Portrait Photography Tips

One of the most popular types of film-taking is portrait photography. Many people use a point and shoot camera to take still pictures of others, but what differentiates a hobby from professional photography is generally the quality. A good portrait photographer has the ability to not only capture the best of his subject's face but also to bring out the personality of that individual.

If you would like to learn and excel at portrait photography, then the five points below will help guide you in that direction.

Rapport

Get involved with your subject while preparing for the picture. Engage the person in a friendly conversation so that there is comfort not only with you, but also for a naturalness in front of camera. Success at the "pre-snap" phase will help you to capture the natural expression of your subject and display it on film.

Personality

One of your main objectives should be to bring out the personality of your subject through your pictures. This can more easily be achieved if the person is relaxed. Since capturing personality is best done when an individual is least expecting a shot, be ready for those natural opportunities.

Lighting

Natural lighting is preferred by most photographers; however, an artificial light source can at times be more helpful to acquire the image you truly want to portray on film. Before using artificial light, take care for the amount of light and the angle at which it shines so that it provides an enhancing - rather than distracting - effect on film.

Background

The background color of a picture should compliment the subject's color. For this purpose, light backgrounds are generally preferable to help with emphasis on the subject. If the background color is not given due consideration, it could distort the attention away from your picture's primary target - the person.

Plan

You should always make a checklist of all the equipment you need prior to a photo shoot. Besides the necessary equipment, also come prepared with an interesting topic to discuss with your subject for a friendly and relaxed conversation.

Think through the job seriously before actually doing it and whether you currently have the skill set to handle it. If not, solicit the assistance of someone you trust and who has greater experience. Of course, if this is a hobby, then practice away.

Portrait photography can be enjoyed as a hobby or, with skill and knowledge development, adapted over time as a career. Either way, you will have many great opportunities to "stop time" with the push of a button!

Source : Ezinearticles

Cheap Photography Lights

It is true that when somebody takes a photograph, he will have a clear view about how it should look like. But after taking the photographs, if you found that it looks dull and dead what will you attribute to it? The number one culprit for the defect is poor lighting. What are various options for cheap photography lights?

Even with the latest digital camera and technology, the photographs will look flat and dull if the lighting is in the right mix and proper as per the background and theme of the photo. A dull photo, even with highly sophisticated photo editing tools such as Photoshop, will not be converted into an imposing one. The professionalism in photography and the art of photography demands the perfect photo at the first instant of taking the photo, without any additive and supplements by photo editing software. One thing well accepted for this kind of perfection is good photography lights. Good photography lights do not require very expensive set up of different varieties of lights. There are many options of cheap photography lights. Let us see some of these options.

Sunset and Sunrise are two natural, but powerful lighting options in still photography. During these periods the natural color combinations are very attractive and will be a suit to many themes for photography. The enchanting colors that appear during the dusk and dawn are sure to add deeper dimensions to the theme of your photos. No artificial photography lights are necessary during sunset and sunrise, and you will get more professional elegant photographs.

Clear sky and selection of location are always helped in getting better lighting for the photographs. The time of shooting also play an important role in getting good photographs. If the theme of photograph wants a background of cloudy environment, do it in a cloudy season without any lights manipulation. This will lot of money.

Sunlight during daytime can be effectively used for your photography lighting. One can use different angles and zooming to get perfect stills using sunlight alone, without going for expensive lighting arrangements.

An innovative idea is use reflectors to get more light just using Sunlight. Reflectors can reflect in multi colors and the right color combination can be achieved using these. One can use different kinds of filters and shields to adjust the bright Sun light to get the proper combination of the color mix.

If you want some night photography, you can go out in a full moon day with a clear sky. The photos will look pretty natural and professional. Simple cheap two monochromatic lightings may be required to get more effect.

There can be much such cheap photography light techniques by which one can get better pictures. One need not go for highly expensive lighting options if you have theme in mind and some creative ideas.

Source : Ezinearticles

Freelance Digital Photography - Simple Tips On How To Get Started Fast

Photography is considered a hobby for many people. It just takes a good camera, a vivid imagination, and a great subject to capture to be in the field of photography. Even little ones can be interested in photography because many cameras nowadays are just as easy as point and shoot. You can even see the image before it actually comes out in print through a tiny LCD at the back of the digital camera. But did you know that if you love photography and are very enthusiastic about it, you have the opportunity to make money from it? Yes, you certainly can and you can even do it online.

One way to earn money from your freelance digital photography is to sell your photos to stock photography sites. This is the first step that you can take to earn money from your photos. This may not give you a big amount of money overnight but in time you will benefit from selling your photos to these sites. You do not even have to quit your day job to upload photos to these sites. Treat this like a second income opportunity and you will do just fine.

Most stock photography sites will pay you a fixed rate based on your photos' sales and there are some that give you entire copyright to your photos so you can charge your buyers with your own rate. You find out much more on this lucrative business at the end of this article.

To achieve effective sales of your photos online, you have to keep some things in check. Since the photos you will be submitting to online stock photography websites, you have to keep in mind the things that the buyers might want to buy so that you can take photos that will be appropriate for their use.

Regarding image quality, your photos must have no noise and be in focus. The colors should also come out sharp and balanced. And since these photos are to be used for a variety of purposes, you should not put a logo signifying ownership to you. You should also be able to categorize your photos correctly with the right keywords so that buyers will have an easier time looking for your photos which can give you impressive sales in the end.

If you are a newbie to photography but would like to try your hand at producing outputs for stock photography, there are certain things that you have to take note of. Of course, you must know how a digital camera works and investing in a good one is probably the best you can do especially if you want to make this a career. To make sure that you are able to update and upload your files as fast as you take your pictures, an internet connection is required.

The most important thing to do when planning to be a provider of stock photos is to take hundreds of relevant digital photos. Signing up with stock photo websites must also be done as well as learning things like coming up with the proper keywords, etc. so that you can start providing photos for your account on these websites.

Source : Ezinearticles

Building a Photography Lab

Photography is a very popular as a hobby and serves as a great form of art, allowing you the opportunity to capture special moments that can be retained for decades. It is a very gratifying experience taking amazing pictures and then showing your work to others. The capability to develop these same pictures in your own lab is an added bonus.

A darkroom, more commonly known as photo lab, is a room or space with almost no light for photographers to develop pictures. The darkroom is necessary because materials used for development are light sensitive.

Initially designed during late 1800's and early 1900's, the use of darkrooms to develop pictures today is constantly diminishing with the advancement in technology. Despite this, many hobbyists still prefer the use of a darkroom for their own picture development.

Developing your own pictures after snapping a roll of film is a delicate skill and its use can provide a real sense of satisfaction and accomplishment upon mastering the necessary techniques. With your own photo lab you have the flexibility to experiment with different approaches to the task and see the immediate results in your own location rather than waiting for someone else to do the work. The overall cost of developing each picture also decreases by developing them on your own instead of at a professional photo lab.

Below are few guidelines to help you set up your own photo lab.

1. If you have a spare room or large closet in your home, you can convert it to a photo lab. The darker the room, the more effective your lab will be. In fact, you really need to ensure absolutely no light is able to seep into the room.

2. Make sure the room has a good ventilation system to provide for a comfortable working environment and efficient escape of chemical fumes.

3. Purchase in advance a supply of all required picture development materials, including trays of various sizes, an easel, enlarger, concentrated developer solution, tongs, and other pertinent picture development equipment. Ebay or different online auctions are great places for beginners to purchase these materials inexpensively.

4. Your photo lab should be partitioned: a 'dry' part and a 'wet' part. Be very careful to keep your work for each part of the room separate; otherwise, even simple mistakes could result in a ruined picture or canister of film.

5. Use the right sized tray, and you should have at least three of them. One will be used to hold the fix solution, another will keep the 'stop' solution, and the third will have the developer solution.

Getting started on a personal darkroom can be a fun experience, especially once it is complete and you actually get to develop those great pictures on your own!

Source : Ezinearticles

Turn Your Hobby Into a Career With a Photography Course

We're often told that success comes from pursuing what we want, and doing what we love doing. If you're stuck in the daily grind, however, and working 9-5 everyday, this may seem like an idealistic sentiment that in reality is hard to make happen. But for many people, their hobbies and personal interests are their saving grace, and it's probable that those unhappy in their day job have considered a life in which they pursue what they are really interested in. But if you are committed to making the change and starting a career in something that truly interests and inspires you, then there are a number of avenues that you can go down. Online and distance education is a time friendly and cost-effective option that lets you study from home on your own time, when it suits you, without having to commit to a university schedule or face to face class time. Such courses make it possible to study what you love and make the first steps towards doing what you love without having to stop working.

The proliferation of personal cameras on the market today has made photography a popular hobby. Most people today own a digital camera, with which they capture memories and special moments. In many cases, this casual interest has turned into a more serious hobby - the equipment, effects and power of the camera can be intoxicating. So why not pursue this passion with a photography course? There are a range of different photography courses available:

• Digital photography course: If you love photography but are new to its digital evolution, a digital photography course will help you to understand digital concepts and techniques - as well as how to operate your digital camera, how to transfer images from your camera to your computer, and how to digitally print them. Furthermore, you can get advice on which digital camera to choose, and what the differences are between different models.
• Freelance photography: To make photography a career, many photographers have chosen the freelance route. Freelance photography courses focus on not only the essential skills of location shooting, current technologies and different styles of photography, but also the business element of freelancing - such as negotiating contracts, understanding your markets and knowing how to sell your services. A freelance photography course will put you on the right path to turning your hobby into a career.
• Traditional photography courses: Often combining the use of SLR and digital cameras, these photography courses are perfect for those interested in the art and science of photography. You'll learn about light and gain a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the lens. With the basics behind you, you'll be able to decide whether photography is merely a hobby, or something you are interested in exploring as a career path.

As with any career, practice makes perfect. But understanding the essentials is crucial to producing quality photographs. A photography course - whichever stream interests you - is a good way to master such skills. Furthermore, you'll be doing what you love and making your dream a reality or your passion into something that you can professionally pursue.

Source : Ezinearticles

How to Make Money Selling Photos Online - This is How to Earn Money From Digital Photography!

Who wouldn't like to make a little extra cash these days? If taking photos is your hobby, then keep in mind that your pictures are actually worth money. Internet is indeed a great way to earn some cash from home, by selling photos to various stock photo sites.

But, to make sure that you can actually make some money by selling your photos online, you must first answer the following questions:

• Are you willing to invest enough time to learn how to take good photos that other people will want to buy?
• Do you own a camera of high enough quality?
• Are you willing to invest some money to buy a better camera or equipment?
• Are you willing to capture images other than your immediate surroundings?
• Will your friends and family agree to sign model release forms, if you decide to use them as models?
• Do you know how to edit a photo properly and if not are you willing to learn?
• Can you find the proper keywords to go along with your photograph?
• Can you handle rejection?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then there is a good chance that you will be able to turn your hobby into a business.
Here are a few more tips that can help you succeed:

1. Pick the right subject: if you want to start selling your photographs, then you will need to provide the buyers with something they can't grab themselves. This means that you just can't take a picture of your pet, kitchen or living room and expect people to pay money for it. The stock photo sites already contain thousands of these images. You can choose to take some seasonal photos when the time comes around, because they are always popular. To get more ideas about the best subjects, you look at the other pictures on the site and see what can help you earn the most money.
2. Always prepare the photograph, before uploading it: Make sure that the picture is in JPEG format with minimal compression and in its original resolution, so try not resize the image. The photo must not have any trade marks, like bottle labels or T-shirts with logo. And of course, if there are people that can be identified in the image, you must enclose a Model Release Form, which will prove that you have the consent of the person that is photographed.

Source : Ezinearticles

How to Make Your Own Tripod

MOST photographers, regardless of whether they are professional or plain hobbyist, carry with them their cameras. But not all of them can actually have with them their tripod.

There are three top reasons why not all of them can't seem to have with them their camera tripods. One is because it is expensive. Second, it is too inconvenient to be carried around. Third, it is not always being used.

Photography as Profession and Hobby

Photography has always been a very good hobby. In fact, the number of Americans into this hobby is growing each year. These people take photos at their own liking and taste. They go places in search of "something" that is worth the "flash" of the camera.

They are basically the amateur photographers, who take photography as a hobby. They're not after earning anything from it. There are some amateurs though who are capable of producing photos at par with the shots of the pros. Thus, some of them ends up sustaining photography not just as a hobby but also gets to profit from the quality images that they produce.

There are however those who makes a living out of it. They are the professional photographers working in studios, art photographers (takes candid shots, prints and frame them for exhibit and sale), forensic photographers (who takes photos of crime scenes and crime-related objects, people), the photo journalists, advertising-based photographers (those taking photos for advertising and promotions purposes), events photographer (who covers an event and shoots for memorabilia) among many other photo-based jobs.

Some of them actually need tripods. Some don't.

The Need for Tripod

A closer look at lower portion of the camera would show a small threaded hole. That hole is intended for tripods. Tripods are normally used by still photographers, which include those into advertising, design, fashion, food, glamour, still life, portrait, landscape and wildlife.

More often than not, one could find tripods in photography studios, where it is most needed.

Tripods are normally used for still photos, although there are some instances when a tripod is needed especially when the photographer would not want his camera to move while taking a shot of a moving object. It is also advisable to use tripods when using telephoto lenses. Any unnecessary movement of the camera ruins the shot. Tripod use largely contributes to sharp photo images.

Tripod also guarantees accuracy of the subject, especially when images are for framing.

Improvising Tripods

As not all photographers carry tripods with them, it is best that they know how to make one, especially when they needed it most.

Source : Ezinearticles

Discover a New Passion With Self-Made Pinhole Cameras

Looking for a new hobby? If you're into art, then pinhole photography could just be the thing you need. It offers a unique way of capturing life without breaking your bank account. Pinhole cameras will introduce you to a whole new world of art.

Getting a Camera for Your New Passion

To start with, you'll need to get yourself a pinhole camera. Pinhole cameras can be very inexpensive. There are commercially available pinhole cameras available on the Internet or in photography shops. But you can also make one yourself. Now you don't have to worry about this part.

Getting Started

Making a pinhole camera is simple. All you'll need are a light-tight box or a can with a tight-fitting top, film and photo paper, black photographic tape or black electric tape, black paint, and, of course, a pin or a needle.

Once you have all the materials, the first thing you must do is to paint the container inside-out with flat black paint. This is to ensure that light does not enter the camera. The next step is to make the pinhole.

The Pinhole

If you're making non-cartridge pinhole cameras, make the pinhole on the opposite end of the removable side. This will make things easier for you when attaching the film. You can make the pinhole directly on the container, or you can make it on a separate piece of thin metal of heavy black paper and fasten it over a bigger hole made in the center of the container.

Just to be on the safe side. There are charts available that equate the pinhole size to the pin size and the distance from the pinhole to the film. When making the hole, make sure to rotate the needle as you push through the container - this will give you a smoother hole. Don't press the pin too hard - make it such that 1/8" of the needle goes through the surface. Smooth the rough edges with an emery paper. After all these, you tape the pinhole over the hole in the box. Use the photographic tape or electric tape to do this.

To check that the pinhole is perfectly round, look through the back of the cam. If you see images clearly when aiming the camera toward a scene, then you'll know that you're doing the right thing.

The Shutter and the Viewfinder

For the shutter, you can use an opaque dark paper. Attach it to the pinhole by hinging it with adhesive tape. You can also use tape to keep the shutter fastened while the camera is not in use.

A viewfinder is optional for pinhole cameras. But if you wan your pinhole camera to have one, you can use wire or cardboard. The larger frame should be located above the pinhole and should be a bit smaller than the film size.

Source : Ezinearticles

Top Digital Camera Devices For Children

Are you are parent looking to encourage your child and to help them learn about the art of photography? Perhaps you want to pass on your love of photography or your child has illustrated an interest in the art. Whatever the case might be, you will need to get your child one of the best digital devices so that he or she can have an easier time of learning how to master the art of taking great photos. So, what are some of the best cameras for a child that are easy to use?

Getting a great digital camera for your child will take a bit of shopping around. You will also need to take several factors into consideration. Think about the age of your child and also consider whether or not your child has ever used a digital camera in the past. You will also need to reflect on the level of seriousness your child will dedicate to taking photos; is this a passing phase or will the child remain dedicated to the hobby? The answers to the latter questions will help you define how much you should be willing to spend on a digital camera. You might want to start out with an inexpensive digital camera at first, and when the child illustrates that he or she has a lasting interest in photography, you can then invest in a more expensive option.

You are going to want a digital camera that is durable and there are some really rugged cameras that are on offer today. You might consider a camera like the one made specifically for children by Fisher Price. This camera is ideal for preschoolers and children as old as seven years old. This camera is shock proof and even if the child accidently drops the camera it will continue to operate. The camera is equipped with some really nice features too like an LCD screen, eight megabytes of storage for memory and it is a 1.3 megapixel camera. The child can easily make use of the autoflash feature and the camera is equipped with a wide wristband for easy toting.

Another popular digital camera for kids is the Vtech Kidizoom. This device will easily connect to a computer tower or television set for picture viewing. This camera is equipped with some cool games, movie watching features, image editing functions, and more. The camera will offer your child an LCD viewing screen, a double viewer, and you will find this camera is a bit less expensive than Fischer Price offerings.

Source : Ezinearticles

Video Camera Tripod in Filming and Shooting

There are many camera and video accessories available in the market such as video camera tripod, zooming lenses, camera bags and many more. Photography and videography are fast growing hobbies for many individuals. Many workshops and schools profit out from these individuals who are in love with this art. They are not the only establishments that profit from the growing demand for professional studies in these fields, and many sellers of camera equipment and accessories profit a lot from them too.

Pictures and videos are always worth a thousand words and it is a settled rule that people resort to this kind of hobby because it is a form of art. Pictures and videos bridge the gap between some things that you haven't seen in the past or places that you want to go to in the near future. It keeps memories at the same time as it shows you many stupendous things, animals, places, unbelievable creatures that you don't know. We would not have great movies nowadays if this kind of media arts was not discovered.

For experts in filming and photo shoots, they highly require their cameras to be ready at all time. Equipments and other enhancement accessories are very important to produce great video or movie. The most common equipment that you can see in a photo shoot or taping venue is the video camera tripod. Most experts use this often specially in creating a movie and in photo shoots. This helps them to stabilize the video camera that they are using while shooting. You can never rely on your hands for how you may spend many hours just holding the camera up. Sooner or later you will get tired and it will affect the quality of the video that you are making. During some running scenes in many movies you have watched, videographers actually used a video camera tripod placed in a moving platform while filming. With the help of the tripod, your filming and shooting activities would surely be clear and vivid. But it would be useless if you are using a low mega pixel video camera. No matter how nice and stable your tripod is, the result will still be ugly.

There are plenty of tripods out there. It can be second-hand, refurbished, or brand new but the important thing is that it is still in a good condition that can perform the entire task you need in filming or shooting. There are also a lot of designs when it comes to a video camera tripod. They vary in sizes, shapes, and functionalities like being foldable or not. There are very handy tripods that are fit for travelers and people who make documentaries.

Source : Ezinearticles

Selling Your Photos to the Press is a Money Making "Goldmine"

Armed with a passion for photography and a cheap 10 mega pixel digital camera, I found myself in one of those life-changing situations that opens one's mind to so many different opportunities that I was literally left stunned and speechless.

Whilst taking photos of local graffiti art located along my local train line, I was approached by a gentleman who politely asked if he might be able to purchase some of my photos.

It turns out that this gentleman was from an American advertising agency and some of the shots that I had taken would be perfect for a campaign that he was organizing, furthermore he was also able to put me in contact with other operators who would gladly pay to have some of my shots.

This got me to thinking... Is there a market in selling normal, everyday shots? How do you go about contacting people who are willing to pay for photos are how do I let people know that I have photos for sale? What are the legalities of selling photos to another person? Can I get the photos back after I sell them?

It seems some research was needed as a basic Google searches were unable to turn anything up. After a lot of trial and error, here are some of thee things that I have learnt:

1. Special training and expensive equipment are not necessarily required to be successful within this industry. in fact a cheap digital camera or even a mobile phone with an average digital camera will be more than adequate.

2. Subject matter is not as important as most would have you believe. Examples of photos that are selling are pictures of different countries flag, stock photos of old and rusted cars or even landscape shots are proving very popular among photo buyers.

3. The hardest part of breaking into this industry is knowing where to look for potential buyers and alternatively where to upload your photos to gain the right amount of exposure.

4. The photographs that you sell will more often than not remain yours which means that you retain ownership of the photographs and will forever retain the rights to reproduce and license the picture to others.

It is very important to note that there are a lot of SCAMS on the internet that ask for hundreds of dollars in return for a lot of broken promises and very little accountability. Most reputable stock photography websites will have direct contact details available to any body who requests it so if your website doesn't provide this service then you need to ask yourself... Why?

Source : Ezinearticles

Personalising Mother's Day Gifts - Photo Bags and More

Photo Bags

Handbags, makeup bags, wash bags, carry alls, and even laptop bags can be customised with photos or unique designs. Pick a picture of you and your children, or one of the whole family and print it on one side of the bag. For a little bit extra you can also have a picture of your Mum printed on the reverse. The quality of the bags used ensures that this is one Mother's Day gift that is guaranteed to last for many years.

Adding Pictures To Your Gift Items

The greatest feature of personalised photo gifts is that you get to design them. They are high quality items that include space for the addition of a single photo, numerous photos, or any other design. Digital photos do work best, and pictures of you and your siblings can prove especially effective for the creation of a personalised Mother's Day gift. However, you can use any picture including scanned photos. They don't have to be pictures of people, and can instead be on any subject or topic that you know your Mum will cherish.

Include A Personalised Mother's Day Message

Text can also be added to photo bags and other personalised Mother's Day gifts. In some cases, the text can be added over the top of the picture or pictures that you use while in other instances, such as with a photo calendar, they are included as part of the design to accompany the photo. Graffiti photo bags are created using only text printed in a unique graffiti style font.

Other Photo Gifts - Photo Cushions And Blankets

Home furnishings are another group of personalised presents that can be given for Mother's Day or any other event or celebration in the year. Sizes vary but both the cushion and the blanket offer the opportunity to personalise one side of the design; as standard you can choose a colour for the other side but you can also opt to have another picture printed on the back instead.

Other Photo Gifts - Photo Books And Albums

Photo albums are a traditional way to show off family pictures and the modern versions also allow you to personalise the covers and the presentation tin or storage box that they come in. Alternatively, you can pick the photos and have them printed directly on the pages of a photo book. This too includes a personalised cover and tin.

Other Photo Gifts - Canvas Prints

The canvas print is perhaps the simplest type of photo gift. Pick a favourite photo and have it printed on canvas. Standard sizes as well as completely bespoke dimensions are available and you can add the personalised Mother's Day message to the back of the canvas leaving the front free for the picture that you choose.

Source : Ezinearticles

7 Personalised Valentines Day Gifts For Boyfriends

1 - Canvas Prints

Pick a single picture and have it printed on top quality canvas. You can also add a personal text message to the back of the canvas in order to convey your feelings without covering any of the picture. Choose a photo of the two of you together or a romantic place that you've visited. Because the choice of photo rests solely with you, it means you can let your imagination go wild in creating the most personal and unique gift for Valentines Day.

2 - Montage Of Love

Canvas prints also offer a number of other options, as well as the single photo. As well as being able to convert colour pictures to black and white or sepia pictures you can also have a Montage of Love created using a few of your best pictures. This will not only be a heartfelt present for your boyfriend but will also be a talking point and a truly cherished gift for years to come.

3 - Fun Pop Art Prints

Alternatively you could have a picture converted into a pop art version. Pop art prints are very colourful and fun, and work especially well with photos of individuals or couples making them the ideal choice for Valentines Day. Once again, you can add a Valentines greeting to the back of the frame and all canvas prints can be printed in a range of sizes up to several metres in length so are perfect for any wall space in any room.

4 - Customised Laptop Bag

Laptop bags are an essential item for many people and are especially useful for those that travel or use a laptop for work. Customising a laptop bag with a picture or text caption is another fun and unique way to create an incredible Valentines Day gift that will live long in the memory as well as the house, office, and the car.

5 - Customised Wash Bags

Laptop bags are just one in a wide range of bags that can be customised in this way. Wash bags, carry alls, shopping bags, and others can be personalised with photos. They are another great use of pop art conversions and you can even add text that is printed in graffiti style in order to make a beautiful and fun gift.

6 - Love Puzzle

Have a picture printed on jigsaw board and then cut to create a Love Puzzle or Valentines Puzzle. The puzzle comes with its own presentation tin, which can either include a picture of the finished design or an alternative message so that the recipient has to finish the puzzle to get that message.

7 - Photo Cubes

A photo cube is a comfortable and great looking item that is practical and ideal for lounging around. The firm cube shaped cushion is covered with your design so you can pick different pictures for every face of the cube or you can have the same design printed on every side. The choice of design is yours so you can make it look exactly how you want it to.

Source : Ezinearticles

Different Types of Paints and When to Use Them

There are two kinds of paint to use for your interior and exterior painting jobs, and both have their advantages. Oil based paints are thick paints mixed from resins and oils. Latex or acrylic paints are thinner, water-based paints. How do you know which kind of paint is right for your next painting project? Acrylic paints are increasingly popular because they are not as toxic as oil paints and hence do not smell as bad. They are also quicker to dry and it is easier to clean up their mess. However oil paints have the advantage of lasting longer, especially in high traffic areas like on the trip of doorways. Trim is an ideal thing to paint with oils. The thick paint will protect the surface and it will be easy to wipe if the surface gets stained. Oil based paints also work well on the exterior of the house because they hold up well against the elements.

Painting with oil can be difficult because the paint is thicker and harder to stir and spread. You cannot shake oil paint like you can latex paint. It tends to bubble up when you put it on the wall. When you paint with oil, you need to wash your brushes in paint thinner. This is in contract to brushes that have been painting with acrylics; they can just be rinsed with water. Yes, oil paints are harder to remove from not only brushes, but also skin. While acrylics may stain your clothes, they can easily be wiped off your arm, face, or wherever else they happen to splatter during your painting project. Oil paints can also be troublesome because they are considered hazardous waste. You cannot just through a can of oil paint in the trash. You need to take it to an appropriate facility.

Many families prefer to paint with acrylics inside, because the smell of acrylics is less toxic and it fades much faster than oil's lingering scent. However, no paint is exactly safe for children, particularly when ingested, so make sure to clear the painting space of children and adults for a few hours to a few days while the paint dries.

When painting surfaces that are ideal for oil based paints, such as interior doors and trim, remember to prime the surfaces carefully. A good primer is essential for making the paint last. You do not want your paint to start peeling, which it can if the surface is not properly primed, or even if you are painting oil paint over another layer of oil paint. To primes a surface for oil paint, first wash the area. You can paint on primer with a brush, just like you would a regular paint, or spray it on. If you are going to be putting your coat of primer on top of a dark color of oil paint, then it might help to get the primer tinted slightly.

Source : Ezinearticles

Oil-Based Paints Work Well With Most Projects

Reasons to Use Oil-Based Paints for Home Projects

There are some specific reasons to employ oil-based paints for home improvement projects. Of course, there are two options when it comes to choosing paint. Water-based latex paints are just fine for covering the walls, while oil-based paints are generally the best choice for high-traffic areas, doors and wood trim.

There are a couple of additional factors involved in using oil-based paints, including a bit of special attention in preparation and in cleaning up. Oil-based paint tends to be a bit thicker than latex/water-based paint. For this reason, the two types require different rollers and brushes for best results. Oil-based paints should always be used in an area that is well ventilated since this type of paint tends to put off stronger fumes. (However, it is best to provide good ventilation with all painting.) Oil-based paints are available at just about every hardware and home improvement store. These suppliers should be able to mix any color or shade of color needed.

A successful painting project begins with careful preparation of the surface. The area to be painted should be clean and smooth (free of dust and large bumps). It will probably be necessary to put a prime coat of paint on first, since oil-based paints can peel off more quickly without a prime base. Some paint experts urge using a tinted primer if painting over a dark color. Each situation should be evaluated carefully.

Latex/water-based paints are a bit easier to clean up, since it will not be necessary to use solvents or chemical mixes that are specifically meant for cleaning up after painting with oil-based paints. Oil-based paints should be carefully stirred before using, to properly mix the oils and pigments and to get a consistent color. Oil-based paints will generally take a bit longer to dry to the touch than latex paints. Good ventilation and relatively dry conditions are most conducive to drying. Use caution when using paints, cleaning up after painting and when disposing of paint cans and unused paint. If using a cordless compressor and paint gun, you may want to check with the manufacturer about the type of paint used.

Oil-based paints stand up to wear a bit better than latex paints, so this type of paint is often used on doors, baseboards, window trim, chair rails etc. Inside doors painted with an oil-based paint will stand up to the everyday use they get, and the painted surface will be easier to clean as well. Using oil-based paints on outside doors is also a good idea, because the tougher dry surface should handle weather conditions better than some latex paints.

Oil-based paints can be a good choice for small woodworking projects as well, especially if the surfaces are properly cleaned and prepared. Raw wood should be sanded and well cleaned before any paint is applied. In addition, oil-based paints can work well on metal surfaces, if the surface is cleaned and primed first.

Source : Ezinearticles

Canvas Painting For Beginners - How To Buy Your First Set Of Oil Paints

Art has a timeless appeal. What can be considered as beautiful creations 10 centuries ago, remain beautiful creations in this day and age. One of the most popular art methods is canvas painting. However, as we all know, popular doesn't necessarily mean easy. The question that many interested canvas painters ask is: how newbie-friendly is canvas painting for beginners?

I can tell you right now that canvas painting for beginners can either be a rough or a smooth process. Canvas painting for beginners can be very easy if the novice painter is given proper instructions on how to proceed. On the other hand, canvas painting for beginners can be a very frustrating experience if wrong tips and techniques are communicated to the trainee.

Want to be the next Amanda Dunbar, the young painter who specializes in oil on canvass painting? Then you have to receive the right kind of training.

One of the more important lessons when it comes to canvas painting for beginners is the selection of the painter's first set of oil paints.

Any veteran canvas painter will tell you that once you're holding the brush, you'll be possessed by a creative force that will, in some way, compel you to crate something beautiful. However, before you can get to that point, you must ensure that your brush is dipped on proper oil paint.

So, how do you buy your primary materials for oil painting? Below is a step-by-step guide for this critical aspect of canvas painting for beginners:

1. Determine what kind of oil painting you want to make. Landscape? Portrait? Abstract? Something which is impressionist in nature? The kind of oil painting you will pursue will determine your color palette.

2. Having an idea about the color palette you need, you will be able to determine the color of oil paints you must buy. As a beginner, add the following paint colors which are novice-friendly in texture and tone:

a. lamp black and white

b. cadmium red (medium tone)

c. cadmium yellow (medium tone)

d. burnt umber

e. ultramarine blue

f. cerulean blue

g. alizarin crimson

3. For your first few paintings, select oil paints made of artificial pigment and binder, because they are more malleable and are more forgiving when it comes to errors in application. Eventually, you will want to select oil paints made of pure pigment and binder because their application will look more professional and because this kind of paint will mix better with other paint colors.

4. Don't forget to buy turpentine which you will use to clean your brush right after using one particular color or combination of colors, and right before dipping it in a new color or a new combination of color. Believe it or not, canvas painting for beginners often end up as a tragedy because students fail to properly clean their brushes before applying new oil paints.

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Tips on Oil Painting - Painting Edges

There are several reasons why the use of edges in an oil painting is important:

* Degree of Hardness - Edges can be used to express the degree of hardness or softness of objects and subjects.

* Degree of Roundness - Edges can also be used to reflect the degree of roundness and sharpness of objects and subjects.

* Directional Indicator - Edges are an excellent help in mapping your painting. That is, they can be used to lead the viewer's eye around the painting and ultimately to the focal point or area.

This can be done in such a manner that the viewer is hardly aware of the manipulation. In the West, people's eyes enter a painting from the left. So, here is an opportunity to design your composition on the left as an invitation to enter your painting. From there, edges and forms can be used to lead and guide the viewer further into the painting and to the focal point. On the right of the focal area your composition should be designed to lead the viewer's eye back around to the focal area.

Of course, you are always free to break these sorts of rules if you have an interesting reason to do so. Also, be aware that in the East people enter a painting from the right.

In real life most edges look soft because our eyes are constantly moving. An edge will only assume its sharpness if we specifically focus on it. Therefore, it is best to keep the edges soft in general unless you want to draw attention to a certain feature as is the case with the focal area.

The other situation in which to use a sharp edge is when you want to make a certain feature appear to advance. But, in general, avoid excessive use of hard edges because they work against the creation of realism. On the other hand, a painting totally devoid of hard edges tends to look uninteresting. So, the solution is to put in a few hard edges but not too many.

Then there are also lost edges. These edges are usually applied when two neighboring shapes have the same value.

The whole thing starts with a visible edge and when this edge enters an area of equal values it becomes invisible or gets lost. Further down, the edge reappears where the value start to divers again.

The eye has a natural tendency to fill in the lost edge. The use of lost edges is artistically very powerful and should be part of your repertoire of tricks. Allowing the colors of one form to work themselves into the neighboring planes of equal value is a delightful way to loosen up a painting and make it visually dynamic. Note that a painting for some reason, as it progresses, has a tendency to tighten up.

In conclusion, there are three types of edges: the soft edge, the hard edge, and the lost edge. Most of the edges are on the soft side. Hard edges should be used sparingly with the intent of attracting attention or to advance certain features.

Source : Ezinearticles

Tips On The Care And Handling Of Your Oil Painting

Buying a genuine oil painting for display in your home or office is a cause for celebration. Whether you purchased an old oil painting or commissioned a brand new oil portrait, you probably realized as soon as you removed the wrappings that you don't have 'just another picture' to hang on the wall.

Oil paintings, which are not mounted behind glass (except in some museum circumstances for preservation), require special consideration regarding handling and maintenance. A few tips will help you avoid making mistakes that might damage your oil painting and help you preserve it for many years as a keepsake or family heirloom.

Handling and Storage

Oil painting is a sturdy, long-lasting, and durable art form, and with proper care and handling will last for generations. A visit to any good museum will confirm this, but keep in mind that museums go to great lengths to safeguard their masterpieces.

1) Always handle an oil painting by the frame without touching the painted surface.

2) Never let any object press again either the front or back of an oil painting canvas, as it pliable and will cause a dent or hole. If an accident occurs, have an expert repair the damage. An amateur repair job may look okay at first but given time will inevitably show.

3) For temporary storage or transporting an oil painting, place cardboard or plywood on both front and back (slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the framed oil painting) and then wrap in 'bubble wrap' and tape or tie securely.

4) Permanent storage should be in a custom-sized plywood container with the painting braced to allow air flow on all sides without shifting.

5) Never expose an oil painting to extremes of heat, cold, or humidity, whether hanging on your wall or in storage. Neither basements nor attics are good storage locations. The best place to store an oil painting is on the wall for all to enjoy.

6) Occasional dusting with a clean, soft-bristled brush is recommended. A very old or dirty oil painting should be taken to a professional restorer.

Hanging Your Oil Painting

Here is the fun part. Oil paintings, especially portrait oil paintings, demand pride of place in your home. Involve your spouse or family in deciding the perfect location.

Hang your oil painting on two picture hooks which are appropriate to the wall (wood, plaster, drywall) and strong enough to secure the weight of the picture. Two hooks, rather than one, will allow the picture to maintain a horizontal position.

1) Choose a place for your painting that does not get direct sunlight or is subject to hot or cold drafts.

2) Hang high enough to be able to see the painting clearly from anywhere in the room. A spot over a mantelpiece or over a sofa (above head height of anyone sitting on the sofa) is usually ideal.

3) Avoid hanging oil paintings in hallways or on walls where there is frequent family movement or furniture may be brushed against the wall.

4) If you have central heat or air conditioning, that's great. If not, a rule of thumb is, if people are comfortable in the room your oil painting occupies, chances are your oil painting will be comfortable too.

Source : Ezinearticles

Oil Portrait Paintings - 3 of the Best Types of Oil Paints to Use

In oil portrait painting especially it is always best to use the highest quality oil paints, as the nicer textures and the richer colour pigments will add an extra dimension to your work. A switch from low standard economic paints to a more professional standard could help you develop as an artist, it can make that much of a difference, they are quite simply much nicer and more rewarding to work with.

In oil portrait paintings you can really feel the difference as you work, the paint is easier to push around the canvas and the deeper more vibrant colours are fantastic for bringing out the tones and pigments in the flesh. Even when you dilute the paints they retain their vivid qualities because the colours are so highly concentrated, this being because unlike all economical paints, the professional products do not use fillers to extend the volume of the paint.

Whilst these higher standard paints will set you back a lot more money than the economical ones, its worth spending the extra money, here are three paints I would recommend:

Sennelier Oil Paints

Sennelier extra-fine oils are known for there pure pigments which are ground very slowly for an extremely fine consistency. The paint is very smooth with a buttery texture and has a lovely satin finish. The wide array of colours available from Sennelier are perfect for oil portrait painting. Sennelier oil paints is now a world renowned name with a rich history and was favoured by artists such as Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Ernst and Cezanne.

Michael Harding Oil Paints

These paints are hand made using techniques of the old masters making them beautifully vibrant yet strong and durable: the high consistency of pigments gives them an exceptional resistance to fading. The strength of the colours is useful in oil portrait paintings, it will allow you to create deeper richer tones. These paints are highly recommended by artists such as David Hockney and Howard Hodgkin.

Old Holland Oil Paints

Old Holland are the oldest manufacturers of oil paints, dating back to 1664, they also have one of the widest range of colours available. Again, as with all top quality oil paints, the high pigment content gives the paint a very concentrated colour.

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Oil Portrait Painting - A Wonderful Heirloom

As our lives become more and more hectic, and families are spread farther and farther apart, the idea of family heirlooms has seemed to go by the wayside. Having an oil portrait painting to hand down to a member of the next generation is a wonderful thing to be able to do. What it truly means to the recipient can be too much for words.

Many people assume that the younger generation will not appreciate things that represent a tie to the past. Young adults often appear to want to only want to live in the moment, yet this can be a very misleading and misinforming illusion. The ties to the past can often provide a much-needed grounding and a sense of having come from somewhere, and conversely the purpose of going somewhere.

There are entire websites and services dedicated to helping people find out what their family roots are. It seems as though the geographical distance between people has reawakened in many a desire to learn about their past. The dive into personal history often brings up stories about people that can be incredibly inspiring for those that seek to learn them.

There is really no better way to make history come alive for a person. Few people really care about the average daily goings on of a messenger or secretary. However, once you have a personal tie to that person it can spark an interest in the minutest details of his or her life. That can lead to a much broader desire to know history and how it affected every day people. Learning details of family history can open up a whole new way to learn world history.

Put aside for a moment the thoughts of having a piece of history that you are able to pass along, and how that might affect your outlook on life. Think about the cost of having one of these done yourself, of your family, that you may hand down about you. Who will you pass it along to? What will it mean to them and how far down will it get passed? When you stop and think of what you are doing, it is really a way to immortalize yourself.

One way to pass this down is to give it as a wedding gift to a son or daughter, or niece or nephew. This way they have a way of showing where they came from. As an added plus you could give a certificate for the newly weds to also have a painting done.

Put all together it can be a pictorial family tree. The longer that the tradition is carried on the most interesting it becomes. Think about generations on end being able to carry it on and how great that would be all put together on one wall.

Source : Ezinearticles

How to Face Paint For a Football Match

Face painting is an interesting art, which can be a source of a lot fun for the kids as well as the entire family. This art provides an experience that helps to bind the entire family in an event. Not only the children become in love with this art, but also the adults enjoy it equally. It is seen that when adults get their face painted they act childlike; breaking apart all their inhibitions, and feeling young and free again.

Face painting is an expression of oneself, the creativity you have, a depiction of your personality, and the little child inside you. Face painting has been associated with a number of events nowadays such as Halloween, birthday, or sports event. It has become an important part of the celebrations of extravagant events.

Many of the events that are held at the national or international championships have now acquired the status of joyous events with fans going crazy. The sports passion is seen at its peak with the fans supporting their game of a cricket, football, or soccer match, by having their face painted with the flags, or the colours of their hot favourite countries. The painting of the faces is being done in many ways. These styles include glazers, full-face paint, or one-sided face paint.

Football fever is all around us, and people are painting the flags of their favourite countries. It is an emblem of their support for the team. It shows their patriotism, loyalty as well as extreme love, and support for the specific team.

When a bunch of people are seen having their face painted in the same design in support of their nation, it gives a pride in being part of a tribe, being united to stand up, and support your team, and making your country proud. Even children love to have their face painted. They love the experience of having their face painted each time they are going to see a game, or even watching at home.

Face painting is not a difficult process. This art is not expensive at all. All you need is a brush some paints, and a bit of creativity. However, there are certain things that you should keep in mind before getting yourself painted for a football match, or any other event.

Remember to wash your face properly before applying the face paint. Temporary colours should be used for painting the face, as they are washable. Take care of your skin, and do not expose it colours that can harm your skin.

First, test a bit of the colour on your skin before applying the whole of it. Use a nylon bush for the painting. It is even better to use a sponge for painting, as it would give a smooth appearance. However, special care should be taken around the eye area. Thus, with a little amount of care you can make face painting a fun filled, and thrilling task

Source : Ezinearticles

Nutritious Art Activities for Young Children

Arts and crafts activities are a great way for young children to reinforce the ideas they have learned as well as creatively explore new concepts. Art time is very enjoyable to most children, especially toddlers and preschoolers. An art activity by itself can open a number of teaching opportunities on a variety of topics. These yummy projects can be part of a lesson on nutrition or as fun activities that initiate discussions on healthy eating and good nutrition.

My Own Food Pyramid

On a large piece of poster board, draw a large triangle and divide it into a standard food pyramid with all five food groups and the fats and sweets portion. Label each section with the food group name as well as the recommended number of daily servings. Let your child cut or tear pictures of food from magazines and sales papers or use food stickers. Glue the food pictures into the correct groups.

You can use real food to make art projects too! Some are safe to eat, while others are just to look at.

Cereal Necklace

String round cereal like Cheerios or Fruit Loops onto a piece of yarn. This activity is great for building fine motor skills in toddlers and can also serve as a fun and healthy snack!

Spaghetti is Good for Me

Dip cotton balls into brown paint and dry on wax paper while you cook, drain, and cool spaghetti noodles. Glue the cooled noodles onto a Styrofoam plate. Paint sauce on the spaghetti with red paint. When the paint dries, glue on the cotton meatballs. Do not eat this project and throw it out after 2 to 3 days to prevent mold.

Fruit and Veggie Painting

Slice a variety of fruits and vegetables into chunks and thick circles. Potatoes, apples, carrots, and radishes are good for this project. Get creative and include celery pieces and various shaped pepper pieces. Prepare paper on a child sized art easel. Dip the veggie pieces into paint and stamp them onto the paper.

Bugs on a Log

Spread a celery stalk with peanut butter and top with raisins for a healthy afternoon snack.

Colorful Toast

Mix a small amount of milk with food coloring and let your child paint a piece of bread with a small brush, taking care not to get the bread too wet. Toast the bread, top with butter, and let your little one enjoy her masterpiece.

There are also lots of fun food crafts you and your child can make from paper and other simple art supplies that encourage nutrition education.

My Favorite Pizza

Paint a paper plate red and let it dry. Provide your child with a selection of pizza toppings like yellow yarn pieces for cheese, red circles for pepperoni, small brown pom-poms for sausage, and green paper strips for green pepper. Spread glue over the plate and let your child glue on her favorite toppings. You may even sprinkle with oregano for a realistic smell.

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Canvas Painting - The Art of Painting to Last For Longer Duration

Canvas painting is an advanced form of painting that is adopted by the painters after they have mastered the art of painting with watercolors and on other textures. Canvas painting usually deals with the paintings that are made with oil paints, which tend to stick or bond strongly with the texture they are painted on. Canvases were originally clothes that were used to prepare sails of floating vessels, and were abundant in Venice. Considering this reason the Venetian painters took up this art over watercolor and are made popular over the renaissance era.

Advantages of canvas painting!

There are a large number of benefits considering the shift to canvas painting from watercolor painting, and the difference is sparkling. These benefits could be elaborated as below:

* Initially the watercolor paintings, unlike oil or canvas painting, lacked the luster of the images after few months or years have passed by. This was quite easily retained in case of the canvas painting with the oil colors, which provided an additional shine to the painting.

* Another problem with watercolor painting was that, the color seemed to gradually fall off from the paper surface after a long time. This problem was not suffered in canvas painting, as the canvas itself is a thick cloth and the oil paint bound itself pretty well with the texture.

* Oil paints are also much denser in comparison to watercolors, thus gaining in advantage over the brightness aspect of the painting.

How to go about canvas painting!

Before starting of with canvas painting, the person must take care of certain things and try to keep them in order as mentioned:

* The individual must decide the type of canvas, he wants to use for his painting and also the type of framework required. The framework plays an important role in canvas painting and may vary from being spline or stapled; the former allowing the painters to paint even on the edges of as there would not be any staple on them.

* Furthermore, the colors are very difficult to manage, due to their high density and low solubility with water. There are various forms of oil, with which the work could be carried out, but the linseed oil was thought to be the best for this purpose, as it is blended well and aggravated the luster.

* Nowadays, people try their hand on watercolor paintings first and then take up canvas painting, because if the strokes are practiced, then it would only require us to master the pressure that is to be applied on the texture.

* Once the person gets a rough idea about the pressure to be applied with oil paints, while canvas painting, he can move his hands freely, forming beautiful structures with the brush strokes.

Thus, while canvas painting one should be aware of the color combination and the amount of pressure that is to be applied on the texture. Due to its lasting property by retaining the luster at the same time, has become the most craved form of painting among professionals.

Source : Ezinearticles

The Various Types of Art You May See at an Art Show Or Art Fair

Art fairs and art shows happen all over the world. They are frequently done in various parts of the country depending on the season and they can be small, church sponsored shows for the artists and craft makers in town are ones that draw artists from all over to showcase their art and draw thousands of people coming to take a look at them. This article will describe the different types of artwork you may see at an art show or art fair from black and white landscape photography to handcrafted jewelry or handmade jewelry, for example.

One of the kinds of artwork you may see at an art fair would be a vendor that specializes in photography. Some photographers like to take all of their shots in black and white while others focus on taking pictures of mountain areas or national parks and their landscape. Photographic works of art are as varied as the people that take the photos. It is fun to view the works of many photographers. Some people are very specific on what they take pictures of. For example they may focus on taking images of newborn babies and that is it or they may only take pictures of animals. Finding this unique type of artist is something you would find at an art show.

Another type of artwork you may find at an art fair is someone that does various types of artwork using wood as their medium. Wood carvings can be something as small as a little turtle that could fit in the palm of your hand or a much larger carving done right from a tree stump made to decorate someone's yard or garden. Other woodworkers may design handmade furniture too. It is common to find Amish woodworkers at some fairs in Ohio or Pennsylvania where they sell their beautifully handcrafted rocking chairs or tables and many other pieces of furniture for your home.

A lot of things you could find at a smaller art fair, especially in a more rural area are artists that sew or quilt beautiful items. Quilters are alive and well on the art fair circuit and their beautiful heirloom quality quilts are fun to see at a fair. Similar textile type of things may be hand sewn baby clothing such as a hand embroidered christening gown for your baby's baptism. Other talented sewers have joined the latest trend of making custom clothing or collars for dogs.

Of course, an art fair or art show is not complete without a variety of wonderful types of painting being showcased. Whether they are pastels, watercolors or oil paintings, you are sure to see it all in every type of style from contemporary and modern to simplistic and country. Most art shows award prizes to the people at the art show for the best artwork in their specific category. It is not uncommon for many of these artists to travel from one show to the next all around the country to sell their art.

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Secrets Revealed - The Fine Art of Making Baby Dolls That Look Real

Have you seen baby dolls that look so life like? In fact it was so life like that you thought it would cry any moment? It takes a really skilled art to make such life like models. And even then, making them is no easy task. Here is a short description on how experts make these dolls.

The secret to making the lifelike baby is the mold. The mold is the pattern where the baby's body, legs, and arms are made. Each is specially made to closely represent each body part. A special kind of plastic is used to make the whole body. This plastic almost feels like human skin.

Baby skin looks different from adults. It has a different texture and suppleness. Another important part of making these dolls is the paint. It is responsible for giving that baby skin appearance. To get this effect, it requires a lot of patience and skill in painting. Each part is painted by hand to get the desired result. This can take time and a lot of effort.

More attention is given to the hands and feet. The hands and feet look almost like the real thing. Even the nails on the fingers and toes are almost real. If you look closer, you can even see that the veins are found along the body.

As for the hair, it also appears natural on first glance but it's not. The hair is synthetic but it really looks like the real thing. The eyebrows are made the same way. To get the natural look, each hair strand is sewn to the head. It takes a special kind of needle for this job. It also takes a while to get each strand in so it can be painstaking work.

These dolls are as made to be as heavy as real babies. Each baby is stuffed and weighed until they feel like a real one. Cotton is usually used as stuffing. Sometimes glass beads are added to the stuffing to make the baby heavier.

There are other features you can add to your baby to make it unique. The eyes of the baby doll can be closed or open depending on your preference. If you want, you can also get a baby that has a heartbeat that you can listen to. Some even have pacifiers that are held in place by locks or magnets. Another feature you can add is the ability to breathe. The doll's chest rises up and down slightly to mimic breathing.

And to top things off, each baby comes with a set of cute baby art clothes. Finding clothes for the baby to wear is just like shopping for real baby clothes. Since they look like real babies, you can have them wear different baby clothes.

Source : Ezinearticles

The Art of Reborn Baby Dolls - As Real As They Get

The latest rage in dolls and doll collecting has been reborn dolls. Odd name you may think for dolls but it's because of the process of making these dolls, that they get their name.

Reborn dolls are highly realistic looking dolls made of vinyl that begin their life as ordinary dolls which are taken apart and reassembled. This is where the name (reborn) comes from. The artists put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that the dolls look and feel as real as possible. These dolls are becoming highly sought after by collectors and amateurs alike due to the realism of the doll.

A lot of hard work and hours are put into making these reborn dolls, every minute detail is performed to create a lifelike looking doll. The result of all this hard work is when you look at a reborn doll it will many times be mistaken for a real baby. You would expect at any time for it to cry or laugh out loud. It is no wonder that these masterpieces are hardly toys for children to play with, these are a different dolls all together.

The reborn process is methodical and precise, every step is taken to detail to ensure that the artist can basically start out with a new doll and put it all together to resemble a newborn baby. After the doll has been taken apart and stripped of all factory paint and hair, to remove any remaining residual of paint and glue it is then bathed and thoroughly dried. This routine is simply the first step to a reborn.

After the last process the doll is now ready for the artist who hand roots its hair, usually Angora Kid mohair is used. To make the doll realistic, hair is sealed from the inside, this allows for styling the hair of which it is then hand-dyed to a particular color. The next stage is for the doll to be painted from the inside by in order to give it a natural looking skin tone.

After the doll is completely dry, the artist will use oil paint or oil based pastels to create and highlight natural looking skin creases on the outside, by doing this the doll looks even more lifelike. Eyebrows are hand-painted using acrylic paint, the same applies to the lips except these are finished with gloss sealer.

For the sleeping babies hand rooted mohair is used for their eyelashes, and for the open eyed babies glue is used. Finally the nose of the doll is opened by the artist so that the doll can breathe (remember this is a baby), after which he lines the opening with black felt and lastly the doll's fingernails and toenails are painted and sealed with white tips.

Now that the doll has been reassembled most frequently an artist likes to fill the limbs with high quality sand this gives a realistic weight to the doll. Each of the limbs are topped with poly fill and sealed with glue. More often than not an artist likes to fill the doll with craft pellets, glass beads or metal balls this is to add to the weight as poly fill is more for making the baby look plump. After the head has been put in place, the artist takes great care in painting fine lines to resemble the veins and ears.

Source : Ezinearticles

Early Art Appreciation Through Kid's Wall Paintings

When we talk about paintings, it is any form of visual art hanging on the wall that every adult can appreciate. It can be a painting of something, someone, or an event. It can also be abstract. A painting is a work of art and it can be delightful to see especially when it is hung in areas where it fits the theme.

Some people usually hang paintings of their favorite artists while some buy paintings because they love a certain art form. There are so many paintings that can be bought in art shops. Some buy paintings during art exhibits and auctions. Arts that are sold in malls or galleries are usually used in homes as part of the interior design or the theme of the room. Most hotels have paintings that make it more sophisticated. Homes that have painting will even look more elegant. Painting collectors even have their own small museums or house galleries where they put all their collections and let their guests see it.

If adults can appreciate these paintings, kids also deserve to appreciate art while they are still young. As a matter of fact, children have more intense cognition due to their strong focus on details. They also have special attraction on colors especially the vivid ones. This is the reason why most storybooks have colorful pages so that the children will easily be attracted to it and be interested with the story. You will also notice that the letters, numbers, and other decorations that are used in nursery and primary schools are very colorful to get the attention of children while they are learning. This is the same with kids wall art that can also become educational to them as far as art appreciation is concerned.

Kids wall arts are perfect to be hung in the bedroom of our children because this is where they usually stay when they are at home before they sleep. Children usually look around their room before they sleep trying to find anything to look at before they finally turn off the lights. The paintings and other art that are hanging on the wall can be the start of our children's discovery of art.

We can also put these artworks in other rooms where children usually stay. In this way, they can easily see the paintings and begin looking at them and learning from them. They can be placed in play rooms, music room, or baby room. A nursery wall décor can also be perfect in baby's room or nursery rooms where smaller kids can feast their eyes with the beautiful colors and figures that they can see. For sure, parents will also be proud of the nursery wall décor collections that they have for their kids and babies. This will give parents some kind of joy every time they see these wonderful kiddy paintings hanging in the rooms of their kids.

Source : Ezinearticles

Baby's First Birthday Gift Ideas

The first year of an infant is filled with milestone, laughter and surprises, so you and the rest of the family want to commemorate the little bundle of joy's first natal day with adorable infant's first name day gifts. There are so many choices of name day presents for you to choose from, from ceramic mealtime sets, cuddly toys to heirloom. Commemorate the occasion with unique personalized surprises, either embroidered or engraved with the child's name, initials and the date. Want to know a few choices? Here they are:

"My First Birthday Cake" Baby Gund Playset. Celebrate a first natal day with gifts that will entertain the child and dazzle parents, too! Inside an elaborately decorated plush name day cake, you'll find plush toys in the shape of a musical teddy bear, a camera, an ice cream sundae, a party hat and a wrapped present. These festive surprises are machine washable. As a finishing touch, the colorful cake toy holds a 2''x 2'' photo. This My First Cake Baby Gund Playset will delight a little one with six presents in one.

Happy Birthday Occasion Bear. To celebrate a newborn's first natal day this Happy Natal day Occasion Bear makes a cute and thoughtful present. This adorable plush teddy bear is sure to become one of your little bundle of joy's favorite cuddly friends. This bear arrives beautifully packaged in an adorable gift box that reads Happy Birthday.

"My First Birthday" Plush Baby Album. Celebrate a first name day with this fun and fabulous My First Plush Baby Album! Adorable and affordable, this plush picture album comes packaged for giving with a surprise label. Festively decorated for a party, this infant photo album is designed to hold twelve 4'' x 6'' photos of friends and family. In bright, vibrant colors, this plush photo album can be embroidered at no additional charge with newborn's first name or initials.

Baby Boy "My First Birthday" Musical Teddy Bear. Festively dressed and musically inclined, this precious teddy bear plays "Happy Birthday" for your little boy! A lovely toy for a boy, this cheerful teddy bear is a present parents and little bundle of joy will adore! This Baby Boy "My First " Musical Teddy Bear is a bear with beautiful keepsake appeal and all the quality you've come to expect from Gund. A wind-up key cues this precious bear to play "Happy Birthday," and he wears a bow around his neck and an adorable hat in blue. You can get a pinkish one for a newborn girl too!

Personalized Baby Girl's "My First Birthday" Gift Set. Teddy bears, cupcakes, and perfectly pink. This Personalized Girl's My First Gift Set comes complete with an adorable crown and embroidered personalized bib. This sweet personalized and pink 1st name day present set is perfect for a first natal day celebration for a sweet little girl. This surprise set from can be personalized with the girl's first name for a special touch. Each surprise set comes complete with a personalized bib and a pink crown. Adorned with cupcakes teddy bears and the words My First Name day this present set is truly very special. This personalized set comes packaged in a clear box for a pretty display and present giving ease.

Source : Ezinearticles

The Cleveland Museum of Art - A World-Class Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art is the only major art museum in the U.S. that still offers free general admission. Entry fees are charged for a few special exhibitions. First built in 1913, it is located in the University Circle area, a section of town home to several other Cleveland, OH museums and places of interest. The museum's permanent collection boasts more than 43,000 items created in different mediums including paintings, textiles, sculptures, photographs, and drawings. It is well-respected for its impressive collection of medieval European Art, Pre-Columbian Art, and Asian and Indian Art. Its paintings collection includes works by artists such as El Greco, Dali, Renoir, Matisse, Warhol, Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, and more. Many museum visitors enjoy viewing the Armor Court exhibit, a collection of medieval and Renaissance armor considered to be one of the most impressive in the U.S.

The museum provides valuable educational programs to the community, namely art classes for children and adults, lectures, group tours, school field trips, and more. Performing arts events such as organ recitals and chamber music are also offered by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Throughout the year, it provides entertaining festivals, namely the Chalk Festival, Parade the Circle, and the Winter Lights Lantern Festival. Families are encouraged to come to periodic Family Events where they can participate in hands-on art activities designed for people of all ages. Are you a movie buff? You'll be happy to know that the museum boasts film series throughout the year where movie lovers can see a variety of films from different genres and eras. If you're the studious type, you may want to check out the Ingalls Library. Housed within the museum, it provides a pleasant research area for museum staff, college students and faculty associated with the Art History and Museum Studies program of CMA, and the public.

Those who love to shop will want to stroll through The Museum Store, a gift shop offering items such as art books, jewelry, educational toys, and more. Hungry museum visitors will want to head down to the Museum Café where they can sample light sandwiches, soups, desserts, and other delicacies.

The museum's operating hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesdays and Fridays they're open 10 a.m to 9 p.m. It's closed on Mondays. The museum is accessible for the disabled, providing ramps and elevators at the north entrance. Wheelchairs are available for those who require this service. Listening devices are provided to the hearing impaired in the lecture and recital halls.

Source : Ezinearticles

Lovely Animal Baby Shower Supplies For a Colorful Animal Themed Baby Shower

Are you throwing a baby shower? Make sure you have the right party supplies. Luckily that's easy thanks to the many delightful choices available today.

If you're looking for an animal themed baby shower, Animal Mobile would be just the right baby shower theme to decorate your shower. Start your party planning off right by using the Animal Mobile Invitations. They set a cheerful mood that will make guests want to rush to the party.

Make your party chores easy by getting the basics out of the way first thing with the Animal Mobile Baby Shower Box. This package includes plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery for 8 guests. It also holds a tablecover, balloons, and more animal baby shower supplies to decorate your party room. This animals baby shower theme generates images of a mobile hanging above the baby's crib, something you'll be seeing a lot in the near future.

When it comes time to serve some tasty cake, continue the theme by using a Baby Cake Pan. The aluminum Wilton cake pan is shaped like a baby stroller, making it the perfect kitchen aid. This mold produces the ideal platform for your creative frosting design. Use an Animal Mobile Centerpiece on your table and your guests will enjoy that delicious cake even more.

For a lovely variation, try a Duck Cake Pan, or the Stork Cake pan. They all look great topped with special candles, like the Baby Candles shaped like a baby bottle, a pacifier, booties, and a rattle. Or, go for the Duck Candles, a six pack that tops off your cake in true ducky style.

Use that same duck design in your game room by selecting a Duck Mini Pinata. To match the Baby Cake Pan, try a Baby Carriage Pinata. Whichever you select, fill it with Baby Party Sweets. Each package holds 50 creamy buttermints that are also highly decorative. Mix in a few packages of Jordan Almonds, filled with 100 pieces in multiple colors. Use the packages as is or open them and pour them into a Blue Favor bag drawstring cachet.

Stumped for a game? Try the Baby Shower Bingo Game. The package holds 24 cards ready to play everyone's favorite classic party game. The cards also feature delightful baby-themed illustrations and phrases. Each card holds 30 call-outs.

Take lots of photos at the celebration and make sure you have a great place to store them. The 12-page Baby Shower Photo Album makes that easy and beautiful, thanks to the same delightful colors used in the Animal Mobile items. It's the perfect keepsake to give to the mommy to be.

You can express your gratitude for all the fine gifts and wonderful company after the party with a set of Animal Mobile Thank You Notes. The design will remind everyone of the joyful decorations and you can even make them unique with a few personal thoughts of thanks.

Source : Ezinearticles

Internet Marketing Tips - The Power Of Photos And Captions

Way too many Internet marketers fail to see the value of photos and captions on their sales page. The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words didn't come from a hole in the wall. There is a lot of truth to it. This article is going to try to paint a few pictures for you so that you'll understand the power of photos and captions on your sales page. Hopefully, after reading this, you'll be digging your digital camera out of the closet.

Let's start off with this example. You're promoting a brand new book in karate. You want to really show people how powerful this art is. Sure you can tell people in words how they can crush objects with their feet if they want, but what if you showed them a simple photo of one of your students with the following caption?

"John Lee kicks through 7 bricks instantly"

Do you not think that a photo with that caption will have more impact on your reader than anything else you could possibly say? After all, they're seeing somebody actually kick through seven bricks with their feet. It's hard to deny such incredible visual evidence that your book might just allow the buyer to do the same.

Let's take another example.

You're selling a book on acne treatment. Your book just happens to teach about a natural cure for acne. You have three photos on your page. The first photo is one of a person with terrible acne. The caption reads as follows.

"John Doe before using XYZ acne treatment"

It's a pretty ugly site and will certainly get the message across.

The second photo is one of John Doe actually putting on the acne treatment. It's a photo of him in his bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror and applying the treatment. The caption reads as follows.

"John Doe applying XYZ acne treatment in under 2 minutes"

Finally, the third photo is one last shot of John Doe after he has applied the treatment. The caption reads as follows.

"John Doe after applying XYZ acne treatment."

You see a photo of a person with absolutely clear skin.

There is absolutely nothing more powerful than this.

The tactic even works for non action niches such as Internet marketing. Imagine having a photo of yourself holding a check that you received for your marketing efforts in the sum of $5,000. You don't think a photo like that is going to bring some credibility to your business? The caption could read something like this...

Source : Ezinearticles

Influence of Art in Fashion

Sometimes the most ordinary of things that we take for granted, inspire a designer collection. Stories have been told about designers being creatively inspired by something as mundane as falling leaves or different cloud shapes. Most designers view their work as being art itself, which explains why some of the designs that are seen on the runaway might appear weird and not fit to be worn in society.

Art similarly draws its inspiration from life as we know it. Some of the best selling pictures have been made on the most ordinary of subjects- take Van Gogh's Sunflowers for example, which is after all a painting of a vase with sunflowers. So it is not unusual for both these mediums of creativity to walk hand in hand and influence each other. While paintings have been made on models, certain poses, or even fashion shows, art and certain styles related to artistic movements are reflected time and again on the runaway.

Such is the relation between art and fashion that critics have wryly commented on both forms being lovers rather than a couple. Cubist motifs, minimalist expressions, lines, patterns, cubes, avant garde art, even impressionist shades have all surfaced in fashion at some point or the other. To the extent that fashion critics claim that strong political views, changes in society or other history changing events which can be seen in art are also reflected in fashion from time to time. Cubism in particular seems to have been very popular in the fashion world.

The artists belief that everything in nature could be reduced to cylinders, spheres and cones, has greatly show up in designs on the runaway. Garments with geometric details, dresses with paintings on them and pants with lines on them are some popular looks that have done well. Sometimes, a certain style goes beyond just fashion and becomes a look in itself. Take Goth for example- not only was it an influence on architecture and art but in fashion as well. Today, the look of silver jewelery, black nail polish, heavy black eye shadow and lipstick, all symbolize the Goth look. T-shirts with paintings on them, squiggles, or other art work, are some of the best selling garments which can be found in nearly everybody's wardrobe.

Last year, color blocking typical of the Piet Mondrian style, surfaced on the runaway of a designer like Jonathan Saunders. Soft, painted floral designs which reminded viewers of fields of flowers, were the key highlight in collections of designers like Balenciaga. This year however, designs as realistic as photographs were featured on the runaway too in a very unusual manner. For instance Branquinho had his silk dresses feature prints of landscapes. Large scale photo prints also showed up in t shirts with sunsets and dresses with the landscape of a desert. Accessories such as scarves too have latched on to the trend. Markus Lupfer's scarf which had prints of faces, is one example.

Source : Ezinearticles

How To Draw 3D Cartoons Quickly And Easily

Drawing cartoons is not the most difficult thing in the world but it isn't very easy either. You need time, imagination and sense of proportions to produce vivid characters and make your drawings look three-dimensional.

Colors and shades have a decisive role in the business but the lines and curves you use for the contour constitute the basic element. The art of adding shadows can be learned by studying objects in different places of your room if you can count on natural light. Otherwise, a lamp may be used to detect the difference that light makes in the appearance of an object. Grab a funny toy that you have in the house and a little lamp and start learning. Move the lamp around the toy and above it and make a visual note of what happens each time.

Now take a pencil and a piece of paper and try putting down your toy-character. Draw the contour and when you think it looks like your toy you may use a black color pencil to add firmness to the contour. Next step: color your character without thinking of shadows; they will come soon. As soon as you have filled the contour you will have to find the appropriate color pencil to make shadows with. Use a darker shade of whatever color your character is. Don't use gray or black, they will make your drawing look artificial.

With animal cartoon characters, the expression of the eyes and the proper shading are the basic elements that make them 'live'. The only thing to keep in mind is the head, which must be bigger for a baby animal. Yet, when you want to create people, proportions are a lot more important than colors. When we watch a film we usually concentrate on the face of an adult human character, but the general appearance can be easily noticed by the way it moves. Looking at a photo of yours or at your 6-year-old brother playing about the room will not help. There is nothing funny in real-life proportions. What you should do is exaggerate more or less in order to make your cartoon character amusing. A kid character will have a body about the same height as the head, while an adult character will look perfect with the body twice the height of the head.

Source : Ezinearticles

5 Important Reasons to Buy a Beautiful Work of Art

Express Yourself

What a great way to express yourself and show what your interests are. Whether you are a sophisticated world traveler, futurist, fun-loving homebody, animal lover, or a sports fan, there are works of art to compliment you and your interests. For example, Chagall, Picasso, Klimt, Renoir, Kahlo, Bouguereau, Rembrandt, Watteau, or Max, or whatever artist of your choice who speaks to you and captivates your admiration and expresses your fervor for life. Express yourself with a vibrant work of art. My personal favorite is "La Giaconda" (The Mona Lisa). I am completely enthralled by her beauty and mystery and the secret held captive with her smile.

Art Is A Great Décor Booster

It's time to get creative. Give your entrance hall or living room a fresh look or a seasonal ambiance! Think about complimenting the seasons with just the right painting in your home or office space. For summer, what about Raoul Dufy's "Interior with Open Windows," or for the winter months, what about Claude Monet's "The Magpie," or Willard Metcalf 's "The Veil." And for the spring, why not add Albert Bierstadt's "Yosemite Valley." And for the fall, Melchior D' Hondecoeter's "Cocks Hens and Chicks." Revitalize the look of your favorite room, with the added charm and color of a fabulous work of art.

Compliment Your Personal Style

Which school of art best compliments your lifestyle? The lavish Baroque period, or the Pre-Raphaelites? The Northern Renaissance or Italian Renaissance Masters? Modernists, Photo Realists, Dadaists, Abstractionists, Surrealists, or is it the nostalgia of pure Romanticism? Choose from centuries of the greatest art in the world to compliment your unique personal style.

Art Makes A Great Investment

Whether you are a serious collector, or buy art as an investment with the intention of selling your work of art at some future date, or just getting your feet wet and starting to collect art, one rule stands firm, "Buy what you like." Art will always reward you with its beauty, integrity and new sense of discovery every time you look at it. Bottom line, whether you buy an original work of art as an investment for thousands of dollars, or a reproduction for considerably less money, art is dynamic. It will pass on from one generation to the next and each generation will add its own legacy and imprint with that particular work of art and keep adding to its history.

Feel Like A Million Dollars

Surround yourself with the good feelings which beautiful and vibrant art can impart to you and your environment. Treat yourself well and imagine Van Gogh's radiant "Sunflowers" boosting your mood the first thing in the morning, or the quietude of Jan Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," or the calming effect of Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," in your home or office. Whether you decide to purchase an original work of art, lithograph, serigraph, iris giclee print, or hand-painted oil on canvas reproduction, art will bring joy into your life. Fine art reproductions are affordable, so you don't have to spend a million dollars to feel like a million dollars. Unless of course you would like to spend a million dollars.

Source : Ezinearticles

Unique Gifts For Animal Lovers

The majority of people have at least a slight fondness for an animal of some shape, size or description. Even those who do not own pets or pursue animal related activities are more than likely to have a favourite animal, even if it is mainly caricatures of the species in question that they are drawn to. As a nation of animal lovers, the British are almost sure to be charmed by animal related gifts for all kinds of celebrations. Whether we need presents for family and friends at Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or another special occasion, and animal related gift is sure to please.

Almost all of us have an animal lover on our gift list. There are many unique items that would make a great animal lover gift. Those who have a fondness for wildlife and domestic pets are often very passionate about animal welfare and their overall interest in animals. They often love to show off their love of animals to family and friends. This is often done by decorating with animal themes. A unique animal lover gift can be fun, inspirational, stylish, and exciting.

Some unique gift ideas to consider are lamp shades, animal clocks, night lights, wall art, and mirrors. These are just a few ideas to get your mind rolling when thinking of the perfect animal lover gift.

These items come in such a variety that they are easy to personalise. You can find out the person's favourite animal. Maybe you can buy a plate with horses on or a clock with cats on. No matter what the animal, there are many unique gifts that have been made with them on it.

Sometimes the perfect animal lover gift is hand crafted. Figurines and statues can have such great detail. They can be brimful with personality and charm, and give an accurate portrayal of the nature of an animal as well as its physical features. This is a gift that will last for years to come.

Many of these exciting gifts are hand crafted, one of a kind or limited edition items that will make a real lasting impression. The craftsmanship put into these items are very impressive and they will last for many years. Any animal lover will be thrilled to receive a gift that is so thoughtful and one that reflects their individual style.

For those who own a pet or perhaps a working animal, an animal lover gift does not have to be solely for the enjoyment of the human recipient - many of the most appreciated present are intended for use by the recipient's favourite pet (or pets!). Today there is seemingly endless variety of toys for pets, from dogs and cats to rabbits and even hamsters. As well as tasty treats and decorative feeding bowls, there are a range of popular but less essential animal accessories, such as doggy clothing (although practical coats are recommended for some shorter haired breeds in cold months). In addition to this, the growing trend in personalised goods enables you to create an animal lover gift by printing images or text relating to their pet (or favourite animal) onto mugs, cushions, fridge magnets and much more besides.

Source : Ezinearticles