two factors must be very specific. To succeed as a fashion photographer you must know how to both light and compose a photograph that totally flatters the subject while bringing forth the product of the day. In other words, you will have to make sure that the product you're trying to push looks just as good as the model wearing it. Unfortunately, that's not an easy task given the fact that most models are breathtaking and that tweed overcoat, or whatever, will pale in comparison.

Fashion photographers must also be prepared to both give direction and take criticism. Most models will require at least some direction as you shoot. And, since you're the expert on composition, you will be equipped to verbally direct their movements and poses in real time. On the flipside, fashion photographers take criticism from clients and models on a steady basis. This is the reason they take so many frames of a single subject in varying poses, et cetera. If you are not verbal, or you cannot take criticism, the world of fashion will be tough for you.

Another key component to becoming a fashion photographer will be the development of your portfolio. You should strive to compose a quality portfolio of photographs designed to promote fashion. Practice composing, directing, and shooting a variety of subjects and do your very best to compile your best photos in the production of a "hire me now" portfolio. Your portfolio is like your resume. The best of the best stand out and the rest get ignored.

Source : Ezinearticles

Where to Learn Modeling Poses to Use For Photography Shoots

If you are a model or aspiring to be one, you know the importance of posing for pictures.  When you look through fashion or glamour magazines you often see women wearing swimsuits and think that this is the only type of modeling there is. 

The truth of the matter is, there are many types of models, super young and super mature, male and female and, to be successful in the modeling world it is important to know the many different poses and expressions to give your photographer so that you can continue to book jobs, after you finish a photo shoot.

Photographers love models who are multi-faceted and that can produce many different poses in a photo shoot.If you are not sure of all the different positions and attitudes that a photographer may want, it may be necessary to take a modeling class so that you learn at least the bare minimum of how to pose for the camera.

Females and Males 

There are classes that are solely for the female model.  However, if you are a male who wants to get into modeling, there are courses that you can study as well. When taking these classes make sure that you not only listen to the person instructing the class, but to the other models in the class with you.  They may have tips to share that they have picked up from working with certain photographers. 

Although the modeling industry appears cut-throat, those who work in it want to help others succeed as well.  By sharing with each other some of the photography modeling pose ideas, you can further your career, as well as the careers of others.

Teenagers

If you are one of the many teenage models out there wanting to get into the field, taking a modeling or acting class is a must.  In this formal setting, not only will you learn about the industry, but you will also learn the modeling poses you need when working for professional photographers that most often get booked for campaigns. 

By taking classes and getting advice, you can take advantage of the knowledge that you need to have a long lasting career. 

Once you start knowing how to pose, you can give your all to the photographer instead of grasping for ideas. Then you will be in a position to book more modeling jobs and have a lucrative career as a glamour, fashion or maybe even a top list runway model. Good luck!

Source : Ezinearticles

Perfecting Modeling Poses For Photographers

Unless you are landscape or nature photographer, your business will be built around people; people on their own; people in their environment; people relating to one another.

Shooting people is extremely fascinating, as well as excessively challenging. Sure, anyone can point a digital camera at a face and capture images. The real challenge is finding modeling poses for photographers that bring out the best in your subject, are natural, flattering and compelling.

That is what will make your photos stand out from the crowd and keep both male and female clients coming back for more.

Models Should Be Themselves - Only on Purpose

One of the biggest challenges that photographers face is keeping their model poses natural looking. In order to find natural poses, you need to study the ideas of others and recognize what works. When it comes to faces, pay attention to the angle of your subject.

Head Shots and Close Up

Most close-up shots of a face are tilted. People naturally do not like to look at someone head on, with direct eye contact. One of the best tips for head shots is to keep the angle a bit to one side. There are exceptions to this.

For example, when you are trying to get a certain feel to your pictures. You may want to shoot teenagers with the intention that the final shot have a rebellious flavor. This is a fairly natural feel for a teen, so this can really work.

Do Not Depend Completely on the Person

Another great tip when shooting people is to use props. Props are not just for kids. Actually, even in commercial photography businesses that regularly shoot high fashion or glamour oriented clients, props are used.

A prop can be as simple as having modeling poses in which your subject places his hands in his pockets therefore looking natural and un-staged. Leaning on something is also considered using a prop. Props prompt your subject to engage in his environment in a natural way, and serve to relax your subject for a more natural result.

Choose a Modeling Style You Like - Then Perfect It

There are hundreds of poses that are available to photographers who take pictures of people. If you come across modeling poses for photographers that you like, take the time to examine the composition and figure out why.

You can then incorporate these ideas into our own repertoire. However, always be on the lookout for inspiration, as developing original poses and creating your own photographic style will give you an advantage over your competition.

Lastly, practice is key. No model photographer becomes a professional overnight. Take lots of images. See what works and what doesn't. Keep improving until you are almost happy with your work. Your assignment people and your models will thank you for it.

Source : Ezinearticles

Pool Covers

These days, pool covers come in extensive lines of manual, semi-automatic, and automatic systems. The latest advances in pool-cover technology include a fast and powerful waterproof cover that is used to power an automatic pool cover; "touchpad controls," which are standard on every system; and zero-maintenance drive systems. These innovations are all backed by warranties and customer service by the manufacturers. The benefits from automatic covers--including reduced maintenance costs, solar heating, energy conservation, and elimination of evaporation--all result in savings that make up for the cost of the pool cover.

Sometimes called "horizontal fences," these state-of-the-art pool-cover systems isolate the water and not the pool deck or backyard as conventional fences do. These pool-cover systems support the weight of several adults, providing strong barrier protection as a pool-safety device. It is possible to preserve the elegance of the pool environment with innovative track and housing designs -- the latest ones available, when retracted, disappear. All these features are available without inhibiting water features, negative edges, raised walls, zero-entries, freeform designs, or other pool features.

A plain pool can be turned into a spectacular one using water features that have become very popular today. A pool that has multiple water features on two ends, with the slide only a few inches above the water, can also be covered, using the Infinity 4000® with a recessed system and walk-on-tray lid. A recessed system is one in which the motor resides below the pool decking or below ground, thus completely hiding the drive mechanism. The walk-on-tray lid covers the motor housing and provides easy access for maintenance.

A free-form shape adds personality to a pool, in addition to making it aesthetically pleasing. However, it adds to the complication of applying an automatic cover. As a result of innovative technology, free-form pools pose no design limit for the design of automatic covers. The complex designs created by the multiple curves of a pool can be taken care of by using the Infinity 4000 with a "recessed under track" system and a "deck-on-deck" design. In the deck-on-deck design, the pool cover track is on an upper deck, and the pool wall resides below the same upper deck. In a "recessed under track," system, the motor resides below the pool decking, or below ground, hiding the drive mechanism.

Source : Ezinearticles

You Have Choices With Your Unwanted Tattoo

You were young and in love, so you had your love's name tattooed everyplace everyone could see it. Then you broke up with your be in love with or else they broke up with you. Or you were young and in love with Sally, so you had a depiction of her tattooed on your arm. But, now you're 50 years old and have moved on to better-looking candidates. How do you deal with an old, faded tattoo art or else a tattoo art you're just not into anymore? Get it covered up or have it removed!

The the human race is full of tattoo art salons and artists. Many of folks artists are just that... Artists! And when you're searching for an superior tattoo art cover-up job, it pays to do some explore and shop around for an superior artist. A expert tattoo artist won't simply complete the cover-up pro you, he or else she willpower put it on in the same way as your consultant and advise you participating in selecting a design you're going to be joyful with.

If you know someone who's had great results with a tattoo art cover-up, ask them who the performer was. There is no better way to get hold of a cover-up expert than by word of way out and proven results. You'll find testimonials online as well, but be careful when making a decision on an performer based on cover-up pictures you make out online. You could not at all be situated by all means everyplace an online image came from.

Another excellent option is to have the tattoo removed. Of course this can be very expensive in establishments that offer laser tattoo removal or dermabrasion. It can also be painful and have other side effects like blisters or permanent scarring. So many are turning to the option of having the tattoo removed in the privacy and comfort of their own home using tattoo removal creams. There are a few major players in the market but Wrecking Balm seems to do a really nice job but offering more than just a tattoo removal cream, it is more of a tattoo art removal system. The applicator is essentially FDA approved, which a claim no other company in the market can make today.

You don't have to live with that old, faded or unwanted tattoo art. You could have it removed or just have it covered up with a new one that will excite you? All it takes is a little exploration to find a great tattoo art artist who'll help you find a design that will do just that!

Source : Ezinearticles